If you’re wondering is it worth visiting Penang in Malaysia, let the Georgetown street food be the reason you say yes. I stayed there for 1 week and in that time, tried all the best foods to eat in Georgetown I possibly could.
Georgetown is such a wonderfully diverse place to visit and although food is the best part, there is much more to the vibe of the place. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site after all, with a humble mix of different cultures.I loved my travelsaround Malaysia butI love the Georgetown food even more.
In Karla Cripps’ article George Town, Penang: Asia’s Greatest Street Food City?, she quotes Malaysian Chef Norman Musa who says, ‘it’s not just the food that makes Penang incredible, but the atmosphere.’
My favourite thing about trying Penang street food was the fact that everyone shares tables when eating out in Penang. I love that sense of community and connecting with locals on how good the food tastes.
So you’re in Georgetown and you’re geared to try the best dishes of Penang and where to find the food in Georgetown? Read on for my personal suggestions for what and where to eat in Georgetown, Penang! (Otherwise known as the food capital of South East Asia).
Penang food prices are extremely cheap and affordable for any type of traveller.
At time of writing, 5 MYR = £1.
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My List of Best Foods to Eat in Georgetown
Contents (jump to)
- Assam Laksa
- Ayam Goreng
- Curry Mee
- Hokkien Mee
- Indian Food: Mutton Rogan Josh
- Indian Snack: Samosa
- Mee Goreng
- Orange Juice
- Teh Tarik
- Wan Tan Mee
- Wan Tan Mee in Soup
- Wan Tan Mee – Sweet and Sour Style
Drinks to try in Georgetown, Penang
I’ll start with the best drinks to try in Penang. I know this is a food post but I have to include these two drinks. Honestly, they could have their own post because they’re so good!
Teh Tarik
Teh Tarik is definitely the number one drink to try in Penang! It’s delicious. It’s tea you can have hot or cold (I prefer hot). If like me, you’re wondering what does Teh Tarik mean, I googled it and it translates in Malay to ‘pulled tea’ due to the way it’s made. It is brewed black tea with condensed milk and froth on top.
I’ve noticed that when you go to a street food stall for Georgetown food there’s usually a stall next door selling drinks only. Some places will charge the table 2 MYR if you don’t buy a drink. It’s nice that these stalls work together, sharing the space and offering food and drink to customers. The Teh Tarik is so worth it too.
Where to get Teh Tarik in Penang
If somewhere sells drinks, Teh Tarik will be available if you ask. Here are some suggestions though:
Lagenda House and Cafe for 7 MYR – 43, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Stall on Campbell Street for 1.30 MYR – Campbell Street Market, 4, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Chulia Street Food Court for 1.50 MYR – Chulia St, Georgetown, 10450 George Town, Penang.
Orange Juice
What’s so good about orange juice in Penang, you ask?The freshness. I found the same thing in Kuala Lumpur too. I’m so used to processed orange juice in Wales/UK that when I get freshly-squeezed fruit juice, I really appreciate it. Everywhere I have ordered orange juice it has come fresh with ice. You can tell the difference if it’s not because it’s like extremely diluted Robinsons squash.
Where to get Fresh Orange Juice in Penang
Same as Teh Tarik, it will be served in most places but again, here’s where I had the good stuff:
Little India Fruit Stalls for 3 MYR – Lebuh Pasar, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
20 Chulia Lane Cafe for 10 MYR – 20, Lorong Chulia, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Chulia Street Night Hawker Stalls for 3.50 MYR – Chulia St, Georgetown, 10450 George Town, Penang.
Read Next: A Day Trip to Penang Hill
Where to Eat in Georgetown, Penang
There’s so much food choice in Georgetown that it’s hard to choose where to go. When deciding what to eat in Penang, take the names of the dishes from this list and look out for them on the menu wherever you go.
