What’s the first thing you look up for in a good steamboat spot? No doubt it’s the soup base, BUT ingredients, service and ambience are taken into account as well. We did the best steamboat list last year, might as well update u foodies because a lot of changes have happened in a year. So here we go, the 10 Best Steamboat in Penang you have to try at least once.
10 Best Steamboat in Penang:
#1 Gia Xiang Steamboat Restaurant
Gia Xiang is a local’s favourite steamboat in Penang. Known for their thick, milky yam and fish soup, they’re good enough to pair with only rice or noodles. BUT we know it’s steamboat, it’s only normal to throw in tons of ingredients, which Gia Xiang offers fresh and in decent quantity.
Their dry spicy hotpot is another hit, they come in the meat of your choices so you eat on its own. After finishing what’s in the pot, request to add in soup and there you go, a mala hotpot.
Address: 8, Jalan Krian, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hour: 5 p.m.-3 a.m. (Daily)
#2 Sawara Claypot Steamboat
One of the best fish-based steamboat in Penang, Sawara is known for their fish broth and fresh ingredients. Their broth is boiled for hours and served in a claypot, unlike other places that uses the typical steamboat pot. That way, the temperature is better controlled and you get better flavors.
Their soup base is so delicious you can finish the whole thing on its own. Or, throw in some other ingredients, which most of them are homemade. Prices can be a little steep but the quality justifies it all.
Address: 251, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hour: 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., 6-10 p.m. (Daily)
#3 Guo Xiang Fu Steamboat Restaurant
You might have seen some Instagram post of this seafood porridge steamboat combo. That’s the signature menu of Guo Xiang Fu. Offering hearty, nutritious soup base steamboat in Penang, their spicy milk soup base is a hit. The other unique item would be the one we mentioned before, seafood porridge steamboat. Porridge cooked in thick broth and served in a claypot, you add throw in your desired ingredients and indulge.
Address: 10, Jalan Seang Tek, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hour: 5 p.m.-12 a.m. (Daily)
#4 Eam Huat Charcoal Steamboat
Tucked in the neighbourhood of Jelutong is Eam Huat Charcoal Steamboat, editor paid a few visits and must say, the consistency is there. Hearty, sweet fish broth boiled for hours and served in a traditional pot that uses charcoal to fire up, you can only imagine the flavors that are wrapped in. They have decent range of ingredients, don’t miss out their homemade fishball, so chewy and bouncy.
Address: 7, Medan Penaga, Kampung Batu Lanchang, 11600 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hour: 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. (Closed on Tuesdays)
#5 As You Like Hong Kong Chicken Pot
One of our favouirte steamboat in Penang with a huge twist, As You Like Hong Kong Chicken Pot originates from Hong Kong. First opened in KL, we Penangites can finally taste their signature Mala hotpot. Unlike usual mala hotpot where they throw in tons of chili oil, their soup base is boiled with more than 60 ingredients.
You can pick the level of spiciness and numbness according to your preferences. Their ingredients are imported from Hong Kong and other provinces of China as well. You’ll for sure get a unique hotpot experience here. Did we tell you we made a video for this as well? Check out for visual effects.
Address: 56, Jalan Chow Thye, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hour: 6 p.m.-1 a.m. (Daily)
#6 Flavor Food
Set in Burma Road is this popular dinner spot, Flavor Food. With cozy, clean ambiance and friendly staff, Flavor Food serves one of the best steamboats in Penang. What popularizes them is their signature coconut chicken soup base.
Refreshing and full of nutrients, their soup is so fragrant when put to the boil. Throw in some of your favourite ingredients to level up the whole experience. Presentation wise is also on point, while spaces are limited, get your bookings done to get the best experience.
Address: 217 M, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hour: 5:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. (Daily)
#7 Tao Kae Noi
Millennial love this place. In fact, it’s one of the most popular steamboat in Penang for late night gatherings. Fun fact: They’re not the Thailand seaweed brand official shop but is related to Thailand. Serving Thai mookata, things are simple here. You choose your meat, grill them on top, and underneath is surrounded by soup base. So the more you grill, the more you add flavor to the soup because the oil and sauces drip down into the soup.
Address: 83, Jalan Siam, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hour: 6 p.m.-1 a.m. (Closed on Tuesdays)
Related: Top 10 Best Mookata in Penang You Have to Try
#8 Water World Seafood Buffet Steamboat
Wouldn’t it be boring if we include similar steamboat styles and spots? That’s why Water World stepped in. Nestled in Fisherman’s Wharf food court, while the ambiance might not be the best, it’s unpretentious. They implemented our staple local food into their steamboat. It’s laksa soup base, they’re probably the only laksa steamboat in Penang. Pay a certain amount and eat all you can, they have a selection of seafood ingredients such as prawns, crabs, lala and more.
Address: No 92A, Lebuh Sungai Pinang 1, Sungai Pinang, 11600 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hour: 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. (Daily)
#9 Golden Gate Steamboat
Another old style steamboat in Penang, Golden Gate is nestled in an old school shophouse. It reminisces the 80s Hong Kong era of old houses where families gather around to eat. Simple, hearty steamboat could be found here with impeccably fresh ingredients. Most of them are made fresh and are acceptable by all ages. Try it for yourself, we bet you’ll feel the same as we do.
Address: 77, Jalan Cantonment, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hour: 6 p.m.-10:30 p.m. (Closed on Mondays)
#10 E.T. Steamboat Restaurant
One of the OG (classic) steamboat in Penang, ask the older generations and they’ll know. A lot of local families especially the Chinese would flock E.T Steamboat for dinner or gathering. Their steamboat pretty much failproof, with decent selection of ingredients. Besides steamboat, their other ala carte dishes are great, with a variety of rice and noodles. Try out their famous bak chang (Chinese dumpling) as well, the fillings are so generous you’ll want more. Make sure to make reservation to avoid disappointment, as their operating hour can be differ sometimes.
Address: 6, Jalan Rangoon, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hour: 12-2:30 p.m., 6-10 p.m. (Closed on Thursdays)
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