Penang not only boasts its well preserved heritage but a wide variety of delicious Penang street food too.
And did you know that Penang is one of the world’s most popular destination for food lovers?
You will be certain to find something to tickle your appetite in this melting pot of food, people and culture not matter what your preference.
It is a food paradise in Penang and you will definitely never stop eating! Come and try out some of the international acclaimed Penang street food like Char Koay Teow and Penang Asam Laksa.
Now let’s dive in below to check out 30 delicious Penang street food you must try throughout your visit.
1. Ais Kacang
Ais Kacang or in plain English translation ‘Ice Beans’ is a colourful spectacle of sweet corn, gelatinous nipa palm seeds, red beans and jelly laid over of shaved ice. The ice was then drizzled with evaporated milk or coconut milk with rose syrup. You can also request for an additional scoop of ice cream on top if they do have.
Where To Eat:-
AIS KRIM AIS KACANG – Google Map Location
Open:12.30pm – 6.30pm
GURNEY DRIVE AIS KACANG – Google Map Location
Open: 4.30pm – 11.00pm
Contact: 016-493 3228
JALIL SPECIAL AIS KACANG– Google Map Location
Open:11.00am-8.00pm (Closed on Sunday)
Contact:016-402 9216
SWATOW LANE ICE KACANG – Google Map Location
Open:10.00am -10.00pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Contact:016-497 0136
2. Asam Laksa
Penang Asam Laksa is one of the world famous acclaim street food in Penang. It is a sour and spicy noodle consist of tangy fish, garnished with finely-sliced onions, pineapple, cucumber, red chillies, torch ginger buds and mint. Sometimes, it is also served with a spoonful of thick prawn paste.
Where To Eat:-
INDIAN LAKSA– Google Map Location
Open: 12.00pm – 5.30pm
PENANG ROAD FAMOUS LAKSA – Google Map Location
Open:9.00am – 6.00pm
Contact:013-446 0543
SWEE KONG COFFEE SHOP – Google Map Location
Open:12.30pm – 4.00pm (Closed on Thursday)
TAMAN EMAS COFFEE SHOP – Google Map Location
Open:12.00pm – 5.00pm (Closed on Monday)
WAN LI LAKSA – Google Map Location
Open:11.00am – 7.00pm
Contact:012-429 1945
3. Banana Leaf Rice
Originate from South India and this Banana Leaf Rice served on a banana leaf and usually fill with varieties of vegetables, pickles and appalam. Traditionally this meal are eaten by using right hand. The leaf itself acts as disposable plate after finish the meal.
Where To Eat:-
KRSNA RESTAURANT – Google Map Location
Open:7.00am – 9.00pm
Contact: 04-263 9764
PASSIONS OF KERALA – Google Map Location
Open:12.00pm – 3.30pm | 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Contact: 04-227 2550
SRI ANANDA BAHWAN – Google Map Location
Open:7.00am – 12.00am
Contact: 04-890 9771
WOODLAND’S VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT – Google Map Location
Open:8.30am – 10.00pm
Contact: 04-263 9764
4. Cendol
Cendol is different from Ais Kacang although they both share the same similarities. Perfect to enjoy it during the hot day in Penang. It consist of green jelly noodles which served over shaved ice with beans and drizzled with amounts of coconut milk and palm sugar known as gula melaka.
Where To Eat:-
CENDOL PULUT – Google Map Location
Open:11.00am – 7.00pm
DIN AIS KACANG – Google Map Location
Open:12.00pm – 12.00am
Contact:016-477 5786
PENANG ROAD FAMOUS TEOCHEW CHENDUL – Google Map Location
Open: 10.30am – 7.00pm (Monday to Friday) | 10.00am – 7.30pm (Saturday to Sunday)
5. Char Koay Kak
Literary translate as ‘Fried Koay Kak’ is one of Penang local favourite food. Not to be mistaken with Char Koay Teow. This Char Koay Kak is usually taken during breakfast or supper time. You will find the Koay Kak in square shape as the name ‘Kak’ means square in English. It usually consist of some pickled vegetables, sprout and egg.
