Penang Food Guide: The Top 5 Must-Try Dishes and Where to Find Them
Penang is a food lover's paradise, with a rich culinary heritage that reflects the city's multiculturalism. Known as the "food capital of Malaysia," Penang is home to a diverse range of dishes that draw inspiration from Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan (Straits Chinese) cuisines.
Asam Laksa
Keep your eyes peeled for hawker stalls - a ubiquitous feature of Penang's food scene. These outdoor food courts offer a vast selection of dishes at affordable prices, making them popular with both locals and tourists. Each stall typically specializes in one or two dishes, such as char kway teow, nasi lemak, or rojak, and diners can mix and match to create their own personalized feast. A famous area to check out is the Chulia Street Night Market with savoury smells of wok hei wafting through the many street hawker stalls lining the road. Grab an ice cold Tiger beer and a quick and cheap bite!
Here are five must-try dishes in Penang:
Char Kway Teow: This stir-fried noodle dish is made with flat rice noodles, shrimp, bean sprouts, and eggs, and is flavored with soy sauce, chili paste, and sometimes belacan (shrimp paste). It's often cooked over high heat in a large wok, which gives it a smoky flavor (“wok-hei”). If you are looking for a great plate of kway teow, look up Siam Road Char Koay Teow, Ah Leng Char Koay Teow, or at the Chulia Street night market - Chulia Street Char Koay Teow.
Laksa: Penang laksa/asam laksa is a spicy noodle soup made with fish stock, tamarind, lemongrass, and a variety of herbs and spices. The soup is served with thick rice noodles, shrimp paste, and fresh herbs, and is a popular breakfast dish. Some great places to try laksa include: Air Itam Laksa, Penang Road Famous Laksa and Farlim Shell Station Laksa Cafe.
Hokkien Mee: This hearty soup is made with thick yellow noodles, prawns, pork, and fish cake, and is flavored with soy sauce, garlic, and sambal (chili paste). It's often topped with crispy fried shallots and served with a squeeze of lime. Some great spots to try this dish include Famous Penang Hokkien Mee, 888 Hokkien Mee, and Ah Kooi Hokkien Mee.
Nasi Kandar: This dish originated in Penang and is now popular throughout Malaysia. It consists of steamed rice served with a variety of curries, meats, and vegetables, and is often eaten with the hands. Try nasi kandar at Nasi Kandar Merlin, NS Nasi Kandar, or Nasi Kandar Imigresen.
Peranakan Cuisine: Peranakan cuisine is a fusion of Chinese and Malay flavors and is unique to the Straits Chinese communities of Malaysia and Singapore. Popular dishes include ayam buah keluak (chicken stewed in a spicy tamarind and black nut sauce), laksa nyonya (a coconut-based noodle soup), and kueh (a variety of sweet and savory snacks).
Peranakan cuisine
The Peranakan culture is a blend of Chinese and Malay influences and is prominent in Penang. The term "Peranakan" refers to the descendants of Chinese traders who settled in the region and intermarried with local Malays. The culture is known for its distinctive fashion, cuisine, and language, which incorporates elements of both Chinese and Malay. Peranakan food is characterized by its complex flavors and the use of herbs and spices such as lemongrass, turmeric, and galangal. It's often served in elaborate multi-course meals, and is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Penang. In Penang, check out Ivy's Nyonya Cuisine.
