Every country has its own unique street food that people love. Known as the food capital of Malaysia, this island’s culinary scene is a vibrant mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan flavors, best experienced through its bustling hawker stalls and night markets.
Here are some of the food menu that you shouldn’t miss when visiting Penang:
- Char Kway Teow
A smoky, stir-fried flat rice noodle dish tossed with prawns, egg, bean sprouts, chives, and soy sauce. The secret lies in the wok hei — the intense heat and aroma from the wok.
Where to Try:
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- Lorong Selamat Char Kway Teow (George Town)
- Siam Road Charcoal Char Kway Teow
- Penang Assam Laksa
This tangy and spicy noodle soup is made with mackerel fish broth, tamarind, lemongrass, and mint. Recognized by CNN Travel as one of the world’s best foods, it’s a taste explosion you won’t forget.
Where to Try:
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- Air Itam Assam Laksa (near Kek Lok Si Temple)
- Gurney Drive Hawker Centre
- Nasi Kandar
A hearty Indian-Muslim dish featuring steamed rice served with a mix of flavorful curries and side dishes.
Where to Try:
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- Line Clear Nasi Kandar
- Nasi Kandar Beratur (open late at night)
- Hokkien Mee (Prawn Mee)
Rich prawn and pork broth with yellow noodles, prawns, pork slices, boiled eggs, and a spicy sambal kick.
Where to Try:- 888 Hokkien Mee (Lebuh Presgrave)
- Old Green House Hokkien Mee
- Penang Rojak
A sweet, savory, and spicy fruit-and-vegetable salad tossed in prawn paste, sugar, and topped with crushed peanuts. Where to Try:
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- Gurney Drive Rojak Stall
- Padang Brown Food Court
- Curry Mee
A fragrant coconut milk curry broth with noodles, tofu puffs, cockles, cuttlefish, and bean sprouts.
Where to Try:
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- Sister Curry Mee (Air Itam)
- Chulia Street Night Market
- Cendol
The ultimate tropical dessert — shaved ice drenched in coconut milk, palm sugar syrup, and green pandan jelly noodles. Where to Try:
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- Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
- Lebuh Keng Kwee Chendul Stalls
- Apom Manis
A delicate, thin pancake with a crispy edge and soft, fluffy center — lightly sweet and perfect as a snack.
Where to Try:
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- Apom Guan (Burma Road)
- Apom Chooi (Penang Road)
- Satay
Grilled skewers of marinated meat served with a rich, nutty peanut sauce.
Where to Try:
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- Batu Lanchang Food Court
- Chulia Street Night Market
- Oyster Omelette (Oh Chien)
A crispy omelette mixed with juicy oysters, served with a spicy chili sauce.
Where to Try:
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- New Lane Hawker Centre
- Bee Hooi Café
Tips for Enjoying Penang Street Food
- Go hungry – Hawker centres have dozens of stalls, so pace yourself.
- Bring cash – Many stalls don’t accept cards.
- Peak hours – Evening is best for the freshest and busiest food scene.
- Share plates – So you can try more dishes.
Penang’s street food is a living, breathing part of its culture. Each dish tells a story — of migration, cultural fusion, and generations of family recipes perfected over time. Whether you’re slurping down a bowl of Assam Laksa or biting into crispy Apom Manis, you’re tasting the soul of Penang.
So grab a plate, wander the streets, and let your taste buds lead the way
