An Insider's Guide to Penang Hawker Food

Being born and raised in Penang, I am practically a living and walking food guide when it comes to eating Penang Hawker Food. As requested by many readers, I have finally put together this comprehensive food guide to give you the insider's tips about where, what, and who of the best of the best in Penang hawker food. * To view the picture of the food, please click on the title. Assam Laksa Noodles in tangy and sour fish broth served with fresh vegetables such as mint leaves, onions, cucumber, lettuce, pineapple, red chili, and bunga kantan (torch ginger bud). A spoonful of Hae Ko (a dark and thick prawn paste) brings out the essence of this ever popular Nyonya creation. Rasa Malaysia recommends: Laksa Air Itam Jalan Pasar (beside the Air Itam market) Air Itam, 11500 Penang This is the most famous Laksa stall in Penang. Managed by a father-son team: Ang Kak Seong and Ang Kar Foo, this Laksa is a must try! Kek Seng Coffee Shop 382-384 Jalan Penang 10000 Penang Hokkien Mee / Prawn Noodles A popular noodle soup with spicy broth made from prawn shells and heads. Served with slices of hard-boiled eggs, shredded prawns, water convolvulus, pork, crispy fried shallots and a spoonful of chili paste. Rasa Malaysia recommends: Super Cafe, Rangoon Road (Morning) Coffee Shop at the corner of Macalister Road and Rangoon Road (Morning) Curry Mee Yellow noodles and vermicelli infused in rich and spicy coconut curry and with cubes of pig’s blood, cockles, fried tofu puffs, cuttlefish, and shrimps as toppings. Penang Curry Mee is unlike Curry Mee / Curry Laksa served elsewhere in Malaysia; the broth is usually lighter as less coconut milk is used. Rasa Malaysia recommends: 55 Lorong Seratus Tahun 10400 Penang Morning only Char Koay Teow Char Koay Teow / Char Kway Teow is basically fried flat rice noodles with prawns, cockles, egg, bean sprouts, Chinese chives, and chili paste. Sometimes, slices of Chinese sausage are added. The best Char Koay Teow is usually fried with pork lard, which gives that extra aroma to the dish. Rasa Malaysia recommends: Loh Eng Hoo Coffee Shop 84 Lorong Selamat 10400 Penang. There are two stalls outside of the coffee shop. Go for the one with a lot of customers. Afternoon. Kedai Kopi Lam Leng 185 Macalister Road 10400 Penang 8:30 am – 12:30 pm 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm Rojak Rojak is a Penang-style salad. Ingredients such as cucumber, jicama, pineapples, jambu (water apple), bean curd pieces, and cuttlefish are tossed with Hae Ko (prawn paste), chili, roasted belacan and topped with ground peanuts. Rasa Malaysia recommends: Loh Eng Hoo Coffee Shop 84 Lorong Selamat 10400 Penang. 11:30 am to 6:30 pm Majestic Rojak New World Café 10 Swatow Lane 11 am to 6 pm Jiu Hu Eng Chai (Cuttlefish Salad with Water Convolvulus) Another salad where blanched cuttlefish and water convolvulus are tossed with prawn paste, chili, sweet sauce, and topped with sesame seeds and grounded peanuts. This dish is very delightful. A must try. Rasa Malaysia recommends: Gurney Drive Hawker Center 6 pm to midnight New Lane Hawker Juction Sin Yin Nam Coffee Shop 43 & 45, Macalister Road 10400 Penang Popiah Filled with jacama (yambean), diced beancurb, and crab meat wrapped in fresh spring roll skin, Popiah is juicy and delicious. The best Popiah can be found at Padang Brown Hawker Center. Insider tip: order the deluxe Popiah with real crab meat instead of the regular popiah with artificial crab meat. Rasa Malaysia recommends: Lot 17 Padang Brown Hawker Center The junction of Perak Road & Anson Road, 10400 Penang Business Hours: 2 – 6:30 pm New Lane Hawker Juction Macalister Road 10400 Penang Grilled Stingray (Ikan Panggang) One must not miss Grilled Stingray when you are in Malaysia. In Penang, Ikan Panggang / Ikan Bakar can be found at Chinese Kopi Tiam or Malay hawker joints. Other than Stingrays, there are other fish and seafood to choose from, for example: clams, squids, and other shellfish. Rasa Malaysia recommends: New Lane Hawker Juction Macalister Road 10400 Penang Business hour: 6 pm to midnight Oh Chien (Fried Oyster Omelette) Originated in the Fujian region in China, Oh Chien is fried omelette with fresh oysters, with starch