Most of the true foodies we know enjoy the occasional road trip to Penang every now and then. Packed with street food that is equal parts palate-pleasing and budget-friendly, this food paradise is definitely one of our favourite destinations to go!?
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If you’re planning a trip to Penang anytime soon, check out our ultimate halal food guide to Penang that we have compiled just for you!
[Updated as of 28 Jan 2019: Please note that the original eatery at number 13 on our list, Heritage Tea Cafe, is no longer in operation ? We've crossed it off below, but we've also added Restoran Kapitan, which replaces number 13 and is yet another yummy option you have to dine at!]
1.Nasi Kandar Beratur
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There’s a legit reason why this restaurant is called Nasi Kandar Beratur! ‘Beratur’ means queuing up in Bahasa Malaysia, so consider your supper incomplete without the classic nasi kandar from this local gem?
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Nasi kandar is one of Penang's favourite comfort food. With steamed rice drenched with your choice of curries, fill up your plate with side dishes such as fish, vegetable, mutton, or chicken! For other nasi kandar alternatives, try Restaurant Hameediyah on Lebuh Campbell and Kassim Nasi Kandar on Lebuh Chulia ?
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#HHWT Tip: The restaurant is located next to the state’s popular landmark, Masjid Kapitan Keling.
Address: 98, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, 10300 George Town, Penang.
Operating hours: Open daily; 10PM-3AM
Price: $$
Directions: The restaurant is situated next to Masjid Kapitan Keling where it is accessible via Rapid Penang bus (301, 302, 303, 401, or CAT)
2.Roti Canai Transfer Road
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Forget cereals and hotel breakfasts, guys! A morning must-have, Roti Canai Transfer Road is where the Penangites go for a wholesome breakfast of roti canai, roti bakar, and half-boiled eggs.
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Stamped with purse-friendly prices, stick to the classic roti canai with curry sidekicks such as fish curry, chicken curry, or sambal. If a light breakfast is what you need, try the crunchy roti bakar set that is served with half boiled eggs.
Address: 114, 110, Jalan Transfer, 10050 George Town, Penang.
Operating hours: Open daily; 7AM-12PM
Price: $
Directions: Take the Rapid Penang bus (CAT or 101) and stop along Jalan Transfer. Then, enjoy a short walk to the stall located opposite Maliia Bakery.
3.Hameed Pata Special Mee Sotong
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If you find yourself at Fort Cornwallis on a mid-summer’s day, keep your eyes peeled for a nearby food court that is home to the famous Hameed Pata Special Mee Sotong . This local stall is popular for two things: mee rebus and mee goreng.
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Typically cooked in large batches to accommodate the long queues, we recommend going for the mee goreng that is deliciously stir-fried and topped with their signature sambal sotong. Just as yummy, the mee rebus comes with really thick gravy for foodies who prefer something sweet to match with the fiery sambal sotong.
#HHWT Tip: Can’t handle the sambal sotong? Pick up a coconut shake or cendol from the beverage stall next to Hameed.
Address: 6, Kota Selera Padang Kota Lama (Fort Cornwallis Food Court), Jalan Tun Syed Shah Barakbah, 10200 George Town, Penang.
Operating hours: Mon-Sat; 11:00AM-8PM (Closed on Sun)
Fee/Price: $
Directions: Take the Rapid Penang bus (103, 204, 502, or CAT) and alight at Fort Cornwallis on Lebuh Light. The stall is located inside Fort Cornwallis Food Court.
4.Sup Hameed
Where do Penangites go to satiate their hunger pangs in the middle of the night? Sup Hameed is where they're likely to be. This 24-hour food institution is best known for their hearty and appetising soups served with oven-baked bread.
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Here’s the fun part! You can choose to play it safe and savour the classics such as chicken or beef soups, or be adventurous and take up cow’s tongue or stomach soup. Any of these soups pair well with a side of roti benggali?
Address: 48, Jalan Penang, 10000 George Town, Penang.
Operating hours: Open daily; 24 hours
Price: $
Contact: +604 261 8007
Directions: Take the Rapid Penang bus (103, 204, 502, or CAT) and alight at Rima College, Jalan Penang. The restaurant is within walking distance and located opposite Hotel Malaysia.
5.Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng
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You may have read about this father and son team in travel guides, or seen them on travel shows. Up and running for close to eight decades, the dynamic duo behind the famous mee goreng on Bangkok Lane is recognisable to the locals and tourists alike!
