Bee Hwa Cafe is one of Penang’s popular Kopitiam with a Muslim clientele.
Penang is famous for Kopitiam and Chinese hawker food, but Muslim visitors cannot eat Chinese food as they are non-halal.
Many Muslims are happy finally getting the real Chinese hawker food at Bee Hwa Café.
If you love the nostalgia of an old-school eatery where you meet all Malaysians, Malays, Chinese, Indians – everyone, you will love it here.
For me, it reminds me of the school day canteen.
I remember having the Curry Mee at Bee Hwa over 20 years ago.
Today on the eve of MCO, I decided to visit to write for Smart Dory Food and Travel Blog.
The Kopitiam has a camaraderie where everyone is friendly and a pleasant sight.
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Bee Hwa Cafe History
1967 Bee Hwa started as a traditional Hainanese Kopitiam on Lebuh Dickens opposite the Penang Contingent Police Headquarters.
As a child, I remembered seeing some plainclothes police officers having their meals here, thinking this is the safest place to eat!
In 1992, Ah Lian started selling Chinese PORK FREE local hawker food in Kopitiam– a brilliant move to cater to the niche Muslim market.
There are more than 20 items on the menu.
Bee Hwa Cafe’s customers are of all races, especially Muslims and Indians, who enjoy pork-free dishes.
Bee Hwa Cafe Penang interior
The Significance of Jawi Signage at Bee Hwa Cafe
Many years ago, according to the owner, a Jawi teacher visited to try Penang Char Kway Teow and was bowled over by the dish’s flavor and texture.
The Jawi teacher wrote the sign, and the owner incorporated it as part of their decoration in the Kopitiam.
Bee Hwa Cafe Penang with Sijil Halal displayed
Best Time To Visit Bee Hwa Cafe
The Kopitiam is crowded during breakfast and lunchtime.
It was common practice to share tables with strangers; everyone was friendly and happily obliged.
With the current SOP in place, be prepared to wait, as the shop has limited seating.
In recent years, Bee Hwa Cafe is always busy and full.
Foodwise, the Kopitiam is Pork Free and has a good selection of hawker food, both fried and soupy noodles.
You can have brunch or a light breakfast here, depending on what you want.
You can get your Toast, Egg, and Kopi O if you want something light.
Bee Hwa Cafe Ambiance
Unlike similar Kopitiam of its era, which is run down, Bee Hwa Cafe is remarkably clean and well-ventilated.
If the main dining area is full, customers can be seated at the adjacent shop or on tables along the verandah.
Bee Hwa Cafe Service
When you first arrive, you will find the shop busy.
The best bet is to look around the other tables and observe what other folks eat.
You will see a Chinese man always on the move, directing the customers and taking orders.
The Chinese lady cooks, serving the food and sometimes even serving your meal.
No matter how busy she is, Ah Lian takes the time to answer your questions with a smile.
Bee Hwa Cafe – Popular Breakfast Spot With Muslim Travellers
During breakfast, the Kopitiam is fully packed with customers.
Yes, it is famous as a Muslim-friendly breakfast spot in George Town.
If you visit beyond breakfast time, some items may be sold out.
Bee Hwa caters to everybody as the dishes are halal and completely street food-worthy.
The Kopitiam serves a variety of well-known Penang hawker dishes.
The shop owner does most of the cooking.
Only Chicken (from halal suppliers) and Seafood are used in the cooking.
Most notable: Bee Hwa Cafe does not serve pork, beef, or alcoholic beverages, making the Kopitiam a welcome respite to attract customers from all ethnic and religious backgrounds.
All the different types of noodles come from one kitchen!
Bee Hwa’s Signatures Kopitiam Dishes
One of the most popular items on the menu is their Signature Curry Mee, Hokkien Mee, and Hailam Mee.
Like all Kopitiam-style food, the menu has soupy noodles and stir-fried suitable for all taste buds.
Bee Hwa Cafe Menu
Bee Hwa Cafe will encourage you to add chili padi (bird eye chilies) to your Char Kway Teow if you like it spicier.
The portions are generous; you can always add an extra fried egg for a creamier, more filling satisfaction!
Cooked without pork, the food is healthier but does not lack taste.
Bee Hwa Cafe Menu
Bee Hwa Cafe Soup Noodles Menu
White Curry Mee (RM6.00)
You shouldn’t miss something while you’re in Penang – Curry Mee.
You enjoy halal Curry Mee at Bee Hwa Cafe on Lebuh Dickens without compromising its authentic taste.
Same Yellow Noodles and Bihun bathed in a white, creamy coconut milk broth.
The ingredients are Prawns, Cuttlefish, Crab Sticks, Hard-boiled eggs, Tofu Puffs, and Mint Leaves.
Add the cooked Chili Paste to make the broth spicier in this bowl of awesomeness!
White Curry Mee (RM6.00)
Hokkien Mee (RM6.00)
Penang Hokkien Mee is known as Prawn Mee out of the state.
The noodles combine Yellow Noodles and Bihun (Rice Vermicelli) in a salty broth derived from shrimp heads and shells.
