For first-time visitors, the eating trip must include these halal restaurants in Penang for a satisfying time.
When I travel and tell my new friends that I’m from Penang, their eyes light up.
Everyone congratulated me for staying on the island with the best halal food.
Most of my new friends will ask for the location of these hidden halal food outlets.
Best Halal Food In Penang
What cuisine is available?
Well, you have the best to pick from in terms of variety.
Let me take you through a few mains, some noodles, Chinese, Indian, Malay, Western, Arabic, and Russian fare to get you going.
As I always tell my new friends, we only eat one meal daily in Penang.
It starts when you wake up and graze through the day and night until you sleep.
Just one long meal.
We start with toasts!
Hidden Halal Food In Penang
The eateries are scattered around Penang and Butterworth.
Some places I go to are by luck; I join the queues where I see people lining up for food!
Toast-Bread with Eggs
What’s so special about toasts with eggs? In Penang, the Chinese Kopitiam uses thick-cut fluffy Hainanese bread.
They toast the best bread over a charcoal flame or steamed over a water boiler.
Yes. The old (defunct) Kopitiam used a copper boiler to heat hot water.
They steam the bread gently to warm it up.
When you order the toast, you will get Coconut Jam (Kaya) and Butter (Planta) spread between 2 slices of crunchy toast.
Try the soft-boiled eggs served in a cup with soy sauce and white pepper.
You get to season the eggs, then dip the toast into the eggy mixture.
I go to Ah Wang Cafe for their coconut jam (Kaya, RM3.50/RM5 per container).
Most of the commercial versions are too sweet or watery for my liking.
The version in this place has a rich taste and lovely texture, just like my grandma made decades ago.
Ah, Wang Cafe has a few bread varieties: white bread, buns, wholemeal bread, and Bengali bread (Indian bread).
Ah Wang Cafe
J-6, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Tanjung Tokong, 10470 Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang
Telephone: 04-898 2318
Hours: 11.30 AM to 6.00 PM (Sundays closed)
Egg and Toast Set. Photo: rainjoe9972
Roti Canai
Roti Canai, also called roti, is a great staple.
After being tossed like a pizza, the flour and oil mixture ball becomes a thin, flat piece of bread.
Once it’s cooked, the outside becomes crunchy.
You can eat Roti Canai with Dahl, chicken curry, fish curry, or even sugar and condensed milk.
For an exciting version, try the Roti Canai Gemas Road.
Eat it with chicken curry, a slice of cheese, and onions—it’s one of the hidden halal restaurants in Penang (in a village) that went viral recently.
Roti Canai Gemas Road
51, 29 Jalan Gemas, Taman Kampar, Penang
Telephone: 012-955 9645
Hours: 7.00 AM to 10.00 PM (Mondays Closed)
Roti Canai with Egg and Cheese. Photo: arinbos
Nasi Melayu
I got to have my nasi and lauk with ulam and sambal.
To Malaysians, they think they are speaking in English, but it’s Manglish.
Imagine how they order food in Halal Restaurants in Penang.
A simple Nasi Melayu comprises nasi (white rice), Lauk (Dishes), and Ulam (an assortment of raw vegetables and herbs) with spicy sambal (pounded chili paste).
White rice is the base for choosing Malay dishes, an assortment of different vegetables, eggs, and sambal.
- Ikan Torpedo (fried fish with Sambal)
- Curry Chicken, Curry Fish
- Ayam Kunyit (turmeric fried chicken)
- Beef Rendang
Pour the gravy (Kuah) all over your rice to taste the delicious flavors that combine so well with the white rice.
Try Nasi Melayu Lidiana opposite the Floating Mosque.
Go early for the Ikan Terubuk.
Nasi Melayu Lidiana
Medan Selera Tanjung Bungah, Opposite Masjid Terapung Tanjung Bungah
Hours: 7.00 AM to 9.00 PM (Sundays Closed)
Nasi Melayu Photo: cathentrine
Penang Nasi Kandar
How can you visit Penang without queuing for a plate of Penang’s original Nasi Kandar?
This Indian Muslim rice dish mixed with curries and gravies from different meats gives it that robust and flavorful taste.
The spices are more robust than the Malay curries.
The dishes include meats like Chicken, Fish, Beef, Mutton, Prawns, Squid, and Duck.
Restaurant Deens Maju Nasi Kandar
170, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Penang
Hours: 2.00 PM to 11.00 PM (Opens Daily)
Telephone: 012-425 2421
Nasi Kandar. Photo: tayennadee
Char Kway Teow
From transparent white to light brown, the flat rice noodles changed their color in preparing Char Kway Teow.
They fry the noodles in a wok with ingredients like bean sprouts, cilantro, prawns, duck egg, and soy sauce.
The duck egg gives the CKT a delicious creaminess and makes it extra tasty.
Most places in Penang serve non-halal Char Kway Teow, but you can easily find halal Char Kway Teow.
