Today, I observed two young ladies at one of the Top 10 Nasi Kandar establishments, just stepping out of their Grab ride, luggage in tow, patiently waiting in line.
Of course, I was also waiting in line; the smell of the curries was invigorating.
I could hear the mamak ask ‘Lagi’ in Malay as he took
For as long as I can recall, there has always been a list of the best Nasi Kandar joints in Penang.
During my childhood, every time my out-of-town uncles and aunties visited, this was a must-experience for them.
Later, all my overseas friends will ask me to bring them to eat this Malaysian dish, preferably the best Nasi Kandar in Penang.
That was before the advent of Apps like Grab when you could get a ride there and back quickly.
In George Town, you must contend with traffic, one-way streets, and other vehicles on the road—motorcycles, bicycles, and even tricycles.
Few other Penang foods have the same characteristics as the local Nasi Kandar.
You won’t find this in KL or elsewhere. The fans will swear by their best list – it has to be the curries from this Penang Nasi Kandar stall.
Best Fried Chicken. Best Ayam Ros. Best Ayam Negro. Best Dalca.
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What is Nasi Kandar?
For those who don’t know, Nasi Kandar is just rice, meats, vegetables, and a good mix of delicious fiery curries.
Made by the Indian Muslim community, a good Nasi Kandar meal is something you can visit and miss in Penang!
You can’t say you have tried the best Penang delicious food if you haven’t had Nasi Kandar at least once in your lifetime.
Believe me, it’s that good!
Here’s a list of the Best Nasi Kandar Penangites and Visitors Love
Top 10 Best Nasi Kandar In Penang You Must Try In George Town
A Nasi Kandar connoisseur will think nothing of the spicy, heaty, and heavy meal even when the weather is so hot outside.
The hot taste of the wok deep-fried marinated chicken, with rice drenched in curry gravy, is well worth every week.
For heatiness, we can quickly settle with coconut water, Chinese tea, or The O Kosong to cool our bodies later.
It is the spice that makes queuing in the sun worth it.
Nasi Kandar Sedap!
The best Malaysian dish has to be “banjir” (Malay for flooded), in this case, rice drenched in a spicy curry mix spooned over it.
Many will be alarmed to see their rice swimming in curry gravy for first-timers.
Don’t worry. You can ask for the curries to be served separately.
Contents
10 Best Nasi Kandar In Penang (In Alphabetical Order)
In Penang, Nasi Kandar is not without tough competition.
A few iconic restaurants have grown quite a following in the last decade.
Let’s check out what’s on the list, and I’ll give you a hint of my favorites.
Remember, “banjir” is the style that every Nasi Kandar in Penang must have.
We start this list with Nasi Kandar George Town.
Deens Maju Nasi Kandar Viral
Deens Maju Nasi Kandar is one of Penang’s youngest and most viral stalls.
While most Nasi Kandar stalls are in Little India or around Penang Road, Deen Maju is away from the maddening crowd.
The Jalan Gurdwara (Brick Kiln Road) location is quieter but not without challenges.
As Jalan Gurdwara is a one-way street without street parking, getting here can be a problem for some.
But not for the tens of people willing to queue under the hot sun.
Deen Maju opens its doors in the afternoon, and the business never stops.
With hands flying, the service is fast and furious – you get your plate within seconds of ordering.
Recommended Dishes: Fried Crispy Ayam Goreng, Curried Ayam Ros, and Squid Eggs.
The curries are thick and creamy, and don’t worry about asking for “banjir.”
Your plate is naturally “banjir-ed” to the max!
Nasi Kandar Viral
Deens Maju Nasi Kandar
Address: 170, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Penang.
Hours: 2:30 PM to 11.00 PM (Daily)
Restaurant Hameediyah Penang
The oldest Nasi Kandar in Penang, Hameediyah, is one of the cleanest restaurants with friendly and welcoming staff.
When customers queue for lunch, the staff are seen handling the green and yellow Hameediyah umbrellas for shade.
