11 Must-Try Halal Street Food in Penang for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Visitors love to hunt for Halal Street Food in Penang for a satisfying time.

When I travel and tell my new friends that I’m from Penang, their eyes light up.

Everyone congratulated me for staying on the island and having the best halal food.

Most of my new friends will ask for the location of these halal food stalls that the locals go to eat.

The secret, secret stalls that only Penangites know. Shhhhh…

Tasty Halal Street Food In Penang – What cuisine is available?

Well, you can choose the best choice in terms of great variety and selection.

Let me suggest a few mains and noodles.

Halal Street Food can be found in restaurants, hotels, kopitiam, and warung around the island and Butterworth.

You have a fantastic choice of cooking style and know you will get good food.

• Chinese Food
• Hainan Food
• Indian Food
• Malay Food
• Western Food
• Syrian Food

As I always tell my new friends, we only eat one meal daily in Penang.

It starts when you wake up and continue to graze throughout the day and night until you fall asleep.

Just one long meal.

Halal Street Food Locations

The eateries are scattered around Penang and Butterworth.

Some eating places I visit are by pure luck; I join the queues where I see people lining up for food!

We start with bread.

Toasts with Soft Boiled Eggs or Roti Bakar Telor Goyang are a favorite breakfast staple in Penang.

What’s so special about toasts with eggs?

In George Town, the Chinese Kopitiam uses thick-cut, fluffy Hainanese bread.

I remember the old (defunct) Kopitiam that used a copper boiler to boil water in Gat Lebuh, China, George Town, Penang.

They toast the best bread over a charcoal flame or steamed over a water boiler.

They steam the bread gently to warm it up.

When you order the Toast, you will get Coconut Jam (Kaya) and Butter (Planta) spread between 2 slices of crunchy Toast.

Astaka Taman Tun Sardon

Astaka Taman Tun Sardon is a popular halal breakfast spot for Penangites.

If you have always wanted to eat toast with eggs or Roti Bakar, Telor Goyang is here.

The stall makes a version with healthy wholemeal Toast.

At Astaka Taman Tun Sardon, try the soft-boiled eggs served in a cup with soy sauce and white pepper.
You season the eggs, then dip the toast into the eggy mixture.

Aside from Roti Bakar, you can sample delicious local Malay breakfast delicacies, including Nasi Lemak, Nasi Lemuni Murtabak, and Kuih Serabai.

If you want to try Chinese-style food, there is wanton mee, Economy Fried Bihun, and Char Kway Teow, too.

For the early riser, Astaka Taman Tun Sardon is the best place to satisfy their breakfast cravings and find halal Food in Penang.

Astaka Taman Tun Sardon
Address: Taman Tun Sardon, 11700 Gelugor, Penang.
Operating Hours: 6:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. (Closed on Monday)

Roti Canai Gemas Road

Roti Canai, also called Roti, is a great staple.

After being tossed like a pizza, the flour and oil mixture ball becomes a thin, flat piece of bread.
Once it’s cooked, the outside becomes crunchy.

You can eat Roti Canai with Dahl, chicken curry, fish curry, or even sugar and condensed milk.

For an exciting version, try the Roti Canai Gemas Road.

Eat it with chicken curry, a slice of cheese, and onions—one of the hidden halal street foods in Penang (in a village) that went viral recently.

Roti Canai Gemas Road
51, 29 Jalan Gemas, Taman Kampar, Penang
Telephone: 012-955 9645
Hours: 7.00 AM to 10.00 PM (Mondays Closed)

Nasi Melayu Lidiana

Technically, it is not street food, but Nasi Melayu is a warung-style Malay Food staple that all Malaysians love.

I got to have my nasi and lauk with ulam and sambal.

To Malaysians, they think they are speaking in English, but it’s Manglish.

Imagine how they order food in Penang.

A simple Nasi Melayu comprises Nasi (white rice), Lauk (Dishes), and Ulam (an assortment of raw vegetables and herbs) with spicy Sambal (pounded chili paste).

