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Hawker Food in Penang

Hawker Food in Penang

penang-pai-tee-top-hat Hawker Food in Penang

Hawker Food in Penang is definitely one of the must-try local foods that everyone should experience when you are visiting this former British ruled island.

As Penang Island or Pulau Pinang is located on the northwest of Malaysia on an island which houses over two million Penangites (what locals from Penang are called), there are many ways to get there which are by self-driving, bus, train, ferry or by flight.

The island is also one of the popular places for a holiday destination as many locals and foreigners seem to enjoy the old world charm of UNESCO World Heritage Site Geroge Town.

As I have been to the island many times over the years, one thing that stood out for me as a local was the hawker food there.
Penang Hawker Food

penang-coffee-shop Hawker Food in Penang
One of the coffee shops in Penang

I will personally vouch for the originality of some of the famous hawker food which is found all over the island. Somehow, the unique and distinguished taste has managed to remain original despite change and modernization that has gone through over the years.

Some of these hawkers are found in the core heritage zone itself while a number of them are well spread over town at food courts, road shoulders and even under trees.

If you are a food lover, then Penang is one of the places you must try as they dish out some of the countries most famous local hawker dishes.

Penang Fried Kuey Teow

penang-fried-kueh-teow Hawker Food in Penang

Penang Chow Kuey Teow

One of the most popular local hawker dishes in Penang is no other than the world-famous Fried Kuey Teow, which also goes by other names lie Chow Kuey Teow or stir-fried rice cake flat noodles. Some foreigners even call them fried flat noodles.

There has been raving reviews all over the internet about who has the best fried kuey teow while in my honest opinion, there is NO best in this category. They all have their own distinctive and unique taste.

penang-fried-kuey-teow Hawker Food in Penang
Large prawns fried kuey teow. Photo by Becky Becks.

Among the many top contenders in this popular hawker dish, you will hear many people recommending personal favourite places in Penang for fried kuey teow.

Where To Try Penang Fried Kuey Teow

  1. Campbell Street Chow Kueh Teow who sells it by the junction, 
  2. Lorong Selamat Chow Kueh Teow who a lady in goggles fries it in front of a coffee shop, 
  3. Sisters Chow Kueh Teow at Burma Road and 
  4. Fried Kuey Teow with crab meat at New Lane, off Jalan Macalister 
  5. Fried Kuey Teow stall at Long Beach Food Court in Batu Feringgi
Penang Asam Laksa
penang-asam-laksa Hawker Food in Penang
 A bowl of the famous Asam Laksa

Penang Asam Laksa is another popular local favourite which can be found in many places throughout the island in different styles. 
Asam Laksa is, in fact, a fish-based noodle or gravy soup done mostly by the Chinese and even Malay hawkers. But the one from Penang seems to be the most well-known dish and can be found throughout the island. 
The Penang Asam Laksa dish also made it into #7 at CNNs 50 Worlds Most Delicious Foods in July 2011, and currently is accepted by many travellers in Penang. 
Even for locals visiting Penang, they would go out of their way just to sample some of the islands best Asam Laksa places.

Where To Try Penang Asam Laksa

  1. Ayer Itam Asam Laksa – Probably the most famous
  2. Penang Road Asam Laksa – Famous with TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet
  3. Joo Hooi Cafe – Another Laksa with recommendations by travel books
  4. Gurney Drive Asam Laksa – This is one of the pioneer famous laksa’s in Penang
  5. Taman Emak Kopitiam – More of a local Laksa joint with great taste
penang-asam-laksa-1 Hawker Food in Penang
Asam Laksa from Penang

Penang Hawker Food Photos
Below you will see a series of photographs related to some of the popular hawker foods in Penang just to give you an idea of what they look like.

Some of them may look strange, but I can assure you that they are absolutely one of a kind. The only way to find out is by trying some of them.

Personally, I cannot wait to go back to the island to explore the many other hawker favourites, as every time I go, there will be some new Penang food to experience.

pasembur-penang Hawker Food in Penang
Pasembur Penang, a unique dish to try

penang-cendol-chendol Hawker Food in Penang
 Penang Cendol

penang-satay Hawker Food in Penang
Penang Satay being cooked. Photo Mohd. Fazlin.
 
penang-teh-c-ping Hawker Food in Penang
 Teh C Peng Special and Iced Coffee

Must-Try Drinks in Penang

While you are out there on the streets trying out the many local favourites, do not forget to try some of the local coffee and tea, which is consumed by locals regularly.

