Penang Food Trail 2026

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Penang Food Trail 2026




These were the places we visited and ate at, as regular paying customers, on the Penang Food Trail 2026 in Penang Island, Penang, Malaysia.




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Day 1
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Air Itam Market Annex Food Court
@ Jalan Pasar, Pekan Ayer Itam, Ayer Itam, Penang 11500, Malaysia


Travelled to the Air Itam Market Annex Food Court, located near our ancestral home village. The place brings a sense of order and cleanliness to the former streetside stalls, and it remains a bustling and lively place.

Air Itam Market Annex Food Court



Enjoyed the Assam Laksa (MYR RM7) from Penang Air Itam Laksa Stall, the taste profile as punchy and intense as before.

Penang Air Itam Laksa Stall (Opening Hours: Wed - Sun 10:30am – 5pm, Closed Mon & Tue)


Assam Laksa (MYR RM7)


Assam Laksa


Assam Laksa



The Fried Oyster Omelette (MYR RM13) from Ayer Itam Oyster Omelette Stall surprised us because it was perfectly executed and generous in portion size. The chili was lovely with a tingling fiery kick.

Ayer Itam Oyster Omelette Stall (Opening Hours: Daily 6:30am – 5pm)


Fried Oyster Omelette (MYR RM13)


Fried Oyster Omelette


Fried Oyster Omelette



Observed the Chendul / Chendol (MYR RM5) from Air Itam Chendol Stall to have less gravy or soup as compared to elsewhere, but the taste profile is on point and nicely addictive.

Air Itam Chendol Stall (Opening Hours: Daily 6:30am – 5pm)


Chendul / Chendol (MYR RM5)


Chendul / Chendol






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Gurney Drive Hawker Centre
@ 172 Solok Gurney 1, Pulau Tikus, Jelutong, Penang 10250, Malaysia


It's been years since we've dined at Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, the place is much more clean and orderly now, with a lively atmosphere in the evenings. Pity there is no longer a waterfront view though, due to the Andaman Island reclamation project going on nearby.

Gurney Drive Hawker Centre


Gurney Drive Hawker Centre



The Wonton Noodles / Wantan Noodles And Sui Kow Dumpling Soup Set (MYR RM15.50) from 85 Wan Than Mee Stall is a reliably tasty meal. The hearty and well-executed Wonton Noodles / Wantan Noodles (MYR RM7) is complemented by the handmade and generous Sui Kow Dumpling Soup (MYR RM8.50) which interestingly features fish meat.

85 Wan Than Mee Stall (Opening Hours: Daily 3pm – 11:59pm)


Wonton Noodles / Wantan Noodles And Sui Kow Dumpling Soup Set (MYR RM15.50)


Wonton Noodles / Wantan Noodles (MYR RM7)


Wonton Noodles / Wantan Noodles


Sui Kow Dumpling Soup (MYR RM8.50)


Sui Kow Dumpling Soup




Wonton Noodles / Wantan Noodles And Sui Kow Dumpling Soup Set



The Pasembur (MYR RM22) from the chain Gani Famous Pasembur Stall is a huge sharing platter for a family or friends, comprising fresh vegetables, addictive deep-fried fritters, and assorted ingredients, all coated in a rich gravy. Prices are a little steeper than other stalls, but more people makes it more value-for-money.

Gani Famous Pasembur Stall (Opening Hours: Daily 3pm – 11:59pm)


Gani Famous Pasembur Stall


Pasembur (MYR RM22)




Pasembur




Pasembur



The Muah Chee (MYR RM5) from Gurney Drive Muar Chee 55 Stall is a delicious dessert treat, worth sharing between family and friends. The friendly owner is thorough in ensuring each piece of chewy glutinous rice dough is well coated in the crunchy signature mix of finely ground roasted peanuts, white sugar, and toasted sesame seeds.

Gurney Drive Muar Chee 55 Stall (Opening Hours: Daily 4pm – 10pm)


Muah Chee (MYR RM5)


Muah Chee


Muah Chee






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Day 2
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Lorong Selamat Hawkers
@ 6A Lorong Selamat / 98 Lorong Selamat, George Town, Penang 10400, Malaysia


A rather uncommon dish in this part of Malaysia, the Loh Mee (MYR RM7) from Ah Joo Loh Mee Stall tends towards a deeper savoury salty taste profile. The gravy is thick and gloopy, but without the use of black vinegar.

