Penang’s street food, called Hawker Food, is one of the draws to George Town. Stalls serve up tasty dishes with influences of Chinese, Indian, and Indonesian. Penang’s hawkers are regulated by the Hawker Association. Hawkers that own stalls can not hire foreigners to make their dishes. Doing this makes sure you are getting the most authentic food on the street. There are many hawker centers and dishes around Penang to try. Here are five dishes you must try when you’re in Penang.
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Char Kway Teow
This dish made with flat rice noodles that are cooked in a wok with prawns, clams, eggs, sprouts and soy sauce, looks close to Pad Thai. What makes this dish different is its rich garlic flavor that explodes in your mouth with each bite. Order the special with duck egg and it will come with mantis prawn mixed in with all the other delicious stuff. You can try Char Kway Teow at Ah Len Char Koay Teow Located on Jalan Dato Keramat and Jalan Singapura for 7.50 MYR – 13 MYR (1.75 USD - 3.00 USD) .
Laksa
One can not go to Penang without getting Laksa. This most famous Peranakan dish starts with a fish broth base then loaded with vermicelli, onions, chili, and topped with a healthy portion of shrimp paste. The oldest and arguably the best place to get Laksa is at Kek Lok Si Temple. The owner created the recipe in 1955 and the stall is now manned by her son. He starts serving his dish at 10:00 AM and keeps serving until the dish runs out which is usually by early evening. This crowded place is worth the trip. Make sure you get your bowl before you see the temple.
Nasi Kandar
This buffet of rice served with different curries, meat, and veggies is an explosion of spices in your mouth. Line Clear is where many of the locals go, and they’re open 24 hours a day. Always a line, the fast moving staff start your plate with rice then add your choice of side dishes and top everything off by spooning different curry sauces on top. Chicken is the cheapest, but there is also a selection of large prawns or fish head for a higher price.
Chendol
There is usually a line 15-20 minutes long, wrapping around the corner line to get this exotic treat. The bowl starts with shaved ice then topped with red beans, chendol (the green chewy ‘noodles’ made from rice flour and pandan extract), and finished with coconut milk. It tastes like a cold melted milkshake. The most famous place to get this tasty treat is at ‘Penang Road Famous Teochew Chedul’ located on Jalan Penang & Lebuh Keng Kwee between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The cost is 3.50 MYR (0.80 USD).
Penang Tour Guide
Ang Chin Boon
Hello...I am ANG. Licenced Tourist Guide by Ministry of Tourism Malaysia. I was born and raised in George Town, Penang. I just love Guiding! I have been actively doing guiding all these years. Drive my guests to interesting places in Penang Island, Sharing my knowledges & experiences of George Town. I wish their trip becomes story worth sharing. Will you be one of my esteemed guests ?
Tours by Ang
Penang Tour Guide
Fong Seok Kong
I am a licensed tourist guide of Malaysia specialising in the English language, though I am also able to communicate in the Chinese dialects of Mandarin, Cantonese, Taishanese, Hokkien and my country's national language of Malay. I do all tours inbound of Penang island such as walking tours, food tours, drive tours, historical tours, hill & temples, etc. I am a tourist guide with passion an... Read more
Tours by Fong
Penang Tour Guide
Shazriza Rais
Hey there! I'm Shaz, your go-to tour guide for exploring the best of Malaysia. Born and raised in this vibrant country, I've got a deep passion for sharing its wonders with travelers from all walks of life. I've been in the game for 7 awesome years, leading tours across Malaysia's hottest spots like Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Penang, and Langkawi. Whether you're a solo adventurer or a big family cr... Read more
Tours by Shazriza
Penang Tour Guide
Beth Chong
My interest in travel started from childhood and when I was a teenager, I went for my first solo backpacking trip to Paris and London. It resulted in my working in the Tourism Industry and eventually becoming a nationally licensed Tourist Guide of Malaysia. I managed to go to almost to every corner of my country and now, have become a trainer of Tourist Guides imparting knowledge and experience... Read more
Penang Tour Guide
Hon Seng Phuah
Hello. I am Hon Seng Phuah from Penang. I am a freelance tourist guide since 2013. My tour service includes Penang around island and George Town heritage walking tours. You may experience the Penang multi-culture and best foods like Penang assam laksa, nyonya cuisine, nasi kandar and to name a few, traditional business activities, colonial buildings, modern living city and last least the greene... Read more
Tours by Hon seng
Mee Goreng
This Malay dish is made with a thick and spicy tomato gravy filled with stewed squid, tofu, potato, bean sprouts, and chives. The noodles are fried in a wok with the gravy, which turns them a deep red. The noodles are served on a plate topped with lettuce and a slice of lime. There are five kinds you can order, including vegetarian, but the original is served with squid. Found on Bangkok Lane a little outside of downtown, this stall is a great place to go for lunch as they are open from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Leave stuffed!
George Town known for their food does not disappoint! With tasty treats ranging from 3 MYR to 7 MYR (0.68 USD - 1.59 USD), you are sure to stuff yourself silly ordering these dishes. The best hawker stalls can be found at New Lane, Kimberly Street and Gurney Drive. Head to each and decide for yourself which hawker food you like best.
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