If you deeply appreciate Nyonya cuisine, fear not—Penang boasts many Nyonya restaurants that would undoubtedly earn your Ah Ma’s approval.
Visitors to Penang will find the state’s Nyonya cuisine a delightful fusion of Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian influences, offering a rich and diverse palette waiting to be explored.
You can embark on a culinary journey with options for every budget, ranging from affordable set meals to Michelin-starred establishments and hidden Nyonya gems in Penang’s vibrant streets.
All Nyonya restaurants in Penang offer opulent dishes that promise to please every palate.
Indulge in a symphony of tastes, where aromatic spices, savory delights, and intricate blends create an unforgettable dining experience, capturing the essence of heritage and culinary excellence.
For an exclusive touch, some Nyonya restaurants in Penang offer private dining experiences by appointment.
Explore Nyonya cuisine to savor renowned dishes in upscale settings, discover local treasures, or enjoy the intimacy of private dining—all reflecting the unique heritage of this delicious tradition.
Before heading to Nyonya restaurants in Penang or elsewhere, here are the top 10 dishes you may want to try.
Contents
Nyonya Appetisers
Starting with an appetizer, you’ve got to try these two, although you may think that they contain a savory mixture of jicama, carrots, and prawns:
1 Kuih Pie Tee
Small, crispy pastry shells filled with shredded vegetables, prawns, and a sweet and spicy sauce.
2 Choon Piah
Choon Piah is a Nyonya-style spring roll filled with a savory mixture of jicama, carrots, and prawns, wrapped in a thin, crispy skin.
Nyonya Soups or Stews
If you like having rice with soup, these two soups are great in flavorsome goodness. Please take note of the main ingredients, duck or pig stomach.
3 Kiam Chye Ark (Sour Mustard Duck Soup)
A tangy soup made with preserved mustard greens, duck, and various herbs, creating a flavorful and comforting dish.
4 Too Tor Thng (Pig Stomach Soup)
A nourishing soup made with pig stomach, pork, and various herbs, providing a rich and hearty flavor.
Nyonya Curry
If you love spicy curry, here are two you will enjoy that use fish and chicken:
5 Assam Pedas Fish
A tangy and spicy tamarind-based fish curry stew with mackerel, tomatoes, okra, and various spices.
6 Kari Kapitan Ayam
Kari Kapitan Ayam is a rich and flavorful Nyonya chicken curry that features a fragrant blend of spices and coconut milk, creating a delicious and aromatic dish.
Nyonya Meat Dishes
If you like something meaty that is not too spicy or unusual, these are sweetish dishes with a great gravy that goes well with rice.
Smartdory’s recommendation is with pork or chicken (for those prefer a pork-free diet)
7 Ayam Pongteh
Nyonya-style braised chicken cooked with fermented soybean paste, gula Melaka (palm sugar), and spices, resulting in a savory and slightly sweet dish.
8 Tau Ewe Bak
Tau Ewe Bak is a Nyonya braised pork belly dish cooked in a flavorful soy sauce-based broth, often with hard-boiled eggs.
Nyonya Seafood
If your favorite is prawns, these two are great accompaniments for steamed hot white rice or Nasi Lemak
9 Assam Prawn
Assam Prawn is a delightful Nyonya dish where prawns are cooked in a tangy and spicy tamarind-based sauce, creating a flavorful and delicious dish.
10 Sambal Goreng
Sambal Goreng is a flavorful and spicy dish where vegetables are stir-fried in a fragrant sambal (chili paste) with coconut milk, creating a tasty and aromatic side dish.
Nyonya Vegetarian Dishes
For vegetarians, you can order two great vegetarian dishes, remember to ask for the dishes to be made without cuttlefish or bacon.
11 Jiu Hu Char
A stir-fry dish made with shredded cuttlefish, vegetables, and sometimes mushrooms, usually served with lettuce leaves for wrapping.
12 Nyonya Chap Chye
Nyonya Chap Chye is a delicious mixed vegetable stew with prawns, mushrooms, and various seasonings. It is flavorful and hearty.
Nyonya Noodles and Rice
If you want a single rice or noodle dish that you can have if you’re dining alone.
13 Laksa Nyonya
A flavorful and spicy noodle soup with a coconut milk base featuring rice noodles, prawns, chicken, fish balls, and a spicy broth infused with herbs and spices.
14 Nasi Ulam
A traditional Malay dish where herbed rice is mixed with various finely chopped herbs and vegetables and accompanied by spicy sambal or other condiments.
For birthdays, Nyonya has a celebratory noodle dish that is great with sambal belacan.
