When one thinks about Penang, we’re sure that “historical sites”, ” beautiful beaches” and “delicious street food” are among a few attractions that will come to mind. No doubt, we Penangites will always be proud of our impressive array of hawker foods! But, did you know that our beautiful state also hosts unique street food known only to the locals? No more gatekeeping, behold as we’re introducing unique street food you must try!
13 Unique Street Food You Must Try In Penang
1. Deep-Fried Char Hor Fun
Starting the list with an all time favourite – Ah Huat Pek, a popular place in Balik Pulau that serves uniquely delicious Deep Fried Hor Fun! This version of Char Hor Fun comes with the noodles being deep-fried, closely resembling crispy air pockets. Then, the deep fried noodles are drenched in thick and savoury egg gravy.
You will be greeted by a crunch upon your first bite, just like munching on potato chips! Then, the hor fun noodles will soak up all the moisture in the gravy and return to its tender texture. One way or another, it’s definitely one of the unique dishes that’s well loved in Penang!
Address: Kampung Jalan Baru, 11000 Balik Pulau, Penang
Operating Hours: 8 AM-3 PM (Closed on Wednesday)
Status: Non-Halal
Link: Facebook
2. Double Yolk Laksa
Of course, we have to include Penang Laksa in this list. So, here comes a famous laksa spot serving the dish with double the fun! Situated at Kampung Guar Jering, Laksa KakWa is a popular place serving rich and flavourful laksa with a unique take – their signature laksa comes with eggs that has not just one, but TWO creamy yolks~
You can choose to go for Laksa Biasa, Laksa Telur with 1 half-boiled egg or go for a protein-packed lunch and get Laksa Campur D that comes with 4 half-boiled eggs, Sambal Sotong and Sambal Tauhu all in one! The double yolk eggs actually makes this big plate of laksa even more rich, thick and creamy. Well, we can’t help but to agree here that two is better than one indeed! Friendly reminder that this place is always packed with returning patrons, so remember to plan your Foodie trip beforehand~
Address: 759, Jalan Guar Jering, 14400 Penanti, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: 12pm – 5pm (Closed on Friday)
Status: Halal
3. Green Tom Yam
Recently awarded with Michelin Bib Gourmand 2024, Ghee Lian Green Tom Yam is the first and only Green Tom Yam in Penang that has been around for more than 10 years! The tom yam soup base is made with 8 different vegetables, all blended into a green-coloured thick paste. To be honest, the taste profile kinda reminds us of the green chilli sauce we typically pair with chicken rice!
The green tom yam soup is sour and has a little taste of lime, yet is sweet & spicy at the same time. Opt to pair it with vermicelli, noodles or rice and fried fish fillets that soak up all the goodness, yummm! In addition, you can be rest assured that they use all natural ingredients without adding any artificial additives in the cooking process~
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Address: Medan Renong, Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: 6.00pm – 10.00pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
Status: Pork-Free
4. Mushroom Chicken Hor Fun
Next, we have Mushroom Chicken Hor Fun, also known as “Tung Ku Kai Si Hor Fun”. An open secret spot among the locals, you can find Tuck Sai Cafe under an old flat behind Starview Restaurant. This kocabi recipe has been going on for two generations, while the current owner has been selling the dish in the same coffee shop for more than 30 years!
In general, this dish is Hor Fun cooked with stewed chicken and mushroom stock, and there are two versions to choose from: dry and soup. The dry version gives you a bowl of braised chicken broth with a thicker consistency and slurpy flat rice noodles, while the soup version carries the same flavoursome blend of both chicken and mushroom but is more warm and comforting!
Address: 1-G-12A Sri Pelangi, Jalan Bukom 10150 Georgetown Penang.
Operating Hours: 5pm – 8.30pm (closed on Sunday and Monday)
Link(s): Facebook
Status: Non-Halal
5. Three Flavours Wan Tan Mee
At this seemingly ordinary kopitiam located along Weld Quay, is Penang’s one and only stall that offers a unique menu – the famous 3 Flavours Wan Tan Mee, which has garnered the attention of both local media like ntv7 as well as celebrities!
The key to this unique dish lies in its homemade special sauces! The noodles are separated and first mixed with sesame oil (white), followed by dark soy sauce (original) and finally Sichuan Mala pepper (mala flavour)! Once the noodles are mixed with the 3 different types of sauces, garnishing is added which consists of pork lards, barbecue pork slices (Char Siew), spring onions and Fried Wan Tan. We recommend enjoying the noodles separately on their own, but if you feel like mixing them all together, you do you queen!
Address: 47, Pengkalan Weld, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: 7am -12pm or until sold out (closed on Tuesday)
Link: Facebook
Status: Non-Halal
6. Ayam Bakar Asam Boi (Roasted Chicken with Plum Powder)
You’ll come across this famous roasted chicken spot near AEON Big at Seberang Jaya that sells not just any regular ayam bakar, but their signature Ayam Bakar Asam Boi! As the name of the dish suggests, roasted chicken is topped with asam boi powder, which is plum powder that is usually added onto sliced fruits. The powder typically has a slightly salty, sour and sweet balance to it, adding in a whole new flavour profile to the freshly roasted chicken~
Though it may look and sound intimidating, several reviews indicate that the Ayam Bakar Asam Boi doesn’t have an overpoweringly sour taste, so it’s unique and rather tasty! You can also pair it with their homemade chilli sauce, which is a bit on the spicier side for an added kick~
Address: 4467, Jalan Aeon Big, Seberang Jaya, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: 11am – 11pm (Daily)
Link(s): Facebook
Status: Halal
7. Lemon Bitter Gourd Seaweed Koay Teow Th’ng
Located at Times & Circle Food And Drinks Centre (Solaria Square), this humble stall offers freshly made Koay Teow Th’ng with a refreshing new taste. Here, you get to add on flavourful ingredients into your dry or soup Koay Teow Th’ng such as lemon, bitter gourd, seaweed or egg for a special blend of flavours!
