Penang food really surprised me—in the best way. I’d heard a lot before my trip, but nothing quite prepares you for the punchy flavours that come from the little roadside stalls and open-air hawker centres. I could hear the sizzle before I even saw what was cooking, and once I got my hands on a plate of char kway teow or a bowl of asam laksa, I was hooked. There’s something magical about how much taste is packed into each dish, and it all feels incredibly laid-back and real. No fuss, just good food made with heart.

Wandering through the streets, I felt like every corner had its own secret from the Penang kitchen. I’d stop, try something new, and end up chatting with the person cooking it—usually someone who’d been at it for years. That kind of passion shows in every bite. If you’re curious, hungry, and love discovering food with proper personality, Penang street food is something you’ve got to try for yourself. If you wanna know more about Penang street food, keep scrolling!

Waking up in Penang means one thing for me—breakfast is going to be a full-on flavour adventure. If you’re like me and love starting your day with something proper tasty, you’re in for a treat. These morning picks are some of my favourites when I’m in town, and honestly, nothing beats grabbing a bite from these spots before the day gets going. No fancy fuss—just proper food that hits the spot.

Address: 184 Campbell St, George Town, 10100 George Town, Penang

Open daily: 8am – 3pm (Closed Sundays)

This little back alley café stole my heart. I squeezed in between locals, grabbed a kopi peng (iced coffee), and ordered their famous charcoal-grilled toast with soft-boiled eggs. The toast had this perfect crunch and smokiness I didn’t expect. I dunked it right into those wobbly eggs with a bit of soy sauce and pepper—it hit the spot. It’s simple, but it just works, especially if you like your mornings slow and satisfying.

Address: Jalan Hutton, 10050 George Town, Penang (near 7-Eleven)

Open Mon–Sat: 6am – 10am (or until sold out)

I followed my nose and found Ali’s stall packed with locals. Each packet of nasi lemak is wrapped neatly in banana leaf and filled with fragrant rice, spicy sambal, crispy anchovies, and half a boiled egg. I picked a few versions with different add-ons like fried fish or squid. It’s one of those quick, affordable breakfasts that doesn’t feel rushed—just grab a couple and sit on the curb. Honestly, I could eat this every morning.

Address: Burma Road (near Union Primary School), George Town

Open daily: Open Monday to Saturday, 6:30am – 11:00am

These fluffy little pancakes were the lightest thing I’d ever tasted. Slightly crisp around the edges with a soft, sweet centre, Apom Guan’s version had just the right touch of banana and coconut. I ended up buying a few more “for later” but ate them before I left the street.

Address: 67-A, Lebuh Presgrave, 10300 George Town, Penang

Open daily: 7:30am – 12pm

This bowl woke me up better than coffee. The prawn broth was rich, spicy, and full of flavour. I added pork ribs and a boiled egg to make it extra hearty. I found a tiny table, sat elbow-to-elbow with strangers, and slurped every last drop. Definitely one of the best noodle soups I’ve had for breakfast—and that’s saying something in Penang.

Address: 56, Transfer Road, 10050 George Town, Penang

Open daily: 7am – 11am

This roti canai wasn’t like the usual ones I’d had before. It was super crispy on the outside but soft inside, served with thick chicken curry and dhal. I ordered an extra egg and some beef curry on the side, and the whole combo blew my mind. I ate it right on the roadside—messy, spicy, and full of flavour. Honestly, no better way to kick off the day.

These breakfast spots have totally changed how I think about morning meals. I used to grab a coffee and go, but in Penang, breakfast’s worth sitting down for

By the time lunch rolls around in Penang, I’m already thinking about what delicious plate I’ll be tucking into next. Honestly, with so many tempting stalls around, the only hard part is choosing. Here are five of my absolute favourites that totally hit the spot midday.

Address: 177 Jalan Penang, George Town

Open 24 hours

I wandered in around lunchtime and the queue was already snaking down the pavement—but it moved fast. I piled my plate with rice, ayam goreng (fried chicken), okra, and a wild combo of curries. I asked for "kuah campur" (mixed gravy) and the guy really went for it. I ended up with a messy, saucy masterpiece, and I couldn’t stop eating. It was spicy, rich, and full of flavour.

Address: Jalan Pasar, Air Itam (near Kek Lok Si Temple)

Open daily, 10:30am – 5:00pm

After visiting the temple, I followed the smell to this laksa stall and wow—it hit me with tang, spice, and that unmistakable fishy kick. The broth was thick, the mackerel chunks were generous, and the herbs made everything pop. I slurped up the last spoon feeling like I’d just discovered the soul of Penang food.

Address: Lebuh Chulia, George Town (look for lunch stall before night vendors)

Open Approx. 11:00am – 3:00pm (some variation)

I nearly walked past this quiet stall, but I’m so glad I didn’t. The wantan mee came with springy egg noodles, slices of BBQ pork, and soft dumplings all drizzled in dark soy sauce. The chilli paste on the side had just the right heat. I found it light enough to leave room for a cheeky dessert after, but filling enough to keep me going for the day.

Address: 300 Jalan Burma, Pulau Tikus

Open Monday to Saturday, 8:00am – 6:00pm

This stall caught my eye with all the tossing and clanging from the wok. I went for the classic mee goreng and was hit with sweet, spicy, and savoury all in one bite. It came with bits of cuttlefish, tofu, and lime squeezed over the top. I added a soft egg, which made it even better. Super satisfying and full of character—just like the uncle cooking it.