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A humble stall that sits inside Seng Lee Coffeeshop, expect to be served with mamak-style mee goreng if you manage to grab a seat in the crowded kopitiam. What makes their mee goreng extra special is the addition of spicy sambal squid. Whether you decide to go for kuay teow or vermicelli noodles, their mee goreng is a definite must-try?
Address: Seng Lee Coffeeshop, 280, Jalan Burma, 10350 George Town, Penang.
Operating hours: Tue-Sun; 8.30AM-6.30PM (Closed on Mon)
Price: $
Contact: +60 4 226 1844
Directions: Take the Rapid Penang bus (10, 101, 102, 104 or 304) and alight at the bus stop opposite of Pulau Tikus Police Station on Jalan Burma. Located inside Seng Lee Coffeeshop, the stall is also within walking distance from Palanquinn Heritage Suites.
6.Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
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Ask anyone about their well-loved local dessert in George Town and they’ll definitely point you towards the old-school cendol from this little stall on Lebuh Keng Kwee! Founded by Mr Tan Teik Fuang in 1936, Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul is widely raved for their speedy service and great desserts?
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It’s always another busy day in this little alley, especially on weekends where locals and tourists would beeline for a taste of this local dessert. If you manage to spot this original stall, it’s only befitting to try the Chendul Original, which is a shaved ice dessert served with pandan-flavoured palm flour noodles, coconut milk, gula Melaka, and kidney beans?
#HHWT Tip: Need a place to shelter from the sun? Dine away at their cosy franchises at Prangin Mall, Sunshine Farlim, Gurney Paragon Mall, Queensbay Mall, or Gurney Plaza.
Address: 27 & 29, Lebuh Keng Kwee, 10100 George Town, Penang.
Operating hours: Mon-Fri; 10.30AM-7PM, Sat-Sun; 10AM-7.30PM
Price: $
Contact: +604 262 6002
Directions: To reach the original stall on Lebuh Keng Kwee, hop on the bus to Komtar and take 6-10 minute walk to the cendol stall.
7.Restoran Nasi Padang Minang
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How about a taste of Indonesian-style nasi padang with a Penang twist? Make your way to Restoran Nasi Padang Minang where lunch folks would gather for a carb-happy and heart-warming meal!
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For first-timers, request for a plate of steamed rice from the stall owner and scoop up your favourite side dishes from the buffet-style layout. Anything from chicken curry, deep fried stuffed fish, tapioca leaves in coconut milk, and fried tempeh are delicious, so get adventurous!
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The price is charged based on the types and amount of side dishes you took, so feast moderately?
Address: 92, Jalan Transfer, 10050 George Town, Penang.
Operating hours: Tue-Sun; 11AM-3PM (Closed on Mon)
Price: $
Directions: Take the Rapid Penang bus (101, 103, 104, 201, 202, 203, 204, 206, or 502) and alight at The Ship Penang on Jalan Sri Bahari. The restaurant is within a 5-minute walking distance.
8.Nasi 7 Benua at Koo Boo Cafe
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It’s pretty apparent why Nasi 7 Benua has a loyal following in Sungai Ara. A modern and creative twist of the Penang’s all-time nasi kandar, every plate is decked out with little scoops of multi-coloured rice! Hint: Instagram-worthy?
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The famous seven consists of nasi putih (white rice), nasi lemak (coconut milk and pandan-flavoured rice), nasi tomato (tomato rice), nasi lemuni (herbed rice), nasi minyak (buttered rice), nasi kacang (peanut-flavoured rice), and nasi hujan panas (spicy buttered rice). Paired with your choice of beef, chicken, or vegetable side dishes, you have yourself the perfect meal!
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Address: Koo Boo Café, Taman Tunas Muda, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang.
Operating hours: Mon-Sat; 11AM- 6PM (Closed on Sun)
Contact no.: +60 17-439 7617
Price: $
Directions: Take the Rapid Penang bus (302, 303, 304, 305, 307, 308, 309, or 401E) to Penang International Sports Arena (also known as PISA / SPICE). The restaurant is located within a 7-minute walk from the stadium.
9.Ali Nasi Lemak at Sri Weld Food Court
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We take pride in our national breakfast, the famous nasi lemak. While you can spot plenty of nasi lemak stalls in George Town, Ali Nasi Lemak remains a popular favourite due to its convenient location on Beach Street?
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With every parcel wrapped neatly with banana leaves, this stall sells more than the standard nasi lemak. You can have yours with anchovies and half boiled egg, fish, cuttlefish, prawn, salted fish, or chicken. Come early to witness the owners preparing these nasi lemaks before your eyes?
Address: Sri Weld Food Court, Lebuh Pantai, 10300 George Town, Penang.
