Today, let’s talk about Ikan Bakar in Penang – Grilled Fish is a classic dish Malaysians love.
Ikan Bakar is very popular in Penang.
Grilled Fish, also known as Ikan Bakar, is available from street vendors, seaside cafes, and restaurants.
Whole fish or fillets are marinated in a spicy paste called sambal.
They are wrapped in banana leaves and grilled over hot charcoal.
The banana leaves add a strong aroma and earthy smell to the tender, moist fish, giving it a rich flavor.
Contents
Ikan Bakar Marinade
The marinade for Ikan Bakar is a red sambal or spice paste that adds layers of smoky, complex flavors. The essential ingredients include:
- Fresh red chilies
- Shallots
- Lemongrass
- Belacan (Malaysian shrimp paste)
- Sugar and salt for seasoning
Each stall has its secret recipe, varying the ingredient quantities.
Some use vegetable oil to baste the fish, while others use “Planta” margarine
I feel Planta can taste odd and may not complement fresh fish.
Seafood lovers prioritize freshness, flavorful cooking styles, and great sauces.
Some purists, like me, prefer shellfish without a heavy marinade.
At East Coast Grill Seafood Ikan Bakar, the skewered salt-and-pepper grilled prawns earn top points.
Most importantly, the food is fresh, the service is quick and friendly.
And the prices are wallet-friendly.
What is Ikan Bakar?
Ikan Bakar is Penang’s beloved grilled fish and a favorite among BBQ lovers who crave seafood.
The key is using freshly caught fish from the waters of Penang.
There are many ways to grill fish, but the most popular method involves wrapping it in banana leaves and grilling it over charcoal with a squeeze of lime juice.
The smoky flavor of Ikan Bakar creates a distinct and addictive taste.
Once you try grilled fish this way, you might never want it any other way!
The best part?
The variety of dipping sauces that perfectly complement the crispy, moist fish.
Each sauce offers a mix of garlicky, sweet, sour, savory, and spicy flavors, creating a delicious experience!
Why Eat Ikan Bakar?
Malaysians adore fish, and their love goes beyond just grilled fish!
They enjoy it in three other delightful ways:
- Steam (Chinese or Thai style)
- Deep-fried
- Curry (Malay and Chinese style)
Cooking Ikan Bakar at home can be tricky since most Malaysians don’t have a charcoal stove for grilling and cleaning up afterward.
That’s why many prefer dining at an Ikan Bakar eatery in Penang!
The two most popular choices are Stingray and Sea Bass.
Enjoy in moderation, especially if you have gout or high cholesterol.
However, indulging in a BBQ seafood feast now and then is perfectly fine!
For BBQ lovers, the smoky aroma and slightly charred flavor are irresistible.
The scent of grilled fish, crabs, or prawns is refreshing.
With fresh seafood, you’ll savor the delicious umami taste.
It’s even better when paired with a sharp, spicy, and garlicky sauce!
How To Cook Ikan Bakar
Ikan bakar is a charcoal-grilled Fish in Penang and Malaysia.
The fish dish is first cleaned and seasoned with a spice marinade.
The Fish in banana leaf wrap is cooked over a hot charcoal-grilled.
Some stalls used a pan-grilled method. Grilled to perfection and wrapped with a layer of banana leaf.
There is a menu for prices.
Do ask when in doubt before placing your order.
All seafood is sold by weight!
Pro Tip: Instead of asking if it is a small or big fish (sizes are relative), please ask for the weight of the Fish and how much it costs.
It is not considered rude, and the vendor will not mind and can help recommend something that suits your budget.
Where To Find The Best Ikan Bakar in Penang?
The best list is always subjective because there are so many amazing restaurants to try!
If you have any recommendations that should make the list, leave a comment below!
This list of Ikan Bakar spots in Penang isn’t exhaustive, but I’ve either tried them or had friends recommend them to me.
1 Medan Ikan Bakar Teluk Tempoyak (Halal) Seaview
I had my first taste of Ikan Bakar Teluk Tempoyak 30 years ago. A few friends and I would go there for Friday dinner after work.