15 Nyonya Lam Mee (Birthday Noodles)
A special noodle dish often served during birthdays, featuring thick yellow noodles in a flavorful and aromatic broth, accompanied by prawns, chicken, and various toppings.
Nyonya Desserts
Beleive me, there is always room for desserts, try some Nyonya Kuih or boiled desserts with lots of santan.
16 Nyonya Kuih
Traditional Peranakan desserts include colorful and flavorful cakes, puddings, and sweets.
Kuih Dadar (pandan-flavored crepes with sweet coconut filling) are delicious.
Turtle-shaped Kuih Angku (glutinous rice cakes with sweet fillings), or Ang Ku Kueh, symbolizes longevity, as turtles have long lives.
Interestingly, these are part of traditional full-moon gifts for babies.
17 Sago Gula Melaka
A delightful dessert made with sago pearls, coconut milk, and palm sugar (Gula Melaka), creating a sweet and creamy treat.
Your Best Nyonya Dining Experience
Enjoy the decadent and unique flavors of Nyonya cuisine!
Your Nyonya culinary journey in Penang is now complete with diverse appetizers, soups, curries, meats, vegetables, rice/noodles, and desserts.
For some of us, it’s biting into the crispy delights of Kuih Pie Tee.
Treat yourself to the rich flavors of Kari Kapitan Ayam with a touch of soy sauce.
For others, it’s the unique taste of duck in Kiam Chye Ark, with its irreplaceable notes of salty, sour, and umami.
Each Nyonya dish tells a story.
These labor-intensive Nyonya recipes capture tradition, heritage, and culinary mastery.
For a hearty experience, the savory Ayam Pongteh and tender Tau Ewe Bak offer perfect balance.
Seafood enthusiasts can relish the tangy kick of Assam Prawn or the aromatic allure of Sambal Goreng.
Jiu Hu Char and Nyonya Chap Chye showcase the culinary versatility of Nyonya cuisine in vegetarian dishes
Carb-loaded dishes in Nyonya cuisine include the aromatic herbs in Nasi Ulam and the robust flavors of Laksa Nyonya.
For birthdays and special occasions, Nyonya Lam Mee brings a touch of celebration to the table.
No Nyonya meal is truly complete without a sweet ending.
Nyonya love their sweets, and the colorful and rich Nyonya Kuih offers an assortment of vibrant treats.
For me, the soupy desserts are the best.
Sago Gula Melaka, Bubur Cha Cha, and Bubur Pulut Hitam have everything Nyonyas love: Gula Melaka, thick santan, and glutinous rice for dessert.
These provide a perfect finale, satisfying your taste buds and completing your culinary journey.
Penang’s Nyonya restaurants offer a gastronomic voyage into the heart of Nyonya’s culinary excellence.
Explore the top Nyonya restaurants in Penang to enjoy a feast!
Let’s embark on a culinary journey, if you’re visiting Penang next!
List of Nyonya Restaurants in Penang
[Updated 31 October 2024]
Here’s the list of Nyonya restaurants in Penang, including their locations and closed days.
Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery
Address: 1, Bishop St, 10200 George Town, Penang
Operating hours: 12 pm – 2:30 pm, 6 pm – 9:30 pm (Monday Closed)
BaBa Phang
Address: 17, Jalan Sri Bahari, 10050 George Town, Penang
Operating hours: 11:30 am – 3 pm, 6 pm – 10 pm (Wednesdays Closed)
Phone: 014-741 9839
Baba Delicacy
Address: 01-01-07, Sierra Residences, Halaman Sungai Ara, Sungai Ara, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Operating hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Tuesday Closed)
Phone: 013-255 8278
Bibik’s Kitchen Nyonya Cuisine
Address: 73, Jalan Sri Bahari, 10050 George Town, Penang
Operating hours: 11:30 am – 3 pm, 6 pm – 9 pm (Monday Closed)
Phone: 012-669 7488
CEKI Nyonya Restaurant
Address: 11-A, Jalan Sri Bahari, George Town, 10050 George Town, Penang
Hours: 11:30 am – 3 pm, 5:30 pm – 10 pm (Tuesday Closed)
Phone: 011-1051 7976
Flower Mulan Nyonya Cafe
Address: 266 & 268, Jalan Burma, Pulau Tikus, 10350 George Town, Penang
Operating hours: 11:30 am – 10:30 pm (Wednesdays Closed)
Phone: 012-472 3671
Hainanese Delights Restaurant Penang
Address: 42, Lebuh King, 10020 George Town, Penang
Hours: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, 6 pm – 9:30 pm (Tuesday Closed)
Phone: 012-424 6681
Hainantown @ Yeng Keng Nyonya Restaurant
Address: 366, Chulia Street, 10450 George Town, Penang
Hours: 11:30 am – 3 pm, 6 pm – 10 pm (Monday Closed)
Ivy Nyonya Cuisine
Address: 58, Jalan Chow Thye, George Town, 10050 George Town, Penang
Operating hours: 12 pm – 3 pm, 6 pm – 9 pm (Monday Closed)
Phone: 013-433 7878
Jawi House (Punjabi-Jawi Peranakan)
Address: 85, Lebuh Armenian, 10200 George Town, Penang
Operating hours: 11 am – 9:30 pm (Tuesday Closed)
Phone: 04-261 3680
Jason Nyonya House
Address: 27, Lebuh Bishop, 10200 George Town, Penang
Operating hours: 11 am – 2:30 pm, 6 pm – 9:30 pm (Daily)
Phone: 018-356 0515
Kebaya Dining Room
Address: 14A, Stewart Lane, 10200 George Town, Penang
Hours: 6 pm – 10:30 pm (Tuesday Closed)
Phone: 04-264 2333
Kota Dine & Coffee – When Francis Meets Rempah
Address: Fort Cornwallis, Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, 10200 George Town, Penang
Hours: 11 am – 4 pm, 6 pm – 10 pm (Tuesday Closed)
Phone: 04-371 4929
Little Nyonya @ Queensbay Mall
Address: 100, Persiaran Bayan Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Hours: 10 am – 10 pm (Daily)
Phone: 04-611 5183
LotusS Nyonya Kitchen
Address: 48, Jalan Burma, 10050 George Town, Penang
Hours: 11:30 am – 10:30 pm (Mon & Tue Closed)
Phone: 016-422 7377
Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay
Address: Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Masjid, 10200 George Town, Penang
Operating hours: 10:30 am – 5 pm (Tue-Thu), 10:30 am – 8 pm (Fri-Sun) (Monday Closed)
Mum’s Nyonya Cuisine
Address: 31-D, Lorong Abu Siti, 10400 George Town, Penang
Operating hours: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, 6:30 pm – 9 pm (Monday Closed)
Phone: 012-669 1318
Nyonya Breeze Desire
Address: 3A-1-7, Straits Quay, Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, 10470 Tanjung Tokong, Penang
Operating hours: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm – 9 pm (Wednesday Closed)
Phone: 04-899 9058
Nyonya Chiak 娘惹吃
Address: 26, Lebuh China, 10200 George Town, Penang
Hours: 11 am – 10 pm
Phone: 04-229 0882
Nyonya Lah by Javu
Address: 49, Love Ln, 10200 George Town, Penang
Operating hours: 11:30 am – 10 pm (Tuesday Closed)
Phone: 012-528 8419
Nyonya Palazzo
Address: 29 Church St, 10200 George Town, Penang
Operating hours: 10 am – 6:30 pm (Tuesday Closed)
Phone: 017-222 6178
Nyonya Su Pei Private Dining / Heritage Artisans
Address: 53, Jalan Padang Victoria, 10400 George Town, Penang
Hours: Reservations required. By Appointment only
Phone: 016-414 1416
Nyonya Willow Restaurant
Address: Arena Curve, 72-1-3, Jalan Mahsuri, Bandar Sunway Tunas, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Operating hours: 11:45 am – 2 pm, 6:30 pm – 9 pm (Tue-Fri), 12 pm – 2:15 pm, 6:30 pm – 9:15 pm (Sat-Sun) (Monday Closed)
Richard Rivalee Nyonya Cuisine Restaurant
Address: 62 & 64, Lorong Macalister, 10400 George Town, Penang
Hours: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, 6 pm – 9:30 pm (Tuesday Closed)
Phone: 04-227 4888
Sifu Nyonya Cuisine
Address: 154, Jalan Pintal Tali (Rope Walk), 10100 Penang, Malaysia, George Town, Malaysia
Hours: 11:30 am – 9:45 pm (Wednesday Closed)
Phone: 04-305 1867
The Little Nyonya Cuisine @ Gurney Plaza
Address: 170-B1-32B, Plaza Gurney, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 George Town, Penang
Operating hours: 10 am – 10 pm (Daily)
Phone: 04-295 8092
Winn’s Café
Address: 38, Jalan Cantonment, Pulau Tikus, 10350 Penang
Business Hours: 11 am – 3 pm, 6 pm – 10 pm (Sundays Closed)
Yi Zhen Nyonya Kitchen
Address: 118, Jln Tanjung Tokong, Seri Tanjung Pinang, George Town, Penang
Business Hours: 11 am – 10 pm Daily
Feel free to let me know if there’s anything new Nyonya restaurants in Penang you’d like to add to the list!
