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In addition to being named one of the World’s 30 Best Street Food City, Penang, a culinary paradise, has also won MICHELIN stars for two of its restaurants. It is worth mentioning that, there are 17 Penang foods that have been added to the list of Bib Gourmand recommendations which offer great food at reasonable prices.
Last month, The Peak flew down to Penang for a 2-days food hunting trip to fulfil our cravings before 2022 ends. From a vast selection of street and hawker food to sweet and savoury cookies, these yummy foods will definitely succeed in capturing your heart. Without further ado, let’s dive into some of the must-try street foods in Penang.
1. Toh Soon Café
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Hidden in the alley of Campbell Street Arch, Toh Soon Café is undeniably the best place in Penang for an appetizing breakfast or lunch. It’s signature charcoal-grilled toast with soft-boiled eggs is a classic must-have combo accompanying a cup of coffee and milk tea.
Address: Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: 8AM – 5PM (Monday – Saturday)
PEAK’s Recommend: Charcoal Grilled Butter Toast, Traditional Kaya Toasted Bread, Half Boiled Egg, Pre-packed Nasi Lemak, Coffee
2. Duck Porridge Rice Koay Chiap
Located in Lebuh Melayu, there is a shop which sells Kway Teow soup as well as Koay Chiap (a soup dish of flat rice noodles), duck rice and duck congee. Its clear soup-based style braised duck makes it the best koay teow soup in town.
Address: 113, Lebuh Melayu, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: 6:3oAM – 3PM (Monday – Saturday) | 6:30AM – 12PM (Sunday)
PEAK’s Recommend: Duck Meat Koay Teow Soup, Koay Chaip
3. Siam Road Char Kuey Teow
Here we are at the famous Siam Road Charcoal Char Koey Teow in Penang. The steaming char kuey teow was served with fresh shrimp, salty-sweet Chinese sausage and chopped egg giving off a fragrant -charcoal smell. This is Penang’s most famous dish, not to be missed.
Address: 82, Jalan Siam, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: 12PM – 6:30PM (Tuesday – Saturday)
4. Farlim Shell Station Laksa Cafe
Laksa is one of the most famous foods to have in Penang. The town has a great many laksa vendors, and Farlim Laksa is highly recommended by locals. Many is the community enjoy Farlim Laksa for its spicy, sweet and sour fish-based broth. The bowl of Laksa comes with a thick flavourful broth and plenty of poached mackerel.
Don’t forget to order the fried spring roll, and dunk it into the broth for an explosive crunchy, hearty mouthful.
Address: 1-G-3, Medan Angsana 4, Mukim 13, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang
Hours: 11AM – 6:30PM (daily)
PEAK’s Recommend: Asam Laksa, Popiah
5. Ali Nasi Lemak
They made it on the MICHELIN Selected list! Ali Nasi Lemak is known for its aromatic nasi lemak paired with spicy sambal. Wrapped in banana leaf, to retain its aroma, the nasi lemak is available in variations.
Address: Sri Weld Food Court, Beach St, Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Penang
Hours: 7:30AM – 2PM (daily)
6. Tuck Sai Café
Apart from the well-known street foods, there are many unique dishes in Penang that are unknown to tourists. This mushroom chicken Hor Fun located under Sri Pelangi Flat residence is a stall that has been operating for 30 years. This must-try Mushroom Chicken Hor Fun is available in dry or soup variations. We tried the clear soup paired with mushrooms, a chewy mix of chicken pieces, agaric and chopped cabbage – it was heartwarming and satisfying.
Address: 1-G-12A Sri Pelangi, Jalan Bukom, 10150 George Town, Penang
Hours: 5PM – 8PM (Tuesday – Saturday)
PEAK’s Recommend: Mushroom Chicken Hor Fun
7. Khim Kuih
Let’s get some snacks. A food truck located at the foot of Penang Hill sells a variety of crispy fried snacks that are perfect for your afternoon tea. An array of fried fritters such as Fried Radish Cake (Cai Tao Kuih), Fried Durian, Popiah, Fried Tofu, Dumplings, and more are available to satisfy your appetite. Highly addictive, the deep-fried snacks are best accompanied by their homemade chili sauce.
Address: Jalan Bukit Bendera, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang (Outside Lye Lye Kopitiam)
Hours: 1PM – 6:30PM (Thurday – Tuesday)
PEAK’s Recommend: Fried Radish Cake, Popiah, Lobak, Fried Durian, Fried Tofu
8. 888 Hokkien Mee
And of course, you can’t miss the iconic 888 Hokkien Mee. The stall serves both Penang Hokkien Mee and Loh Mee, best paired with delicious Oh Chien (oysters cooked with egg and chives). Served with additional ingredients such as roasted pork, pork ribs, meatball and more, the bowl of Hokkien Prawn Mee is also served with a spoon of chili paste for a perfectly balanced broth.
Address: 67-A, Lebuh Presgrave, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: 5PM – 8PM (Friday – Wednesday)
PEAK’s Recommend: Hokkien Mee, Oh Chien
9. Hock Lok Siew Biscuit
This is a great gift to bring back from Penang. Hock Lok Siew Biscuit Trading is place for Penang specialities. Decades of traditional craftsmanship, combined with modern technology and high-quality raw materials go into preparing their cakes and biscuits. Tau Sar Piah, Sun cakes and Chinese Horseshoe Biscuits (Beh Teh Saw) are must-try biscuits.
Address: 120, Lebuh Noordin, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: 9AM – 6PM (Monday – Saturday) | 10AM – 3PM (Sunday)
PEAK’s Recommend: Tau Sar Piah & Mini Moon Biscuits
10. Sin Ka Oon Bakery
This Chinese bakery is well known by locals since its opening in 1957. It sells cakes and specially-made cookies. The freshly made cream puff is the most sought-after dessert – it’s not too sweet and very satisfying as soon as you take your first bite.
Address: 606-M, Jln Paya Terubung, Kampung Pisang, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang
Hours: 6AM – 9PM (daily)
PEAK’s Recommend: Cream Puff
11. Ming Xiang Tai
Everyone loves egg tarts, and we have listed out the best in Penang. Let’s head to the best handmade pastry in town for fresh pastries such as Trishaw Egg Tart, Siew Pao, Salted Egg Yolk Crisp and more.
Address: 475-A, Jln Penang, George Town, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: 9:30AM – 6:30PM (daily)
PEAK’s Recommend: Signature Trishaw Egg Tart, Ko Cha Siew Pao & Salted Egg Pastry
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