The white rice is the base to receive the choice of Malay dishes, an assortment of different vegetables, eggs, and Sambal.

• Ikan Torpedo (fried fish with Sambal)
• Curry Chicken, Curry Fish
• Ayam Kunyit (turmeric fried chicken)
• Beef Rendang

Pour the gravy (Kuah) all over your rice to taste the delicious flavors that combine so well with the white rice.

Try Nasi Melayu Lidiana opposite the Floating Mosque.

Go early for the Ikan Terubuk.

Nasi Melayu Lidiana
Medan Selera Tanjung Bungah, Opposite Masjid Terapung Tanjung Bungah
Hours: 7.00 AM to 3.00 PM (Sundays Closed)

Restaurant Deens Maju Nasi Kandar

If you are ever in Penang, the only 24 Hours Fast Food Joint where all Malaysians congregate is the Mamak and Nasi Kandar outlets.

But the stall with the longest queues has to be Restaurant Deens Maju Nasi Kandar for lunch and dinner.

At Deens Maju, during the weekends, there is a long serpentine queue from the side of the restaurant until the backplane spills onto the main road!

Most of their customers are loyal fans, so all will wait for their food.

The dish mixed with the curries and gravies from different meats gives it that unique, flavorful taste.
The spices are more robust than the Malay curries.

The dishes include meats like Chicken, Fish, Beef, Mutton, Prawns, Squid, and Duck.

Restaurant Deens Maju Nasi Kandar
170, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Penang
Hours: 2.00 PM to 11.00 PM (Opens Daily)
Telephone: 012-425 2421

Bee Hwa Cafe

Get all the Chinese-style halal street food at Bee Hwa Cafe in George Town.

The kopitiam has been serving delicious noodles to its Malay customers for years.

One of the top sellers is the Chinese-style Char Kway Teow, fried with fragrant wok hei.

The Chinese aunty fries the flat rice noodles in a wok with bean sprouts, cilantro, prawns, duck egg, and soy sauce.

The duck egg gives the CKT a delicious creaminess and makes it extra tasty.

Most places in Penang serve non-halal Char Kway Teow, but a halal Char Kway Teow is hard to find.

So save this list so you can try it when you visit Penang.

Bee Hwa Cafe
10, Lebuh Dickens, 10050 George Town, Penang
Landmark: Penang Contingent Police Headquarters
Hours: 7.00 AM to 3.00 PM (Sundays Closed)

Klook.com

Medan Selera Padang Brown

Medan Selera Padang Brown is one of the food paradises in Penang that offers a variety of food options that will make you want to eat.

The local Malays refer to the place as Padang Brom.

Medan Selera Padang Brown serves a range of local cuisines for foodies.

From Pasembur to Mee Mamak and many others – the top favorite halal street food In Penang that visitors love is the Celoq-Celoq (Lok Lok Steamboat)

Celoq-Celoq Padang Broom is great for a hotpot meal with family and friends.

You can choose the food skewers you like—dip or Celoq-Celoq into a pot of boiling water and then dip with your favorite sauce.

One shrimp skewer is about RM5 to RM6, but it’s worth it when it’s fresh!

Astaka Padang Brown is a tasty option for those who like halal steamboat-style food.

Medan Selera (Halal) Padang Brown
Address: Jln Perak, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: Daily 5.30 PM to 11.30 PM (Tuesdays Closed)

Restoran Terapung Pulau Aman

Mee Udang is not to be confused with Penang Hokkien Mee or Prawn Noodles.

This version has the essence of prawn shells that naturally sweeten the tomatoey soup taste.

Some of the best Malay stalls sell this dish with Ketam (Crabs) and even a side serving of Ayam Kunyit (Turmeric Fried Chicken).

For fresh prawns, check out the Mee Udang Stalls in Teluk Bayu, Gertak Sunggal, Pulau Aman, or Sungai Dua.