Penang famous street food can be found at Chulia Street Night Hawker Stalls and has a lot of these meals available. On the whole, Chulia Street would be a great place to sample Penang famous food! Not all of the dishes listed are found on Chulia Street, though.
Assam Laksa– Georgetown Penang Food
Starting with one of the most famous Penang street food, Assam Laksa. The place to eat this has to be the place named ‘Penang Road Famous Laksa’. They have posters over the walls of awards and people who have featured the place in blogs/shows/papers, etc.
In my opinion, Laksa is an acquired taste and was not my personal favourite. However, I’m glad I tried it and sampled a famous Penang dish. I would definitely recommend to go here and try it for yourself. If you’re going to try something, you may as well try it in the best place.
Where to find Laksa in Georgetown
Address: 5, Lebuh Keng Kwee, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Ayam Goreng
That translates to fried chicken. Did I just add fried chicken as a must-try meal in Georgetown? Yes, I did. Ayam Goreng, also known as Fried Chicken, must be made with some secret ingredient in Penang because it melts in your mouth.
Ayam Goreng can be found in lots of Penang street food stalls and sometimes comes with sauces such as sweet chilli. It’s great as a main meal but I prefer it as a snack to share with others. I had it as a snack along with Hokkien Mee and in my opinion, was one of the best street food in Georgetown.
Where to Find Ayam Goreng Penang
Address: Chulia Street Night Hawker Stalls, Chulia St, Georgetown, 10450 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Book A 4-Hour Penang Street Food Tour Here!
Curry Mee
So there’s a street food market that opens very early but doesn’t stay open for long. It’s located on Campbell Street and is always full of locals grabbing their breakfast and morning brew. This stall only serves Curry Mee. That’s when you know it’s good, if they don’t serve anything else! Make sure this is high on your list of foods to try in Penang.
I joined a table of locals one morning and enjoyed the Curry Mee with king prawns on top which cost 6 MYR. I also had Teh Tarik next door for 1.30 MYR.
Where to find Curry Mee Food Around Georgetown
Address: Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Hokkien Mee – Penang Best Food
Hokkien Mee is a famous Penang hawker food and can be found all around Georgetown. It is a rich-flavoured broth with stir-fried noodles with prawns and usually slices of pork. It also comes with half a boiled egg and optional chilli paste.
I loved Hokkien Mee and it was so cheap at 5 MYR a bowl! Bargain!
Where to find Hokkien Mee in Georgetown
Address: Chulia Street Night Hawker Stalls, Chulia St, Georgetown, 10450 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Indian Food in Georgetown, Penang
There’s one area to go for the best Georgetown Indian food in Penang and that’s Little India, of course! Walking through Little India is a wonderful experience in itself, feeling like you’ve been transported to the subcontinent.
The smells and sounds are a welcomed attack on the senses from the loud Bollywood music, pumping out of speakers to the huge barrels of spices wafting through the alleys. You’ll find textile shops, spice racks, movie stores and of course, an abundance of Indian restaurants. The restaurants make it clear if they are vegetarian or non-vegetarian too so you can choose where to eat.
I am going to recommend one place to eat in Little India that was my absolute favourite. I went here three times… what can I say, I love Indian food! And this is one of the best food in Georgetown Penang, in my opinion.
Sri Ananda Bahwan
Sri Ananda Bahwan is a famous eating place in Penang because it has mouthwatering Indian food and cheap prices.
Established in 1991, they now have branches across Malaysia and has become an essential Georgetown street food to try. On the same street there are two branches: vegetarian and non-vegetarian.
If you are from the UK and regularly get Indian takeaway, this restaurant has many of the same dish names such as Chicken Tikka Masala… but tastes better. The place is always busy with locals and friendly staff catering for your needs. It’s air-conditioned with table and chairs throughout the restaurant to thoroughly enjoy some of the best food in Georgetown.
Lots of meals come on a Banana Leaf and be sure to eat with your hands for the full experience.