Where To Eat:-
CHAR KOAY KAK PUSHCART – Google Map Location
Open:7.30am – 1pm (Closed on Uncertain Days)
SUPER TANKER FOOD COURT – Google Map Location
Open:6.00pm – 11.00pm
SEAFOOD CHAR KOAY KAK – Google Map Location
Open:1.00pm – 4.30pm(Closed on Saturday & Sunday)
Contact:012-475 3289
6. Char Koay Teow
One of the Penang famous street food is Char Koay Teow where mostly can be found almost everywhere in Penang coffee shops and food courts. It is fried in high heat with eggs, prawns, bean sprouts and co*ckles. The taste even get better if it’s fried with charcoal fire and unfortunately not many stalls able to do it.
Where To Eat:-
AH LENG CHAR KOAY TEOW – Google Map Location
Open:10.00am – 3.30pm (Closed on Wednesday)
Contact:012-498 3962
HO PING CHAR KOAY TEOW – Google Map Location
Open:8.00am – 8.00pm
LORONG SELAMAT CHAR KOAY TEOW – Google Map Location
Open:10.00am – 6.30pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Contact:016-269 2222
MEI LE HWA DUCK EGG CHAR KOAY TEOW – Google Map Location
Open: 8.00pm – 1.00am
SIAM ROAD CHAR KOAY TEOW – Google Map Location
Open:12.00am – 6.00pm (Closed on Sunday and Monday)
7. Chee Cheong Fun
Penang’s Chee Cheong Fun includes uniquely combination of 3 sauces – chili sauce, sweet sauce and prawn paste as well as steamed noodle rolls itself. Besides, sesame seeds are also sprinkled on top for some added crunch in every bit. Usually eaten during breakfast or during teatime as a snack.
Where To Eat:-
KEDAI KOPI GENTING CAFE – Google Map Location
Open:7.00am – 5.00pm (Closed on Wednesday)
NEW LANE CHEONG KOK CHOY STALL – Google Map Location
Open:6.30pm – 11.30pm (Closed on Wednesday)
RESTAURANT HONG KONG TEA GARDEN – Google Map Location
Open:5.00pm – 1.00am
Contact: 04-218 9681
8. Chicken, Char Siew and Duck Rice
Chicken Rice or also known as Hainan Chicken is originate from Southern China. Said to be one of the 4 important dishes during Qin Dynasty. You will find the chicken rice served with oily rice, variety sauces, side dishes, some vegetables such as cucumber and bean sprouts other than chicken and rice itself.
Char Siew Rice originate from Guangdong, China where it is favourite dish among Cantonese people. Char Siew literally means ‘fork roasted’ and usually serve with normal white rice drench with soy sauce, some vegetables like cucumbers and of course slices of char siew.
Duck Rice originate from Southeast Asia and is one of the popular dish for local Penangites. Served with normal white rice, side dishes such as hard boiled eggs, preserved salted vegetables, dark sauce and boneless duck itself.
Where To Eat:-
FATTY LOH CHICKEN RICE – Google Map Location
Open:9.00am – 5.00pm
Contact: 604-899 0888
RESTORAN FIRST FAMOUS FEDERAL – Google Map Location
Open:11.00am – 4.00pm (Closed on Monday)
SIN NAM HUAT ROASTED CHICKEN & DUCK RICE – Google Map Location
Open:9.30am – 4.30pm
WEN CHANG CHICKEN RICE RESTAURANT – Google Map Location
Open: 11.00am – 7.00pm
Contact: 04-264 3810 | 016- 480 8373
9. Chinese Pancake(Ban Chang Kueh)
©Zighunt
Ban Chang Kueh or also known as Chinese Pancake are quite popular among the locals here in Penang street food. It is a type of pancake that is somehow similar to waffle. You can take it as a snack after dinner or lunch. The usual Ban Chang Kueh will serve with peanuts and sweet corns. You can also top up with banana, ham or even chocolate and of course with additional charges.
Where To Eat:-
BAN CHANG KUEH PUSHCART – Google Map Location (opposite Pulau Tikus Police Station)
Open:3.00pm Until Sold-Out
MEDAN SELERA TAMAN FREE SCHOOL – Google Map Location
Open:Lunch & Dinner Hours (Varied)
SUNGAI PINANG FOOD COURT – Google Map Location
Open:6.00pm – 12.00am
10. Curry Mee
©Charles Haynes @wikimediacommons
Curry Mee or simply call ‘Curry Noodle’ in English is a type of dish originate from Southeast Asia particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia. Served with spicy curry soup together with chicken meat, egg, mint leave and dried tofu. One of the local favorite Penang street food.
