What is the best food in Penang? Most locals would start with char koay teow, assam laksa and nasi kandar. Then they would add Hokkien mee, curry mee, oyster omelette, chee cheong fun, pasembur, mee goreng and a bowl of cendol. This top 10 list explains each dish and where it is commonly found, from big hawker centres to the kopitiams near Bayan Lepas.
Penang has a global name for street food. In fact, the state’s official street food guide notes that CNN Travel ranked Penang assam laksa at number 7 in its World’s 50 Best Foods in 2018. Local food draws on Chinese, Malay, Indian and Nyonya cooking, so the choice is huge.
This guide is food only. We avoid prices and opening hours, because stalls change them often. Instead, use it as a tasting list for your next lunch break or business trip.
EasySpace at a Glance: Key Facts
- Name: EasySpace (easySpace Sdn. Bhd.), a co-working space and business hub in Bayan Lepas, Penang.
- Address: NO. 1-2-11, 1-2-13 & 1-2-13A, SummerSkye Square, Jalan Sungai Tiram 8, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang.
- Location: About 5 minutes from Penang International Airport. It is also 15 minutes from the Second Penang Bridge and 20 minutes from the Penang Bridge, near the Bayan Lepas industrial area.
- Who it serves: MNCs, overseas companies, growing businesses and entrepreneurs.
- Private offices: 4, 6 and 10 pax rooms, plus a 28 pax whole unit. Every room comes furnished. Plus, members get 24/7 face-scan access and flexible leasing.
- Rooms to book: A meeting room for up to 12, a discussion room and pod for 4, and an event space for up to 50.
- Hot desk: Hourly, half-day, day, weekly and monthly passes.
- Services: High-speed WiFi, front desk, daily housekeeping, parcel and mail handling, printing, a shared pantry and free-flow 3-in-1 drinks and cookies.
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. However, the event space runs daily from 8am to 10pm, by advance booking.
- Contact: WhatsApp +60 11-1619 8286, email hello@easyspace.asia. See Plans & Pricing for current rates.
1. Char Koay Teow
Char koay teow is flat rice noodles fried over very high heat. The cook adds prawns, cockles, egg and bean sprouts, often over a charcoal fire. As a result, it tastes smoky, savoury and hard to stop eating.
According to the state guide, you can find it at most coffee shops and food courts. So it is usually the easiest of the best food in Penang to track down near work.
2. Assam Laksa
Assam laksa is Penang’s most famous dish. Basically, it is a sour and spicy fish broth with thick rice noodles. Toppings include onion, cucumber, pineapple, chilli, mint and torch ginger flower.
Many people also add a spoon of thick prawn paste called hae ko. If you like bold flavours, this is the bowl to try first.
3. Nasi Kandar
Nasi kandar is steamed rice served with a choice of curries and side dishes. Tourism Malaysia describes it as a speciality of the Indian Muslim community that began in Penang.
The name comes from the old days, when vendors carried their food in baskets on a shoulder pole, or kandar. Today, nasi kandar restaurants are found all over the state. So pick your curries, then ask for a mix of gravies over the rice.
4. Penang Hokkien Mee
Penang Hokkien mee is quite different from the Kuala Lumpur version. It is a noodle soup with a rich, spicy prawn broth. In addition, toppings usually include prawns, egg, water spinach and fried shallots.
Note that the state guide says the stock is made from prawn shells and pork bones. So, if you have dietary needs, ask before you order.
5. Curry Mee
Curry mee is a noodle soup in a spicy coconut curry broth. Toppings vary from stall to stall, so every bowl tastes a little different. The state trade booklet lists it as a must-eat alongside laksa and char koay teow.
It is mainly a breakfast and lunch dish. Therefore, look for it in the morning at coffee shops around George Town.
6. Oyster Omelette (Oh Chien)
Oh chien is a soft omelette made with fresh oysters, egg and a starchy batter. Then it is cooked on a hot griddle and served with chilli sauce. The state guide calls it one of the most iconic street foods in Penang.