Mutton Rogan Josh
My favourite dish was Mutton Rogan Josh and is something I’d recommend to eat in Little India because it tastes so good. A little spicy, but bearable with soft chunks of lamb and dark, tasty sauce. I ordered this with one of the many naan breads on offer and mushroom fried rice. So good!
Samosa
The small, sweet-filled pastry that is a Samosa sets you back no more than 1 MYR but fills your mouth will happiness. These little starters are the perfect way to sample authentic Indian food in Penang. They are so full of goodness, I could eat them everyday!
Sri Ananda Bahwan Restaurant is found at 52, Penang St, Georgetown, 10200 Georgetown Penang.
Georgetown Penang Food – Mee Goreng
On our bike ride around Penang, we wanted to find somewhere we could have delicious street food and also lock up our bikes. I highly recommend having Mee Goreng for lunch in Penang, especially if you are on a day of exploring Georgetown because it gives you energy and keeps you going!
Where to find Mee Goreng
Address: Lebuh King, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Note: We also had the most delicious Mee Goreng in Kuala Lumpur on the famous Jalan Alor.
Read Next: How to get to Penang from Kuala Lumpur
Wan Tan Mee
Also spelled as Wan Thun Mee, this delightful dish has the best slices of pork I’ve ever had. If you’re from the UK and have ever had special fried rice from a Chinese takeaway, it tastes just like the meat you get on top of the rice (but better)!
Wan Tan Mee is a noodle-based dish tossed in soy sauce with barbecued pork on top and includes meat dumplings. Every ingredient is perfectly harmonised. This is a great option for lunch.
Wan Tan Mee in Soup
Wherever you find Wan Tan Mee in Georgetown, there’ll be the option to have it dry or in a soup. Both taste delicious, include the same ingredients and cost the same price. The only difference is that one is covered in a broth which brings the extra flavours for your meal.
I’d definitely recommend both but if I were to have Wan Tan Mee right now, I’d have it in soup.
Where to Find the Best Wan Tan Mee in Georgetown
Address: Chulia St, Georgetown, 10450 George Town Penang
Join This Georgetown Food & Story Tour Beforehand!
Wan Tan Mee Sweet and Sour Style
One of the top places to eat in Penang is Hong Kee Wan Thun Mee, found on Campbell Street. It’s great for Chinese street food in Georgetown.
The meals are cooked at the front and you’re seated behind. The added bonus about this place is that you can watch the noodlesbeing made while you wait (orwhile you eat if you get a good table).
They are famous for their roasted duckbut the Wan Tan Mee Sweet and Sour Style is worthy of being famous. It is the same as Wan Tan Mee above but with specificSweet and Sour flavours and different flavoured meat on top.
Address: Hong Kee Wan Thun Mee, 37, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Other Street Food to Eat in Penang
There is so much food to eat in Georgetown that I think you’d have to live there for a year to try everything. I had my fair share but if I was to stay longer, I would have tried a few other dishes that I regularly seen being sold from stalls.Someinclude:
- Apam Balik
- Char Koay Toew
- Koew th’ng
- Nasi Lemak
- Oyster Omelette
If you’d prefer to join a group tour of street food in Penang, I’d recommend using GetYourGuide. For more information and to book your tour, click here.
I hope you enjoy your visit to Georgetown and more specifically, enjoy the amazing food found in Georgetown now you know what to eat in Penang. Happy Eating!
For More Food Posts:
Best Food in Chiang Mai
Khao Soi in Chiang Mai
Pho in Vietnam
Asian Street Food Market in Melbourne
If you loved this Best Food in Georgetown post, please pin it for later!
Malaysia Blog Posts:
- Kuala Lumpur Best Hostel to Stay
- KL to Penang Bus Trip
- Penang Hill Day Trip
- How to Spend a Week in Penang, Malaysia
- Borneo Wildlife Safari: Sukau Rainforest Lodge
- Sandakan Things to Do, Sabah, Borneo
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