Ah Joo Loh Mee Stall (Opening Hours: Sun - Fri 7:45am – 2:30pm, Closed Sat)


Ah Joo Loh Mee Stall


Loh Mee (MYR RM7)


Loh Mee



An intriguing brand name for a streetside hawker stall, the Char Koay Teow (MYR RM10) from Goggle Man Char Kuey Teow Stall is delicious, perfect with smoky wok hei / breath of the wok and a punchy seasoning.

Goggle Man Char Kuey Teow Stall (Opening Hours: Fri - Wed 10am – 5pm, Closed Thu)


Goggle Man Char Kuey Teow Stall


Goggle Man Char Kuey Teow Stall


Char Koay Teow (MYR RM10)


Char Koay Teow


Char Koay Teow






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Tan Jetty Prawn Fritters & Loh Bak Stall
@ 90-A Pengkalan Weld, Clan Jetties, George Town, Penang 10300, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 6pm


A humble takeaway-only stall next to the waterfront, the 5 Spice Roll / Wu Xiang Xia Bing / Loh Bak (MYR RM7) from Tan Jetty Prawn Fritters & Loh Bak Stall only features 3 signature deep-fried fritters, yet each is done to consistent standards, freshly made daily. Expect a short queue as customers patiently wait for each freshly deep-fried batch to be ready.

Tan Jetty Prawn Fritters & Loh Bak Stall


Tan Jetty Prawn Fritters & Loh Bak Stall


5 Spice Roll / Wu Xiang Xia Bing / Loh Bak (MYR RM7)


5 Spice Roll / Wu Xiang Xia Bing / Loh Bak


5 Spice Roll / Wu Xiang Xia Bing / Loh Bak






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Kimberley Street Hawkers
@ 9 Jalan Sungai Ujong / 135 Lebuh Kimberley, George Town, Penang 10100, Malaysia


The signature Wonton Noodles / Wantan Noodles (MYR RM18.90) from HQ Kitchen Restaurant & Cafe gets each component of the dish absolutely right. From the springy handmade noodles, to the bouncy pork wonton / wantan dumplings, to the tender smoky sweet caramelised char siu / marinated barbecued pork, the crisp siu yuk / roast pork belly, and the tasty soy-based gravy, each piece of this plate was a delight. This stall apparently relocated from Ipoh to Penang in August 2025.

HQ Kitchen Restaurant & Cafe (Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 7:30am – 2:30pm, Closed Sat - Sun)


HQ Kitchen Restaurant & Cafe


HQ Kitchen Restaurant & Cafe


Wonton Noodles / Wantan Noodles (MYR RM18.90)


Wonton Noodles / Wantan Noodles








Wonton Noodles / Wantan Noodles



An exceedingly rare dish in this part of Malaysia, the Koay Chap (MYR RM12) from Kimberley Street Duck Kway Chap Stall is the best example of its kind in the city. With clean well-cooked ingredients and a generous portion size, little wonder they constantly draw a crowd from afternoon to evening.

Kimberley Street Duck Kway Chap Stall (Opening Hours: Daily 1pm – 10pm)


Koay Chap (MYR RM12)


Koay Chap


Koay Chap






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Day 3
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Sri Weld Food Court
@ Beach Street, George Town, Penang 10300, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 7am – 3pm, Closed Sun


A busy place frequented by office workers and tourists, the Sri Weld Food Court offers a diverse range of stalls, making it a good place for sampling a variety of popular hawker food in Penang, Malaysia.

Sri Weld Food Court



The most popular stall here is the 4-time Michelin Guide listed (from 2023 to 2026) Ali Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang Stall, attracting long but fast-moving queues daily. Founded by 'Ali' Mansor Bin Musa before July 2003, the stall is now operated by his wife Wasnita Binti Idris, and his son Safiq Bin Mansor. Simple but comforting, their Nasi Lemak (MYR RM3) is a satisfying and quick takeaway breakfast or lunch. The banana leaf wrapper infuses the fluffy coconut rice with fragrance, and the unapologetically spicy sambal tumis / stir-fried chili paste is tongue‑numbing incendiary. Customers love it for its fiery kick! They offer 6 signature toppings; I ordered the Bilis Telur rendition with deep-fried ikan bilis / anchovies and hard-boiled chicken egg.

Ali Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang Stall


Ali Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang Stall


Preparing Nasi Lemak Bilis Telur


Nasi Lemak (MYR RM3)


Nasi Lemak



The Hock Kian Prawn Mee (MYR RM8) from Sri Weld Food Court Hock Kian Prawn Mee Stall is cited as being among the best dishes here, at least as regaled to me by 3 different taxi drivers. Their word is true, this packs a robust flavour profile that is yummy and addictive. Generous with their noodles, this was very filling.

