“CiSu Vegetarian Chee Cheong Fun on Lebuh Victoria. You just got to go there,” said Bee
When Bee tells you about a place, you don’t ask questions.
You go.
And that’s how I found myself standing in front of the recently refurbished food court on Lebuh Victoria.
I arrived early one morning, slightly hungry and very curious.
Now let me tell you about my vegetarian makan crew.
There’s John, Doreen, Mei, and of course, Bee.
They’re my go-to gang when I want to know what’s good in the vegetarian world.
They’ve tried everything from plant-based laksa to vegan mooncakes.
So when they speak, I listen.
Especially when Bee says something is worth the trip.
Ever had a vegetarian friend who opens up your food world?
One minute you’re a meat-and-rice person.
The next, you’re scooping green goddess sauce over your steamed Tofu like me.
I would wonder why I’ve never done this before.
Big John once gave me advice I’ve never forgotten.
“Dory, be a vegetarian, not a vegan. Without eggs and milk, there’s no ice cream. No birthday cakes.What’s the point of living if you can’t have cake?”
He’s got a point.
Vegetarian Chee Cheong Fun in Penang
CiSu is one of those places that feels like a secret but still welcomes you in.
The kind of stall you’d probably walk past if you didn’t know better.
But I do. I know it well.
I used to work just down the road in the Bhen Meyer Building, back in the 1980s till 1999.
Victoria Street was my everyday backyard.
So when I say CiSu is worth visiting, I’m not just being nostalgic.
I’ve seen this area evolve.
And I still light up when something real and good pops up.
Call it a hidden gem if you want.
I know the phrase is overused.
But this spot earns it.
An old linear food court once stood here.
Dejan used to get his roti fix there.
If you’re reading this, Dejan — yes, I still remember. Elephantine memory.
Now CiSu holds the corner like a quiet champ.
This version is unlike Penang Chee Cheong Fun.
It serves some of the best vegetarian steamed rice noodle rolls in town.
No fuss. No noise.
Just a hawker stall and a steamer that does all the talking.
Look for steam wafting lazily in the air.
That’s your sign.
Step closer and you’ll see rolls being prepped fresh, one plate at a time.
Soft, silky, bouncy and warm.
The kind of food that doesn’t shout, but still steals the show.
You can’t miss it. And honestly, you shouldn’t.
Why Is This Vegetarian Chee Cheong Fun Special
At CiSu, every plate is made to order.
Lim, the young man behind the stall, is chatty and kind.
He’s the chef, the server, the cashier, and the one opening and closing up shop.
A full one-man show.
He takes your order.
Gives the rice batter a proper stir.
Checks the water level, and ladles the batter onto a cloth for steaming.
The result?
Freshly steamed rice rolls with a soft, silky texture and gentle bounce.
If you’re a longtime fan of Hong Kong-style Cheong Fun or just curious, CiSu makes it seriously delicious.
Vegetarian Chee Cheong Fun Menu
You can mix and match fillings and sauces to suit your taste.
Here’s the fillings on offer.
- Plain
- Crispy Youtiao (fried dough sticks)
- Pickled Vegetables
- Vegetarian Cha Siew
- Vegetarian Chicken Slice
- Shiitake Mushroom
- Mixed (Combo)
Sauces
- Soy Sauce
- Sweet Sauce
- Shallot Oil + Sesame Seeds
- Vegetarian Curry Sauce
- Vegetarian Chili Sauce (no dried prawns)
Each version has its own personality, but they all shine with that signature sweet soy magic.
Tasty, aromatic, and completely vegetarian.
Light but full of flavour.
Prefer sweet and savory?
Try the shallot oil with sesame seeds — it hits all the nostalgic notes.
And if you like heat, go for the vegetarian chili sauce.
No dried prawns, no hidden non-veggie bits.
Just bold, clean fire.
The Mixed plate with three types of vegetarian fillings.
Affordable Vegetarian Street Food in Penang
CiSu doesn’t just serve up flavour. It delivers value too.
I paid only RM7 for a mixed plate with three types of fillings.
Another RM6 for plain roll with Crispy Youtiao (fried dough sticks)
CiSu’s version
The HK version at Shing Kee Congee Noodle, Parkes St. in Jordan.
Considering the freshness, this is a real win.
If you’re looking for a lighter, plant-based option while exploring George Town, this is your stop.
It’s casual, it’s local, and it’s properly delicious.
CiSu Vegetarian Chee Cheong Fun 慈素港式肠粉
MY, 278, Victoria Street, 10200 George Town, Penang
Business Hours: Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7 am to 1 pm.
Closed on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Blog Disclosure: This blog is written independently. No compensation, such as free meals, monetary payment, or services, has been received from featured establishments. These are some of the old places that the editor visited while exploring Penang.
