Food is the heart of Penang (PENANG MALAY FOOD GUIDE). Tourists, locals, and
food lovers from around the world visit the island to experience its flavors.
Among all the options, Penang Chinese food stands out. From family-run eateries
and bustling food courts to hawker stalls and high-end restaurants, Chinese
dishes consistently draw crowds.
Chinese cuisine
has deep roots in Penang, brought by early settlers from Hokkien, Cantonese,
Teochew, and Hainanese communities. They adapted their traditional recipes
using local ingredients, creating dishes that are truly unique to Penang.
Passed down through generations, these recipes continue to attract food lovers
from everywhere (WHAT TO EAT IN SOUTH AFRICA).
It’s impossible
to list every dish, as each is special in its own way. Still, some are widely
loved and considered must-try Chinese dishes in Penang, even though taste is
always personal.

Penang Asam Laksa
Asam Laksa is
one of the most famous Chinese dishes in Penang. It has a thick, tangy fish
broth made with tamarind and a mix of herbs and spices. The broth is simmered
with fish, assembled with noodles, and pineapple, cucumber, and red chillies for adding spiciness, tanginess, and texture. Depending on how spicy it is, it can
really wake up your taste buds!
This dish has
its roots in the local Peranakan culture, where Chinese and Malay culinary
traditions meet. What makes Penang Asam Laksa special is the balance of sour,
spicy, and savory flavors, as well as the combination of fresh ingredients that
give it a distinctive texture. Unlike other laksa varieties, the sourness from
tamarind is the highlight, making it refreshing and unique.
When people
think of Penang Asam Laksa, Air Itam Asam Laksa is often the first place that
comes to mind. They mainly operate on weekends now, but equally delicious bowls
can be found at other spots.
Top Picks
• My Own Café - Cannon Street, George Town
• Mute Asam Laksa - next door to Air Itam Asam Laksa
• Penang Road Famous Laksa - No. 5 Lebuh Keng Kwee, George Town

Penang Curry Mee (Penang Curry Laksa)
Penang Curry
Mee, also called Curry Laksa, is a beloved Penang noodle dish known for its
spicy, aromatic curry broth. Choices of noodles include yellow noodles, mee
hoon (rice noodles), kuey teow (flat rice noodles), or a mix of these. The
noodles are blanched, and the thick curry is assembled on top with toppings
like chicken, pork, seafood, and the local favourite, blood cockles.
Some bowls are
enhanced with coconut milk, while others keep the curry lighter and spicier.
Curry Mee can be found at market stalls, night markets, food courts, and
specialty restaurants. Clay pot Curry Mee has also become popular, giving the
dish a traditional, authentic feel with its slow-cooked aroma.
What makes
Penang Curry Mee special is the combination of flavors and textures—the
spiciness of the curry, the chewiness of the noodles, and the freshness of the
toppings all come together in one satisfying bowl. For those looking for
authentic Penang curry noodles, trying different stalls and eateries is part of
the experience, as every vendor has their own unique twist.
Top Picks
• Air Itam Sister Curry Mee - Air Itam
• Lorong Seratus Tahun Curry Mee - Lorong Seratus Tahun, George Town
• Tua Pui Curry Mee - Lebuh Kimberley, George Town

Penang Char Koay Teow
Penang Char
Koay Teow is one of the most popular Chinese dishes in Penang. Those who have
tried it know why, and those who haven’t may find themselves coming back for
more.
Available
throughout Penang, this beloved wok-fried flat rice noodle dish is made with
prawns, egg, bean sprouts, chives, and often Chinese sausage or fresh cockles.
For cockle lovers, no Penang Char Koay Teow is complete without them.
The best plates
are fried over high heat, with each noodle strand separated yet silky soft,
like lifting ribbons with chopsticks. A generous dollop of chili paste adds the
spiciness many crave. While widely available, finding the best Penang Char Koay
Teow can be a challenge. Foodies and reviews consistently point to these top
spots.
Top Picks
• Tiger Char Koay Teow - Ping Hooi Café, Carnarvon Street
• Siam Road Char Koay Teow - Siam Road, George Town
• Ah Leng Char Koay Teow - Jalan Dato Keramat, George Town
Penang Ice Kacang (Ais Kacang)
Penang Ice
Kacang, also called Ais Kacang, is a classic Penang dessert and a favourite
among locals and tourists alike. It starts with a mountain of finely shaved
ice, assembled with toppings like red beans, sweet corn, grass jelly, and attap
chee. The dessert is drizzled with red sugar syrup, sometimes green, and
finished with either condensed milk or coconut milk for sweetness and
creaminess. Some variations include peanuts, jelly cubes, or durian for added
flavor.
A popular
street food in Penang, Ice Kacang has been served for generations. Stalls are
often busy, and when all tables and chairs are full, standing to have a bowl
becomes part of the experience. Its combination of textures - soft shaved ice,
chewy toppings, and smooth syrup, makes it an irresistible treat, especially on
hot, humid days.
Top Picks
• Kek Seng Coffee Shop - Penang Road, George Town
• Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul - Lebuh Keng Kwee (off Penang Road),
George Town
• Presgrave Street Hawker Centre (3rd Road Ice Kacang) - Lebuh Presgrave,
George Town

Penang Hainanese White Bread Toast
Penang
Hainanese White Bread Toast is a classic breakfast staple in Penang, found in
most kopitiams and Chinese coffee shops. Many traditional vendors still bake
their own white loaves, often sold by the loaf. The bread is sliced and either
steamed or grilled. Some places serve kaya and butter (or margarine)
separately, allowing customers to spread as they like, while others serve it
pre-filled.
This toast is
commonly paired with soft-boiled eggs and a cup of coffee, making it a simple
yet satisfying breakfast. Its popularity has kept it widely available across
generations and a signature item in Penang.

Penang Chinese Coffee and Tea
Penang Chinese
coffee and tea are traditional beverages in Penang, served in porcelain cups
and saucers in kopitiams and Chinese coffee shops. Coffee (kopi) and tea (teh)
are typically brewed thick and strong using a cloth sock filter. They can be
sweetened with condensed or evaporated milk, or served black with just a touch
of sugar. For some, the flavour may be strong and the sweetness pronounced, so
it’s common to request less or no sugar.
These drinks
are served all over Penang and pair well with many meals, from spicy dishes to
breakfast combos and lunch options. Whether at plastic tables and chairs or at
marble tables with wooden chairs, the choice of where to have them depends on
personal taste.