Sri Weld Food Court Hock Kian Prawn Mee Stall


Hock Kian Prawn Mee (MYR RM8)


Hock Kian Prawn Mee



The Koay Teow Th'ng (MYR RM7) from Sri Weld Food Court Koay Teow Th'ng Stall was simple and comforting, a delight. Added a whisked egg for additional flavour and texture, enjoyed this immensely.

Sri Weld Food Court Koay Teow Th'ng Stall


Koay Teow Th'ng (MYR RM7)


Koay Teow Th'ng






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Esplanade Park Food Court / Astaka Kota Selera
@ Jalan Padang Kota Lama, George Town, Penang 10450, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 11am – 8pm, Closed Sun


Among the most scenic open-air hawker centres around, the Esplanade Park Food Court is popular for its views of lush greenery, proximity to tourist attractions, and wide variety of hawker food. Also known as Astaka Kota Selera, the place was renovated and modernised, re-opening in October 2025.

Esplanade Park Food Court / Astaka Kota Selera


Esplanade Park Food Court / Astaka Kota Selera



The Teh Tarik (MYR RM4) from Esplanade Park Food Court Stall 19 Fresh Squeeze was expertly pulled, with a beautiful frothy foam head. It's smooth and rich in texture, with bright milky bitter earthy sweet flavour.

Teh Tarik (MYR RM4)


Teh Tarik



Expect long queues for a plate of Mee Goreng Sotong (MYR RM9), or Mee Sotong, from Hameed Pata Stall. This famed stall was established by Shahul Hameed in 1977, and their rendition is defined by its thick bright‑red hue, glossy slippery smooth cuttlefish, and chewy yellow egg noodles with wok hei / breath of the wok, all liberally coated in their signature gravy which is boldly smoky sweet spicy in flavour. Long-time customers of the stall attest the taste to be consistent since the 1970s, a delicious nostalgia passed down through the generations.

Hameed Pata Stall


Mee Goreng Sotong (MYR RM9)


Mee Goreng Sotong


Mee Goreng Sotong



The Nasi Goreng (MYR RM6) from Esplanade Park Food Court Nasi Goreng Ayam Stall was decent enough, with the highlight being the ultra crispy deep-fried ikan bilis / anchovies coated in sambal tumis / stir-fried chili paste that was addictive with fishy salty savoury spice flavour. I felt the seasoning for the rice could have been stronger. The fried chicken egg was perfectly executed with a beautiful runny yolk.

Esplanade Park Food Court Nasi Goreng Ayam Stall


Nasi Goreng (MYR RM6)


Nasi Goreng






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Day 4
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Roti Canai Jalan Argyll Stall
@ Jalan Argyll, George Town, Penang 10050, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily 6am – 1pm
https://www.facebook.com/RotiCanaiArgyll/


Opened at some point in time before July 2015, the Roti Canai Jalan Argyll Stall is praised for its delicious flatbread renditions and richly spiced curries. It's central location makes it a convenient breakfast spot, said to regularly sell out around lunch.

Roti Canai Jalan Argyll Stall


Roti Canai Jalan Argyll Stall


Roti Canai


Roti Canai



The Roti Canai Kosong / Plain (MYR RM1.50) has beautiful crisp and fluffy textures, slightly chewy with bready savoury flavour. Goes so well with the rich thick chicken curry which lends a deep savoury salty spice flavour.

Roti Canai Kosong / Plain (MYR RM1.50)


Roti Canai Kosong / Plain



The Roti Canai Telur Bawang / Egg And Onion (MYR RM4.50), filled with whisked chicken egg and diced red onions, is crisp fluffy soft bouncy in texture, with bready savoury vegetal eggy sweet flavour, yum.

Roti Canai Telur Bawang / Egg And Onion (MYR RM4.50)


Roti Canai Telur Bawang / Egg And Onion






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Rempah Ratus Banana Leaf Cafe
@ 24 Lebuh Penang, George Town, Penang 10020, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Tue - Sun 11am – 10pm, Closed Mon
https://www.instagram.com/rempahratus/


Opened in September 2023, Rempah Ratus Banana Leaf Cafe is a South Indian casual restaurant specialising in traditional banana leaf rice meals, otherwise known as Sappadu / Sadya / Thali. With a name that translates to 'hundreds of spices', their dishes boast complex layers of spices, resulting in aromatic and bold tasting meals.

