Air Itam is home to many popular foods, like the famous curry mee and laksa, just to name a few. Today, we’re guiding you through some of the best things to eat in Air Itam Penang, known heavenly good mainly by the locals. So scroll down, save this to your list and eat your way through like a pro.
Top 10 Things to Eat in Air Itam Penang:
Min Jiang Coffee Shop:
Siam Tomyam
Known mainly by locals, this humble tomyam stall is no doubt one of the best things to eat in Air Itam. Run by a Thai lady, enjoy authentic Thai tomyam noodles in the most humble, unpretentious way. Be prepared to wait up to an hour as the owner is very meticulous in her tomyam, she cuts and slices every ingredient upon ordering. Thick, tangy broth topped with fresh seafood, hands down one of the best tomyam we’ve tried.
Address: 1-B, Jalan Air Itam, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m.
Nasi Kandar
Some might overlook this humble stall due to the popularity of the tomyam mentioned above. While from afar, it looks just like any regular hawker stall, for some reason, their nasi kandar makes people want to go back for more. The uncle of the stall would passionately greet you and that’s how you start your order. Daging rendang, sayur, sotong, and telur is their staple. Prices are quite reasonable and while this nasi kandar has no label, we can say the quality is as good as some big names out there.
Address: 1-B, Jalan Air Itam, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hour: Evening till 11 p.m.
Fish Head Noodle
People would go “how can this be on the list?” Hear us out, while their flavor ain’t the best, they offer one of the best fried fish. Legit fresh fish slices are coated evenly with batter and fried on the spot. Crispy on the outside, but fluffy and fragrant on the inside, it can literally be eaten as a snack. How we wish we could order a whole plate of fried fish individually just to snack on.
Address: 1-B, Jalan Air Itam, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hour: Evening till 11 p.m. (Closed on Sundays)
Air Itam Pasar:
Air Itam Duck Rice
Locals are no stranger to this, they’re easily one of the most popular things to eat in Air Itam during the night. Tucked in the market, Air Itam Duck Rice is run by mother-son duo. Unlike any other duck rice where roasted duck is the available option, this stall in particular serves braised duck. Warm, fluffy rice is drenched with their light soy sauce and topped with their signature braised duck, along with other braised ingredients of your choice such as braised egg, tofu, pickled vegetables and more. All together, your plate of duck rice tastes like home cooked food, warming and filling.
Address: Air Itam Wet Market,, Jalan Pasar, Pekan Ayer Itam, 11500 Air Itam, Penang.
Operating Hour: 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m. (Daily)
Disco Fresh Milk
Raw egg with fresh milk? We know the combination might sound off. We were skeptical just like you before falling in love with it. Disco Milk has been operating for over 30 years, but why “disco?” You can easily spot this stall with its bright lights and upbeat music, which kind of resembles a disco. We recommend you to order something from the Special Menu, together with the original, for side-by-side flavor comparison. Our favourite has to be Mocha with added nestum.
Address: No. 608, Jalan Pasar, Paya Terubong, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 7 p.m.-12 a.m. (Daily)
Read Also: 10 Best Places For a Meal Around Juru Sentral and Icon City
Char Koay Kak
Air Itam main road during the night is pretty upbeat, with tonnes of hawker stalls selling a variety of local fare along the road. In front of Sui Wah Supermarket is this famous Char Koay Kak, you can easily spot it with its aroma and surrounding crowd, waiting for their takeaways. Char koay kak is basically rice cakes fried in both dark and light soy sauce, together with ingredients like bean sprout, egg, garlic and pickled vegetable. This char koay kak in particular is dark and slightly charred, packed with wok hei. They operate during the evenings and is only available for takeaway.
Address: No. 608 M & N, Jalan Paya Terubong, Pulau Pinang, 11500 Air Itam.
Operating Hour: Evening till late night.
Keat Seng Restaurant (Zhong Nam):
Air Itam Lok-Lok
While not exactly located right in the restaurant or around it, you can find the lok-lok towards the end of the hawker stretch. It’s pretty obvious and crowded, so chances of missing this one out is odd. Lok-lok is basically hotpot on-the-go, with more accessible ingredients for a lighter meal. It’s a place for locals to gather and snack on or to just fix their cravings. This lok-lok spot in particular serves a wide array of ingredients for you to enjoy. Just pick whatever you want, throw them into the boiling pot of soup, and dip into their different sauces later. No doubt this lok-lok spot is one of the best things to eat in Air Itam especially during the night.
Address: 10J, Mk. 16, Jalan Air Itam, Taman Ria, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: Evening till 12 a.m.
Nasi Kandar Kampung Melayu
Ask any hardcore nasi kandar fans, they’ll tell you Nasi Kandar Kampung Melayu is in their top 3, if not, the best. This is definitely one of the most popular things to eat in Air Itam, and a must-try. Come as early as 6:30 a.m. to avoid the long queue and they’re sold out at 1:30 p.m. Locals rave about their fried chicken and kuah campur. Their gravy’s unlike others, with onions being the star ingredient. You can easily finish the whole plate of nasi kandar within minutes, they’re that good.
Address: A-29, Jalan Kampung Melayu, Kampung Melayu, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 6:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Daily)
Air Itam Pisang Goreng
Disclaimer: This is highly addictive. Those in the neighbourhood will tell you how good their pisang goreng (banana fritter) is. Located by the sidewalk right in front of Hairstory Air Itam, this pisang goreng stall is run by a humble Malay family. Unlike other pisang goreng where they’re shaped like a corn dog, this one in particular comes in small pieces, like banana chips. Secret to their finger-licking banana fritters? Sesame seed. They’re added to the batter to give an extra crunch. Besides pisang goreng, other fried stuff like fried cempedak and ubi is also available. Add this stall to your bucket list and thank us later.
Address: Jalan Air Itam, 11500 Penang.
Operating Hour: 12 p.m.-6 p.m. (Closed on Fridays)
Bukit Bendera Koay Teow Th’ng
If you’re a true follower of Penang Foodie, you might have noticed that we’ve mentioned this particular Koay Teow Th’ng spot a couple of times. They’re hands down one of the best Koay Teow Th’ng in Penang, and also editor’s favourite. Their broth is boiled with duck meat for hours, which appears to be thick and flavorful. The duck meat and other ingredients of your choice adds textures and flavors, not to mention their koay teow is silky smooth. Finish up with a glass of refreshing sugar cane drink. If you’re looking for things to eat in Air Itam during the day, Bukit Bendera Koay Teow Th’ng it is.
Address: 500, Jalan Bukit Bendera, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 12:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. (Closed on Mondays &Tuesdays)
Bonus:
Farm House Cafe
If you’re not into hawker food, maybe Farm House Cafe is your cup of tea. Located just a bit further down across Klinik Bersatu, Farm House offers some fancy tomyam, and we’re talking about scallops and lobster. If you’ve been to Bangkok, you might have seen similar styles of such tomyam. Vibrant, thick broth served in a mini pot. It is topped with ingredients such as lobster and other seafood, it’s a blessing for both your tummy and Instagram feed. Fret not, as they have regular tomyam and other cafe food as well, so there’s something for everyone here.
Address: 617F,, Jalan Balik Pulau, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 6-11:30 p.m. (Sun) 6 p.m.-12 a.m. (Closed on Mondays)
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Whoever wrote this is clearly not from ayer itam penang. There are so much good food in ayer itam that some of those 10 are not considered the best