What to eat? – The top 3 signature food of Penang
Penang gourmet ranges from street food to fine dining but her myriad of flavours are definitely unique to the island state. With each race offering their own traditional fare, foodies will be spoilt for choice.
Although every culture has their signature dishes, they are also influenced by other cooking styles and have managed to come up with their own special creations that represent a beautiful blend of tastes and spices. Let's see what's Penang best offers.
Although every culture has their signature dishes, they are also influenced by other cooking styles and have managed to come up with their own special creations that represent a beautiful blend of tastes and spices. Let's see what's Penang best offers.
Top 1a. Penang Rojak - Hock Seng Rojak King
There are two types of Rojak in Penang. Not to be confused with Rojak Mamak, Penang Rojak is typically referred to the mixed fruit salad. The biggest novelty here is the “Har-Koh” or better known as prawn/shrimp paste. It has to be thick, dark and flavourful, since watery version is going to make your Rojak turns into a sad-looking snack. Of course, no Rojak would be complete without a few sprinkles of chopped or crushed peanuts to fulfil this yummylicious fruity snack.
If you love your Rojak thick and gooey, then the famous Hock Seng Rojak King at Gat Lebuh Cecil should be your ideal pit stop. Their homemade rojak paste has that awesome density of a chocolate spread. Topped with crunchy toasted peanuts and dried shrimps, this sweet-and-savoury concoction complements well with a dose of freshly-cut fruits.
Location: Hock Seng Rojak (Rojak King), Macallum Street, Penang
Business Hours: 1pm - 6pm (Wednesday - Saturday only)
Contact: +6016-4030724, +6016-4772472
Contact: +6016-4030724, +6016-4772472
Price: RM7, RM10, RM14
Top 1b. Rojak Mamak - Kareem Pasembur Rojak
It features a good combination of Cucur Udang, Tofu (Hard Bean Curd), Cut Cucumber, potatoes and so on.
Another variation of Rojak - Rojak Mamak/Pasembur. What a big hearty portion of Pasembur it is when you decided to go for Kareem Pasembur Rojak. Their homemade sauce is quite unique as it is extremely less reddish in colour and the taste is the bomb. Located at Union Street, this stall has been in business since 1945.
Location: Kareem Pasembur Rojak, Union Street, 10200 Penang. (Behind Standard Chartered Bank)
Business Hours: 11.00am-6.00pm (Closed on Sunday)
Price: RM5
Top 2. Pasar Air Itam Assam Laksa
Top 1b. Rojak Mamak - Kareem Pasembur Rojak
It features a good combination of Cucur Udang, Tofu (Hard Bean Curd), Cut Cucumber, potatoes and so on.
Another variation of Rojak - Rojak Mamak/Pasembur. What a big hearty portion of Pasembur it is when you decided to go for Kareem Pasembur Rojak. Their homemade sauce is quite unique as it is extremely less reddish in colour and the taste is the bomb. Located at Union Street, this stall has been in business since 1945.
Location: Kareem Pasembur Rojak, Union Street, 10200 Penang. (Behind Standard Chartered Bank)
Business Hours: 11.00am-6.00pm (Closed on Sunday)
Price: RM5
Top 2. Pasar Air Itam Assam Laksa
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself ordering a second bowl. It is “that” addictive!
Sweet, sour and spicy – those are the three magic words best described for fulfilling a satisfying bowl of Penang Asam Laksa.
With a smorgasbord of slurpy white rice noodles, shredded fish (typically mackerel), sliced pineapples, cucumber, onions, red chillis, lettuce, mint leaves steeped within the tamarind-flavoured soup base, what’s not to like about this all-time Malaysian favourite?
This famous old hawker stall has been dishing out authentic Asam Laksa at Air Itam Market nearby Kek Lok Si since 1955. For a mere RM5, you’ll get a bowl of culinary treasure that guaranteed to rock your taste buds. Thanks to the robust combo of shredded mackerels, tamarind and chilli, the soup itself is distinctively sour with a right hint of spiciness. Best of all, they even add a dollop of shrimp paste on top of the soup to help enhance the laksa flavour!
It became even famous when Anthony Bourdain visited Pasar Air Itam and featured its delicious Asam Laksa. Penang Asam Laksa is ranked #7 on CNN top 50 world’s 50 best foods. So I would like to say that it's one of the must try foods in Penang! You will never be regretted if you give it a try!
Location: Air Itam Market, Air Itam, 11500 Penang.
Business Hours: 10.30am - 7pm (Opens daily)
Contact: +6012-5007063
Price: RM5
Top 3. Char Kuey Teow
Traditional charcoal-fried Kuey Teow
It’s fragrant, it’s greasy, it’s scrumptious and it’s oily. That’s a plate of Char Kuey Teow (fried flat noodles) for you. A comfort food that is well-loved by both locals and tourists. Not forgetting, it’s also one of Penang’s most famous street food. The ingredients are pretty standard: it’s either chicken or duck egg, flat noodles, soy sauce, bean sprouts, chives, cockles and prawns. But what makes Penang char kuey teow such a beloved favourite is the way the dish being stir-fried in a wok over a high heat. It’s commonly served over a slice of banana leaf to seizure the desired 'Wok-Hei' aroma that complements the overall dis.
This famous old hawker stall has been dishing out authentic Asam Laksa at Air Itam Market nearby Kek Lok Si since 1955. For a mere RM5, you’ll get a bowl of culinary treasure that guaranteed to rock your taste buds. Thanks to the robust combo of shredded mackerels, tamarind and chilli, the soup itself is distinctively sour with a right hint of spiciness. Best of all, they even add a dollop of shrimp paste on top of the soup to help enhance the laksa flavour!
It became even famous when Anthony Bourdain visited Pasar Air Itam and featured its delicious Asam Laksa. Penang Asam Laksa is ranked #7 on CNN top 50 world’s 50 best foods. So I would like to say that it's one of the must try foods in Penang! You will never be regretted if you give it a try!
Location: Air Itam Market, Air Itam, 11500 Penang.
Business Hours: 10.30am - 7pm (Opens daily)
Contact: +6012-5007063
Price: RM5
Top 3. Char Kuey Teow
Traditional charcoal-fried Kuey Teow
It’s fragrant, it’s greasy, it’s scrumptious and it’s oily. That’s a plate of Char Kuey Teow (fried flat noodles) for you. A comfort food that is well-loved by both locals and tourists. Not forgetting, it’s also one of Penang’s most famous street food. The ingredients are pretty standard: it’s either chicken or duck egg, flat noodles, soy sauce, bean sprouts, chives, cockles and prawns. But what makes Penang char kuey teow such a beloved favourite is the way the dish being stir-fried in a wok over a high heat. It’s commonly served over a slice of banana leaf to seizure the desired 'Wok-Hei' aroma that complements the overall dis.
Considered the pioneer for charcoal-fried Kuey Teow as well as one of its main factor of attraction, this humble stall owner Tan Chooi Hong, 76, at Siam Road has gotten quite a number of locals and tourists, queuing for it. An elderly uncle, and probably the creator is the only one that mans the store, whipping out delicious plates of Char Kuey Teow accompanied by a handful of medium-sized prawns and Chinese sausages. Finding the stall wouldn't be easy, so just spot the one with the longest queue and you're most probably at the right line. There's also a coffee shop by the name Hock Ban Hin nearby therefore to ease your consumption time.
Location: 47-49, Jalan Siam, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, 10400, George Town, Penang
Business Hours: 3pm - 11pm (Opens daily)
Price: RM6.50
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