Roti Canai Gemas Road is the busiest Roti Canai spot in Penang.
This hidden stall is a local community place near a Malay kampung in Caunter Hall, Penang.
Known for serving some of the best Roti Canai in Penang, the stall is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
You can reach this stall via Caunter Hall on narrow roads or from Kampar Road or Trengganu Road.
Despite its location being somewhat off the tourist grid, I’ve encountered tourists from Raub, Pahang, who had discovered the spot through viral food photos.
Roti Canai Transfer Road gets all the hype, but Roti Canai Gemas Road is way better.
It’s frustrating that more people don’t realize what they’re missing.
I find that Roti Canai Gemas Road is tastier and worth the trip for anyone seeking authentic flavors.
What is Roti Canai?
Roti Canai Gemas Road serves one of the best versions of Roti Canai, an Indian-influenced flatbread that’s a breakfast staple across Southeast Asia.
This popular dish, found in hidden food stalls across Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore, is known for its simple yet flavorful preparation.
Made with only flour and oil, the dough is skillfully kneaded and folded to achieve the fluffy, flaky texture.
This gives Roti Canai with curry an irresistible appeal.
The dough’s unique texture comes from the “spinning” technique, where air is incorporated before it is cooked with vegetable oil and ghee on a hot grill.
In Singapore, this dish is called Roti Pratha, but here at Roti Canai Gemas Road, it’s all about the local flavors.
Contents
Roti Canai Gemas Road Early Days
I have been eating at Roti Canai Gemas Road since its early days, long before it became famous.
Back then, it was just a simple, hidden food stall where locals gathered for a cheap, satisfying breakfast.
A Roti Canai with Dhal Curry and a hot Kopi was the perfect way to start the day.
Over time, the little stall has grown in popularity, attracting many new customers.
Today, Roti Canai Gemas Road has become one of the hottest breakfast spots in Penang, surpassing the once-revered Roti Canai Transfer Road in George Town.
Many people rave about the stall’s tasty curries, and I couldn’t agree more.
The curries here perfectly complement the special Roti Canai, topped with a sunny-side egg, slivers of onion, and cheese.
What’s the stall like?
The eatery is small and gets very crowded over the weekends.
It is always bustling with people eager to try their famous Roti Canai breakfast.
If you want to eat here, you must dig in quickly once your Roti Canai with curry arrives.
There are many others are waiting for a chance to sit at your table.
The best strategy to secure a spot is to go alone or with just one friend so you can easily ask to share a table.
You to enjoy the delicious offerings without a long wait.
Roti Canai on the grille. Photo: Doris Lim
Roti Canai Gemas Road Menu
- Plain Roti Canai
- Egg Roti Telur
- Roti Satu Malaysia
- Thin & Crispy Roti Tissue
- Roti Planta
- With Onion Roti Bawang
- Roti Bakar Set (Add Telur 1/2 Masak)
- Roti Bakar Kosong
- Roti Bakar 1 set
Sunny Side Eggs and French Toast. Photo: Doris Lim.
Extra Order for Your Roti Canai Gemas Road
- Sunny-Side Egg (Telur Mata)
- Beeef (Daging)
- Mutton (Kambing)
- Chicken (Ayam)
Drinks Menu
The famous hot beverage, Teh Tarik (pulled milk tea), pairs perfectly with the Roti Canai.
The extensive drinks menu includes Teh, Milo, Kopi, and Syrup, with more exciting options like Asam Ais, Nestum Panas, and Nestum Ais.
You can find the menu along with the stall’s operating hours.
“Sabar Menanti” means “Please Wait Patiently”
Roti Canai Gemas Road Special
Other stalls serve a Roti Telur with an egg cooked inside the Roti, but over here, they elevate it by using a sunny-side-up fried egg on top.
They generously top the Roti Canai with a thin slice of cheese and a handful of chopped raw purple onions.
The final touch is drenching the Roti Canai with curry sauces: a flavorful mix of chicken curry, beef curry, and dhal curry.
For those with smaller appetites, a simple Roti can be quite sufficient.
However, big eaters will want to try the Roti Canai Special, which comes with extra servings of curried beef, mutton, or chicken.
The food is served in a rustic style, so don’t expect perfect plating—this is all about the hearty flavors!
Roti Canai Cheese with Double Eggs. Photo: Doris Lim.
Roti Telur Special with Chicken. Photo: Doris Lim.
Roti Canai Cheese with Egg and without Egg. Photo: Doris Lim.
What’s the taste of the Roti Canai Gemas Road?
The Roti is flaky on the outside and soft on the inside, perfectly balanced without being too greasy.
They serve the Roti Canai drenched in curry, and while the Chicken Curry is a bit spicy for my taste.
Spicy chili lovers will find it mild.
The curry flavor is excellent, especially the thick and delicious Dhall.
The best way to enjoy this dish is to let the Roti soak up all the spicy flavors of the Dhall and curry gravy.
I love breaking the runny yolk to mix it into the gravy and savoring the Roti with cheese, onion, and beef!
Roti Canai Gemas Road vs Roti Canai Transfer Road
When comparing, both stalls offer a similar variety of curries, including beef, chicken, and dhal.
However, taste-wise, I prefer Roti Canai Gemas Road because its gravy is notably spicier and packs a flavorful punch.
I like that it enhances the overall experience of enjoying Roti Canai with curry.
Roti Canai Kosong is flooded with a delicious mix of curry gravy. Photo: Doris Lim.
How to get to Gemas Road?
It’s easier to enter from Kampar Road, and there is a vacant lot where you can park opposite the stall.
The road is narrow and one-way only if you come from Jalan P Ramlee (Caunter Hall).
So, making a U-turn can be tricky if you use Google Maps or Waze when your Data is laggard.
Drive straight in, and parking is on the left-hand side. Photo: Doris Lim.
Review
The Roti is delicious. The only downside is the long wait and slow service.
I only parked on my third trip to Gemas Road.
I will come back for another roti on weekday mornings.
Have you tried this Roti Canai? What do you think? Is this better than Roti Canai Jalan Transfer?
Roti Canai Gemas Road (Gemas Road Roti Canai)
51, 29 Jalan Gemas, 10460 George Town, Penang
GPS: 5.409452, 100.310308
Closed on Mondays and in the evenings on Thursdays and Sundays.
Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meal.