Char Koay Teow. Photo: waniekasabian
Bee Hwa Cafe
10, Lebuh Dickens, 10050 George Town, Penang
Landmark: Penang Contingent Police Headquarters
Tel: 04-263-6092
Hours: 7.00 AM to 3.00 PM (Sundays Closed)
Mee Goreng
Mee Mamak or Mee Goreng is a favorite for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The yellow noodles are stir-fried with a salty, sweet, and spicy sauce made with tomatoes and cuttlefish.
Cooked with Cucur Udang, bean sprouts, eggs, and cuttlefish, this dish will have you licking your lips with each mouthful.
Medan Selera Padang Brown serves a range of local cuisines for foodies.
The Mee Goreng stall has been in business for the past 50 years.
Ghani Mee Goreng
Medan Selera Padang Brown, Jalan Perak, 10400 George Town, Penang
Hours: 4.00 PM to 10.00 PM (Tuesdays Closed)
Mee Goreng Photo: klyeoh_foodie
Malay Mee Udang
Mee Udang is not to be confused with Penang Hokkien Mee or Prawn Noodles.
This version has the essence of prawn shells that naturally sweeten the tomatoey soup taste.
Some of the best Malay stalls sell this dish with Ketam (Crabs) and even a side serving of ayam Kunyit (Turmeric-Fried Chicken).
For fresh prawns, check out the Mee Udang Stalls in Teluk Bayu, Gertak Sunggal, Pulau Aman, or Sungai Dua.
Restoran Terapung Pulau Aman
No. 120, Simpang Ampat, 14100, Pulau Aman, Penang
Tel: 016-495 5125
Hours: 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM
Mee Udang Photo: piezaini
Penang Asam Laksa
Penang Assam Laksa Ranked No.7 on CNN’s World’s 50 Best Foods, BUT I like the Malay version more.
You will want to try the Malay-style Laksa Noodles from Laksa Janggus, Balik Pulau.
The handmade rice noodles have a tell-tale, uneven surface and a softer texture.
The fish broth is tasty, with the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors made with flaked mackerel, tamarind, chili, mint, and lemongrass.
They serve this version with half a hard-boiled egg and vegetables like cucumber, onion, and pineapple.
Laksa Janggus
Jalan Baru (Km 6.50) Kampung Perlis, Balik Pulau
Tel: 604-8668819
Hours: 3.30 PM to 8.00 PM (Wednesdays Closed)
Laksa Jaggus Photo: -hvfyzzje
Ais Kacang (ABC Ais Batu Campur)
If you love sweet desserts, head to Penang Hill for a special Ais Kacang menu guaranteed to make you drool.
Since 1986, Kak Nor Café ABC Special has been creating delightful desserts that are not only delicious but also Instagram-worthy.
There are also fresh fruit drinks.
Kak Nor Café ABC Special
No. 20 Penang Hill Food Court
Tel: 011-14253545
Hours: 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM
ABC Penang Hill Photo: magicalboxbymommyd
Cendol
If you don’t want to queue for the Penang Road Famous Teochew Cendol at Lebuh Keng Kwee, Georgetown, try heading to a less crowded spot.
The Chowrasta Bazaar sells secondhand books. Stop by this stall for a bowl of Cendol Pulut.
They make Cendol fresh daily at this stall, which has been operating for 15 years.
It is made of shaved ice, palm sugar, coconut milk, red beans, and green jelly (Cendol).
A sweet and straightforward dessert will leave you wanting more with every spoon.
I add glutinous rice to this Cendol for a delicious, fulfilling treat.
Cendol Pulut
Jalan Chowrasta
Hours: 11.00 AM to 7.00 PM Daily
Chendol Pulut Photo: periodic. food_
Rojak Buah
One of the best halal foods in Penang is a Malaysian salad with raw unripe mangoes, pineapple, jicama, tofu puff, cucumber, and crackers.
Rojak Buah is a teatime snack or after-meal dessert.
Before eating, I drizzled the fresh ingredients with a sweet sauce and topped them with peanuts.
The sauce’s sweetness creates an outstanding balance between sour fruits and raw vegetables.
Rojak Buah & Laksa Pantai Miami
No. 1 Kompleks Pantai Miami,
Jalan Pantai Miami (5.87 mi) Batu Feringgi, Penang
Tel: 012-485 6571
Hours 12.00 PM to 7.00 PM (Tuesdays Closed)
Rojak Buah Photo: ferrararawr
Best Halal Food In Penang
Penang’s hidden halal street food offers tempting flavors that will delight visitors.
Smartdory’s list of the best halal food in Penang awaits you to EXPLORE!
From the tangy Assam Laksa to the savory Char Kway Teow, the refreshing Cendol to the delectable Rojak, there is something to satisfy every palate.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the authentic tastes of Penang’s street food scene, where culinary delights await at every corner.
Share this article with your friends and embark on a gastronomic adventure, discovering the hidden gems of Penang’s halal street food.
It’s an experience that is bound to leave you craving for more.
Are you drooling with excitement yet?
It’s time to head to Penang for a short getaway in food heaven this weekend.
Enjoy!