If you plan a day trip with a boat ride, try the Mee Udang at Pulau Aman.

Pulau Aman (Island of Peace) is one of Seberang Perai’s main attractions.

The habitable island is reachable by ferry boat from the pier at Bukit Tambun.

You can park your vehicle for the day and take the speedboat to the island.

Restoran Terapung Pulau Aman
No. 120, Simpang Ampat, 14100, Pulau Aman, Penang
Tel: 016-495 5125
Hours: 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM

Laksa Janggus Balik Pulau

Penang Assam Laksa Ranked No.7 on CNN’s World’s 50 Best Foods, BUT there are 12 Types of Laksa in Malaysia.

I like the Malay version more.

You will want to try the Malay-style Laksa Noodles from Laksa Janggus, Balik Pulau.

The handmade rice noodles have a tell-tale, uneven surface and a softer texture.

The fish broth is tasty, with the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors made with flaked mackerel, tamarind, chili, mint, and lemongrass.

They serve this version with half a hard-boiled egg and vegetables like cucumber, onion, and pineapple.

Laksa Janggus Balik Pulau
Address: 338 MK, I, Kampung Perlis, 11000 Balik Pulau, Penang
Hours: Daily 3.30 PM to 8.00 PM (Wednesdays Closed)

Kak Nor Café

If you are visiting Penang Hill and love a great thirst quencher – try Kak Nor Café ABC Special.

And yes, you can have Ice Kacang for breakfast; why not?

The Penang Hill Ais Kacang menu is guaranteed to make you drool.

Since 1986, Kak Nor Café ABC Special has been creating delightful desserts that are not only delicious but also Instagram-worthy.

You can also try the equally delicious fresh fruit drinks.

Kak Nor Café ABC Special
No. 20 Penang Hill Food Court
Hours: 8.00 AM to 7.00 PM

Cendol Pulut Jalan Chowrasta

Try heading to a less crowded spot if you don’t want to queue for the Penang Road Famous Teochew Cendol at Lebuh Keng Kwee, Georgetown.

On the second floor of the Chowrasta Bazaar, you can check out the secondhand books.

Also, drop by this stall for a bowl of Cendol Pulut.

They make Cendol fresh daily at this stall, which has been operating for 15 years.

It is made of shaved ice, palm sugar, coconut milk, red beans, and green jelly (Cendol).

A sweet and straightforward dessert will leave you wanting more with every spoon.

I add glutinous rice to this Cendol for a delicious, fulfilling treat.

Cendol Pulut
Jalan Chowrasta
Hours: 11.00 AM to 7.00 PM Daily

Rojak Buah & Laksa Pantai Miami

A must-try is Rojak Buah with raw fruits drizzled with a spicy sweet sauce and topped with peanuts.

A local salad, the ingredients include unripe mangoes, pineapple, jicama, tofu puff, cucumber, and crackers.

The sauce’s sweetness creates an outstanding balance between sour fruits and raw vegetables.
Rojak Buah is a teatime snack or after-meal dessert.

You can have a picnic at Maimi Beach and swim in the sea.

Or chill by the beach and enjoy a hot bowl of spicy Malay Laksa and Rojak Buah.

One of the best activities to do when visiting Penang is ‘Makan Makan Tepi Laut’ (eating by the seaside).

Rojak Buah & Laksa Pantai Miami
No. 1 Kompleks Pantai Miami,
Jalan Pantai Miami (5.87 mi) Batu Feringgi, Penang
Hours: 12.30 PM to 6.30 PM (Tuesdays Closed)

Conclusion Halal Street Food in Penang

Are you drooling with excitement yet?

The list of the best halal street food in Penang is waiting for you to EXPLORE!

It’s time to head to Penang for a short getaway in food heaven this weekend.

Don’t forget to follow SmartDory and share the list with your friends.

Cheers, and have a great eating adventure ahead!

Enjoy!

 

[updated 7 November 2024]