Where To Eat:-
CHULIA STREET CURRY MEE – Google Map Location
Open:6.30pm – 11.30pm (Closed on Monday)
HOT BOWL WHITE CURRY MEE – Google Map Location
Open:8.00am – 3.00pm (Closed on Monday)
Contact: 04-227 3168
LORONG SERATUS TAHUN CURRY MEE – Google Map Location
Open:6.30pm – 11.30pm (Closed on Thursday)
Contact:016-444 8881
11. Fish Head Noodle
One of the most popular Penang hawker’s dish street food where you can easily find it in town centre. Now the Fish Head Noodle soup is not somewhat “smells fishy” as it is not directly raw cook from the soup itself. The fish will be fried then serve with delicious fish soup, tomatoes and some pickles.
Where To Eat:-
KA BEE CAFE– Google Map Location
Open: 11.00am – 2.30pm | 5.00pm – 10.00pm (Closed on Sunday)
Contact:04-261 5659
PERAK LANE FISH HEAD NOODLE – Google Map Location
Open:5.00pm – 10.30pm
SIONG HO FISH HEAD NOODLE & PORRIDGE – Google Map Location
Open:12.00pm – 11.45pm (Closed on Thursday & Friday)
12. Fried Oysters
Fried Oysters or better known as ‘Oh Chien’ in Hokkien. It is one of the most iconic street food in Penang. It is served with hot off the griddle with chilli sauce as a dip. The omelette made with eggs, rice flour batter, mixture of fresh succulent oysters and coriander leaves. Moreover, you must eat it while it’s still hot.
Where To Eat:-
PULAU TIKUS FRIED OYSTER – Google Map Location
Open: 5.00pm – 10.30pm (Closed on Wednesday & Thursday)
RESTORAN BEE HOOI – Google Map Location
Open:6.00pm – 12.00am
13. Hokkien Mee
©Melissa Law @wikimediacommons
Originate from Fujian Province in China and sometime also known as Hokkien prawn mee but better call it Hokkien Mee because prawn mee refer to another noodle prawn dish. The Hokkien Mee consist of yellow noodle fill with sweet and spicy aromatic soup, prawn, hard-boiled egg, bean sprouts, sliced pork and kangkung. It is easily to find in hawker centre, food court and coffee shops.
Where To Eat:-
3rd ROAD 888– Google Map Location
Open:5.00pm – 11.30pm (Closed on Thursday)
GREEN HOUSE – Google Map Location
Open:6.00pm – 4.00am (Closed on Sunday)
NEW CATHAY COFFEE SHOP – Google Map Location
Open: 6.30am – 1.30pm (Closed on Sunday)
ONE CORNER CAFE – Google Map Location
Open:7.30am (Closed on Tuesday)
RESTORAN 77 FOOD YARD – Google Map Location
Open:6.30am – 1.00pm
14. Koay Teow Th’ng
Koay Teow Th’ng is the Hokkien name for ‘Koay Teow Soup’ in English. Typically served with soup, flat noodle, fish balls, sliced chicken and sometime sliced meat. There is another version call Dried Koay Teow Th’ng which served without soup.
Where To Eat:-
CLARKE STREET KOAY TEOW TH’NG STALL – Google Map Location
Open:7.00am – 2.00pm (Closed on Tuesday)
PITT STREET KOAY TEOW TH’NG – Google Map Location
Open:8.00am – 1.00pm (Tuesday to Friday) | 8.00am – 12.00pm (Saturday & Sunday) | (Closed on Monday)
SKY EMPEROR CHICKEN FEET KOAY TEOW SOUP – Google Map Location
Open:7.00pm onwards.
15. Loh Mee
Loh Mee or Lor Mee as it call in Hokkien is a type of dish served with thick gravy with yellow noodle, sliced pork meat, hard boiled-egg and bean sprouts. To be said originate from Indonesia & Malaysia itself has become one of the favourite dish among the locals here.
