Penang is known as the food capital of Malaysia and for a good reason. The state is renowned for its mouth-watering street food, and locals and tourists alike flock to Penang’s famous hawker centers to indulge in the delicious offerings.
In this article, we will explore the 14 best street food in Penang that you must try.
1. Char Kuey Teow
Image credit: @krystalng & @allsonchong
No list of the best street food in Penang would be complete without mentioning Char Kuey Teow. This dish is a stir-fried noodle dish that is made with flat rice noodles, prawns, bean sprouts, egg, and Chinese sausage. It is a staple food in Penang and is considered a must-try dish for tourists.
Must-visit stalls:
Siam Road Charcoal Char Koay Teow
Address: 82, Jalan Siam, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 12pm – 6pm (Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
Tiger Char Koay Teow
Address: 179, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 7:30am – 2pm
Read our 7 Best Penang Char Kuey Teow [2023 Edition]
2. Penang Cendol
Image credit: @bady & @dillonmarc
Penang Cendol is a sweet dessert that is perfect for cooling down in Penang’s hot and humid weather. It is made with shaved ice, green rice flour jelly, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup. The addition of red beans gives the dessert a slightly savory touch, making it a unique treat that is unique and one of the best street food in Penang.
Must-visit stalls:
Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
Address: 27-29, Lebuh Keng Kwee, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 10:30am – 7pm
Ais Tingkap
Address: 2, Lebuh Tamil, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 11am – 7pm
Read our Top 5 Best Cendol Penang [2023 Edition]
3. Assam Laksa
Image credit: @martin & @penangroadfamouslaksa
Assam Laksa – one of the best street food in Penang, is a sour and spicy fish soup that is made with mackerel, tamarind, and lemongrass. The soup is served with rice noodles, cucumber, onions, mint, and pineapple, giving it a refreshing and complex flavor. It is one of the most famous street food in Penang and is a must-try for anyone who visits the state.
Must-visit stalls:
Penang Air Itam Laksa
Address: Jalan Pasar, Paya Terubong, 11500 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 11am – 5pm (Weekends only)
Penang Road Famous Laksa
Address: 5, Lebuh Keng Kwee, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 9am – 5:30pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
4. Roti Canai
Roti Canai is a flaky, buttery flatbread that is typically served with a side of curry sauce. The dough is made with flour, water, and ghee, and is then stretched and folded multiple times to create layers. It is then fried on a flat skillet until crispy and golden brown. This dish is one of the best street food in Penang and is a staple in any hawker center in Penang.
Must-visit stalls:
Roti Canai Jalan Tengah
Address: Jalan Tengah, 11950, Bayan Baru, Penang
Operating hours: 7am – 12pm
Hutton Lane Roti Bakar
Address: 300, Jalan Phee Choon, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 5am – 1pm
Read our Top 7 Best Roti Canai in Penang for 2023
5. Penang Rojak
Image credit: @tanmelody & @chinweyngee
Penang Rojak is a fruit salad that is made with a mixture of tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, guava, and jicama. The salad is then dressed with a sweet and spicy shrimp paste sauce, giving it a unique flavor that is both sweet and savory and it’s definitely one of the best street food in Penang.
Must-visit stalls:
Hock Seng Rojak
Address: Gat Lebuh Cecil, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 4pm – 8pm (Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)
Rojak Ho Wei Jeng (101 Rojak)
Address: Medan Renong, 11, Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 6pm – 10:30pm (Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
6. Apom Manis
Image credit: @kkliew & @christeo
Apom Manis is a type of pancake that is made with rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar. It is cooked in a small clay pot and is usually served with a sweet corn filling. This dish is perfect for breakfast or as a light snack and is one of the best street food in Penang.
Must-visit stall:
Sai Ram Penang Famous Apom Manis
Address: 7, 1, Lorong Kuching, Pulau Tikus, 10350 George Town, Penang
Operating hours: 7:30am – 11:30pm (Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
7. Curry Mee
Image credit: @ryanp & @steve
Curry Mee – one of the best street food in Penang, is a spicy and flavorful noodle soup that is made with a mixture of coconut milk and curry paste. The soup is usually served with yellow egg noodles, bean sprouts, tofu puffs, and a variety of seafood such as prawns and cuttlefish.
