Penang, Malaysia Food Hunt: The Ultimate Street Food Hunt ~ Updated

*Updated July 08, 2017*

This post has been updated with additional narrative on my fourth visit to Penang.

If there’s one place that could exemplify what street food culture is then that would be the state of Penang in Malaysia. Located at the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Penang’s cuisine mirrors the diverse culture of the country with influences from the Chinese, Nonya, Malay, Indian and Thai into its wide selection of food options; probably a bizarre mix but it works as it wouldn’t be regarded as the Best Street Food in Asia by Time Magazine (2004) for nothing. So let me share with you my recent food trip that would make you drool afterwards.

Penang is one of those places that I love to explore because even if it’s constantly visited by tourists, its tenacity to maintain its origin and culture is so strong that they don’t modify their customs just to suit to the needs and wants of the visitors. Food junkies all over the world, and even in Malaysia, are crazy over hawkers and street food vendors that filled Penang’s alleys. Hawkers and vendors usually start at dawn until midnight or much longer (check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Penang).

Penang = Food trip!

Influences from Chinese, Mamak (a term for men with Indian Muslim origins or uncle), Nonya/Nyonya (a term for women of Malay and Chinese origins or aunty), Indian, Malay and Thai cuisines are usually merged to create unique recipes. The marriage of flavors is respected and appreciated by all communities in Penang, thus making Penang a unique culinary experience.

Penang ice ball

During my trips (it’s my third time), I noticed how consistent Penangites were on the quality of the taste in each dish. The richness of flavors and generous amounts of ingredients are some of the many factors that made me yearn for more. I also love the fact that people from all sectors of society converge on a coffee shop or roadside eatery, no social status or whatsoever when it comes to food.

Gotta try the traditional tiffin lunch. Penang is making me fatter each day. Haha #BeachHopAsia2016

A photo posted by blissfulguro (@blissfulguro) on Apr 20, 2016 at 8:28pm PDT

As they say to each his own, selecting the best hawker food actually depends on your taste buds. The best way is to follow your heart and try every dish that your gut feel tells you so.

So here’s a rundown on my latest food trip in Penang on what I consider as the best and most authentic street food during our Beach Hop Asia 2016 summer backpacking trip. Please note that we don't subscribe on guide books or whatnot but just went wherever our feet led us and ordered whatever seemed interesting.

JOOI HOOI CAFE

475 Jalan Penang, Georgetown, Penang

11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Kopi Ais
It kinda lacked that sweetness I was looking for.

Asam Laksa
Not really my thing.

TOH SOON CAFE

Lebuh Campbell, Georgetown, Penang

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Mondays to Saturdays

Legit kopitiam-coffee shop

Charcoal-grilled toasts

Kaya toast with soft-boiled egg (RM4)
This is awesome!

Kopi Ais (RM1.50)
Legit Hainan coffee!

HAWKER CENTER

Jalan Pasar, Air Itam Penang (near Kek Lok Si Temple)

Char Kway Teow
This is good!

Char Mee
So-so

ULTIMAXX CAFE

Persiaran Bayan Indah, Bayan Lepas, Penang (near Queensbay Mall)

7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Pasembur
This is great when mixed together, as it supposed to be.

Tok Tok Mee
Deconstructed noodles-nice concept but I totally forgot how it tasted.

Sambal Fried Rice
Fried rice will always be a winner for me.

*Help me in naming this, hehe*

LEBUH KIMBERLEY NIGHT MARKET

Lebuh Kimberley, Georgetown, Penang

6:00 p.m. onwards

Lebuh Kimberley becomes alive at night!

Kway Chap (RM8)
Not my kind of soup.

Fried lorbak, beancurd, tofu, etc. (RM11 for everything)
I super love the lorbak and beancurd!

GURNEY DRIVE HAWKER CENTER

Solok Gurney, Georgetown, Penang

6:30 p.m. onwards

Satay

The very touristy Gurney Drive Hawker Center

Asam Laksa (RM4)
Still, not my favorite in Penang.

Char Kway Teow (RM6)
Yummy!

RESTORAN ARATI VILAS

9 Tanjung Bunga Park, Penang

8:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Roti Canai
My all time fave flatbread.

Fried Bee Hon
I'm not a fan of rice noodles.

Char Mee
Mee Goreng is still the best!

MEE GORENG MAMAK STALL

Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling corner Lebuh Armenian, Georgetown, Penang

2014

Mee Goreng Mamak in 2014 (RM3.50)
Simply delicious!

2016

Mee Goreng Mamak in 2016 (RM4)
Still, our favorite Mee Goreng in Penang!

Little India

Lebuh Pasar, Georgetown, Penang

Kopi Ais-to go (RM1.50)
This will always be our favorite drink in Malaysia!

Chicken Samosa (RM1.20)
The best samosa I've had so far.

Buurp!

UPDATE 2017: Penang Food Hunt

For this particular food trip in Penang, my sixth, me and my buddy went back to our old favorites and discovered new ones. And this time around, we were with our moms.

Came back to Toh Soon Cafe, a hawker stall packed between an alley in Penang for this six-ringgit snack of legit brick oven-cooked kaya toast, poached egg, and iced coffee 🍴 #SameSameSummerTrip2017

A post shared by blissfulguro (@blissfulguro) on Apr 19, 2017 at 12:50am PDT

It's crazy how every year, during our annual two-month backpacking trip, we’d stop by at Penang. On this year’s trip, Same Same Summer Trip 2017, we tagged along our moms on the first leg in Malaysia. After exploring Melaka and Kuala Lumpur, we went to Penang for a weeklong historical and gastronomical adventure.

LEBUH KIMBERLY NIGHT MARKET

Lebuh Kimberly, Georgetown, Penang

6:00 p.m. onwards