What to Eat in Penang, Malaysia: Chinese Food

One of the best things to do in Penang? Eat. Food is a major draw for tourists, locals, and visitors alike. In fact, foodies even travel to Penang (BEST THINGS TO DO IN PENANG) just for the food. Among the many food options, Chinese food is one of the top picks. From high-end restaurants and family-run eateries to food courts and hawker stalls, Chinese food pulls in the crowds.

Why Chinese Food is a Must in Penang

Chinese food is rooted in Penang due to early Chinese settlers, mainly Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, and Hainanese. They brought their food traditions and modified them using local ingredients and methods. Over time, their dishes became distinct to Penang while still preserving the original cooking heritage. Passed down through generations, these foods continue to attract food lovers from around the world.

 

It’s literally impossible to list every single dish, as each stands out in its own right. Still, there are those regarded as top picks, though, as always, taste is subjective (SEBERANG PERAI FOOD GUIDE).

Asam Laksa
Big, bold, and a revelation of flavours, your palate might even be set ablaze depending on how spicy the asam laksa is. This iconic dish features a thick, tangy broth made from fish, tamarind, and a blend of herbs and spices. The broth is simmered with the fish to deepen its flavour and garnished with thinly sliced pineapple, cucumber, and red chillies for added texture and freshness (ASAM LAKSA VEGETARIAN RECIPE).

When Penang Asam Laksa is mentioned, Air Itam Asam Laksa often comes to mind. The experience of sitting on roadside benches and digging into a steaming bowl remains a nostalgic memory for many. It's said they now operate mainly on weekends. Not to worry,  equally sensational, if not better, bowls can be found at:

 

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

Curry Mee (a.k.a. Curry Laksa)
Choices of noodles for curry mee or curry laksa range from yellow noodles, mee hoon (rice noodles), kuey teow (flat rice noodles), and even a combination of these. Noodles are blanched, and the thick curry poured atop. Topping ranges from chicken, pork, seafood, and a favourite,  blood cockles.

 

Served with spicy chili paste, it’s a bowl of luxurious curry with noodles, some enhanced with coconut milk, others not. Curry noodles can even be the best from market stalls, night markets, or food courts. Curry mee in clay pots has trended as well for the real feel of authenticity and traditional cooking.

 

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

Char Koay Teow
Char Koay Teow is undoubtedly one of the most popular Chinese dishes in Penang. For those who’ve tried it, no explanation is needed. For those who haven’t, be warned, you’ll likely keep coming back for more.

 

Available almost everywhere in 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 Char Koay Teow is complete without them.

 

The best plates are fried to perfection over high heat, with each noodle strand separated yet silky soft, like lifting ribbons with chopsticks. A generous dollop of chili paste adds the spicy kick some crave. While it’s widely available, picking the best can be tricky. Still, foodies and reviews consistently point to these top picks:

 

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

Ice Kacang
Also known as Ais Kacang, Ice Kacang, once assembled, is alluring, colourful, and striking. Toppings like red beans, sweet corn, grass jelly, and even attap chee come layered over a mountain of shaved ice, drizzled with red sugar syrup (sometimes green sugar syrup). Apart from that, it can be topped with either condensed milk or coconut milk.

 

A classic Penang street food, when the tables and chairs are fully taken up, which generally is,  you won’t mind standing and digging in. A guilty or sinful pleasure that hits the spot during 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

Hainanese White Bread Toast
Found in most kopitiams and Chinese coffee shops, the classic Hainanese white bread toast remains a beloved breakfast staple. Many of the old-time favourites still bake their own white loaves, which are often sold by the loaf. The bread is sliced and either steamed or grilled. Some places serve the kaya and butter (or margarine) separately, allowing customers to spread as they like, while others serve it pre-filled.

Commonly paired with soft-boiled eggs and a cup of coffee, this breakfast is as satisfying as ever. Wherever you choose to enjoy it, it's just as good, which is why top picks don't quite apply to Hainanese white bread toast.

Penang Old-school Chinese Coffee and Tea
Sipping coffee or tea served in porcelain cups and saucers instantly brings back memories of Chinese heritage. Typically brewed thick and strong using a cloth sock filter, these traditional beverages, whether coffee (kopi) or tea (teh), are sweetened with either condensed or evaporated milk, or left black with just a touch of sugar. For some, the flavour may be quite strong, and the sweetness too much, so it’s always wise to ask for less or no sugar.

Whether seated at plastic tables and chairs or at marble tables with wooden chairs, these drinks pair well with any meal, be it a spicy dish, breakfast combo, or lunch. Found all over Penang, choosing where to enjoy them depends more on personal taste than following the crowd.