Must-visit stall:
Chulia Street Curry Mee
Address: 1C, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 4:15pm – 10pm (Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
8. Lok Lok
Image credit: @darrenleong & @eunicelee
Lok Lok is another one of the best street food in Penang. Lok Lok is a type of hotpot that is perfect for groups of people. It is a communal dish where everyone gathers around a pot of boiling water and cooks their own meat, seafood, and vegetables. The cooked food is then dipped into a variety of sauces such as satay sauce, chili sauce, and peanut sauce.
Must-visit stalls:
Chulia Street Lok Lok
Address: 16, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours:3:30pm – 11pm (Closed on Mondays)
Ping Hwa Lok Lok
Address: Jalan Pasar, Pulau Tikus, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 4pm – 10pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
Read our Top 7 Best Lok Lok in Penang [2023 Edition]
9. Oh Chien
Image credit: @raymondlian & @keithooi
Oh Chien is a type of oyster omelet that is made with a batter of tapioca flour and egg. The omelet is then fried with fresh oysters, garlic, and cilantro, giving it a unique and savory flavor. This dish is a popular / one of the best street food in Penang and is often served with a spicy chili sauce.
Must-visit stalls:
Kedai Kopi Seng Thor
Address: 160, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 7am – 4pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
Bee Hooi Restaurant
Address: 415, Jalan Burma, Pulau Tikus, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 8am – 11:30pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
10. Lor Bak
Image credit: @cindyho & @bernardlee
Lor Bak is a type of marinated meat that is usually made with pork. The meat is first marinated in a combination of soy sauce, five-spice powder, and other spices. It is then wrapped in bean curd sheets and deep-fried until crispy. Lor Bak is often served with a sweet and spicy chili dipping sauce and is one of the best street food in Penang.
Must-visit stall:
Kheng Pin Cafe
Address: 80, Jln Penang, George Town, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 7am – 1:30pm (Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)
11. Penang Hokkien Mee
Image credit: @davidgoh & @jasonyap
Penang Hokkien Mee is a spicy and savory noodle soup that is made with prawn stock, thick yellow noodles, and vermicelli. The soup is served with a mixture of prawns, sliced pork, boiled egg, and bean sprouts. It is then garnished with cilantro and crispy fried shallots.
Must-visit stalls:
Green House Prawn Mee Corner
Address: 133A, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 9am – 12:30am | 11:30am – 12:30am (Sunday)
888 Hokkien Mee
Address: 67-A, Lebuh Presgrave, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 5pm – 8pm (Closed on Mondays & Thursdays)
Read our Top 7 Best Hokkien Mee in Penang [2023 Edition]
12. Duck Kway Chap
Image credit: @tomtong & @maans
Duck Kway Chap is a dish that is made with duck meat and rice noodles that are cooked in a flavorful broth. The dish is typically served with a variety of side dishes such as braised pork belly, tofu, and hard-boiled eggs. The dish is served piping hot and is a favorite among locals and tourists.
Must-visit stall:
Kimberley Street Duck Kway Chap
Address: 135, Lebuh Kimberley, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 2pm – 10pm (Closed on Thursdays)
13. Wantan Mee
Image credit: @anthonio & @royenlock
Wantan Mee is one of the best street food in Penang, loved by both locals and tourists alike. This dish is made with thin egg noodles that are cooked to perfection and served with a variety of toppings such as wantons, char siu (barbecued pork), and vegetables. The combination of the savory broth, tender noodles, and flavorful toppings make for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Must-visit stalls:
Chulia Street Wantan Mee
Address: 2, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 3:30pm – 10:30pm (Thursday – Saturday) | 4pm – 12am (Sunday – Wednesday)
14. Satay
Image credit: @ayyo & @mark
Satay is one of the best street food in Penang that is made with skewered and grilled meat. The meat is typically marinated in a mixture of spices such as lemongrass, turmeric, and cumin. Satay is often served with a peanut dipping sauce and is a perfect snack or appetizer.
Must-visit stall:
Hamid Satay
Address: Jalan Seri Tg Pinang, Jalan Tanjong Tokong, 10470 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 5:30pm – 11pm (Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
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In conclusion, Penang is a food lover’s paradise, and there is no shortage of delicious street food to try. The above 14 dishes are just a few of the best street food in Penang that you must try. So, the next time you find yourself in Penang, be sure to try some of these dishes, and you won’t be disappointed.
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