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 Malaysia Food Blog

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 Malaysia Food Blog
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 Malaysia Food Blog
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.

A photo posted by blissfulguro (@blissfulguro) on

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.

Penang Malaysia Food Blog

Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Kopi Ais
It kinda lacked that sweetness I was looking for.
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
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

Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Legit kopitiam-coffee shop
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Charcoal-grilled toasts
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Kaya toast with soft-boiled egg (RM4)
This is awesome!
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Kopi Ais (RM1.50)
Legit Hainan coffee!

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

Penang Malaysia Food Blog

Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Char Kway Teow
This is good!
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Char Mee
So-so

ULTIMAXX CAFE 
Persiaran Bayan Indah, Bayan Lepas, Penang (near Queensbay Mall)
7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Penang Malaysia Food Blog

Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Pasembur
This is great when mixed together, as it supposed to be.
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Tok Tok Mee
Deconstructed noodles-nice concept but I totally forgot how it tasted.
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Sambal Fried Rice
Fried rice will always be a winner for me.
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
*Help me in naming this, hehe*

LEBUH KIMBERLEY NIGHT MARKET
Lebuh Kimberley, Georgetown, Penang
6:00 p.m. onwards

Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Lebuh Kimberley becomes alive at night!
Penang Malaysia Food Blog

Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Kway Chap (RM8)
Not my kind of soup.
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
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

Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Satay
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
The very touristy Gurney Drive Hawker Center
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Asam Laksa (RM4)
Still, not my favorite in Penang.
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Char Kway Teow (RM6)
Yummy!

RESTORAN ARATI VILAS
9 Tanjung Bunga Park, Penang

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


Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Roti Canai
My all time fave flatbread.
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Fried Bee Hon
I'm not a fan of rice noodles.
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Char Mee
Mee Goreng is still the best!

MEE GORENG MAMAK STALL
Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling corner Lebuh Armenian, Georgetown, Penang

Penang Malaysia Food Blog

2014
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Mee Goreng Mamak in 2014 (RM3.50)
Simply delicious!
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
2016
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Mee Goreng Mamak in 2016 (RM4)
Still, our favorite Mee Goreng in Penang!

Little India
Lebuh Pasar, Georgetown, Penang

Penang Malaysia Food Blog

Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Kopi Ais-to go (RM1.50)
This will always be our favorite drink in Malaysia!
Penang Malaysia Food Blog
Chicken Samosa (RM1.20)
The best samosa I've had so far.
Penang Malaysia Food Blog

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.


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


Lebuh Kimberley Penang Food
And we're back again in Lebuh Kimberley!
Penang Soya Sauce Chicken
Soya sauce chicken (RM6)
The chicken itself is bland
Penang Kway Chap
Kway Chap (RM8)
Same as last year, I didn't like it. Haha
Penang Fried Lorbak
Fried lorbak, tofu, beancurd, etc (RM15 for everything)
Lorbak and beancurd ftw!


NEW LANE FOOD STALL
Lorong Baru, Georgetown, Penang

4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.


Penang Sambal Fried Rice
Sambal fried rice (RM6)
You'll never go wrong with this dish, especially if you love spicy stuff
Penang Crispy Noodles
Crispy noodles (RM5.50)
This is really good!
Penang Ais Kacang
Ais kacang (RM8.80)
It was just okay. I still love the Philippines' shaved ice dessert (halo-halo)
Penang Char Kway Teow
Char kway teow (RM6)
so-so

TOH SOON CAFE
Lebuh Campbell, Georgetown, Penang

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


Toh Soon Cafe Penang
The cafe can be very busy in the morning
Toh Soon Cafe Penang


Penang Kaya Toast
Kaya toast, poached egg and kopi ais (RM5.50)
It's still the best kaya toast


RESTORAN SUP HAMEED
48 Jalan Penang, Georgetown, Penang

Open 24 Hours


Penang Mee Goreng
Mee goreng + telur mata (RM4.30)
It was just okay


MASEHI BURGER SOHO
48A Jalan Penang, Georgetown, Penang


Afternoon til midnight


Masehi Burger Soho Penang
They were very busy that night
Masehi Burger Soho Penang
Beef burger + egg (RM4.70)
My buddy loved it


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