Penang is indeed the food heaven in Malaysia with lots of yummy local delights that everyone loves. There are a lot of well-known restaurants and hawker stalls in Penang, but the locals surely know better than that. Here’s a list of hidden gems recommended by the locals for you to discover during your visit in Penang. Check this out!
(The restaurants are listed in no particular order.)
1. Wood Fire Pizza
I bet no one will ever think of having pizzas when comes to Penang. Wood Fire Pizza – as the name suggested, the pizzas here are baked using wood fire method so it takes longer time to serve – usually eats up 30 minutes or more. However, good food deserves some wait! If you have some time to spare, do not hesitate to come here for some good pizzas. You definitely won’t regret it.
2. Te Chang You Tiao Wang
Here we have another unexpected food choice in Penang - Te Chang You Tiao Wang, which literally means the king of super long You Tiao in Mandarin. The You Tiao here is served in creative ways, stuffing the ultimate long You Tiao with ingredients like sausages, tuna and chicken floss. Crispy and delightfully chewy, it’s the best to have it with soy milk as breakfast!
3. BM Cup Rice Restaurant
If you haven’t already know, cup rice is one of the must-haves in Penang, especially this one in Bukit Mertajam - BM Cup Rice Restaurant that has been running for three generations. Cup rice is steamed rice in small aluminium bowl, then it’s turned over and served upside down on a plate together with meaty goodness like roasted pork and roasted chicken. The gravy is so good that will makes you wipe your plate clean!
4. Stir Fried Sago @ Lebuh Cecil Market
Stir Fried Sago, this traditional noodle dish is hard to be seen anywhere. This Chinese stall in Lebuh Cecil Market is said to be the only remaining stall in Penang that serves this dish. The sago is mixed with potato starch and shaped into kuey teow like noodle, then cooked with bean sprout, dried shrimps and chili sauce. Just don’t leave Lebuh Cecil Market without trying this delicious dish!
5. Apam Balik @ Kedai Kopi Swee Kong
If the locals were asked where to get the most delicious Apam Balik, you will sure get this answer - Kedai Kopi Swee Kong. To be precise, it’s located in front of Swee Kong. One of the reason why this Apam Balik stall stands a place in the locals’ hearts is because of their use of charcoal in baking the Apam Balik. Super crispy in every bites, beware, it will get you hooked!
6. Kafe Kek Seng
Kek Seng is famed for its ice kacang with homemade durian ice cream. Most of the locals are familiar with this kopitiam, and many are regular customers. If you’re a durian lover, then you must not miss this when you’re in Penang! Ice kacang topped with rich and smooth durian ice cream, agar-agar, corns, red beans and others, every spoonful contains yummy chunks that will make you crave for more!
7. Ali Nasi Lemak
Nasi Lemak is all Malaysian’s favourite, and Penangians especially love this Ali Nasi Lemak located at Lebuh Pantai, Georgetown. It’s so yummy that most of the customers claimed that they can finish few servings at one go. There are 3 different flavours: fish, anchovies and shrimps. The Nasi Lemak here is wrapped in banana leaves for the extra delightful fragrance. Just come here and grab your Nasi Lemak ‘bungkus’ without regret!
8. Duck Noodle @ Sungai Pinang Hawker Junction
You can always find the best local tastes at hawker stalls. This duck noodle at Sungai Pinang Hawker Junction has gained a lot of good reviews by customers for its rich herbal soup base and tender duck meats. It is so good that most of the days the noodle sold out before 10am, so it’s advised to be early if you wish to have real ‘ho liao’ during your stay in Penang!
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