Recommended Dishes: Ayam Kapitan, Mutton Kurma, Duck Curry. Beef Rendang and Murtabak.
The restaurant has been cooking with the same flavourful, spice-packed recipe to achieve tender, juicy meats and fish curry.
Forget about ordering plain steamed white rice and opt for Nasi Briyani instead.
They’re so good there’s no going back.
Nasi Kandar Hameediyah Penang
Nasi Kandar Hameediyah Controversial Sotong
Restaurant Hameediyah Penang
Address: 164A, Lebuh Campbell, 10200, George Town, Penang.
Hour: 10.00 AM to 10.30 PM (Daily)
Line Clear Nasi Kandar
In 2017, Line Clear was forced to close by the Penang Health Department over serious hygiene concerns.
Located in a narrow alleyway along Penang Road, you may hesitate to go in to eat at first.
Since then, the restaurant has bounced back to attract regulars and visitors with its “limited time” offerings.
Some unique dishes are served only at a particular time.
Line Clear operates 24 hours a day, and the food tastes are unbeatable.
Line Clear Nasi Kandar
Address: 177, Jalan Penang, 10000, George Town, Penang.
Hours: 24/7 Daily
Nasi Kandar Beratur Original (1943)
Nasi Kandar Beratur has been in business since 1943 and got its name from the long queue of people waiting to order food.
The restaurant is next to the Kapitan Kling Mosque and serves night owls.
Every night, you will see a long queue waiting for their late dinner and supper.
The queue is about 30 min before you get to place your order.
The curry sauces are thick and flavorful, but not all are spicy.
Recommended Dishes: Beef Kurma, Onion Omelette.
Nasi Kandar Beratur Original Since 1943
Nasi Kandar Beratur Original
Address: 98, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling,10300 George Town, Penang.
Hour: 10.00 PM to 8.00 AM (Daily)
Nasi Kandar Merlin
Tucked at the ground floor of the Merlin Hotel, Merlin Nasi Kandar is the easiest to locate in the CBD in George Town.
Office workers love the scrumptious Nasi Kandar.
I have been there on and off since 1983.
Recommended Dishes: Mutton Kurma and Fish Curry.
Lunchtime is packed, so to avoid crowds, go during off-peak hours as Merlin closes in the late afternoon.
Nasi Kandar Merlin
Nasi Kandar Merlin
Nasi Kandar Merlin
Address: 1A, Lebuh Union, Merlin Hotel, 10200, George Town, Penang
Hours: 7.00 AM to 3.00 PM (Daily)
Shariff Nasi Kandar
One of my favorites, Shariff Nasi Kandar, started as a street stall where people queued for food and sat al fresco on the pavement to chow down.
Shariff later moved to a food court complex, Market And Food Complex Jalan Permai, Gelugor.
To this day, its delicious food is queue-worthy and only available from 5.00 PM daily.
The stall only operates for less than four hours a day.
If you go around 6:30 PM, you will meet USM students and working folks from the Bayan Lepas area.
Regulars in the Gelugor area prefer signature dishes like the lip-smacking Ayam Ros (Rose Chicken) and Onion Omelet.
Shariff Nasi Kandar Istimewa in Gelugor has got to be one of the cheapest and great-tasting Nasi Kandar stalls on Penang island.
It is cheaper and tastes better than the Nasi Kandar restaurants in Penang.
The dishes here are simple.
You won’t find Crabs, XXL Squid, or Oversized Prawns.
There is an excellent selection of Fried Chicken, Curry Fish, Sotong, Liver, Sambal Kerang, Omelette, and Fried Veggies like Long Beans or Cabbage.
Shariff Nasi Kandar
Address: Market And Food Complex Jalan Permai, Gelugor (Pasar Dan Kompleks Makanan) 159, Jalan Permai Taman Brown, Gelugor 11700 George Town, Penang
Hours: 5.00 PM to 10.00 PM
Restoran Deen Nasi Kandar (24 hours)
There are a few restaurants with similar names in Penang, and the restaurant Deen is one of them.
