10 Best Must-Try Char Koay Teow In Penang

Char Koay Teow, the ultimate MUST-HAVE food in Penang. It’s the food that defines Penang. People travel miles and miles just to taste that oily, charred, dark soy sauce glazed flat noodle. If you did not try char koay teow when in Penang, you have not visited Penang.

 

Top 10 Best Char Koay Teow in Penang

While there are many places for char koay teow in Penang, only true locals know the best. So, whether you’re a local or tourist, you need this list. Embrace the heritage (food) of Penang guys.

#1 Siam Road Char Koay Teow

The go-to place when it comes to char koay teow in Penang, it’s no secret that they’re the best in town. Did you know the 76-year-old uncle has upped his game? The once roadside stall off Siam Road has now got its own shop, still in Siam Road. That means better environment and longer queue foodies. Expect at least an hour wait during peak hours. Hard work all pays off when you taste the charcoal-flamed, dark-sauce, oil-glazed flavorful plate of flat rice noodle filled with wok hei.

 

 

Address: 82, Jalan Siam, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 12 p.m.-5 p.m. (Closed on Sundays&Mondays)

 

#2 Tiger Char Koay Teow

One of the pioneers of char koay teow in Penang, the name originates from the owner who has a nickname of “ah hor” which means tiger in Hokkien. Ask anyone about CKT and they would recommend Tiger Char Koay Teow besides the Siam Road. Fueled with wok hei and adequate flavors and ingredient, you’ll find yourself loving this plate of oily goodness. Their prawns are juicy and plump which justifies the price, unlike some other places.

 

 

Address: 179, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (Daily)

 

#3 Cecil Street Market 七条路巴刹

The secret to a good plate of char koay teow in Penang not only lies within the sauces, but also the wok hei. Charcoal-fired food always tastes better, especially when it comes to char koay teow. Sadly, not every char koay teow in Penang uses charcoal as fuel. Tucked in Cecil Street Market is this charcoal-flamed duck egg koay teow. Friendly uncle, flavorful koay teow especially with duck egg, the price is a lot cheaper compared to other places. Don’t get confused it’s located towards the end of the food section.

 

 

Address: 40-48, Lebuh Cecil, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: (Market) 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. (Daily)

Read Also: 10 Best Porridge in Penang, The Ultimate Comfort Food

 

#4 Sany Char Koay Teow

A lot of you are skeptical when it comes to halal char koay teow because the lack of pork lard. Well Sany is here to prove you wrong. Sany breaks the common by serving ‘char koay teow basah’. Flat rice noodles drenched in Sany’s famous sauce, together with its rich prawn stock. They’re not stingy on their prawns too, big and juicy. Besides that, you can also find Western Food and other delicacies here at Sany.

 

 

Address:  4, Lorong Mahsuri 2, Bayan Baru, 11950 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 7 p.m.-12 a.m. (Daily)

 

#5 Bukit Mertajam Duck Egg Char Koay Teow

Yes, the known-to-fame char koay teow thanks to the use of duck egg, this humble stall set in Bukit Mertajam serves some really good plate of char koay teow. Who says all the good food is in the island? Piping hot plate of dark and light soy sauce coated noodle served and not-fried-together duck egg is divine. They’re so popular Georgetown has a “franchise.” But please, just stick to the original one, even if it means to cross the bridge just to get a taste of it.

 

 

Address:  Jalan Pasar, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 7 p.m.-12 a.m. (Daily)

 

#6 New Cathay Kopitiam

Who says you can’t have char koay teow for breakfast? New Cathay Coffee Shop is a popular breakfast spot flocked with locals every day. Besides their wan than mee, curry mee and roti babi, their char koay toew is also a highlight. Decent portion of lip-smacking rice noodle fried with generous amount of pork lard and bean sprout, what could go wrong? Visit before 2 p.m. as the coffee shop only serves until lunch. Parking is also a problem but hey, all for the good char koay teow in Penang.

 

 

Address: 425, Jalan Burma, Pulau Tikus, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (Closed on Sundays)

 

#7 Char Kuey Teow Parit/ Longkang

We all know famous char koay teow in Penang is dark, dry, oily and with pork lards, cockles and prawn. But don’t forget Malaysia is made up of different cultures and races, our Muslim friends couldn’t have it which is a dud. Never mind because they have their own version of char koay teow, and it’s delicious as well. Char Kuey Teow Parit got its name from where it’s located, beside a drain. Rice noodles drenched in thick prawn broth and topped with a fried egg, thumbs up. We did a video on this CKT earlier this year, so click in for some visuals!

 

 

Address: Jalan Mahsuri, Bandar Bayan Baru, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: (Tues-Sun) 8:30 p.m.-5 a.m. (Sat) 8:30 p.m.-12 a.m.

 

#8 Ah Leng Char Koay Teow

Another famous char koay teow in Penang nestled in Air Itam, expect at least half an hour wait for their char koay teow. It’s normal in Penang to queue for good local food. While Ah Leng’s noodle might be a little wetter than the regular CKT, their prawns are huge. You either go for the regular, large or special which comes with mantis prawns. They also have duck egg option, with extra charge of course.

 

 

Address: Jalan Dato Keramat, Kampung Makam, 10150 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Closed on Wednesdays)

 

#9 Sister’s Char Koay Teow

If you’re looking for a good plate of char koay teow in Penang but want to avoid the long queue, try out Sister’s at Macalister Road. While they’ve changed the operator, we find that the taste is still acceptable. Less oily, but still packs a punch. Topped with crab meat which is rare, so try it and find which one suits you best.

 

 

Address: 185, Jalan Macalister, George Town, 11400 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (Closed on Mondays)

 

#10 Song River Char Koay Teow

We didn’t know this place serves char koay teow until our foodie friend told us about it. Known for being a breakfast spot and famous roasted chicken wing during the night, turns out their Song River char koay teow is also a thing among the neighbourhood. This infamous stall is run by an uncle who passionately cooks his char koay teow. it has all the flavors and ingredients of what a good char koay teow in Penang.

 

Address: No. 65, Persiaran Gurney, 10250, George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 7 a.m.-3 a.m. (Daily)

 

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