Where To Eat:-
AH JOO LOH MEE – Google Map Location
Open:7.30am – 2.30pm (Closed on Saturday)
Contact:016-454 5793
KEDAI KOPI SENG THOR – Google Map Location
Open:7.30am – 4.30pm
KIM LENG LOH MEE – Google Map Location
Open:7.00am – 4.00pm (Closed on Thursday)
16. Malay Rice(Nasi Melayu)
©Norshaziera Mohd Salim @pexels
The same concept as Chinese economy rice where mixture of dish of Malay cook fish, chicken, vegetables, squid and egg. Malay Rice or literally known as ‘Nasi Melayu’ in Malay can commonly found in any Malay hawker or food court stalls.
Where To Eat:-
ASAM PEDAS PREMIER – Google Map Location
Open:11.30am – 11.00pm
Contact:04-637 0109
KEDAI MAKANAN LIDIANA – Google Map Location
Open:7.00am – 3.30pm (Closed on Sunday)
Contact: 016-415 8686
NASI MELAYU RESTORAN PELADANG – Google Map Location
Open:7.30am – 3.30pm
Contact: 013-417 8188
NASI PADANG MINANG – Google Map Location
Open:11.00am – 8.00pm
SYAZANA NASI MELAYU – Google Map Location
Open:10.00am – 4.00pm (Closed on Monday)
Contact:016-469 7313
17. Mee Goreng
Mee Goreng simply translate as ‘Fried Noodle’ and you can find it at most Indian-Muslim, street stalls or mamak restaurant. Fried in a hot wok with eggs, bean sprouts, chilli paste, ketchup, meat, soy sauce and potatoes where it is a complete meal of itself.
Where To Eat:-
BANKOK LANE MEE GORENG– Google Map Location
Open:8.00am – 6.30pm (Closed on Monday)
MOUNT ERSKINE MEE GORENG– Google Map Location
Open:12.00pm – 5.00pm (Closed on Wednesday)
PULAU TIKUS MEE GORENG – Google Map Location
Open:6.00pm – 11.00pm (Closed on Thursday)
18. Mee Sotong
The name itself Mee Sotong or ‘Squid Noodle’ in English to be said one of the authentic Indian-Muslim dish. It is stir-fried with of course squid, hard tofu, eggs, beansprouts, sweet chilli paste and sliced shallots.
Where To Eat:-
HAMEED ‘PATA’ SPECIAL MEE – Google Map Location
Open:11.00am – 8.00pm ( Closed on Sunday)
Contact:013-431 9384
RESTORAN MEE SOTONG KEPALA BATAS – Google Map Location
Open:10.00am – 10.oopm
19. Mee Udang
Mee Udang or literally mean ‘Prawn Noodle’ in English is cook with prawns and served with either yellow noodles or maggie noodles together with sweet tomato sauce. You will find this special Mee Udang commonly at Malay hawkers stall.
Where To Eat:-
ILYANA CAFE– Google Map Location
Open:3.00pm – 1.00am (Closed on Thursday)
Contact:04-649 2120
PAK TAM MEE UDANG – Google Map Location
Open: 12.00pm – 7.00pm (Closed on Thursday)
Contact: 012-595 4604
RESTORAN D’SEAFOOD PARADISE – Google Map Location
Open:12.00pm – 1.00am
Contact:04-626 6985
WARUNG PAK SU MEE UDANG – Google Map Location
Open: 10.00am – 10.00pm (Closed on Thursday)
Contact:012-409 0771
20. Nasi Kandar
One of the popular food among Indian-Muslim and not to be confused with Nasi Melayu. It is traditionally to be said the vendors back in those days will carry the baskets over the shoulder on bamboo poles ‘kandar’ and walk along the streets to sell. Nasi Kandar is also a popular local feast of vegetables and curry based meat dishes to be served. Nowadays, you can find any Nasi Kandar restaurants almost at anywhere in Penang.