Their Nasi Kandar is good, tasty, and famous in the Jelutong area.
Most regulars are loyal fans of the mixed curry spooned over the rice.
Mix all for that one plate of delicious goodness.
Recommended Dishes: Fried Chicken and Squid with Egg.
Restoran Deen Jelutong
Restoran Deen Nasi Kandar
Address: 598-D, Jalan Jelutong, Jelutong, 11600 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Hour: 24/7
Restoran Kassim Mustafa
Restoran Kassim Mustafa began its first outlet at a Kopitiam at the junction of Lebuh King and Lebuh Bishop.
The most popular dish Ayam Negro “Black Roasted Chicken,” was a hit.
It was a piece of fried Chicken cooked and smothered in a sweet black gravy of soy sauce thick and fragrant with herbs and spices.
In 1997 Restoran Kassim Mustafa moved to Lebuh Chulia and Lebuh Penang.
The famous “Nasi Dhalca” became a household name.
Many wealthy and lavish Moghlai dishes such as biryanis (rice and meat creations kebabs, and tandoori dishes were added as specialties in Kassim Mustafa.
Recommended Dishes: Ayam Negro and Nasi Dalcha.
The restaurant is spacious and fits a large crowd.
Go early, as Kassim Mustafa is always packed during lunch and dinner hours.
Restoran Kassim Mustafa
Restoran Kassim Mustafa
Address: No. 12, Chulia Street, 10200, Georgetown, Penang
Hours: 8.00 AM to 8.00 PM
Restoran Mohamed Raffee Nasi Kandar (24 hours)
Mohamed Raffee is the best Nasi Kandar in Pulau Tikus.
The restaurant has operated since 1959 and has a huge local fan base.
The hot from the frying Wok Fried Chicken is crispy, tender, and succulent at the same time.
As for the curries, you can choose mildly flavored curries or something spicier.
Recommended Dishes: Fried Chicken, Omelette, and Dalcha.
Restoran Mohamed Raffee Nasi Kandar has the Best Fried Chicken
Restoran Mohamed Raffee Nasi Kandar
Address: No. 295, Burma Road, Pulau Tikus, Georgetown, Penang
Hours: 24 hours
Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar (ஒரிஜினல் பினாங்கு காயு நாசி கந்தர்)
Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar started in SS2, in 1973.
When someone utters the word “Kayu,” it is normal for Malaysians to think of Nasi Kandar rather than a piece of wood, which is the actual Malay word.
That’s how much of a household name the Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar has become in Malaysia.
Kayu has been eating plate after plate of steaming white rice sloshed with tantalizingly delicious curries.
Kayu had an outlet on Jalan Penang, but it has closed and relocated to Bukit Jambul.
The brand has received its fair share of brickbats for its slightly premium prices compared to its competitors.
The outlet has a comfortable environment and a loyal following that is comfortable paying premium prices.
Recommended: Nasi Kandar, Tandoori Sets
Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar Sets
Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar (ஒரிஜினல் பினாங்கு காயு நாசி கந்தர்)
Address: 15, Lebuh Nipah 6, Bukit Jambul, 11950 Bayan Lepas, Penang.
Hours: 6.00AM to 12.00 AM
Smart Dory’s List of 10 Best Nasi Kandar In Penang!
Are you already tempted by the delectable Nasi Kandar in Penang, and wondering which ones are worth trying?
If planning a weekend trip to George Town, bring this curated list of the finest Nasi Kandar spots in Penang.
For your convenience, I’ve included the operating hours of each Nasi Kandar stalls.
This will ensure you can satisfy your cravings from the early morning hours well into the late night.
Feel free to share your experiences and let me know if there are any exceptional stalls I may have overlooked.
Let me know in the comments below which of these is your favorite Nasi Kandar in Penang.