Medan Ikan Bakar Teluk Tempoyak is a paradise for grilled fish, offering a beautiful view of the sea and sunset.
It is a popular spot for locals who enjoy a good plate of grilled fish.
This place is away from the tourist areas in Penang.
Teluk Tempoyak is a coastal village on the southwest side of Penang Island, near its southeastern tip.
The village is south of Batu Maung and faces the Penang Strait to the east.
This popular spot is perfect for enjoying the sea view while eating freshly grilled Ikan Bakar.
You can choose your preferred fish or seafood, and they will grill it for you on the spot.
The spicy-sweet homemade Air Asam dipping sauce pairs perfectly with the moist, sweet flesh of the fish.
Medan Ikan Bakar Teluk Tempoyak
Medan Ikan Bakar Teluk Tempoyak
Address: Jalan Teluk Tempoyak Besar, Kampung Teluk Tempoyak Kecil, 11960 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Hours: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
2 Sham Hammer Ikan Bakar Special (Halal) Seaview
Hammer Bay Coordinates:
Latitude: 5.33756212942
Longitude: 100.310412288
The Ikan Bakar Restaurant is one of the largest, featuring live seafood and shellfish tanks.
It has comfortable alfresco and covered dining areas for celebrations and dinners.
The menu offers a variety of dishes, including rice sets, Nasi Goreng, soups, Kerabu, egg dishes, Tomyam, prawns, squid, fish, chicken, and beef.
You can enjoy Ikan Bakar or steamed fish.
Set meals for 5 to 6 people are available for groups and families.
Priced from RM75 to RM100.
Image: Sham Hammer Ikan Bakar Special Facebook Page
Sham Hammer Ikan Bakar Special
Address: Gerai 45 & 46, Kompleks Seri Pantai, Lebuhraya Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Hours: 4:00 PM – 12:00 Midnight
3 Ikan Bakar Seri Pantai (Halal) Seaview
Ikan Bakar Seri Pantai has a lovely sea view, and the location is popular with locals and foreigners.
The menu combines Malay, Thai, and Ikan Bakar dishes.
An array of fresh seafood, including Fish, squid, and clams, is grilled.
Fresh seafood, beautifully marinated and grilled to perfection – it’s no wonder they’re full every night.
The large venue can accommodate up to 200pax per night.
Set Dinner meals are popular.
Family Sets at RM67 and larger sets at RM115 and RM150, including White Rice and Drinks.
Pro Tip: Recommended is the Stingray in a spicy-sweet marinade that goes so well with white rice.
Image: Ikan Bakar Seri Pantai Facebook Page
Ikan Bakar Seri Pantai
Address: Gerai 41 & 42, Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu Hwy, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Hours: 5:00 PM – Midnight (Closed Wednesdays)
4 Abu Daania Ikan Bakar (Halal)
Abu Daania Ikan Bakar, located near Penang Stadium, offers tasty grilled seafood and authentic Malay dishes that are full of flavor.
This simple warung-style eatery serves affordable and delicious seafood.
Regular customers keep coming back for their set meals.
You can choose from five sets of Ikan Bakar with Masakan Melayu (Malay Style Side Dishes) priced at RM40, RM60, RM90, and RM120.
Each set includes grilled Ikan Siakap.
They also have a Shell Out and an à la carte seafood menu with options like Prawns, Crabs, Lobster, Crawfish, Clams, Mussels, and Scallops.
Image: Abu Daania Ikan Bakar Facebook
Abu Daania Ikan Bakar
Address: Lilitan Stadium, 10460 George Town, Penang
Hours: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
5 Lan’s Corner Ikan Bakar (Halal)
The restaurant is well-located and clean, making it ideal for larger groups seeking a friendly dining atmosphere.
Lan’s Corner Ikan Bakar offers flavorful dishes, especially their grilled stingray with sambal paste and calamansi lime.
The Ikan Bakar is topped with a signature spice paste, ‘Sambai Meletop Baq Hang,’ – spicy sambal that delivers a mind-blowing flavor.
If you prefer something milder, feel free to request a less spicy option.
While prices aren’t the lowest, they are reasonable.
The food is served quickly and deliciously.
Set dinner prices range from RM80 for 2 pax to RM371 for 12 pax.
Recommended: Ikan Bakar, Sambal Grilled Squid.
Try the Ikan Patin Masak Tempoyak (Pahang), a savory dish featuring Patin fish, a rich and fatty freshwater variety.
It is served with thick tempoyak (fermented durian) gravy.
Image: Lan’s Corner Ikan Bakar Facebook
Lan’s Corner Ikan Bakar
Address: 554, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang
Hours: 5 PM – 2 AM (Closed on Tuesday)
Chinese Vendors Ikan Bakar In Penang
Grilled fish is a popular street food in Penang. Look for the “Ikan Bakar” sign if you want to try fresh seafood dishes.
These stalls serve various fish for grilling, with Sting Ray (Ikan Pari) being the most popular.
The preparation is similar at Malay stalls.
Chinese stalls often use a chili spice marinade and wrap the fish in banana leaves for grilling.
The grilled fish has a sweet tamarind flavor, aromatic ginger, herbal lemongrass, and sharp lime notes.
Spicy grilled fish is tender, moist, and packed with intense aroma and flavors.
SmartDory recommends alternative shellfish dishes like crabs, prawns, and clams, which differ from the typical Ikan Bakar preparation.
These eateries are perfect for seafood lovers.
Many enjoy whole fish baked in a salt crust, salt and pepper-grilled prawns, boiled prawns, and crabs.
This simple cooking method enhances the fresh, sweet taste of seafood without overwhelming it with heavy sauces.
If you prefer a milder option, consider enjoying steamed fish with Bihun at Ocean Green Restaurant.
6 Pearl Garden Café (Pork Free)
Pearl Garden Café isn’t an Ikan Bakar place, but it offers fresh grilled seafood.
The café has a small menu with crabs, prawns, and fried bee hoon. A satay stall is also on-site.
They use simple cooking methods like baking and salt-baking to highlight the seafood’s natural flavors.
Dining at Pearl Garden Café feels like going back to basics. Fresh seafood doesn’t need marination or complex flavors.
The salt-baked sea prawns are perfect for enjoying their sweetness.
Pearl Garden Café, next to Tanjung Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple and the defunct Penang Avatar Secret Garden.
Pearl Garden Café
Pearl Garden Café
Address. 338, Jalan Tokong Thai Pak Koong, Tanjong Tokong, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang.
Hours: 11 AM-9 PM and is closed on Wednesday.
Parking: There is ample parking in front of the restaurant, but it can be full, especially on weekends when visitors come to the Oceano Symphony cafe.
There is a parking fee of RM3.
7 East Coast Grill Seafood Ikan Bakar (Pork Free)
East Coast Grill Seafood is known for its fresh seafood and has the most Ikan Bakar outlets in Penang, with four locations
- Red Garden,
- Goodall Cafe,
- Sungai Pinang Food Court, and
- Bayan Lepas.
They offer a variety of fresh fish, including daily catches, prawns, crabs, and various clams.
You can also order grilled vegetables like brinjal, okra, corn, and chicken wings.
With a large grilling station and an easy ordering system, you can enjoy fresh and tasty dishes.
Popular items include grilled stingray (Ikan Pari) wrapped in banana leaf, BBQ garlic prawns, and brinjals, all served with a spicy sauce.
The Ikan Bakar is grilled to juicy perfection and can be enjoyed with rice or as a snack with beer.
The outlet displays a variety of fish and shellfish on ice.
East Coast Grill Seafood is a great place to satisfy your Ikan Bakar cravings.
East Coast Grill Seafood Ikan Bakar
Goodall Cafe
Address: 5, Jalan Gottlieb, Taman Selamat, 10350 George Town, Penang.
Hours: 5.30 PM to Midnight (Daily)
Sungai Pinang Food Court
Address: Lebuh Sungai Pinang Jelutong, 11600 George Town, Penang. (Off Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway)
Hours: 5.30 PM to Midnight (Daily)
Bayan Lepas
Address: 7, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang. 11950 Penang Island, Penang, Malaysia
Hours: 3.00 PM to 10.00 PM (Daily)
8 Ocean Green Restaurant (Pork Free)
Ocean Green Restaurant is popular with locals and visitors.