Around Penang, you can find the famous Teh C Peng (Special three-layered iced tea with milk) and some awesome local brewed coffee from the many coffee shops.

If you should know, Teh C Peng Special is also well known around Sarawak Borneo and often called three-layered tea there.

ais-tinkap-penang Hawker Food in Penang
Ais Tingkap and Pasembor in Penang

Unique Hawker Delights in Penang

Among the strangest hawker food found in Penang, you will most likely come across Fried Chicken Skin, eaten by itself, and is a delicacy among the locals.

This snack is not easily found, therefore you will most probably find them as road side hawkers or at some food courts.

One of the places where you can most likely find the fried chicken skin is at New Lane Road night hawker.

A van sells them and for those who enjoy all part of the chicken, there is the bishop’s nose and neck which is also deep-fried.

gurney-drive-hawker-center Hawker Food in Penang
Gurney Drive hawker centre in Penang. Photo Wikipedia.

Hawker Centers in Penang

There are a few well-known hawker centres in Penang, and the most famous of them being Gurney Drive, which is really crowded and mostly with tourist. Local foodies do not come here from what I know.

The locals prefer to go to other lesser-known hawker centres in Penang, and I do that too when I visit the island. 

Famous Hawker Places in Penang:
  • Swatow Lane Food Center
  • New Lane Hawker Street
  • Gurney Drive
  • Batu Feringgi
  • Ayer Hitam Market Area
nasi-kandar-immigration Hawker Food in Penang
Famous Nasi Kandar Immigration in Penang

For photographers, the Pearl of the Orient is a wonderland as it is rich in culture and heritage. While hunting down your food, you are bound to come across a very unique Southeast Asian lifestyle, interesting places of worship and even pre-war buildings. 


One of the interesting places to visit on foot would be the Penang Peranakan Mansion and Museum which is located around the main George Town area.

And as a photographer, I managed to capture a series of Pictures of Penang during my walkabout around George Town.

penang-fish-head-curry Hawker Food in Penang
Penang Fish Head Curry

Conclusion

While there are so many choices of local hawker dishes available here, I have highlighted only a few of them in this article. The rest is up to you to explore while
you visit the island of Penang. 

On a side note, if you have a weak stomach, all is not lost! You still have the option of trying some of the famous Penang dishes which can be found in proper restaurants, cafes and even on hotel
menus.

But honestly, for the food aficionado or street food lover, nothing beats travelling around the island looking for good hawker food in Penang, Malaysia.

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11 comments

comments user
gbeejipp

Certainly my favorite place in the whole Malaysia. Sorry to say but Sabah probably come in second (mostly because I really don't know what to eat there) 😀

comments user
backpacker

выглядит аппетитно думаю что блюда очень пикантно .Спасибо за фото и обзор

comments user
travelman

looks appetizing dishes that I think is very juicy. Thanks for the photos and review

comments user
Charmaine Pua

Penang is my favorite state! Rich in history and delicious food 🙂

comments user
Barbara Weibel

David you are just mean…now my mouth is watering for Chow Kuey Teow!

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Jipp – Thanks and yes, Penang hawker food is da bomb! Sabah, still looking for some great dishes.

Travelman – Thanks, have you tried the local Penang dishes?

Charmaine – Spot on! Best of both worlds 🙂

Barbara – Sorry… 🙂 But when are you making a stop over again?

comments user
jason @ corfu villa

You've made me hungry now, It's 1am in England, and nothing is open!

Thanks a lot! LOL

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Jason, thanks and go find that Malaysian restaurant in London when you wake up 🙂

comments user
Gerard ~ GQ trippin

Holy cow. OK, this is the 4th time I've seen Penang cross my eyes this week. We ARE squeezing it into our Malaysia itinerary. Hopefully 3-days is enough.

comments user
Nate @ House of Annie

Sooo yummy! We'll be in Penang this coming weekend – looking forward to all the good eats :-d

comments user
Property Penang

Penang the food heaven. Yum yum… Nice pictures you taken up there 🙂

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