Does the title get you excited? It does to us! Most Chinese would know what we’re talking about but worry not, we’re throwing in a brief explanation just in case you don’t! So, chu char is used to describe a Chinese stall that provides a wide selection of common and affordable dishes which approximated to home-cooked meals. A chu char place is the best place to gather over with your family during the weekends or just any day at all! Your parents will surely approve of these places we have in our 12 Chu Char In Penang You Have To Try With Your Fam!
12 Chu Char In Penang You Have To Try With Your Fam
1. Tek Sen Restaurant
When I talked about chu char, you can already guess that Tek Sen is going to dominate our list because this neighbourhood chu char place is just too ‘ho liao‘! Established since 1965, they’ve been faithfully serving top-notch chu char till these days. Their customers have grown over the years from the few loyal neighbourhood customers to tourists coming from all over the world.
Without a doubt, everyone that dines at the place will order their signature double roasted pork with chili padi! Glistening like a honey glaze, when you take a bite, you can feel the stickiness! And, what comes next is an explosion of flavours – sweet and salty!
? 18, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
? 12PM-2.30PM, 6PM-8.30PM (Closed on Tues)
2. Weld Quay (Tree Shade) Da Shu Xia Seafood House
Originally located at one of the longhouses along Weld Quay below a huge tree, therefore the name Da Shu Xia, they’ve since moved to Lebuh Victoria. To anyone who’s looking for fresh seafood, this is the place for you – with daily caught seafood delivered straight to their restaurant. Can you taste the sea? Opt for their salted soft-shelled crab and be amazed by the flavours, pretty effortless but yet amazing dish. Not to mention, their prices are pocket-friendly too!
? 177C, Lebuh Victoria, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
? 11AM-9.30PM (Daily)
3. See Kong Ooi
This place has been around for several decades humbly serving Hainanese and Hokkien chu char, and even till today, they’re still going strong. Choosing from their options of dishes is so hard because everything is just so yummy. But, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on their Assam Curry Fish! A generous amount of fish, onions and ladyfingers is thrown into the soup to make it so thick and pleasantly spicy every time you take a spoonful. If you’re in the mood for fish, do try out their ‘sar bee‘ fish!
? Jalan Transfer, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
? 11AM-3PM, 6PM-10PM (Closed on Thurs)
4. Soon Lai Restaurant (顺来本地海鲜)
Standing out from the rest of the dishes they offer is their Nyonya Steamed Fish and also Nestum Mantis Prawn! That means they’re a must-order when you’re there! The gravy for the fish tastes spicy and sour with mild sweetness, goes really well with the rice! Not forgetting their Nestum Mantis Prawn that is just so addictive because of the crispiness and unique flavour!
? 15, Lintang Batu, Green Lane, 11600 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
? 11AM-3PM, 5.30PM-11PM (Daily)
5. Goh Swee Kee
Looking for an escape from the heat of your tropical country? Enjoy your meal in a fully air-conditioned chu char restaurant that is Goh Swee Kee! The restaurant offers authentic Teochew cuisine that is hard to come by in Penang. A few of their die-die-also-must try dishes are the deep-fried prawn balls, stir-fried oysters and Teochew braised-ducks!
? 5, Jalan Sri Bahari, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
? 11.30AM-2.30PM, 6PM-10PM (Daily)
6. Siang Pin Seafood 香槟海鲜
If you’re looking for good and cheap Penang Chinese food, this is the place to head to! Their curry stingray fish is so rich in santan that you would regret it if you don’t try! All the dishes are served piping hot within minutes! It just goes to say their service is really great right.
? Jalan Sungai Kelian, Tanjung Tokong, 11200 Tanjong Bungah, Pulau Pinang.
? 10.45AM-1.45PM, 5.15PM-9.15PM (Closed on Mon)
7. Bee Wei Seafood Restaurant
The best place to be if you’re looking for real tasty oriental dishes at an absolutely great price! What’s a complete meal without soup on the table, correct? Let’s start with their yummy soup Peanut Soup. The soup is boiled with spare ribs that gave the soup much of its sweet taste, without much seasonings – taste just like home-cooked soup! Fans of spicy should totally have a try of their Spicy Chili Crab that is totally unpretentious and just soul-fulfilling!
? Air Itam No. 4J, Jalan Air Itam, 11500, Pulau Pinang.
? 6.30PM-10PM (Daily)
8. Liva Seafood Restaurant
If you happen to be in the heritage area over at Chew Jetty, maybe it’s time to check out this place! Just a stone throw away from Chew Jetty, they serve really wallet-friendly chu char that is just perfect for backpackers and also for locals that just want a quick dinner. The place might look really small but they have an amazing variety of choices for their dishes!
? 30, Pintasan Cecil 5, Pengkalan Weld, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
? 6AM-11PM (Daily)
9. 747 Hainanese Restaurant
Delectable home-cooked style Hainanese fare served alongside some Nyonya, Cantonese and Western-inspired offerings, have been its forte for nearly four decades. You can never miss their Assam Fish Curry and Pig Trotter with Black Vinegar! They are classic comfort food that nourishes both the palate and the soul. And better yet, the prices are moderate and affordable!
? 2, Peel Highway, Georgetown, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
? 11AM-10PM (Closed on Wednesday)
10. Zi Zai Restaurant
Established by Chef Tan Hock Chai in 2009, it was meant to sell dishes from his beloved grandmother’s own secret recipes. Later in the year 2011, Hock Chai created his own style of Poon Choi that has gained quite the attention from Penangites, attracting more people over to try his grandmother’s old way of preparing dishes. Their Poon Choi is a good excuse to call your family for a reunion!
? 1239-G, Jalan Paya Terubong, Bandar Baru Air Itam, 11500 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
? 6PM-10PM (Closed on Tuesday)
11. Chin Yuen Seafood @ Kim Shen Coffee Shop
All the dishes you’re hoping to find at a chu char place, they have it all! Their curry fish will be sure to surprise you with how good it is! Even their fried tofu, though simple looking is a burst of saltiness and savoury! As the saying goes ‘never judge a book by its cover’, try it for yourself now!
? 827A, Mukim 13, Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim, Relau, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau, Pinang.
? 11AM-10PM (Closed on Monday)
12. Ah Chong Seafood Restaurant
Enjoy your meal here with your loved ones while the sun sets in the scenic background sounds so romantic! Feel the sea breeze as you enjoy that huge and meaty crab, just the best! The quality of their seafood cannot be doubted, you’ve to trust us.
? Apartment Pantai Bersih, Jalan Pantai Bersih, Kampung Bagan Ajam, 13000 Butterworth, Penang.
? 12PM-10PM (Daily)
We hope that this list of 12 Chu Char In Penang You Have To Try With Your Fam have treated you well, share your happiness with loved ones today around a table and over great chu char dishes! Anyone would appreciate some bonding sessions with their fam!
Read also: 12 Best Chicken Rice You Should Be Eating In Penang
