When someone says nasi lemak, we can all agree that the aromatic coconut rice dish is one of Malaysia’s proudest local food. Some may even call it our national dish! YES, that is exactly how much we Malaysians love our nasi lemak! So, today’s article is a tribute to this favourite local dish – introducing 10 BEST places to enjoy fragrant nasi lemak in Penang!
10 Best Nasi Lemak Spots You Must Try In Penang
1. Ali Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang
Of course, we’re starting off the list with Penang’s famous Michelin-selected Ali Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang! This grab-and-go stall offers traditional nasi lemak that is wrapped into a triangular shape using banana leaf. Featuring 6 variations, you can choose to pair the chilli capped coconut rice with anchovies and hard-boiled egg (the classic combination), or chicken, fried fish, salted fish, squid and prawn.
However, do take note that their signature sambal is definitely on the (very) spicier side! The portion is also pretty small, so we recommend to get 2 – 3 packets per pax if you can handle the heat~
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Address: Sri Weld Food Court, Beach St, Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Penang
Operating Hours: 7am – 2pm (Mon – Fri), 7am – 1pm (Sat) | Closed on Sun
Status: Muslim-owned
Link(s): Instagram
2. Wakzee Nasi Lemak
Operated by two ex-flight crew, this humble nasi lemak stall blew up on Penang’s food scene during the pandemic. Wakzee Nasi Lemak is owned by Hana and Zee who both worked for Malindo Air; Hana was a flight attendant while Zee was in flight catering. However, the couple were unfortunately retrenched because of the dip in the aviation industry back in 2020.
The banana-leaf wrapped nasi lemak includes freshly prepared ingredients like rice, kuah, and toppings. Each packet is mouthwatering as you unwrap it to reveal fragrant nasi lemak drenched with spicy savoury kuah. Choose from 4 types of Nasi Lemak: standard, chicken, fish, prawn, or mix. Additionally, they also serve different types of fried fritters like Pisang Goreng, Cucur Udang, Cekodok Pisang, and more!
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Address: 105, Macalister Road 10450, George Town, Penang
Operating Hours: 7am – 2.30pm (Mon – Fri), 7am – 1.30pm (Sat) | Closed on Sunday
Status: Muslim-owned
3. Aunty Hasnah Nasi Lemak
Aunty Hasnah Nasi Lemak is owned by an 81-year-old Muallaf Aunty that sells halal coconut rice with plenty of dishes to choose from! This humble spot offers 3 types of curry: mutton, chicken and beef. There are reviews indicating that the dishes are full of flavour and the meat (beef) is very tender, so we recommend trying that out! You can also opt for cuttlefish, salted fish, sambal egg, fried prawns and more~
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Address: Beside Quaters, Balai Bomba, Jln Perak, 11600 Jelutong, Penang
Operating Hours: 7.30am – 11.30am (Closed on Sun)
Status: Muslim-owned
4. Nasi Lemak Liverpool
Liverpool? That’s right, just like the name suggests, Nasi Lemak Liverpool is the perfect place for football fans! This is because you get to watch live screenings of football matches outdoors while enjoying a delicious plate of nasi lemak.
Nasi Lemak Liverpool has been around since 2000, serving aromatic coconut rice for 24 years! Choose from a variety of side dishes like rendang chicken, sambal prawns and more. Fried chicken is a must try here as it is addictively crispy and cooked to perfection. Their sambal is also loved by many, but inclines toward the sweeter side of the palate~
Address: 92, Jalan Tan Sri Teh Ewe Lim Jelutong, 11600 George Town, Penang
Operating Hours: 5pm – 12am (Closed on Tue)
Status: Muslim-owned
5. Nasi Lemak Ciksue
Nasi Lemak Ciksue is a popular place that serves both traditional Malay cuisine and Western-style dishes in Penang! This small corner shop offers promising nasi lemak with spicy sambal, fried anchovies and peanuts that is pretty big in portions. You can opt to pair it with Ayam Goreng, Ayam Kunyit (Turmeric Chicken), Paru Sambal (Fried Beef Lungs) & more!