It is a Hainanese restaurant known for its seafood and satay.
The restaurant is part of the beach-fronting Paramount Hotel, established in 1946.
Although it’s not an Ikan Bakar joint, it serves pork-free food.
Must-try dishes include Hainanese-style “Choon Phneah”
Perfect when eaten with Worcestershire dipping sauce.
The chicken satay is richly marinated with galangal, lemongrass, and turmeric, but it does not include a peanut dip.
Other options include grilled crabs and boiled prawns, served with a house-secret chili dipping sauce that you can buy.
For a light meal, try the Cantonese-style steamed fish.
It comes with quality soy sauce and vegetable oil, along with blanched bee hoon (rice vermicelli) that you can coat with fish sauce.
Image: Ocean Green Restaurant
Ocean Green Restaurant
Address: Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Penang.
Hours: 12.00 PM to 3.00 PM and 6.00 PM to 10.30 PM
9 Daniel Grilled Fish & Fresh Seafood (Non-Halal)
Daniel Grilled Fish & Fresh Seafood (DGF&FS) is a simple hawker stall on Jalan Sungai Keling.
It serves fresh Chinese seafood and cooked dishes.
Grilled fish prices range from RM25 for 2-3 people to RM35 for 3-5 people.
Other dishes include curry fish, shellfish in Kam Heong sauce, baked crabs, fried fish, steamed fish, squids, and lala.
The grilled stingray comes with a tasty sauce.
Vegetable options are deep-fried kangkong and steamed brinjal with dried prawns.
Daniel Grilled Fish & Fresh Seafood
Daniel Grilled Fish & Fresh Seafood
Address: Jalan Sungai Keling, 11200 George Town, Penang.
Hours: 5.30 PM to 10.00 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
10 Yob Siput Bakar
Pakcik Yob’s roadside stall is a gem if you love all kinds of shellfish Bakar.
You’ll find the fattest, juiciest clams along with unique shellfish dishes.
These include mussels, conch, Murex tribulus (siput duri), arc clams, cockles, horseshoe crab, and lala.
The affordable prices start from RM5 to RM10 per kilo or ½ kilo.
Worth a visit.
Easy to spot – go early if you want the best selections of Siput Bakar. Image: Yob Siput Bakar
It’s not your typical Ikan Bakar joint, but Siput Bakar lovers enjoy a variety of Clams available depending on the day’s catch.
Yob Siput Bakar
Address: Jalan Aquarium Gelugor Penang. GPS: 5.371955,100.311597
Hours: 5.30 PM to 11.00 PM (Closed Sundays)
Other Stalls For Ikan Bakar in Penang
Many other Penang Ikan Bakar neighborhood stalls are away from the tourist belt and offer delicious and affordable food.
Restaurant 1288 美食中心
Address: 1228-V Jalan Paya Terubong, 11060 Paya Terubong, Penang
Abg Jit Ikan Bakar HQ
Address: 216, Jln Ayer Itam, George Town, 10460 George Town, Penang.
Idrus Ikan Bakar
Address: No. 3,Idrus Ikan Bakar , (Depan Polis Marin, Lebuh Raya Sungai Nibong, Kampung Batu Uban, 11700 Gelugor, Penang.
Hours: 4.00 PM to Midnight
Restaoran Ikan Bakar Din
Address: 6735, Jalan Butterworth, Kampung Permatang Manggis, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang.
Hours: 11.00 AM to 4.00 PM
Medan Selera Seri Pantai Ikan Bakar
Address: Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Hours: 5.00 PM to Midnight
Nurul Ikan Bakar Special Penang
Address: Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, 10100 Gelugor, Penang
Hours: 5.00 PM to 1.00 AM
Happy Eating, Everyone!,
If you think any stalls of Ikan Bakar in Penang should be included, please reach out to SmartDory or leave a comment for a shout-out.
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Enjoy your Ikan Bakar!