Penang is a state in Malaysia that is famous for its rich cultural heritage and diverse cuisine. It is often called the food paradise of Malaysia, as it offers a variety of delicious dishes that can satisfy any palate. Whether you are looking for spicy, sweet, sour, or savory, Penang has it all.
One of the best ways to experience the culinary delights of Penang is to try its street food. Street food is a term that refers to food that is sold by vendors or hawkers in public places, such as roadside stalls, markets, or food courts. Street food is usually cheap, fast, and convenient, but most importantly, it is mouth-watering and authentic.
Penang’s street food reflects its multicultural society, as it incorporates influences from Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan, and Thai cuisines. You can find street food that caters to different dietary preferences, such as halal, vegetarian, or vegan. You can also find street food that showcases the local specialties, such as Penang laksa, char kway teow, or rojak.
There are so many street food options in Penang that it is impossible to fit them all in one article. Therefore, this article will only introduce five street food items that you must try when you visit Penang. These are not necessarily the most popular or famous ones, but they are definitely worth a taste. In the future articles, we will introduce more street food items that you should not miss.
So without further ado, let us begin our gastronomic journey and explore the five must-try street food in Penang.
penang road famous teochew chendul
The first street food item that you must try in Penang is the famous Teochew chendul. Teochew chendul is a type of chendul that originated from the Teochew people, a Chinese ethnic group that migrated to Penang in the 19th century. They brought with them their culinary skills and adapted them to the local ingredients and preferences. Teochew chendul is different from other types of chendul in that it uses a special technique to make the green noodles, which are thinner, smoother, and more elastic than the regular ones.
The most famous place to get Teochew chendul in Penang is at Penang Road, where there is a stall that has been operating since 19361. The stall is run by the third generation of the Tan family, who inherited the recipe and the business from their grandfather, Tan Teik Fuang. The stall is always crowded with locals and tourists who are eager to taste the legendary chendul.
The chendul at Penang Road is served in a small bowl with a generous amount of coconut milk, palm sugar, red beans, and green noodles. The coconut milk is fresh and creamy, the palm sugar is rich and fragrant, the red beans are soft and chewy, and the green noodles are slippery and bouncy. The combination of these ingredients creates a symphony of flavors and textures that will make you crave for more.
The location of the stall is at Lebuh Keng Kwee. The operating hours are from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm daily. If you are not able to visit Penang Road, you can also find Teochew chendul at other outlets around Malaysia. However, nothing beats the original Teochew chendul at Penang Road, which is a must-try street food in Penang.
888 Hokkien Mee
The second street food item that you must try in Penang is the 888 Hokkien Mee. Hokkien mee is a noodle dish that consists of yellow noodles and rice vermicelli cooked in a spicy and flavourful prawn broth. It is usually topped with prawns, pork slices, boiled eggs, bean sprouts, fried shallots, and sambal.
888 Hokkien Mee is a famous stall that specializes in Hokkien mee and loh mee (a similar dish with a thick and dark gravy). It has two branches in Penang, one at Lebuh Presgrave and another at Bayan Baru. The stall has been operating since 1963 and has won several awards for its Hokkien mee.
The Hokkien mee at 888 Hokkien Mee is known for its rich and aromatic broth, which is made from fresh prawns, pork bones, and spices. The broth is simmered for hours to extract the maximum flavour and essence. The noodles are cooked to order and served with generous portions of toppings. You can also customize your bowl by adding extra ingredients such as pork ribs, pork knuckles, roasted pork, or meatballs.
The Hokkien mee at 888 Hokkien Mee is a satisfying and hearty meal that will warm your stomach and soul. The broth is spicy, sweet, and savoury, with a hint of sourness from the sambal. The noodles are springy and smooth, while the toppings are fresh and tender. The fried shallots add a crunchy texture and a fragrant aroma to the dish.
If you are looking for a delicious and authentic Hokkien mee in Penang, you should not miss the 888 Hokkien Mee. It is one of the best street food items that you must try in Penang.
Siam Road Char Koay Teow
The third street food item that you must try in Penang is the Siam Road Char Koay Teow. Siam Road Char Koay Teow is a famous stall that specializes in char koay teow cooked over charcoal fire. It is located at the corner of Siam Road and Anson Road, with seating available at Hock Ban Hin Cafe.
The char koay teow at Siam Road Char Koay Teow is known for its smoky and fragrant aroma, which comes from the use of charcoal fire and a well-seasoned wok. The noodles are fried to order and served with generous portions of toppings. You can customize your spiciness level and add extra ingredients such as pork ribs, pork knuckles, roasted pork, or meatballs.
The char koay teow at Siam Road Char Koay Teow is a delicious and satisfying meal that will make you understand why it is one of the best in Penang. The noodles are moist and tender, while the toppings are fresh and juicy. The soy sauce, chilli, and eggs add a savoury and spicy flavour to the dish. The charcoal fire gives a distinctive charred taste and aroma that enhances the overall experience.
However, there is no such thing as the best char koay teow in Penang, as different stalls have different styles and preferences. What matters is finding the one that suits your taste buds and appetite. For many people, Siam Road Char Koay Teow is their favourite choice, but you can also try other stalls and compare for yourself!
Village Fish Head Bee Hoon
The fourth street food item that you must try in Penang is the Village Fish Head Bee Hoon. Fish head bee hoon is a noodle dish that consists of rice vermicelli and fish head or fish slices cooked in a milky broth. It is a comforting and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
Village Fish Head Bee Hoon is a famous stall that specializes in fish head bee hoon and tom yum bee hoon. It is located at Pengkalan Weld, near the Penang Jetty.
The fish head bee hoon at Village Fish Head Bee Hoon is known for its fresh and tender fish, which are sourced from the nearby sea. The broth is made from fresh milk, fish stock, and spices, and has a creamy and flavourful taste. The noodles are cooked to order and served with generous portions of toppings. You can choose from various types of ingredients such as fried fish head, fresh fish slices, and prawn.
The tom yum bee hoon at Village Fish Head Bee Hoon is another popular option, especially for those who love spicy food. The tom yum broth is made from fresh herbs, chillies, lemongrass, and lime juice, and has a tangy and fiery taste.
Chulia Street Hawker Food
Chulia Street is one of the streets in Penang that transforms into a night market at night, where you can find a variety of street food stalls that offer different cuisines and dishes. It is a paradise for food lovers who are looking for more choices and diversity.
Chulia Street Hawker Food is not a specific stall, but a collection of stalls that line up along the street. You can basically find almost 80% of the food items that are characteristic of Penang, such as loh bak, char koay teow, hokkien mee, curry mee, wan tan mee, nasi kandar, roti canai, pasembur, rojak, and many more .
The Chulia Street Hawker Food is a great place to enjoy the nightlife and the street culture of Penang. You can walk along the street and order different dishes from different stalls.
If you are looking for a delicious and diverse street food experience in Penang, you should not miss the Chulia Street Hawker Food. It is one of the best street food items that you must try in Penang.
There are other streets in Penang that also open as night markets at night, such as Kimberley Street, New Lane, Gurney Drive, and Macalister Road. We will introduce them in our future articles. Stay tuned for more updates on the best street food in Penang.
Conclusion
If you want to know more about Penang and other travel destinations in Malaysia, you should download Reviewbah, a mobile app that provides comprehensive and reliable travel guides and reviews. Reviewbah is a platform where you can discover new places, plan your trips, and share your experiences with other travelers.