Where To Eat:-
HAMEEDIYAH RESTAURANT – Google Map Location
Open:10.00am – 10.00pm (Closed on Friday)
Contact: 04-261 1095
KASSIM NASI KANDAR – Google Map Location
Open:7.00am – 8.00pm
Contact:016-434 7788
NASI KANDAR LINE CLEAR – Google Map Location
Open:24-hours
Contact:04-261 4440
RESTORAN KAPITAN – Google Map Location
Open:24-hours
Contact:04-250 4316
RESTORAN KASSIM MUSTAFA NASI DALCHA – Google Map Location
Open:24-hours
21. Nasi Lemak
Originate from Malaysia and considered as national dish in Malaysia.Nasi Lemak usually served with 3/4 egg, ‘ikan bilis’, ‘sambal’, sliced cucumber and you may find some serve with portion of fried chicken, fried fish or even cuttlefish. Commonly consume during breakfast or lunch and can be found in road side stall or market.
Where To Eat:-
ALI NASI LEMAK – Google Map Location
Open:7.00am -4.00pm (Closed on Sunday)
NASI LEMAK CILI BILIS – Google Map Location
Open:5.00pm – 10.00pm
NASI LEMAK LIVERPOOL – Google Map Location
Open:6.30pm – 1.30am (Closed on Tuesday)
Contact:017-455 5797
ZUKI’S NASI KUKUS AYAM BEREMPAH – Google Map Location
Open:11.00am – 9.00pm (Closed on Saturday)
Contact:019-552 1603
22. Pasembur
Originate from Malaysia and commonly can be found among local Indian stall. Pasembur is like a Western Salad style version of dish. It consist varieties of seafood, fried crab, fried octopus, potatoes, bean curd, bean sprouts and prawn served with sauce.
Where To Eat:-
GANI FAMOUS PASEMBUR – Google Map Location
Open:12.00pm – 12.00am
GURNEY DRIVE PASEMBUR – Google Map Location
Open:6.00pm – 11.00pm
STADIUM PASEMBUR – Google Map Location
Open:6.00pm – 12.00am
23. Penang Rojak
Not to be confused with ‘Rojak Mamak’ which is completely different as Penang Rojak is a fruit salad type. Either way, this Penang Rojak is like mix and match fruits and vegetables. Served with slice of pineapples, cucumbers, green mango, guava, peanuts and different types of homemade sweet paste.
Where To Eat:-
G. P. SOON ROJAK – Google Map Location
Open:9.00pm – 2.00am (Closed on Thursday)
MACALLUM STREET HOCK SENG ROJAK KING – Google Map Location
Open:2.30pm – 7.30pm (Closed on Monday & Tuesday)
Contact:016-403 0724
STADIUM ROJAK – Google Map Location
Open:10.00am – 7.00pm
24. Popiah
Originate from Fujian, China (Hokkien Province) and normally associated with local cuisines. Popiah or commonly known as fresh spring roll. Nowadays, there are varieties version of popiah either steam or fried can be seen in restaurant, road stall and even coffee shops. Consist of thinly sliced tofu, chopped peanut powder, bean sprouts, omelette, lettuce leaves and served either with shrimp paste, sweet sauce or soy sauce.
Where To Eat:-
KEDAI KOPI GENTING CAFE POPIAH STALL – Google Map Location
Open:7.00am – 5.00pm (Closed on Wednesday)
MAMAK POPIAH BASAH – Google Map Location
Open:3.00pm – 6.00pm
PADANG BROWN POPIAH – Google Map Location
Open:2.00pm – 6.30pm (Closed on Thursday)
SIN YIN NAM CAFE – Google Map Location
Open:5.00pm – 11.00pm (Closed on Wednesday)
25. Porridge
©VirtualSteve @wikimediacommons
A common dish can be found at any countries and mainly eat during breakfast and not to be confused with oatmeal. In Penang, you can try several types of Porridge version such as Fish Porridge (Yue Chok in Cantonese) Chicken Porridge (Kai Chok in Cantonese) and Teochew Porridge. It always comes with side dish of salted duck egg, vegetable and sometime with ‘yu char keuh’
Where To Eat:-
CHOK KEE PORRIDGE CAFE– Google Map Location
Open:10.30am – 4.30pm (Monday to Friday) | 8.00am – 11.30am (Saturday & Sunday)
Contact:016-480 0659
NEW LANE CHEE CHEONG CHOK – Google Map Location
Open:1.00pm – Late (Closed on Wednesday)
Contact:016-575 5877
YEE SUNG KAI CHOK – Google Map Location
Open:12.30pm – 9.30pm (Closed on Monday)
Contact:012-454 5188
26. Putu Mayong
To be said originate from Southern Indian and known as ‘idiyappam’ or string hoppers. Locals love to enjoy it with grated coconut and there are some prefer it with brown or white sugar. Putu Mayong mostly can be found at road side stall and mainly made of steamed rice flour.
