Getting fat in Penang: The Ultimate Foodies Guide

The best food in Penang and where to find it.

The BEST food in Penang and where to find it! Your ultimate eating guide to Penang. I am ridiculously passionate about food. A few years ago I moved to Penang MOSTLY because it is the food capital of Malaysia! I spend 2 years discovering the best foods in Penang. To help you plan your food journey around Penang I have grouped foods by the BEST places to find them. The best food in Penang and where to find it.

This blog has been a long time in the making. I must have hand written and emailed a messier version of this to countless people along the road.

It’s about to get real. It’s about to get official. Here is THE ultimate guide to eating in Penang! The best food in Penang and where to find it 

The best food in Penang and where to find it

Location 1. Penang road, George Town

Lebuh Keng Kwee off Penang road is famous for its authentic Chinese street food. There is an exciting row of small quirky cafes which are open during the day. The food in this area is delightful cheap and ridiculously good.

Here are some things to try on Lebuh Keng Kwee:

The best food in Penang and where to find it

Char Koay Teow

(Alternative spelling: Char Kuey Teow)

• What is it? Flat rice noodles called Koay Teow are fried with fresh veggies, egg and shrimp. Often served on a piece of banana leaf. Try one and you’ll be back for more.   
• How much does it cost? This depends where you go. Some of the best Char Koay Teow is made by small street vendors and is nice and cheap. Expect to pay 5RM – 15RM (1.20 – 3.50 USD / 1 – 3 GBP). Penang road is the lower end of this.
• Where else can I find it? There are also many hawker stalls around Penang which do delicious Char Koay Teow.

The best food in Penang and where to find it

Assam Laksa

• What is it?  Laksa is the most intense noodle soup you will ever have. CNN reckon it’s the 7th most delicious food in the world. Laksa contains fresh noodles, mint, mackerel and delicious, fresh spices such as chili, tamarind, galangal, torch ginger. Pineapple and shrimp sauce are sometimes added to bring out a sweeter flavour.  
• How much does it cost? 3RM – 10RM (0.70 – 2.50 USD / 0.60 – 2.0 GBP). Penang road is the lower end of this. 
• Where else can I find it? If you get a chance to get over to Air Itam it is a famous spot for Laksa. Many hawker places have Laksa stalls. 

Check out the CNN top 50 world foods

The best food in Penang and where to find it

Chendul

(Alternative spelling: Chengdol)

• What is it? This is a delicious refreshing Nonya dessert made from coconut milk, green pandan noodles, beans and brown palm sugar. It may sound like an odd combination, but it just works! Seriously, you MUST try this one. They sometimes include a scoop of ice cream. 
• How much does it cost? A small bowl will only cost around 3 RM (0.70 USD / 0.60 GBP) leaving you with change for a second bowl.
• Where else can I find it? This is not a common food in Penang- but there are a few other spots where you can find it. New lane has a stall selling Chengdul. Gurney Hawkers (outside Gurney plaza) also has a place. The best food in Penang and where to find it

Location 2. Little India, George Town

Little India really does feel like REAL India with its narrow bustling streets. It also has plenty of excellent Indian eateries. Little India is located in the North East corner of George Town between Lebuh Light and Jalan Chulia. The best food in Penang and where to find it

Here are some things you must try in little India:

The best food in Penang and where to find it

Tandoori at Kapitans

• What is it? A Tandoori set comprises of succulent marinated chicken which is cooked in a tandoor, a fresh hot Naan bread and some sweet and tangy dipping sauces.
• How much does it cost? Around 10RM (2.50USD – 2.00 GBP) for a set. You pay a little more for flavoured breads. Don’t forget the poppadoms.
• Where else can I find it? No, just don’t! Kapitans really is the BEST place to get Tandoori in Penang. If you find somewhere that you think is better please let me know! Kapitans in on Jalan Chulia. This map has it pinned: The best food in Penang and where to find it

Roti Chenai

• What is it? Delicious fresh flat bread cooked on a griddle and served with dahl, a thick mild lentil curry. Make sure you also ask for a cup of teh taric- spicy, sweet, frothy indian tea. Teh taric translated “pulled tea” due to the way it is poured from a height when it is made.
• How much does it cost? This is almost always a super cheap treat. Expect to pay 2-3RM depending what you choose. The dahl normally included.
• Where else can I find it? Where there are Indian communities there are normally lovely Roti places. If you are staying in Batu Ferringhi, walk up Jalan Sungai satu (opposite the ship restaurant) and there is a GREAT roti place on the left.

Location 3. Newlane, George Town

In the evening Newlane near Komtar comes to life with wonderful little food stalls. Grab a table, note the number and order your food. They will bring it once it’s ready. A visit to Newlane is well worth it just for the experience itself.

Here are some things you to try at Newlane:

Satay

• What is it? Delicious BBQ meats on a stick. Typically chicken, beef and pork are available. Satay is served with a delicious, sweet peanut sauce.

