Penang (George Town) travel guide
Best Street Food in Penang (George Town): Where & What to Eat
Penang is famous for char kway teow (wok-fired noodles), asam laksa (sour fish-broth noodles), and cendol shaved-ice dessert. George Town’s hawker centres — New Lane, Gurney Drive, Ayer Itam market — serve these for RM5–15 ($1–3), which is why Malaysians call Penang the country’s food capital.
Eating in Penang (George Town): what you need to know
Penang is Malaysia’s food capital and locals will fight you over which stall does each dish best. Rules: eat at hawker centres, follow the longest queue, and never leave without cendol.
Must-try dishes in Penang (George Town)
| Dish | What it is | Where to try it | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Char kway teow | Penang’s defining dish — duck-egg noodles wok-fired with prawns and cockles | Siam Road or Lorong Selamat stalls | RM8–14 |
| Asam laksa | Sour-spicy fish broth with tamarind, mint and torch ginger | Ayer Itam market stall by Kek Lok Si | RM7–10 |
| Cendol | Shaved ice, coconut milk, palm sugar and green rice-flour noodles | Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul | RM4–6 |
The best food spots in Penang (George Town)
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Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul · George Town core
Cuisine: Dessert stall · Expect to pay: RM5
Must order: Original cendol, eaten standing in the lane
Lebuh Keng Kwee, George Town, Penang
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Ayer Itam Asam Laksa · Ayer Itam
Cuisine: Laksa · Expect to pay: RM8
Must order: Asam laksa with extra mint
Jalan Pasar, Ayer Itam, Penang
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New Lane Hawker Centre · George Town
Cuisine: Hawker centre · Expect to pay: RM20
Must order: Char kway teow + BBQ chicken wings + cendol
Lorong Baru, George Town, Penang
Also in malaysia
best street food in Penang (George Town) — FAQs
What food is Penang famous for?
Penang is famous for char kway teow (wok-fired noodles), asam laksa (sour fish-broth noodles), and cendol shaved-ice dessert. George Town’s hawker centres — New Lane, Gurney Drive, Ayer Itam market — serve these for RM5–15 ($1–3), which is why Malaysians call Penang the country’s food capital.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.