THE BEST STREET FOOD AT PULAU PINANG

THE BEST STREET FOOD AT 
PULAU PINANG 

The streets of Penang city (especially Georgetown) are renowned as a food paradise mainly due to its diversity in ethnicity, culture and religion. Its multi-ethnicity brings forth such celebrated variety in Penang’s street and hawker food. There is no lack of food options here, and is difficult to find a store that falls short of a rating lower than “delicious”.

Even many Singaporeans agree that Malaysian food just tastes better. Maybe it’s the water there. Forget about the comforts of air conditioning and be prepared to scour every nook and cranny of Penang streets for these best must eat local street foods in Penang, Malaysia.

1. Penang Assam Laksa

A proud signature dish of Penang, Assam laksa is a rich and spicy, fish-based soup noodle broth of tamarind juice, chilli paste, lemongrass, topped with prawn paste and mackerel/sardine flakes. It has a tangy, wholesome flavor from the tamarind which some may find it too overpowering.

I believe it falls under the category of acquired taste where you would appreciate the rich broth more with each spoonful. They are normally served with either white or yellow noodles, while some stalls have a choice of thick or thin bee hoon

Recommended stalls:

Laksalicious: 123 Hutton Lane, 10050 Penang George Town, Malaysia

2. Penang Rojak

Rojak is considered a colloquial representation of variety and mixture. Commonly found in Malaysia and Singapore, it is a salad of bean curds, fritters (you tiao), bean sprouts, cuttlefish and assortment of fruits covered in a thick syrupy peanut sauce. Freshly tossed with pineapple slices so sweet you would widen your eyes in surprise.

The sauce of the Penang rojak I had at Gurney Drive was such an eclectic delight I could not figure out what their secret ingredient was.

Recommended stall:

Tan Swee Hoe Rojak (Stall 52) & G.P. Soon (Stall 39) @ Gurney Drive Hawker Centre: 172, Solok Gurney 1, Georgetown, 10250 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

3. Penang Cendol

How can anyone forget the famous dessert in Penang. A bowl of shaved ice filled with chewy green rice flour jelly (chendol), red beans, fresh coconut milk and a splash of gula melaka (brown sugar) syrup.

It is easy to spot the famous store for there is a never-ending queue outside Joo Hooi Cafe. Also, it is rather fascinating looking at the speed of preparation by the vendor

Recommended stall:

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendol @ Joo Hooi Cafe: 475, Jalan Penang, Georgetown 10450 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

4. Nasi Lemak 

Nasi Lemak literally means “Fat Rice” in Malay. Why “fat”? Because the rice is cooked in fatty coconut milk and pandan leaves, giving it that rich nutty flavor. It is usually served with fried Ikan Bilis (Anchovies), boiled eggs, slices of cucumber, fried peanuts, and fried chicken. And don’t forget to add a dollop of Sambal chili if you can take it

This dish is usually served for breakfast, though it can be eaten any time of the day now. It’s also very popular in Singapore hawker centers!

5. Seafood Popiah

Popiah is a kind of fresh spring roll, think of a soft, crepe-like skin wrapped around juicy, stewed radish, fresh vegetables, and a sweet, viscous sauce. Popiah ingredients vary from place to place, some put egg, others have prawns, while some put Chinese sausage inside. What’s different about this popiah, however, is that it has real crab meat. That’s something that no other stall does!

The stall is found at Gerai Gerai Padang Brown, along Jalan Perak in Georgetown. Do note you’ll probably have to take a cab here, as not many buses reach this area. The stall has been around for over 60 years, and it’s wildly popular. Come before 5.30 pm to avoid disappointment!

Recommended stall:

9, Kampung Tapak, Padang Brown Popiah, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

6. Nasi Kandar

Another Indian Muslim dish that was claimed to originate from Penang, fragrant rice topped with different curry-based meat or vegetable dishes of your choice. Covered in  similar fiery-red orange but the curry for each dish actually did taste different. Do beware as they use their chili and spices very lavishly. There is a whole street selling Nasi Kandar around Little India of Penang, along Lebuh Queen and Lebuh Chulia.

Recommended stall:

Hameediyah Restaurant: 164, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10200 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

7. Oyster Omelette

Fried Oyster Omelette, or also known as Oh Chien in Hokkien, is a popular street food you can find all over Penang. What really sets it apart from say Singapore’s version is the fresh oysters used, and the fried rice flour batter and eggs that produces a lighter, crispy finish rather than being overly gooey and heavy.

The accompanying chili is on the sweet side though, and I still prefer Singapore’s spicy sour chili that comes with the oyster omelette. Just the fragrant eggs batter and plump oysters alone will be enticing enough to finish the entire plate though.

Recommended Stalls:

Oyster Omelette @ New Lane Hawker Centre: Lorong Baru, George Town, 10450 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia