“Oh, you’re going on a vacation? Be sure to buy me a souvenir!” Let’s face it, like it or not, people are bound to ask you for a souvenir if they knew you were going on a vacation. What’s more, some even choose their own souvenirs! If you’re not used to buying souvenirs and a trip to the beautiful island of Penang is on the cards, then we’ve got you covered. Penang is widely regarded as Malaysia’s food haven. So, it is unsurprising that this list is mainly a compilation of some of the best food products you can get in Penang. After all, food gifts make for pretty good souvenirs as far we’re concerned. Here are 8 must-buy souvenirs in Penang before you leave.
8 Must-buy Souvenirs in Penang Before You Leave
P.S. No, we don’t think a plate of Penang’s famous Char Koay Teow is possible as a souvenir. Although, admittedly that sounds like a pretty awesome idea. Without further ado here are out 8 must-buy souvenirs in Penang.
1. Tau Sar Piah
Him Heang is an iconic pastry manufacturer in Penang famed for its Tau Sar Piah (a round-shaped Chinese pastry). This family-run business was established in 1948 by a Chinese immigrant and is now run by the 3rd generation of the family’s descendants. Him Heang offers a wide range of local pastries which is made fresh daily with no added preservatives. Over the years, its Tau Sar Piah has been publicly acclaimed by many locals and tourists making it a must-buy souvenir in Penang till this day.
Address: 162, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Business Hours: 8.30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed on Sundays
2. Jeruk Madu Pak Ali
One would be hard-pressed to find a brand of pickled fruits as famous as Pak Ali’s in Malaysia. Established in 2009, Jeruk Madu Pak Ali (Sweet pickled fruits) is best known for its distinct aroma and taste. It has won numerous awards over the years thus earning a name for itself as one of the state’s iconic food products. Today, the company ships its products all over Malaysia and is a worthy souvenir of Penang for tourists.
Address: 24, Jalan Pantai Jerjak, Pantai Jerjak, 11700 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang
Business Hours: 8.30 a.m. – 7 p.m (Daily)
3. Rojak Hitam Putih Paste
Another popular Penang delicacy is Rojak which can be best described as a fruit salad dish. The word Rojak simply means mixture in the Malay language. Hence, the dish is served as a combination of various fruits such as pineapples, guava, jicama, cucumbers and several more. A Rojak’s sauce is the main component of the dish giving it a unique flavor due to the shrimp paste used. There are plenty of places in Penang where you can get Rojak but arguably one of the most talked about is none other then Rojak Orang Hitam Putih. This rojak stall operates from a small coffee shop in the heart of Bukit Mertajam—a quaint town in mainland Penang.
The rojak sauce is both thick and flavorful and is dubbed by locals as one of the top rojak spots in Penang. If you can’t decide what to buy in Penang as a souvenir for your loved ones, a packet of Rojak Orang Hitam Putih’s Rojak sauce is a good shout.
Related: 10 Road-Trip-Worthy Street Food in Bukit Mertajam
Address: Jalan Pasar, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
4. Penang Batik
Batik refers to the technique of dyeing textiles with patterns by utilizing the traditional method of resist dyeing. Batik clothing is a popular form of clothing in South East Asia primarily in countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering about the craft of Batik then a visit to the Penang Batik Factory is a must during your visit to Penang. Here, visitors will be able to witness artisans at work with a free tour around the factory. There is also a shop on-site for you to purchase your own batik clothing as a souvenir. Prices are on the more expensive side but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
Related: 10 Stress-free Things to Do in Teluk Bahang
Address: 651 Jalan Teluk Bahang, Penang Island 11000, Malaysia
Business Hours: 9 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. (Daily)
Tel: 04-885 1284
5. Meera Sahib Spices
Little India in George Town, Penang, is the state’s modest take of the motherland. There are plenty of things to do and see at Little India such as enjoying a banana leaf meal at an Indian restaurant or simply strolling down its streets, immersing yourself in the Indian culture. But if you’re shopping for souvenirs at little India, then a stop at one of its spice stores should be on your list. Meera Sahib is such a place where you can obtain high-quality Indian spices. The store dates back to 1954 when it was founded by Mohamed Meera Sahib who originated from India. Today, Meera Sahib is a trusted and renowned importer, exporter, wholesaler, and retailer of spices, herbs, and dates in Penang. Aside from spices, one can also obtain traditional Indian clothing such as Sarees and Jeepas as souvenirs for their loved ones in Little India.
Related: Top 5 Things To Do Near Little India Penang
Address: 116, Penang St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
6. Nutmeg from Ghee Hup Nutmeg Factory
Nutmeg products are our next entry on this list of must-buy souvenirs in Penang. The owner of Ghee Hup Nutmeg Factory is very passionate about nutmegs and will carefully explain the details of processing nutmegs from raw fruits to the final product. Unfortunately, visitors will not be able to see how nutmegs are processed but there are several nutmeg trees in the area for your viewing. Nutmeg products such as oils, creams, and juices are all available for purchase here.
Related: 10 Road-Trip Worthy Things to Do in Balik Pulau
Address: 202-A Jalan Teluk Bahang, Balik Pulau, Penang Island 11000, Malaysia
Tel: +60 16-433 6303
7. Roti Jari
Roti Jari is a popular Malaysian snack, especially amongst the older generation. This crunchy biscuit is usually enjoyed alongside a hot beverage making it the perfect teatime snack. If you were to ask anyone in Penang where you can get these delicious biscuits, two places often get mentioned: Hup Hoe Biscuit and Him Heang. These two biscuit manufacturers are among the top biscuit manufacturers in Penang offering a wide range biscuit. There are plenty of biscuits and other popular Malaysian snacks available at these stores so be sure to pay them a visit while you’re in Penang. All in all, one cannot go wrong with a bag of Roti Jari biscuit as a souvenir, making it a worthy inclusion in this list of must-buy souvenirs in Penang.
Hup Hoe Biscuit
Address: 1629, Jalan Besar, 14100 Simpang Ampat, Pulau Pinang
Business Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Daily)
Him Heang
Address: 162, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Business Hours: 8.30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed on Sundays
8. Penang White Coffee
White Coffee is a unique Malaysian beverage enjoyed by many. For those of you who didn’t know already, the coffee beans used to produce white coffee are not white. Instead, coffee beans are roasted with palm oil margarine, ground, brewed and served with sweetened condensed milk. The drink gets its color from the milk that is used. Although originating from Ipoh, white coffee can also be found in Penang. This unique beverage is a staple for many Kopitiams in Penang, enjoyed by locals and travelers alike. Coffee Tree in Penang is one the main players in Penang’s white coffee scene offering tourists a chance to sample and purchase white coffee as souvenirs. Aside from white coffee, visitors can also sample and purchase chocolates at Coffee Tree.
Address: 20B, Jalan Bagan Jermal, George Town, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Business Hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Daily)
So, there you have it, 8 must-buy souvenirs in Penang before you leave. As always, if you feel we missed out on a couple of your favorite souvenirs in Penang, be sure to drop a comment below. From everyone here at Penang Foodie, we hope you enjoyed your stay in Penang and look forward to having you back in the future. Cheers!
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