Though it may seem peculiar, the clear soup actually tastes more flavourful with a hint of sourness from the lemon, a little bitterness from the bitter gourd along with the strong umami taste of seaweed. Top it off with an egg and voila, you have a whole new version of slurpy KTT!
Address: Times & Circle Food And Drinks Centre, 2-G-19, Solaria Square Medan Rajawali, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Operating Hours: 7.30am – 2.30pm (closed on alternate Sundays)
Link(s): Facebook
Status: Non-Halal
8. Green Curry Mee
Penang is popular for our special White Curry Mee, but have you heard about Green Curry Mee? Besides the regular red and white ones, this stall situated at Chew Jetty Cafe also sells their very own unique version of curry mee that is green in colour! Green chilli paste is added into the creamy and fragrant white curry broth, creating the perfect blend of green curry for a delicious bowl of green curry mee.
The noodles are topped plenty with cockles, squid, tofu puffs, pork blood and mint leaves, you can also add on fish balls and roasted pork (siew yok). Tip: if it’s not spicy enough, try to ask for more green chilli to spice up your green curry mee!
Address: 47, Pengkalan Weld, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: 7.30am – 2pm (Closed on Tue)
Status: Non-Halal
9. Kuey Teow Kung Fu Tom Yum
Shhh, here comes a secret menu you don’t want to miss out on: Kuey Teow Kung Fu Tom Yum! Though other places may be able to offer this secret menu as well, the one we are introducing today is from Nana Tomyam. To make this special dish, kuey teow is fried with egg for the crispy texture, then the tom yam soup is poured onto the fried egg kuey teow.
Besides the regular red tom yam soup, you can also opt for their white tom yam which is more fragrant and less spicy~ Be sure to dig in while it’s freshly made as this will give you a “crispy crispy crunchy crunchy” first bite that will surely make you crave for more!
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Address: 6A, Jalan Transfer, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: 11.30am – 7.30pm (Mon), 11.30am – 10.30pm (Tue – Sun)
Status: Halal
10. Fish Meat Curry Mee
Tucked below a residential flat in Jelutong, Thor Corr Phou Zi is a hidden spot that serves Fish Meat Curry Mee! Unlike the usual Penang Curry Mee, this place is popular for a special version of the signature dish that has thicker soup with a rich creamy taste, and is topped with fish meat, okra and tomatoes.
They used to be a humble kopitiam but have recently relocated and upgraded into a bright white-themed glasshouse cafe. You’d also be surprised to know that this place is often visited by Hong Kong actor and film producer Philip Keung!
Address: Solok Sungai Pinang 2, Taman Serendah, 11600 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: 8am – 5pm (Closed on Fri)
Status: Pork-Free
11. Fried Chee Cheong Fun
Fried Koay Teow is one of our favourite dishes, but have you heard about Fried Chee Cheong Fun? Chee Cheong Fun is a pretty versatile dish, as the rolled rice noodles are usually steamed and topped with thick and sweet prawn paste, rich curry or Hong Kong style soy sauce and chilli oil.
Then, we have this special version that integrates all the delicious wok hei into a plate of Fried Chee Cheong Fun! You can find it at this humble stall located in Sri Nibong Cafe~ Personally, we find it to resemble Char Koay Teow as Chee Cheong Fun noodles are technically rolled rice noodles instead of plain flat rice noodles (Koay Teow)!
Address: Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Taman Sri Nibong, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: 8.30am – 6.30pm (Closed on Mon)
Status: Non-Halal
12. 1kg Burger
If you love burgers, then we’re pretty sure that you’ll want to check out Yan Burger Adik Abang, serving gigantic burgers that weigh up to 1kg! The patties here are homemade, and you get to choose between chicken and beef options. Four seems to be the charm here as the 1kg burger comes with 4 slices of cheese, and 4 eggs are cracked and fried to make the perfect coat to wrap the large square patty in!
The huge burger is loaded with refreshing veggies like onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce, before adding plenty of sauces! Personally, we find that these burgers are suitable for up to 3-4 pax for a burger-licious meal~
Address: Medan Selera Perda Lahar Endin, Jalan Permatang Bendahari, 13100 Penaga, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: 6pm – 11pm (Closed on Tue)
Status: Halal
13. Fried Laksa
When you think about Penang Laksa, it’s usually a bowl of asam laksa that comes with warm, rich and tangy fish broth. Now, we have this fried version of laksa, which you can find at Old Homes Delicacy! The thick laksa noodles are fried with laksa paste, soy sauce, bean sprouts and scrambled eggs. Then,it is topped with half boiled egg, prawns, lettuce and finely chopped laksa flowers.
Of course, fried laksa has a touch of wok hei! But, it has the familiar laksa taste that resembles its original soup counterpart due to the laksa flowers and paste. In addition, the half boiled egg adds a creamy and thicker consistency to the bowl of fried laksa. This gives you even more satisfaction along with each bite!
Address: 56, Jalan Teratai 1, Taman Teratai, 13400 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: 12pm – 6pm (Closed on Wed)
Status: Non-Halal
Up For The Challenge? Try Out These Unique Dishes!
Though we can’t guarantee that all these dishes will be suited to your taste buds, what we can say is that these are a few unique street foods we’ve tried throughout our Foodie adventures! It’s definitely a challenge to try something new! So, bring a friend along as you go on a spectacular Foodie hunt for these special dishes. Have fun and enjoy Foodies!
Also read: Top 15 Places For Gatherings And Celebrations In Penang (2024 Edition)
Check out our documentary series – Foodie Originals
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