Operating hours: Mon-Fri; 7AM-4PM (Closed on Sat & Sun)
Price: $
Contact: +6016 407 0717
Directions: Take the Rapid Penang bus to the Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda bus terminal. Then, enjoy a 7-minute walk to Sri Weld Food Court where Ali Nasi Lemak is located.
10.Ayu Mee Udang
While some refer to this restaurant as mee udang cantik, this cosy Malaysian eatery is best referred to as Ayu Mee Udang!
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True to its name, their number one specialty is the Malay-style prawn noodles, and they’re known for serving generous helpings of it ?
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You can go ahead with what everyone is having, the mee udang rebus, but feel free to try the mee udang goreng, which is equally lip-smacking!
Address: 936B, Lengkok Kampung Masjid 1, 11920 Teluk Kumbar, Penang.
Operating hours: Wed-Sun; 1PM-10PM (Closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: $
Contact: +60 12-465 2823
Directions: Take the Rapid Penang bus (308) to Jalan Gertak Sanggul and enjoy a 5-minute walk to the restaurant.
Muslim owned | Halal-certified
11.Rojak Tonggek at Jalan Pantai
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You might be new to the rojak tonggek craze, but they have quite a following in Butterworth. ‘Tonggek’ stems from the way customers would bend over to avoid staining their shirts while feasting on sauce-drenched rojak sticks.
The kuah kacang (peanut sauce) is worthy of a highlight as it is known to be exceptionally tasty. However, don’t limit yourself to just fruit sticks. There are other savoury items such as squid, quail eggs, fish balls, and fish cakes to go with that sinful peanut sauce?
Address: Jalan Pantai, 12000 Butterworth, Penang.
Operating hours: Thu - Tue; 2 PM - 7 PM (Closed on Wed)
Price: $
Directions: Take the Rapid Penang bus (601, 602, 603, 604, 605, or 608) to Kompleks Kesihatan Butterworth on Jalan Bagan Laur. Enjoy a 7-minute walk to the food stall.
12.Laksa Janggus
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For a foodie to travel all the way to Balik Pulau for a bowl from Laksa Janggus is a testament to its worth. Open every day except Wednesdays, this neighbourhood eatery is famous for their servings of asam laksa and pisang goreng!
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Our favourite way to enjoy asam laksa is by mixing it up to unleash the full flavour of its tamarind, mackerel flakes, mint leaves, onions, and torch ginger. Laksa Janggus's asam laksa is tamer than the laksas in other parts of Penang. However, if you're a foodie who appreciates variety, you might want to add this eatery to your itinerary?
Address: Jalan Kampung Perlis, Kampung Perlis, 11020 Balik Pulau, Penang.
Operating hours: Mon-Tue & Thu-Sun; 3:30 PM - 8 PM (Closed on Wed)
Phone: +604 866 8819
13.Heritage Tea Cafe (Closed as of 2019)
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While Heritage Tea Cafe focuses primarily on beverages and Western meals, this Muslim-owned cafe also serves yummy asam laksa as a special from Friday to Sunday.
Credit: Heritage Tea Cafe on Facebook
Nudge the wait staff for a bowl and your asam laksa will be served in no time. Slippery noodles, mackarel-based broth, mint leaves, torch ginger, and chilli slices are the usual suspects, so anyone who fancies laksa for supper will find this satisfying.
Address: No. 46, Lorong Mahsuri 2, Bayan Baru, Penang.
Operating hours: Mon-Wed; 8PM-12AM, Fri-Sat: 4PM-12AM (Closed on Thu)
Phone: +6012 471 3113
Email: [email protected]
#HHWT Tip: The cafe is located opposite CIMB Bank Sunshine, which is next to Toyo Tire. Asam laksa will only be served on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
13. Restoran Kapitan
Restoran Kapitan is a local institution famous for its briyani, tandoori chicken, naan, and various other dishes.
The brightly-coloured two-storey restaurant is open 24 hours and has an extensive menu including nasi kandar and other local dishes such as mee goreng and roti canai. But most people will recommend going for their specialities of claypot briyani (you can from a variety of briyani including chicken, mutton and beef) and tandoori sets (chicken tandoori with naan is a favourite choice). You could even opt to have briyani rice with your tandoori chicken! Either way, you're guaranteed a wonderful meal.
Halal status: Halal-certified
Address: 93, Lebuh Chulia, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Contact: +60 4 250 4316
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily
Dubbed by many as a street food paradise, you’ll definitely leave Penang with memories of your favourite char kuay teow, curry mee, or mee goreng. With this ultimate halal food guide in your pocket, you will never find yourself hungry in Penang! ?