It’s also the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for more options, as they also serve local dishes such as Roti Bakar and Lontong as well as Western food like Chicken Chop too~
Address: 195, Jalan Dato Keramat, 10150 George Town, Penang
Operating Hours: 7am – 1am
Status: Muslim-owned
6. Paya Terubong Nasi Lemak
This ever famous trishaw nasi lemak in Penang has a queue that starts as early as 4am! Yes, we know that this might sound crazy, but their nasi lemak has got some skills~ Let us fill you in on some context: this prominent stall is a family-run business that has been operating for more than 3 decades!
On days when business is doing well, this place can sell around 800 packets of nasi lemak! Their sambal has a nice balance of spicy, salty and tangy flavours as they use a generous amount of dried shrimps and chilli paste. You can also opt for side dishes like fried fish, assam prawn, curry chicken and more~
Address: Sin Ming Huat Coffee Shop, 200, Jln Paya Terubung, Paya Terubong, 11060 Ayer Itam, Penang
Operating Hours: 4.30am – 9am (Closed on Tue)
Status: Pork-Free
Link(s): Facebook
7. Foo House Pandan Nasi Lemak
Green nasi lemak!? Yes, Foo House is popular for their green-coloured nasi lemak cooked with fragrant pandan. They serve more than 20 side dishes, like fried chicken, otak-otak, siham, squid curry, assam fish, sambal petai and more! If you enjoy spicy food, don’t forget to get their signature kuah campur (mixed gravy) and homemade sambal (chilli paste) as well.
They used to be a stall in a nearby coffee shop before expanding to their very own place in March 2023. Trust us when we say that you will not regret queuing for the yummy nasi lemak here!
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Address: 1-1-6, Kenari Avenue, Tingkat Kenari 5, Sungai Ara, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Operating Hours: 9am – 3pm (Closed on Tue)
Status: Non-Halal
8. Nasi Lemak Cili Bilis
This famous nasi lemak kukus (steamed coconut rice) spot won the Penang Hawker Masters Contest back in 2012! We’ve heard that the secret to their special nasi lemak kukus is the santan. Instead of coconut milk, they use palm-based santan that gives a different aroma to their steamed coconut rice!
Basically, each plate of nasi lemak kukus comes with the usual hard boiled egg, traditional sambal, ikan bilis and peanuts. You can also upgrade your nasi lemak with their super crispy fried chicken (recommended) or fried egg~
Address: Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, Gurney Dr, 10250 George Town, Penang
Operating Hours: 4.30pm – 11pm (Closed on Wed)
Status: Muslim-owned
Link(s): Facebook
9. Nasi Lemak @ Maga Restaurant
Located in Maga Kopitiam at Perak Road, this humble Chinese nasi lemak stall lets you choose from over 20 dishes to pair with your coconut rice! Yes that’s right, you get to create your own delicious plate of Nasi Lemak with the yummy dishes you choose from the displayed choices. They offer a variety of dish selections such as fried chicken, otak-otak, sambal prawns, fried fish and more~
Address: Maga Restaurant, 382, Jln Perak, Taman Desa Green, 11600 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: 2.30pm – 6pm (Closed on Sun)
Status: Non-Halal
10. Nasi Lemak Cedok Proton
This roadside nasi lemak food truck is the place to go if you’re craving for some delicious nasi lemak for dinner or supper! Nasi Lemak Cedok Proton is parked opposite Proton Sales Gallery in Jelutong, and they serve more than 15+ dishes including fried chicken, sambal sotong (squid), sambal kerang (cockles) and more! The whole vibrant food truck also gives off a pretty cute vibe, don’t you think?
Address: Lengkok Dumbar, Bukit Dumbar, 11600 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang (Opposite Proton Sales Gallery, Jelutong)
Operating Hours: 5pm – 12am (Closed Sat & Sun)
Status: Muslim-owned
Link(s): Facebook
Time To Check Off All The Nasi Lemak Spots On This List!
Foodies, what are some of your favourite nasi lemak spots? Let us know so we can try them out too! Of course, food and flavour is pretty subjective for everyone but hopefully we’re able to give some pretty good suggestions! All this writing is making us crave for some fragrant coconut rice, heading out to get it for lunch right now! Buhbye~
Also read: 13 Unique Must-Try Street Food In Penang (2024 Edition)
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