Places to Eat in Penang

Penang’s food is its real claim to fame and it pays to be as adventurous as possible when it comes to trying the different dishes on offer. Google is a good friend here, with many published guides to Penang’s best spots to try, whilst asking locals where they recommend is another great bet. From budget street food cooked fresh by the roadside at night to high-end restaurants, it's a great place to sample all types of cuisine.

Dishes to taste

Some dishes that are very famous in Penang and should definitely be sampled on your visit include mee satong, assam laksa and penang char koay teow, amongst others.

The assam laksa here is particularly famous and very different from the versions that can be found in nearby Singapore. Its base is a sour fish flavoured broth with various fruit and vegetables and a liberal helping of chilli. Whilst it's not for the faint hearted it's definitely an interesting one to try!

Char koay teow is a dish made with flat noodles that are stir-fried together with ingredients including bean sprouts, seafood and pretty much anything else that's to hand.

Nasi kandar can also be found more or less anywhere and is made up of white rice with fried chicken, seafood, fish, hard boiled eggs and curry sauce.

Really there are too many specialty foods in Penang to name, more so given the influence of Indian and Chinese culture which adds even more dishes. Lobak is another famous one with minced pork wrapped in tofu skin, typically served with various sides like egg, fish cakes or tofu to name a few. The Indian influence has led to the popularity of dishes like pasembor, which is basically Indian mixed fruits - cucumber plus any additions you choose covered with spicy peanut sauce.

Local Food

The easiest way to eat cheap and local is to try out food courts in shopping malls. Avenue has one with dishes priced between MYR4 and MYR12. There is also a large street food court right off Jalan Penang which comes alive in the evenings and is always full of tourists. Prices tend to be touristy – from MYR8 – but the choice is wide.

Chinese Food

Small family Chinese restaurants are ubiquitous in Georgetown and you cannot go wrong with any of them but we were happy with a bowl of noodles at Hong Kee. All menu entries are prices between MYR6 and MYR8 and as the menu is not extensive you won’t get lost choosing your lunch. The best thing about this restaurant is that they have noodle making sessions twice a day (11am and 3pm) and you can see the whole process absolutely for free.

Indian Food

To try some of the famous Indian delights, Little India is obviously going to be your best bet. Food stalls start opening in the late afternoon and you can grab everything from samosas and Indian sweets for pennies, all of which taste delicious.

There are also numerous curry buffets which offer great value for money and generous servings. We tried several and weren't disappointed, although our favourite by far was Kapitan which is famous for its clay pot biryanis and feels like a more authentic spot than some of the more touristy and expensive curry houses.

Restaurants

For mid range restaurants, there are many to choose from. Try Auntie Gaik Leans for a Penganite meal, traditional and unfussy but always welcoming. The No Eyed Deer Restaurant is another choice, very popular with locals, expats and tourists and serving an extensive range of cuisine from Asian to Western – here you can enjoy everything from laksa to steak, whilst the fish and chips and curries are also good choices. Meanwhile you can get excellent fresh seafood and even some Thai dishes at Illyanas, another Penang favourite.

Fine Dining

Finally if you're looking to splash out on a special meal you can't go far wrong with Kabaya – consistently voted the best restaurant in Penang, it's beautifully designed and known for excellent service and fantastic food, including seafood and Malay specialties.

Cafe and Coffee Houses

When it comes to recommended cafes and restaurants, here are a few of our favourites. For tea, coffee, cake and general coffee shop vibes you're in luck as there are some great spots throughout Georgetown. Try the Mugshot Cafe and Bakery, with hipster decor and a friendly team as well as a huge array of baked goods. Other great choices include The Black Kettle and The Twelve Cups, informal and comfortable places to watch the world go by for a few hours.