Other garnish ingredients include prawns, fish balls, crab sticks, fishcakes, hard-boiled eggs, Kangkong (water spinach), and sambal (chili paste).
A full table of Soupy and Stir-Fried Dishes.
Penang Chicken Soup – Koay Teow Th’ng (RM6.00)
Koay Teow Th’ng is the best choice for a soupy meal with milder thin flat rice noodles in clear chicken broth.
Chicken, Prawns, Fish Balls, Crab Sticks, Fishcakes, and Yau Mak Lettuce are other ingredients.
Bee Hwa Cafe Stir-Fried Noodles Menu
Char Koay Teow (RM6.00)
Penang’s most iconic street food sold by hawkers is not halal.
If you want to try Penang’s authentic Char Koay Teow, you can get a dish without Pork or Beef.
Most Muslims love to try a halal version of this stir-fried Kway Teow with Prawns, Cockles, Fish Balls, Crabsticks, Eggs, Bean Sprouts, Garlic, Chives, and Chili Paste.
Char Koay Teow is best enjoyed piping hot full of Wok Hey (breath of the wok).
Sang Mee (RM7.00)
A Cantonese noodle, Sang Mee is a crispy egg noodle covered with savory eggy gravy with Chicken, prawns, Fishballs, Crab Sticks, and Yau Mak Lettuce.
The combination of textures is what makes Sang Mee very appealing.
Nasi Goreng or Fried Rice (RM6.00)
Nasi Goreng is one of Malaysians’ staple comfort foods.
You can order Nasi Goreng for a more filling brunch for rice lovers.
Everyone has their favorite combo of stir-fried, cooked rice fried with Prawns, Fish Balls, Crab Sticks, and Eggs in a wok.
The garnish is Yau Mak Lettuce, spring onions, and fried shallots.
Adding chili paste should do the trick to spice things up.
Birthday Mee aka Ladna Style (RM6.00)
You will find a little-known noodle dish called the “birthday mee” or Nyonya Lam Mee.
Nyonya Lam Mee is also known as “Birthday Mee” in Penang.
The dish combines Yellow Noodles and Bihun in a clear, starchy gravy that the Chinese traditionally serve during birthday celebrations to wish the birthday boy or girl longevity.
Toasted Bread or Roti Bakar (RM2.20)
Toasted Bread is a popular breakfast in any Penang Kopitiam.
You get a set of “sandwiches” with toasted slices of white bread spread with Butter and Kaya (coconut jam).
Roti Bakar and Soft Boiled Eggs.
Half Boiled Eggs (RM2.60)
Feel free to add pepper and soy sauce to suit your taste and dunk the toasted bread in to eat.
Bee Hwa Cafe serves a variety of hot and cold drinks.
Smart Dory had a great breakfast of Curry Mee, Roti Bakar, Soft Boiled Eggs, and Kopi C.
Kopi Susu (RM1.90)
Local black coffee sweetened with condensed milk is Kopi.
If you order it black, it is Kopi O.
Teh Ais (RM1.90)
A sweet Ceylon milk tea topped with ice.
Bee Hwa Cafe Review
Bee Hwa Cafe is well known among the locals.
Over the years, Kopitiam has built a good following from outstation visitors and foreign tourists.
Most Muslim travelers love to visit to taste the Chinese Penang hawker food here.
One thing is for sure. All Malaysians love to indulge in eating together – hence the popularity of Mamak late-night joints.
Book your stay in Penang to enjoy the best halal food in George Town.
Bee Hwa Cafe is a Kopitiam with a central kitchen with a single cook instead of multiple stalls.
Bee Hwa Cafe – A Chinese Kopitiam All Malaysians Love
The appeal is not in popularity but in a multicultural community’s ambiance to eat with mutual respect and unity.
Bee Hwa Cafe knows about keeping everyone happy and maintaining a personal touch with all customers.
Keeping food prices affordable with a generous portion of good food and service is the best customer service a Kopitiam can provide.
Go for the “special” for more ingredients on your plate.
The bite at Bee Hwa is a little different for the Chinese, who are used to the taste of the original Penang porky hawker food.
The taste of the Hokkien Mee is slightly on the saltier side.
Bee Hwa Cafe’s Char Kway Teow is okay but lacks the taste the Chinese are accustomed to eating.
Overall, if you have Muslim friends visiting the state, I recommend bringing them to Bee Hwa Cafe to sample most of the Chinese hawker food here.
You can continue touring around Georgetown’s heritage area in Penang.
Let’s Makan and Happy Eating.
Note on Food Preparation: Bee Hwa Cafe uses fresh chicken to make their soup stock in the dishes. The Chicken is slaughtered according to Islamic slaughtering procedures.
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)
Website: Bee Hwa Cafe
Coordinates: 5.41890 N, 100.33094 E
Directions: Bee Hwa Cafe is located at Dickens Street (Lebuh Dickens); you turn from Penang Road.
After Mydin into a one-way road next to the Penang Contingent Police Headquarters.
Street parking is available along this road.
Otherwise, you can park at the multi-story public car park on Lebuh Hutton – and walk via the side lane to Lebuh Dickens.
Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meal.