mixed into the eggs. The key to this dish is Wok Hei (breath of wok) as well as the generous use of fresh and succulent oysters. Rasa Malaysia recommends: Seng Thor Coffee Shop 160 Carnavon Street Open 1 pm - 6 pm Chicken Rice Chicken Rice is a very popular dish in Malaysia because it’s filling, delicious, and cheap. Other than steamed and fried / roasted chicken, you can also order barbequed pork, char siew, gizzards, innards, and other side dishes to go with the chicken rice. Rasa Malaysia recommends: Goh Thow Chick Famous Hainan Chicken Rice 338A Chulia Street 10200 Penang Otak-Otak Otak-otak is a Nyonya specialty. Wrapped in a banana leaf, Otak-Otak is basically spicy fish custard made of fresh fish fillets, eggs, and daun kadok (wild pepper leaves). Penang Otak-Otak is usually steamed while in Melaka and southern states, they are grilled. Both are equally delectable and it’s great as a snack. Rasa Malaysia recommends: New World Café (Siin Se Kai) 10 Swatow Lane Penang Insider tip: Even though the coffee shops opens from 10 am to 6 pm, go there early as their Otak-Otak are usually sold out after lunch hours. Loh Bak Loh Bak or meat rolls are wrapped in beancurd skin and deep fried to perfection. At Loh Bak stalls, you can also order prawn fritters (Heh Chee), fried bean curds, and other side dishes such as octopus, century eggs, etc. Loh Bak are usually served with two dipping sauces in Penang: chili sauce and a starchy sauce flavored with five-spice powder and eggs. Penangites usually order a combo plate of Loh Bak, prawn fritters, and fried beancurb. Rasa Malaysia recommends: Café Kheng Pin 80 Penang Road Opens 7 am to 3 pm. Closed on Monday. Padang Brown Hawker Center The junction of Perak Road & Anson Road 10400 Penang Business Hours: 2 – 6:30 pm Hawker Center at Batu Lanchang afternoon market Opens from 3 –6:30 pm. Stall at Taman Free School Hawker Center Opens from 3 – 6 New Lane Hawker Juction Macalister Road 10400 Penang Business hour: 6 pm to midnight Chee Cheong Fun Chee Cheong Fun is steamed rice rolls with oil, sweet sauce, and Heh Koe (prawn paste sauce) and topped with toasted sesame seeds, and fried shallots and chili sauce (if desired). Penang Chee Cheong Fun is very different from those served elsewhere in Malaysia. This is one of the must try hawker food in Penang. Rasa Malaysia recommends: New Lane Hawker Juction Macalister Road 10400 Penang Business hour: 6 pm to midnight Loh Eng Hoo Coffee Shop 84 Lorong Selamat 10400 Penang. 11:30 am to 6:30 pm Cheh Hu Cheh Hu or Chinese-style rojak is a healthy serving of bean sprouts, julienned cucumber, jicama (yambean), prawn fritters, beancurd, sliced jellyfish in a sweet potato sauce. This is one of my favorite afternoon snacks. Rasa Malaysia recommends: Padang Brown Hawker Center The junction of Perak Road & Anson Road, 10400 Penang Business Hours: 2 – 6:30 pm Hawker Center at Batu Lanchang afternoon market Taman Free School Hawker Center Muar Chee Muar Chee is a light snack consists of glutinous rice balls coated with grounded peanuts and sugar. As simple as it might sound to you, these little rice balls are very tasty. I crave for them every so often. Rasa Malaysia recommends: Muar Chee stalls at Gurney Drive Hawker Center Lok Lok Lok Lok or fresh food in skewers with a pot of hot boiling water is fun to eat. There are two kinds of Lok Lok: sit-down Lok Lok where there is a table for patrons and stand-up Lok Lok where there is no seating. I personally like sit-down version because it’s just fun sitting down with a bunch of your friends or family members and have a communal dining experience. Rasa Malaysia recommends: Padang Brown Hawker Center The junction of Perak Road & Anson Road, 10400 Penang Business Hours: 2 – 6:30 pm There are two stalls to choose from. Both are great, but with slightly different selections of food. Pulau Tikus Evening Market Pulau Tikus, Penang Business Hours: 6 pm – Midnight Apong Balik Apong Balik is a kind of Malaysian pancake filled with sliced bananas. Click on the link above and check out the picture; need I say more? Rasa Malaysia recommends: New Lane Hawker Juction Macalister Road 10400 Penang Business hour: 6 pm to midnight Apong Guan Macalister Road Right beside Union Primary School