You will often see it at night hawker centres. For instance, the large hawker centres in George Town are good places to look.
7. Chee Cheong Fun
Chee cheong fun is a plate of soft steamed rice noodle rolls. In Penang, it comes with sweet sauce, chilli sauce and hae ko prawn paste, then a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Overall, it makes a light breakfast or tea-time snack. Moreover, it is a nice change from heavier noodle dishes.
8. Pasembur and Rojak
Pasembur is a salad of shredded cucumber and turnip with fritters, bean curd and potato. After that, the cook pours a sweet and spicy sauce over the top. Rojak, by contrast, mixes local fruit with a thick prawn paste dressing and crushed peanuts.
Both are great for sharing. Besides, Tourism Malaysia names Gurney Drive as a main foodie zone, so it is a good place to start.
9. Mee Goreng
Mee goreng means fried noodles. Typically, it is stir-fried in a hot wok with chilli paste, egg, bean sprouts, bean curd, potato and meat. As the state guide notes, most Indian Muslim or mamak restaurants serve it.
It is a full meal on one plate. As a result, it is a handy late-night option after work.
10. Cendol and Ais Kacang
Finally, cool down with dessert. Cendol is green jelly noodles over shaved ice with coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. Ais kacang, which means ice beans, is another shaved ice treat with colourful toppings.
Both are perfect on a hot afternoon. In addition, they are a sweet way to end a hawker meal.
Where Can You Find the Best Food in Penang?
Of course, you do not need to know every stall to eat well. Start with a hawker centre, where many dishes sit under one roof. The Penang trade booklet names several well-known spots.
| Place | Why go |
|---|---|
| Gurney Drive Hawker Centre | Seafront hawker centre with many local favourites |
| New Lane Hawker Centre | Well-known street food spot in George Town |
| Pulau Tikus Hawker Centre | A local favourite close to the city |
| Long Beach Food Court | Hawker food in Batu Ferringhi |
| Teluk Kumbar | Seafood restaurants on the south coast, near Bayan Lepas |
Not every stall suits every diet. The state street food map marks Muslim and halal outlets, but always check each stall yourself before you order.
The Best Food in Penang Near Bayan Lepas
Many people who work in the south never make it to George Town at lunch. Luckily, the kopitiams around the Bayan Lepas industrial area serve many of these dishes. You can often find char koay teow, curry mee and nasi kandar within a short drive.
For ideas near our building, see our Bayan Lepas lunch spot guide and our list of kopitiams near the manufacturing area. We also keep a restaurant list near EasySpace.
Quick Food Tips
- Go early: first, popular stalls can sell out by mid-afternoon.
- Share plates: next, order small and try more dishes.
- Ask about ingredients: also, check broths and sauces if you have dietary needs.
- Bring a group: then, hawker centres are ideal for team lunches.
- Check before you go: finally, stall hours change, so check the latest details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best food in Penang to try first?
Many visitors start with assam laksa and char koay teow, Penang’s two most famous dishes.
Where can I try many dishes in one place?
Hawker centres such as Gurney Drive, New Lane and Pulau Tikus are good choices.
Is there good food near Bayan Lepas?
Yes. Kopitiams near the industrial area serve many local dishes, and Teluk Kumbar is known for seafood.
Are all stalls halal?
No. Please check each stall yourself, as ingredients vary.
Can EasySpace arrange food for events?
Yes. Event space bookings can include catering by ACupADay, with buffet or bento options.
Where can I see workspace prices?
Please visit our Plans & Pricing page.
Eat Well, Work Well
Good food is one of the best parts of working in Penang. A great lunch can lift a whole afternoon.
EasySpace puts you close to both. Our Bayan Lepas co-working space and Penang co-working space sit near many local eateries. We also offer a Penang private office range, so teams can enjoy a Bayan Lepas private office or a Bayan Lepas office for rent near great food.
Hungry for a better workday? Book a visit to EasySpace and try a local lunch nearby.
Chat on WhatsApp with +60 11-1619 8286