Where To Eat:-
ARI PUTU MAYONG – Google Map Location(in front Birch House)
Open:3.00pm – 9.00pm
PUTU PIRING PUTU MAYONG STALL – Google Map Location(outside Sin Hup Aun Cafe)
Open:6.00pm – 10.00pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Contact:012-514 6902
27. Satay
©ProjectManhattan @wikimediacommons
Satay is one of the popular Penang street food dish to be taken as snack usually after dinner. Originate from Indonesia and has made all the way to Malaysia shore. Can be found along Malay hawker stall, restaurants, night markets and sometime food courts. There are varieties of Satay such as Chicken Satay (Satay Ayam in Malay), Lamb Satay (Satay Kambing in Malay), Fish Satay (Satay Ikan) and etc. Mostly you will find Chicken and Lamb Satay in Penang.
Where To Eat:-
NEW LANE SATAY – Google Map Location
Open:6.00pm – 11.00pm (Closed on Wednesday)
RED GARDEN SATAY & CHICKEN WING – Google Map Location
Open:5.00pm – 12.00am
Contact:016-410 4998
SATAY WAK ALI CHICKEN CHOP – Google Map Location
Open:6.00pm – 12.00am
Contact:013-533 3413
28. Seafood
Not so surprise how Penang is surrounded by large sea and have fishing villages which lead to many establishment of long time seafood restaurant. It is common for Penangites and even non-Penangites whom are willing to take a long trip to visit this seafood restaurant. It serve with mostly aquatic life form such as fish, crab, squid, oyster, shellfish and others.
Where To Eat:-
AH KEAT SEAFOOD RESTAURANT – Google Map Location
Open:5.30pm – 1.00am
Contact:04-323 3319
BALI HAI SEAFOOD MARKET – Google Map Location
Open:11.00am – 2.00pm | 5.30pm – 12.00am
Contact:04-228 8272
GOLDEN THAI SEAFOOD VILLAGE – Google Map Location
Open:11.00am – 12.00am
Contact:04-881 1362
HAI BOEY SEAFOOD – Google Map Location
Open:11.30am – 2.30pm | 6.00pm – 10.30pm
Contact:04-649 3746
RESTORAN CRAB VILLAGE – Google Map Location
Open:6.00pm – 9.30pm
Contact:04- 899 1551
TELUK KUMBAR SEAFOOD – Google Map Location
Open:5.30pm – 10.00pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Contact:04-649 1403
YEN BATU KAWAN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT – Google Map Location
Open:12.00pm – 10.00pm (Closed on Wednesday)
Contact:04-587 2616
29. Traditional Nyonya Kuih
©Yun Huang Yong @wikimediacommons
Traditional Nyonya Kuih go back long way back in history of Baba Nyonya. They are famous for their kuih among South East Asia. This kuih comes with a lot of different shape with multi-coloured layer and usually easily to get it at coffee shops, road stall or even at market.
Where To Eat:-
KUIH CULTURE – Google Map Location
Open:10.00am – 7.00pm
Contact:011-5628 2889
MOH TENG PHEOW NYONYA KOAY & CANTEEN – Google Map Location
Open:10.30am – 5.00pm (Closed on Monday)
Contact:04-261 5832
30. Wan Tan Mee
Wan Tan Mee says to be originate from China and served as main course. There are two types of wan tan mee: – soup or dry and can be taken for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Also one of the popular Penang street food where you can find it almost at anywhere on the road stall hawker.
Where To Eat:-
AH HOCK WAN TAN MEE STALL – Google Map Location
Open:12.30pm – 5.30pm (Closed on Friday, Saturday & Sunday)
Contact:016-437 3096
LEE HUAT CAFE – Google Map Location
Open:7.00am – 1.00pm
NEW LANE WAN TAN MEE STALL – Google Map Location
Open:6.30pm – 11.30pm (Closed on Wednesday)
WAN TAN MEE STALL – Google Map Location(in front of Regent Furniture shop)
Open:6.30pm – 11.30pm (Closed on Monday)
Contact: 04-646 6893