Rempah Ratus Banana Leaf Cafe


Rempah Ratus Banana Leaf Cafe


Rempah Ratus Banana Leaf Cafe





There's a variety of Sappadu / Sadya / Thali (MYR RM23.90) here, each served with a choice of 1 meat or fish, and a pre-determined 2 vegetables-of-the-day, 1 sambar, 1 rasam, white rice, and 1 papadum, over a banana leaf lined plate. Opted for the Mutton Varuval, which was tender and chewy with pleasant meaty savoury salty earthy spice flavour. The pre-determined vegetables-of-the-day included a Spinach Thoran which was creamy and gloopy with vegetal earthy savoury sweet spice flavour, and a Eggplant Kurkuri which was crispy and tender with vegetal salty spice savoury flavour. The Sambar was medium-thick chunky with vegetal sweet tangy sour zesty earthy bitter salty spice flavour, while the Rasam was medium-thin watery with vegetal sweet tangy sour zesty earthy bitter herbal spice flavour.

Sappadu / Sadya / Thali (MYR RM23.90)


Sappadu / Sadya / Thali
















Sappadu / Sadya / Thali


Sappadu / Sadya / Thali






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Meera Biryani
@ 99 Penang Street, George Town, Penang 10200, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 10pm


Opened in January 2021, Meera Biryani is a small casual eatery, well-regarded for their large generous portion sizes and use of natural spices, including the luxurious Medina saffron, to perfume their rice.

Meera Biryani



Their Biryani (MYR RM19.90) is lighter yet richer in flavour profile than elsewhere, and the choice of meat (we opted for mutton) is fall-off-the-bone tender. Has a home-cooked feel, punching above the value for money quality you'll receive.

Biryani (MYR RM19.90)


Biryani


Biryani






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Day 5
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Nasi Dalca Rahim
@ 63 Queen Street, George Town, Penang 10450, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 10pm


Established since 1948, Nasi Dalca Rahim is a humble road side stall that is notable for serving hearty and affordable plates that remain largely consistent in taste profile through the years.

Nasi Dalca Rahim



The Nasi Dalca (MYR RM11.50) features an uncommon technique of cooking long-grain basmati rice together with toor dal / split pigeon pea lentils, a medley of spices (salt, turmeric, coriander, cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaves, garlic paste, ginger paste, curry leaves), vegetables (carrots, red onions, tomatoes, potatoes), and water, infusing each grain with bold flavour. The dish is topped with a choice of protein, typically fried chicken, chicken curry, or mutton; we'd opted for the latter, and the bone-in mutton chunk had meat which was incredibly off-off-the-bone tender, with meaty savoury salty spice flavour. Completed with a hard-boiled chicken egg and a generous scoop of more dal gravy.

Nasi Dalca (MYR RM11.50)


Nasi Dalca


Nasi Dalca






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Penang Famous Samosa
@ 45 Queen Street, George Town, Penang 10200, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 7pm
https://www.facebook.com/people/Penang-Famous-Samosa/100057503887298/


Established around 1989, the Penang Famous Samosa is a long-serving, Michelin Guide listed, historic snack stall that offers a wide variety of South Indian fritters. The owner-chef Mohamad Khorum folds, fills, and deep-fries fresh batches of fritters daily, drawing a constant stream of customers craving these traditional snacks made with consistency and skill.

Penang Famous Samosa



The Bhaji Onion (MYR RM1) has a crispy exterior, a spongy interior, and enticing smoky vegetal earthy savoury salty sweet spice flavour, with the smokiness of caramelised red onion being pronounced.

Bhaji Onion (MYR RM1)


Bhaji Onion



The Vadai Medu (MYR RM1) has a pleasant crisp outside fluffy inside texture, with mild vegetal earthy savoury spice flavour from the vigna mungo / black gram bean / urad bean.

Vadai Medu (MYR RM1)


Vadai Medu



The Samosa Chicken (MYR RM1.50) has a delightfully crunchy pastry shell, with a tender filling of spiced shredded chicken and potatoes.

Samosa Chicken (MYR RM1.50)


Samosa Chicken


Samosa Chicken



Never had a Samosa Egg (MYR RM1.50) before, and I enjoyed this, with its crunchy pastry shell and bouncy filling of hard-boiled chicken egg and spiced potatoes.

