Joja Bagel on Bishop Street has become one of the most talked about breakfast and brunch spots in Georgetown, Penang.
I first heard about this place from Wei Ying, who would not stop raving about it, and honestly, she was not wrong.
In the historic George Town city better known for noodles and rice, Joja Bagel confidently puts bagels front and centre.
And not just any bagels.
These are proper, well made bagels with a crusty exterior and a soft, chewy interior.
Best of all, the fillings clearly do not believe in restraint. LOL.
Customers waiting in line for freshly made bagels at Joja Bagel
This bagel cafe in Penang regularly draws long queues, especially on weekends.
Expect wait times of 30 minutes or more during peak hours.
Everything is made to order using fresh ingredients, so while the wait is real, it is also part of why the food tastes so good.
The queue moves reasonably fast, but coming early is highly recommended.
And please do not come too hungry like me.
Contents
Generous Fresh Ingredients and Fillings
One thing Joja Bagel Georgetown does extremely well is freshness.
From the freshly baked bagels to the fillings, everything tastes spot on and clearly prepared on the day.
The menu offers a wide variety of fillings, ranging from classic combinations to more creative, hearty options.
This is where Joja Bagel really shines.
A interesting selection of bagels ready to order at Joja Bagel
Faced with too many good options, I went for the Classic Lox in a Bagel.
Outstanding.
Smoked salmon layered generously with thick, fresh scallion cream cheese inside a perfectly chewy bagel.
The salmon was not overly salty and paired beautifully with the rich cream cheese.
Borderline chaotic.
The filling was super generous.
Be prepared for cream cheese to escape from all sides. LOL.
Each bagel is massive and meant for sharing.
As usual, I ignored Wei Ying’s advice, went full gung ho, ate mine alone, and stayed full for the rest of the day.
No regrets.
Classic Lox in a Bagel generously filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese
Variety Beyond the Classics
If smoked salmon is not your thing, there are plenty of other options.
The menu includes sweet, savoury, and indulgent bagels, making Joja Bagel one of the best bagels in Penang purely for variety.
The Super Mario, with beef, egg, and mushroom, is a crowd favourite, and the white sesame bagels are highly recommended.
Messy but Fun Bagel Experience
Quick heads up, Joja Bagel is not a cutlery kind of place.
There are no utensils.
Grab your bagel and dig in with your bare hands—it’s a hands-on, hearty experience.
The dining experience can get messy fast, with ingredients threatening to fall out as you eat, but that is part of the charm.
Seating is limited, so many customers opt for takeaway.
Some may also be too shy to wrestle a cream cheese loaded bagel in public. LOL.
Getting messy but enjoying every bite of Jmy Lox
Price, Portion, and Overall Value
Penang locals consider Joja Bagel pricey, but don’t worry.
The cafe serves large portions with high-quality ingredients, and you can easily share each bagel.
Coffee is solid as well, using Oatside oat milk, which is a nice bonus.
My Take on Joja Bagel
Joja Bagel delivers on quality, flavour, and texture, even with the long wait and messy dining.
If you are looking for an epic bagel cafe in Penang with fresh ingredients and a wide variety of fillings, Joja Bagel is absolutely worth the hype.
Just go early, come hungry, and embrace the mess. LOL.
JOJA Bagels
55, Lebuh Bishop, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Daily 8:30 am–3:30 pm
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Blog Disclosure: This blog is independent. No payment, free meals, or services were received. All reviews reflect personal visits while exploring Penang.