Roti Canai Roti Canai is one of the best creations by Mamak (Indian-Muslim). This fluffy, crispy, and flaky bread is cooked on a flat iron skillet with lots of oil. Roti Canai is best when served with curries (choices include but not limited to chicken, beef, lamb, fish, or vegetarian). Rasa Malaysia recommends: Kayu Nasi Kandar 216 Penang Road 10000 Penang Open 24 hours If you like your Roti Canai buttery, order Roti Bom or Roti Planta. If you like them with fillings, do try out Murtabak (filled with onions and beef) or Roti Pisang (filled with sliced bananas). Nasi Kandar Nasi Kandar is very popular in Penang. Operated by Mamak (Indian-Muslim), Nasi Kandar stalls or restaurants serve meals of steamed rice with a variety of curries, fried food, and other side dishes. I like eating my Nasi Kandar with a side order of Roti Canai, Papadam, and a glass of cold ice Syrup (a drink with pink syrup). Rasa Malaysia recommends: Kayu Nasi Kandar 216 Penang Road 10000 Penang Open 24 hours Restaurant Tajuddin Hussein in Little India 49 Queen Street, 10200 Penang Tel: (6)04-2625367 Cendol Cendol consists of pandan-flavored noodles, shaved ice, red beans in coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. Cendol is a popular dessert. Some tourists and visitors come to Penang just to try this out! Rasa Malaysia recommends: Teowchew Cendol Outside of Joo Hooi Café 475 Jalan Penang 10000 Penang Business Hours: 10 am – 7:30 pm Loh Eng Hoo Coffee Shop 84 Lorong Selamat 10400 Penang. Business Hours: 11:30 am - 6:30 pm Ice Kacang Shaved ice with red beans, sweet corns, grass jelly, atap chee (the flesh from young seeds of a mangrove plant called Nypa Frutican) and jello. Sweet syrup and evaporated milk are generously drizzled over the shaved ice. This dessert is a great after a hot day in the sun. Loh Eng Hoo Coffee Shop 84 Lorong Selamat10400 Penang Business Hours: 11:30 am - 6:30 pm Kek Seng Coffee Shop 382-384 Jalan Penang 10000 Penang Business Hours: 8 am - 5 pm 10 Swatow Lane 10050 Penang Business Hours: 12 pm - 8 pm Nyonya Kuih Nyonya Kuih are little cakes created by the Peranakans. They are colorful, delicate, and full of flavor and are best as a light breakfast or an afternoon snack. Rasa Malaysia recommends: Padang Brown Hawker Center The junction of Perak Road & Anson Road, 10400 Penang Business Hours: 2 – 6:30 pm The Nyonya Kuih Stall at Pulau Tikus Market Jalan Pasar 10350 Penang Business Hours: 7:30 am – 11:30 am Tee Nya Kuih Tee Nya Kuih are rice cakes with brown sugar / palm sugar syrup. This Chinese delicacy is getting harder and harder to find these days. A must try. Pandan flavor is also available. Swatow Lane Hawker Joint 10 Swatow Lane 10050 Penang Lat Chee (Roasted Chesnuts) Roasted chesnuts were my childhood favorite. They are sweet and addictive and I would always steal them from my late grandmother (it was her favorite too). Once you start eating them, you just can’t stop. Chowrasta Market Lower Penang Road There are two stalls in front Chowrasta Market. Both are equally good. INSIDER TIPS: If you are a tourist and have only a few days in Penang, here are a few places that you have to go: Swatow Lane Hawker Joint Things to eat: Assam Laksa, Ice Kacang, Tee Nya Kuih, Mee Goreng, Rojak, Curry Mee, etc. Simply try anything that looks interesting to you. They are all good. Afternoon only. Lorong Selamat Hawker Joint Char Kuay Teow, Chee Cheong Fun, Rojak, Java Mee, Ice Kacang, Cendol, Oh Chien. Afternoon only. New Lane Hawker Joint There are 3 coffee shops around New Lane and many hawker stalls outside of these coffee shops. Try Ju Hu Eng Chai, grilled fish, clams, Kuay Teow Th'ng, Yong Tow Foo, Chee Cheong Fun, Hokkien Mee, Curry Mee, etc. You can't go wrong here. Evening only. Gurney Drive Hawker Center Try small snacks like Satay (order from Malay stalls), Indian Pasembor, Muar Chee, grilled cuttlefish, etc. Evening only. Padang Brown Hawker Center Try the Lok Lok, Nyonya Kuih, Cheh Hu, Lok Lok, and Popiah. While you are in Penang, don’t forget to try out fresh fruit juice in Kopi Tiam (coffee shops) or hawker centers. Starfruit juice is my favorite. You can also get fresh coconut juice. Have fun and eat well in Penang! P.S.: Phew, this is the looooooooongest post EVER!!!