Samosa Egg (MYR RM1.50)


Samosa Egg


Samosa Egg






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Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu
@ 2 & 4 Lebuh Chulia, George Town, Penang 10200, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily 7am – 5pm
https://nlbh.my/


Hailing from Kuala Lumpur where it opened in August 2023, the Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu stall branch in Penang opened in April 2025. The stall's appeal and popularity is attributable to its well-executed and consistently tasty dishes, large generous portion sizes, and lengthy operating hours till the wee hours of the morning.

Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu



Every component of their Nasi Lemak (MYR RM15.40) is delicious and well-executed. The coconut milk infused white rice is fluffy with milky earthy sweet savoury grainy flavour, the cucumber slices are juicy with vegetal sweet flavour, the deep-fried ikan bilis / anchovies are crunchy with fishy salty savoury flavour, and the fried chicken egg is springy with eggy sweet savoury flavour. Their ayam goreng / fried chicken has a crispy skin, tender chicken meat, and carries smoky meaty savoury salty spice flavour. Their sambal tumis / stir-fried chili paste is chunky with sweet salty spice flavour, yum.

Nasi Lemak (MYR RM15.40)


Nasi Lemak


Nasi Lemak



Their Sambal Sotong (MYR RM8.40) was interesting, with the slippery bouncy chunks of cuttlefish coated in a thick sambal tumis / stir-fried chili paste enhanced with crushed peanuts, lending the neutral cuttlefish a bold sweet savoury spice nutty flavour.

Sambal Sotong (MYR RM8.40)






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Brussels Beer Cafe & Godiva
@ L1-33 / L1-10A, 163D Gurney Drive, George Town, Penang 10250, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily 12pm – 10pm
https://www.brusselsbeercafe.com/


Opened in November 2012, the Brussels Beer Cafe is operated by the Euro Bier Koncepts Sendirian Berhad. Notable for its wide range of imported beers, authentic European food served in large generous portions, attentive service, and relaxed ambience, the Brussels Beer Cafe is a destination of choice for mid-range dining in the city.

Brussels Beer Cafe Exterior


Brussels Beer Cafe Interior



The Beer Leffe Brune (MYR RM34) is a Belgian dark ale, brewed by Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) in Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium. It has a dark brown black colour and a beige foam head, with aromas of roasted malt, banana, black raisin, and toffee. The body is creamy, syrupy, and soft, with tastes of rye bread, brown sugar, clove, and red apple, carrying fruity bready bitter sweet smoky candied flavour, and a short dry finish.

Beer Leffe Brune (MYR RM34)


Beer Leffe Brune



Enjoyed the Skewers here. The Mala Pork Skewer (MYR RM3.5 Per Skewer) is thick and chunky with a firm juicy chew to texture, bursting with numbing smoky meaty salty spice flavour. The Cumin Lamb Skewer (MYR RM6 Per Skewer) has a tender moist chew to texture, coating the palate with smoky meaty salty savoury fatty spice flavour. Highly recommended!

Skewers - Mala Pork Skewer (MYR RM3.5 Per Skewer), Cumin Lamb Skewer (MYR RM6 Per Skewer)


Skewers - Mala Pork Skewer, Cumin Lamb Skewer


Skewers - Mala Pork Skewer, Cumin Lamb Skewer



Loved the Timeless Hot Dog (MYR RM35). The base is a warm fluffy soft hotdog bread bun with bready sweet flavour, filled with fresh crisp lettuce with vegetal sweet flavour, crisp juicy sauerkraut with vegetal sour tangy zesty flavour, pliant American cheese with cheesy salty flavour, and a giant snappy crunchy chicken sausage hot dog with smoky meaty savoury salty flavour, finished with thick mustard that lends sour tangy spice flavour. On the side are thick-cut potato steakhouse-size chips, tender and fluffy with starchy salty savoury flavour. Good!

Timeless Hot Dog (MYR RM35)


Timeless Hot Dog






Timeless Hot Dog



The Chocolate Twist Soft Serve Ice Cream (MYR RM30) from Godiva is a luxurious treat. The soft creamy ice cream alternates with chocolatey bitter earthy milky buttery sweet flavour from the twirl of dark chocolate ice cream and white chocolate ice cream finished with milk chocolate sprinkles, with the crunchy wafer cone lending biscuity sweet flavour.

Chocolate Twist Soft Serve Ice Cream (MYR RM30)


Chocolate Twist Soft Serve Ice Cream


Chocolate Twist Soft Serve Ice Cream






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CONVERSATION