• How much does it cost? 5RM (1.20 USD / 1.00 GBP) will get you several sticks depending on the place

• Where else can I find it? Viva in Tanjung Bungah, Long Beach in Batu Ferringhi and many other hawker places around Penang serve satay.

Oyster omelet

• What is it? This really is one of my Penang favourites. Oysters are cooked in a delicious, sticky, omelet and served with spicy sauce that works perfectly with the dish.
• How much does it cost? Around 5RM depending on the size (1.20 USD / 1.00 GBP)
• Where else can I find it? Viva in Tanjung Bungah has an amazing Oyster omelet place

Durian

• What is it? Durian is a pungent, creamy fruit that tastes like… well nothing else you have ever tried! Durian is a Malaysian delicacy. Penang durian is widely regarded as being the BEST you can get. Beware! Durian has a very strong taste and smell. This is truly the Marmite of Malaysia. You love it or you hate it!
• How much does it cost? Durian is not cheap. A small and cheap durian will cost around 15RM (3.50 USD / 3.00 GBP) but you can pay much more for durian. If it is your first time, buy a small amount because you may not like it!
• Where else can I find it? In durian season (Dec-Jan and late May-Early September) you can find street side stalls selling durian. In addition to Newlane here are some other Durian spots: The jungle road between Teluk Bahang and Balik Pulau. Lebuh Keng Kwee off Penang road.

Location 4. Tanjung Bungah

Tanjung Bungah is a district on the north coast of Penang between Gurney and Batu Ferringhi. Tanjung Bungah does not have many tourist attractions and it is out of the way if you are staying in George Town. It is accessible by local bus and there are some EPIC food places around.

Here are some things to try in different places around Tanjung Bungah:

Nasi champur

• What is it? Nasi Champur is Malay for “mixed rice”. You start with a plate of rice and build an epic feast from a buffet of dishes. Note, you are charged per dish- meat is pretty cheap and veggies are cheaper. Nasi Champur typically includes fish stuffed with spicy sambal, fried chicken, beef, lamb or chicken curries, fried egg, omelet, curried veggies and salads. If you’re like me you’ll have a bit of everything! A scoop of gravy or curry sauce completes the treat.
• How much does it cost? It depends how much you want and where you eat. I big eater like me can fill up for as little as 6RM in a cheap place. You can pay “as much” as 20RM for having a feast in a more expensive place.
• Where can I find it? The BEST place I found was opposite to the floating mosque. A short way up the road there is a carpark on the right. To the left of the carpark is nasi champur heaven.

The gold at the end of the rainbow…

Clay pot chicken rice

• What is it? Rice is cooked in a thick clay pot with chicken, sweet sausage, egg and chinese chives. This is a lovely, flavourful and filling dish.
• How much does it cost? A small clay pot chicken rice will cost around 6RM (1.50 USD / 1.20 GBP) but when you see it, you may want a bigger one!
• Where can I find it? Sadly clay pot chicken rice is not a well spread dish. Amongst many other things Viva in Tajung Bungah has a great clay pot chicken rice

Roasted marinated meats: Char Siu, Sio Bak, Roast duck and Roast chicken

• What is it? It is the meat lovers dream. Char sui is sweet marinated pork, Back su is a tender crispy roast pork and roast duck is succulent roasted with crispy skin  
• How much does it cost? It depends where you go and how much you want. A good guide is 5RM – 15RM (1.20 – 3.50 USD / 1 – 3 GBP)
• Where else can I find it? Some hawker places may do this delicacy. However, it is oddly often served in the food areas in shopping malls. This delight  is not unique to Penang, keep your eye open for it all around Malaysia.

North Indian curries

• What is it? Sri Ananda serves some super tasty curries. I would highly recommend Palik Paneer (creamy spinach curry with cheese), Chicken Kasmiri (fruity and mildly spicy chicken curry) and Butter Chicken Masala (a tangy yet creamy curry).
• How much does it cost? Curries cost around depending on size and what you order 15RM (3.50 USD / 3 GBP)
• Where else can I find it? At Sri Ananda opposite Dalat School on the coast road. Here is a map to help.

If you’re in Penang, watch out for these …

• Incredible decadent buffet- A splash of luxury at the Eastern and Oriental>>>
• Epic Thai food- The tree Monkey next to the Tropical Spice Gardens
• Bakwa– BBQ sweet meats can be brought from Bee Cheng Hiang stores
• Beef Renndang- spicy malay beef curry typically served with egg and rice
• Nasi Lemak– A great cheap snack. Rice cooked in coconut milk served with fish, egg and spicy sauce in banana leaf

Cooking at Home ??

When I’m back in England, Malaysian is my favourite go-to-impress food for friends! There is an incredible Penang Heritage Cook Book that preserves and shares the foods and cooking style that are so unique to Penang.  It’s a bit pricey, but then it is so unique and equips you to cooking distinctively epic and unique food at home.  If you want something a bit cheaper, but still gets you cooking like a local, Street Food Malaysia is an amazing e-book an it’s actually FREE if you have kindle unlimited.The best food in Penang and where to find it