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Authentic Street Food in Penang: 6 Stalls You Must Try

Hailed the ‘Food Capital’ of Malaysia, many tourists would flock to Penang to immerse in its rich food culture. Yet, with so many stalls claiming to be ‘famous’ or ‘the best’, it’s extremely difficult to know for sure which stall remains a top favourite amongst — even after decades have passed.

Featuring authentic street food stalls that have retained the local flavour for more than 10 years, here are 6 stalls you must try for for a true taste of Penang.

1) Nyonya Kuih at Moh Teng Pheow (莫定標娘惹粿廠)

penang, authentic street food in penang: 6 stalls you must try
A household name in Penang, Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay & Canteen has been around for more than 80 years, and is established as the go-to destination for childhood delight. Frequented largely be an older community, this canteen serves a colourful array of traditional kuihs, where each piece is handmade from scratch from a recipe inherited from the grandparents.

When asked if any new kuihs will be added to the menu, owners of Moh Teng Pheow shook their heads and smiled. For the past 80 years, they have dedicated their time to perfecting their craft and retaining the soft, chewy taste and texture they enjoyed when they were children.

Price: RM0.60–RM1.50/piece Address: off 10200, Chulia Street Night Hawker Stalls, Lorong Chulia, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 5:30pm (Closed on Mondays)

2) Hong Kee Wan Thun Mee (鸿记(廣式) 竹昇云吞面)

penang, authentic street food in penang: 6 stalls you must try
For the past 10 years, Hong Kee Wan Thun Mee has ranked highly amongst both the local and international crowd. Opt for either its Signature Wan Thun Mee (Soup), or the BBQ Pork Shrimp Wan Thun Mee to understand why customers eventually become regulars to Hong Kee Wan Thun Mee.
penang, authentic street food in penang: 6 stalls you must try

Each bowl of noodle is laboriously prepared: from kneading the dough with a bamboo stick to freezing the noodles two days before serving. With a showcase of this process daily at 11am and 3pm, it is clear that this restaurant has retained the flavour originally created a decade ago.

Price: RM6 (Small), RM6.50 (Medium), RM7 (Large) Address: 37, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 8.30am – 10pm

3) Assam Penang Laksa at 73 Assam Laksa

penang, authentic street food in penang: 6 stalls you must try
Previously a road stall outside Gurney Drive for 30 years, the stall owner now officially owns a proper stall called ‘73 Assam Laksa‘ in the Gurney Drive Hawker Centre. A spoonful of his assam laksa soup would unlock a burst of flavours that are uniquely Penang. With soft noodles and a strong sour taste of fish soup, this dish will be a hit amongst people who love Penang styled Assam Laksa.

Price: RM4.50 Address: Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, 172, Solok Gurney 1, Pulau Tikus, 10250 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 4.30 – 11pm

4) Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendol & Ice Kachang

penang, authentic street food in penang: 6 stalls you must try
Having been around for more than 60 years, the Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendol & Ice Kachang is a staple dessert for many locals and tourists alike. A bowl from this stall typically consists of shaved ice, gula melaka, jelly-like noodles, coconut milk and caramelised palm sugar.
penang, authentic street food in penang: 6 stalls you must try
Although a long queue is unavoidable when you head down to Penang for this, the stall owner’s experience and expertise will ensure that you get your childhood goodness in less than a 10 minutes!

Price: RM2.90/bowl Address: Lebuh Keng Kwee, (off Penang Road), George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 7:00pm (Weekdays); 10:00am – 7:30pm (Weekends)

5) Curry Mee at Gurney Drive

penang, authentic street food in penang: 6 stalls you must try
For a heartwarming bowl of curry mee, look out for a lady in Gurney Drive who has manned her stall “咖喱面 Curry Mee” solo for more than 20 years. A generous portion of taupok and curry noodles, this will be comfort food for any traveller after a long day in Penang.
penang, authentic street food in penang: 6 stalls you must try
penang, authentic street food in penang: 6 stalls you must try

Price: RM5/bowl Address: Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, 172, Solok Gurney 1, Pulau Tikus, 10250 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 6pm – 11pm

6) Penang Famous Char Koay Teow (Left-Handed)

penang, authentic street food in penang: 6 stalls you must try
Just located in front of the famous chendol stall, this abashed Char Koay Teow stall owner has also been whipping up his specialty for years. A one man show for frying and delivering his dish to customers, this stall had gained fame for his left handed cooking style, although it is not clear how this makes the dish as flavourful and local as it is currently.

A typical plate features fried koay teow noodle, with egg, beansprouts and squid. There is no pork and no lard in his meal.

Price: RM5.50 (no egg), RM6 (with egg) Address: Lebuh Keng Kwee, (off Penang Road), George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 6pm

There is nothing more authentic than relishing in a meal handmade with love through the generations. These 6 stalls have fought to retain their flavour for years, and their efforts are paying off handsomely — with locals and tourists appreciating these multi-generational street food recipes till today. A bowl of each will leave you smacking your lips for more, and ultimately promise your return visit to Penang.

Read our other Penang itineraries: – Cycling in Penang: How to cover Georgetown’s top attractions in one day
–The Ultimate Guide to the Most Iconic Georgetown Street Art

Have you tried any these classic dishes before? Share your experiences with food in Penang below!

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