FOODS PARADISE IN PENANG

By Chang Yee Jeat

​

Once mention about Penang, the word “Food Paradise” always come first. Penang is being famous as it offers a diverse and exotic mix of 1Malaysia which include Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine. Penang was once recognized having the Best Street Food in Asia by Time magazine in 2004, citing that “nowhere else can such great tasting food be so cheap. Penang also got ranked one of the top ten street food cities in Asia by CNN travel in 2013.

There are a few unique foods that is a must to try in Penang, 1st, Asam Laksa. A proud signature dish of Penang, Assam laksa is a rich and spicy, fish-based soup noodle broth of tamarind juice, chilli paste, lemongrass, topped with prawn paste and mackerel/sardine flakes. It has a tangy, wholesome flavor from the tamarind which some may find it too overpowering.

Recommended stall: Air Itam Laksa- Jalan Pasar, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia (Beside Air Itam Market, closed on every Tuesday)

2nd food must try is Char Koay Teow. Char Koay Teow is made from flat rice noodles fried in super hot wok. Char Hoay Teow is a familiar dish for Singaporeans. And it is a national favourite in Malaysia and Singapore. Of Course, Penang has their fair share of famous char koay teow stalls with their own signature taste.

Recommended stall: Kafe Ping Hooi - 181 Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, 10450 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

3rd food that must try in Penang is Lor Bak. Lor Bak is a food that different kind of deep-fired seasoned strips of pork loin meat wrapped in beancurd skin and a bowl of dipping starchy braised sauce. There are others ingredients like fishcake, tofu, egg and sausage.

Recommended stall: Kheng Pin Cafe - Jalan Penang, Georgetown, 10050 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)

The 4th food you must try in Penang is Nasi kandar which you can find it at mamak around penang and you will fall in love with it. It is indian muslim dish which have a fragrant rice topped with different curry-based meat or vegetables dishes.

Recommended stall: Hameediyah Restaurant - 164, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10200 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

And in Penang, you can’t missed the mee goreng which also an indian muslim dishes. It is a plate of noodles with generous portions of cuttlefish, potatoes and beansprouts and stir-fried with a tangy concoction of tomato, chilli and soy sauce.

Recommended stall: Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng: 280, Jalan Burma, Georgetown, 10350 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia