Get ready to hop on a plane if you want to eat Penang Noodles.
Malaysia is a noodle lover’s dream and Penang?
It’s a noodle paradise like no other!
With enough varieties to keep you slurping for a month, this island is the ultimate destination for noodle enthusiasts.
While you might first think of spaghetti and marinara, the local specialties will win you over and have you saying, “Oodle-vicious!”
Penang offers a vibrant and diverse noodle culture that will have your taste buds dancing. In this UNESCO heritage city, noodles aren’t just food but a way of life.
Penangites are passionate about their noodles, with countless noodle stalls scattered across the island.
If it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a late-night craving, there’s always a dish to satisfy your hunger.
Picture bustling hawker stalls, where you can eat bowls of freshly prepared noodles with pork, chicken, seafood, or handmade fish balls—each bite packed with flavor, warmth, and a comforting sense of home.
So get ready for a flavorful adventure through Penang’s noodle scene—you’ll never look at a bowl the same way again.
Types of Noodles in Penang
Let’s get to know some of these noodles.
Before diving into the mouthwatering dishes, let’s explore the types of noodles that form the foundation of Penang’s culinary scene.
Bee Hoon: Thin rice vermicelli, perfect for light soups or stir-fries.
Koay Chiap: Broad, semi-translucent rice noodles, often found in herbal duck soup.
Kuey Teow: Flat rice noodles, similar to fettuccine but softer, great for soaking up sauces in dishes like Char Kuey Teow and Koay Teow Th’ng.
Hor Fun: Wide, flat rice noodles, commonly used in soups or stir-fries, especially in Cantonese dishes.
Laksa Noodles: Thick white rice noodles, featured in Penang’s tangy, spicy Laksa.
Loh Shu Fun: Rice flour noodles shaped like rat tails, ideal for stir-fries or Laksa.
Mee: Soft yellow egg noodles, often stir-fried or served in flavorful broths.
Pan Mee: Handmade flat egg noodles with a chewy texture, great for soups or stir-fries.
Mee Suah: Delicate wheat vermicelli, perfect for light, comforting soups.
Instant Noodles: Upgraded versions of classic instant noodles, found in some hawker stalls.
Tang Hoon: Glass noodles made from starch, perfect for soups and light stir-fries.
Each noodle has a distinct texture and character, making every dish a unique culinary experience!
The Heart of Penang Noodles
Wander through Penang’s lively streets, and the symphony of sizzling woks and clanging spatulas greet you.
The hawker stalls—the beating heart of Penang’s noodle culture—are where fresh dishes are whipped up right before your eyes.
Sit at a colorful plastic table under a vibrant canopy and watch the noodle magic unfold. As those noodles hit the fiery wok, the air fills with the mouthwatering aromas of smokey ‘wok hey’ (the wok’s breath).
Each serve of Penang noodles comes in sizzling sauces or savory gravy.
The noodles are topped with juicy BBQ pork, meats, seafood, fish balls, or a perfectly cracked egg.
Every bite is a love letter to your taste buds, made to warm your heart and soul.
Soulful Penang Noodles
For Penangites, noodles are like a hug from mum in a bowl.
Picture a mother lovingly stirring a fragrant broth, preparing a noodle soup for her children.
This tradition, passed down through generations, is still alive at the hawker stalls today.
Some dishes even carry cultural significance.
Take the Nyonya Birthday Noodles, popularly served during birthday celebrations.
Slurping these long noodles is believed to bring good fortune and longevity, making them a must-have during celebrations.
So go ahead, slurp away—noodles are not just a meal but a taste of Penang’s rich heritage.
Must-Try Noodle Dishes in Penang
No trip to George Town is complete without tasting a bowl of noodles; these are 30 iconic hawker dishes.
Contents
Beef Koay Teow Soup
A savory noodle soup made with tender beef slices, beef balls, and smooth rice noodles (koay teow), served in a flavorful broth with fresh herbs and fried shallots.
Chee Cheong Fun
Soft, silky rice noodle rolls filled with shrimp, pork, or vegetables, served with a sweet soy sauce and topped with sesame seeds, creating a smooth, savory, and satisfying dish.
Char Kuey Teow
Stir-fried flat rice noodles with prawns, Chinese sausage, eggs, and bean sprouts, all infused with a smoky wok hei for a rich, savory flavor.
Char Kway Teow as one of Penang’s signature dishes, it’s a must-try for every foodie.
Duck Koay Chiap
Noodle rolls served in a fragrant herbal soup, paired with tender duck meat, braised eggs, pork, and tofu. It’s a savory, hearty dish with rich, comforting flavors.
Economy Bihun
A budget-friendly stir-fry of rice vermicelli (bihun) with bean sprouts, mustard greens, and served with chili sauce, pickled green chilis, and sweet bean curd sticks.
Quick, tasty, and satisfying.
Fried Bihun with Fried Fish
Stir-fried rice vermicelli (bihun) with crispy fried fish and prawns, creating a savory, satisfying dish with a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
A delightful seafood-infused noodle meal.
Fried Fish Bee Hoon Soup
A comforting rice vermicelli (bee hoon) noodle soup with a light, flavorful broth, crispy fried fish, vegetables, and sometimes milk, creating a hearty, satisfying, creamy dish.
Green Tom Yum Noodles
A zesty noodle dish with a creamy green tom yum soup made with evaporated milk.
Topped with fresh prawns, squid, and fish, it’s a flavorful, seafood-packed treat with a tangy kick.
Kerabu Bihun
A zesty rice vermicelli (bihun) dish tossed with tangy lime juice, fresh herbs, chili, and vegetables.
Paired with seafood or chicken, it’s a refreshing, flavorful, salad-style noodle dish.
Hailam Char
Yellow noodles in a creamy, sweet gravy, stir-fried with prawns, pork, eggs, and choy sum.
Finished with crispy fried lard, it’s a rich and satisfying comfort dish.
Koay Teow Th’ng
A light, clear soup with smooth rice noodles (koay teow), often served with chicken, prawns, or fish, topped with crispy fried shallots.
Koay Teow Th’ng is a simple, comforting, and flavorful noodle dish.
Loh See Fun
Also known as silver needle noodles, these short, thick, chewy noodles with tapered ends are slightly translucent.
Often used in stir-fries or served in flavorful clay pot dishes.
Mee Goreng Mamak
Stir-fried yellow noodles with vegetables, eggs, tofu, and your choice of meat, all tossed in a savory, slightly spicy sauce for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
You can try these famous Mee Sotong when you visit Penang.
Mee Rebus
Yellow egg noodles in a rich, sweet potato-based gravy, topped with boiled egg, fried shallots, and a squeeze of lime for a comforting, tangy flavor.
Mee Siam
Rice vermicelli served in a tangy, slightly sweet, and spicy gravy made with tamarind, chili, and shrimp paste, topped with boiled egg, tofu, and fried shallots.
Mee Udang
A flavorful noodle dish with succulent prawns served in a rich, savory broth made from shrimp stock, garlic, and spices, offering a satisfying combination of seafood and noodles.
The best Mee Udang is found in Teluk Kumbar and Teluk Bayu at the southern coast of Penang Island between Bayan Lepas to the east and Gertak Sanggul to the west.
Mee Udang
Oh Mee
A braised yellow Hokkien noodle dish with oysters, shrimp, pork, and pig’s liver, flavored with dark and light soy sauce, minced garlic, and dried flounder for a rich, savory taste.
Oyster Noodles
Penang Assam Laksa
A tangy fish-based soup Assam Laksa with thick rice noodles garnished with fresh herbs and pineapple for a refreshing, flavorful bowl.
Penang Assam Laksa
Penang Hokkien Mee
Hokkien Mee has spicy prawn and pork broth with yellow noodles, rice vermicelli, pork slices, prawns, boiled egg, and crispy shallots. (Contains shellfish)
Penang Hokkien Mee
Hokkien Char Mee
Stir-fried noodles in a savory sauce, served with sambal belacan at hawker centers. (Contains shellfish)
Sar Hor Fun
A Cantonese dish with thick rice noodles, sometimes mixed with bee hoon. It is served in a rich, starchy gravy for a comforting meal. (Contains shellfish)
Tang Hoon Soup
Glass noodles (tang hoon) in a light, savory broth with fish balls, fish cake, and fish dumplings.
A simple and comforting dish.
Teochew Mee Suah
Delicate rice vermicelli (mee suah) in a light, savory broth with pork, chicken, or fish. It is topped with fried shallots and fresh herbs for a comforting meal.
Tom Yum Noodles
A flavorful noodle dish with spicy and tangy tom yum broth, filled with seafood and fresh herbs, making it a zesty, aromatic treat.
White Curry Mee
A spicy coconut white curry soup with yellow noodles and bee hoon, packed with tofu puffs, cockles, blood cubes, and prawns for a rich, flavorful bowl.
Wantan Mee
Wantan Mee egg noodles served dry or in soup, topped with wontons, char siu (BBQ pork), and mustard greens for a savory, satisfying dish.
Yee Fu Mee
Crisp-fried, rehydrated ‘yee fu’ noodles, topped with braised meat and seafood sauce, similar to Sar Hor Fun, offering a unique spongey texture and aromatic scent.
Ngow Nam Meen (Beef Brisket Noodle)
This dish features braised tender beef slices, beef balls, noodles, salted radish, and pickled mustard greens, all simmered in a rich, flavorful broth.
Ark Thui Mee Suah (Duck Leg Vermicelli)
A comforting noodle dish featuring tender duck leg served with fine vermicelli in a savory broth, infused with aromatic herbs and spices, offering rich, flavorful satisfaction.
Mee Bandung
A rich, spicy noodle dish with yellow noodles, served in a savory tomato-based gravy with prawns, eggs, and vegetables.
Maggi Goreng
Instant Maggi noodles stir-fried with eggs, vegetables, and your choice of meat, offering a quick and deliciously satisfying meal.
Photo: foodiebm
Penang Noodles Culture
Penang local specialties offer a warm embrace in every bowl of noodles if you’re craving comforting, delicious, and affordable food.
Ready to step beyond pasta and explore bold, vibrant flavors?
Bring your appetite and dive into Penang’s rich noodle culture.
Each dish here tells a story of tradition, culture, and unforgettable taste.
Have you tried any noodle dishes in Malaysia?
Which one is your favorite?
We’d Love to Hear From You!
Have a food story or a favorite dish to share?
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This blog is written independently. No compensation, such as free meals, monetary payment, or services, has been received from any of the featured establishments.
Opinions and content are based on personal experiences (when applicable) and thorough research to provide honest, unbiased recommendations.