Address: Jalan Paya Terubong, Ayer Itam

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 7:00am – 1:00pm

This was one of those bowls I still think about. The two sisters running the stall are well known, and once I took a bite, I saw why. The curry broth was light but fragrant, filled with tofu puffs, cockles, cuttlefish, and yellow noodles. I mixed in the chilli paste they gave me and things got real spicy—but in the best way. I sat on a tiny stool, sweating and grinning like a fool.

Lunch in Penang is far from boring—every bite comes with a story, a little spice, and a lot of flavour. If you're anything like me, you might end up planning your whole day around where to eat next.

When the sun starts to dip in Penang, the streets come alive in a whole new way—smoky stalls, long queues, and the kind of food smells that stop you in your tracks. I always save room for dinner here because honestly, this is when some of the best bites happen. Here are five dishes I absolutely loved when the evening cravings kicked in.

Address: Persiaran Gurney, George Town

Open daily, 6:00pm – 11:00pm

I had so much fun with this one. You pick your skewers—fish balls, sausages, tofu, mushrooms—and dunk them into boiling hotpots right at the table. After a few minutes, I’d pull them out and smother them in peanut or chilli sauce. It’s casual, super interactive, and perfect if you’re in the mood for trying a bit of everything.

Address: Lebuh Macallum, George Town (Wednesday night only)

Open Wednesdays, 5:30pm – 10:30pm

I found this stall on a busy night market stroll and the smoky smell drew me right in. The satay was grilled fresh over charcoal, and the peanut sauce was thick, nutty, and slightly sweet—exactly how I like it. I went for a mix of chicken and beef, and every skewer was juicy with just the right bit of char.

Address: 415 Jalan Burma, Pulau Tikus

Open daily, 6:00pm – 11:00pm

This dish took me by surprise. It’s a slightly gooey, crispy-edged omelette loaded with small oysters and topped with fresh coriander. I wasn’t sure about oysters in an omelette at first, but once I tasted it with the spicy garlic chilli dip, I was fully converted. The texture’s a bit wild, but I honestly couldn’t stop eating it.

Address: 62 Macalister Road, George Town

Open daily, 5:00pm – 10:30pm

This one’s great for sharing, but I’d happily go solo too. The curry fish head came bubbling hot in a claypot, packed with tofu puffs, long beans, and chunks of soft fish. The curry was thick, a little tangy, and seriously flavourful. I spooned it over rice and went quiet for a good ten minutes—always a sign of a good meal.

Address: 223 Jalan Burma, George Town

Open daily, 6:00pm – 2:00am

Late dinner cravings? This place sorted me right out. The Hokkien char here is a dry-fried noodle dish, darker and richer than usual, with a lovely smoky flavour from the wok. There’s pork slices, prawns, cabbage, and a bit of lard thrown in for good measure. I asked for an egg on top—worth it. Felt like the perfect comfort food to end the day.

Dinner in Penang hits different—there’s something about the cool night air, the buzzing stalls, and the flavours that just don’t hold back. I’d definitely suggest arriving hungry and pacing yourself—you’ll want to try more than one!

Trying street food in Penang felt like a proper adventure—but in the best, messiest way. Here are a few tips I picked up along the way that made everything smoother, tastier, and way more fun.

1. Follow the locals

If you spot a queue of locals, get in it. That’s how I found some of my absolute favourite stalls. I figured if the locals are happy to wait, the food’s probably worth it—and it always was.

2. Go early (or really late)

Some of the best stalls sell out fast. I learned the hard way after rocking up too late to a char koay teow stall and getting nothing but a shrug. Now, I aim to arrive early for lunch or go after 9pm for the supper gems.

3. Bring small cash

Most stalls don’t take cards, so I made sure to keep small notes and coins in my pocket. Saves a lot of awkward fumbling when your noodles are ready and you’ve only got a RM50 note.

4. Share with someone (or pace yourself)

The portions can be generous and you’ll want to try loads. I started off ordering everything at once, only to realise I couldn’t finish half. Now I share or just take it one dish at a time—it means I can try more without rolling home.

5. Be a bit brave

Some dishes might sound odd—like duck blood cubes or fermented prawn paste—but I found that saying yes more often than no led to some delicious surprises. Not everything was for me, but I’m glad I gave it a go.

6. Keep tissues or wet wipes handy

Street food can get messy, and not every stall has napkins. I started carrying my own tissues and felt like a genius every time I needed one. Sticky fingers sorted.

7. Sit where the locals sit

I noticed that sitting at the busier, slightly cramped tables meant better food and great people-watching. It’s not fine dining, but I honestly preferred the buzz and the chatter around me.

8. Ask questions (and smile)

Most vendors were super friendly when I asked what something was or how spicy it might be. Even with language gaps, a smile and genuine curiosity got me far. Some even gave me extra bits to try for free! 

I booked my flight, hotel, and even tickets for local attractions all in one go using the Traveloka app, and honestly, I found it so easy. Everything I needed for my Penang trip was right there, including tips on where to eat and what to do. If you’re planning to explore more of Penang’s street food and want to sort your trip without the fuss, I’d definitely recommend checking it out—you’ll have everything sorted before your stomach even starts rumbling.