Teow Chew Restaurant is one of those places you’d probably walk right past unless someone pointed it out.
It sits quietly along Lebuh McNair, near the junction with Magazine Road, with barely any frontage.
Wedged between old shoplots and hugging a tight sidewalk where cars zoom past, it’s easy to miss unless you’re looking for it.
From across the road, the fire-engine red signage pops—but up close, it feels like the restaurant is hanging off the edge of the street.
You don’t stumble in here.
You come with purpose, usually with a reservation, and always for the food.
The restaurant hugs the street—blink and you might miss it, with cars rushing by just inches away.
Teo Chew Restaurant Worth Checking Out
Hunting For Good Teochew Food In Penang?
This Spot Delivers.
Teow Chew Restaurant 潮州饭店 keeps it simple.
No frills, just proper Teochew flavours done right.
The menu blends Teochew classics with a few Chinese-style dishes.
Straightforward and comforting.
It gets packed, especially on weekends.
Don’t just walk in—book ahead or risk waiting.
Tables are limited.
Dining time is capped at 75 minutes.
Enough to eat, but no lingering.
If you’re coming with a big group, reserve early.
Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Prices are fair.
Portions run on the smaller side.
Order more if you’ve got a crowd.
Perfect for no-fuss family dinners.
Easygoing, honest food.
The kind that disappears fast from the table.
Reservations Matter
So Does Parking (Unfortunately)
One evening, my friends Yeong and Tan invited me to join them for dinner.
First thing they asked?
“Got make booking or not?”
It’s that kind of place—no walk-in luck!
Unless you’re really early and there are few reservations that day!
We circled the block looking for parking.
There’s a private car parking lot nearby, but the price made us wince.
Being true Penangites, we ditched the idea and walked a few minutes instead.
That alone made the food taste better.
Contents
First Impressions: Red Walls
The restaurant is painted a bold fire engine red.
It screams Chinese eatery and somehow that feels just right.
In a past life (read: previous career), I helped clients pick colour palettes—red never made the cut.
The fire engine red interior is loud—but it works, setting the tone for a no-nonsense Teochew meal.
Teo Chew Restaurant Menu
Two worn and tattered pages, with dishes grouped under fish, prawns, clams, and pork.
The font was tiny.
Even Tan joked that he needed bifocals.
In the end, we did what locals do.
We asked the owner’s wife what was fresh and worth trying that day.
She smiled knowingly and listed a few favourites.
We were in good hands.
The well-loved menu has seen plenty of flips—just two pages, but packed with Teochew favourites.
What We Ordered: Honest, Humble Favourites
Curry Stingray (RM59 / Market Price)
We ordered this based on the owner’s recommendation, and it was the highlight of our dinner.
The curry was less spicy and acidic than I’m used to.
Yeong reminded me that it was not Nyonya Asam Pedas Fish but rather a Teow Chew curry.
But the stingray was pristine—meaty, fresh, and sweet.
Not a hint of fishy aftertaste.
We spooned the curry over rice to enjoy.
Yeong love it so much that he ordered extra rice!
The curry stingray was super fresh and meaty—no muddy taste, just clean, sweet flesh in a light curry.
Stir-Fried Sio Bak
Roasted pork stir-fried in a slightly sweet glaze.
It had a good chew and flavour.
Though I personally wished for more heat.
Still, a solid dish.
Stir-fried sio bak—crispy edges, tender bites, and a savoury glaze without the usual heat.
Kailan with Lard (RM28 / Large)
Swimming in oil and loaded with crispy lard.
No apology, no subtlety—just richness.
I’m not too sure I should take so much lard so…
Kailan loaded with crispy lard, swimming in oil—rich, savoury, and unapologetically indulgent.
The food came fast since we were only the third table seated.
A larger group arrived soon after and had to wait.
We didn’t gloat—but we were quietly pleased with our timing.
I also spotted a dish I want to try next time, the Stir-Fried Teochew Mee Tiao.
It looked like the kind of comforting noodle dish I’d come back for.
Light on Seasoning.
Yeong mentioned the food here is known for being light, fresh, and MSG-free.
That’s true of Teochew cooking.
Delicate, clean, and all about natural flavours.
Personally, I lean towards bolder, spicier flavours, so some dishes felt a little mild.
But I couldn’t argue with the quality.
Every dish tasted carefully cooked and made with good ingredients.
No shortcuts.
Just proper home-style cooking done the right way.
What Other Diners Are Loving (From Google Reviews)
Teow Chew Restaurant has earned a loyal following who vouch for them online.
Teow Chew folks who grew up with this food say it tastes just like it should.
🌟 Most Recommended Dishes:
- Steamed Fish Teow Chew Style – In a light, tangy broth with salted veg and sour plum
- Prawn Meatballs (Hei Chou) – Handmade, crunchy from water chestnuts, packed with prawn
- Salted Fish Steamed Pork – Old-school, rich and perfect with plain rice
- Sweet Potato Leaf with Sambal Belacan – Earthy, spicy, and full of wok hei
- Belacan Chicken Wings – Crisp, golden, and addictive
- Curry Fish Head – Thick, lemak gravy that sells out fast
- Leek with Clams (Lala) – Comforting and savoury
- Signature Fried Rice – Wok hei, pork lard, and dangerously moreish
“The curry stingray was so good we ordered another plate.”
“We ate here three times in one week. No regrets.”
“No MSG, just real flavours and fresh ingredients. Can’t find this kind of cooking anymore.”
Tips for First-Time Diners
Book early, especially for dinner.
Don’t wing it.
Go for large portions if you’re dining in a group.
Servings are a little on the small side.
Ask for recommendations—they’re happy to guide you.
Avoid the pricey private lot.
Park along side streets or at 1st Avenue.
Come hungry and come with friends.
This is shared-food territory.
The Final Bite
Teow Chew Restaurant doesn’t try to wow you with decor or hype.
It does something harder.
It earns your trust by serving food the way it’s supposed to be.
Fresh, honest, and quietly confident.
For those of us who grew up eating food that tasted like home, this place hits a nerve.
It reminds you of what good Chinese food is supposed to be.
Clean, comforting, and respectful of the ingredient.
It may not scream for attention.
But once you’ve eaten here, you’ll remember it—and probably start telling your friends to go too.
Just don’t forget to make that reservation.
📍 Teow Chew Restaurant 潮州饭店
Address: 1, Lebuh McNair, 10300 George Town, Penang
Business Hours: 12 PM – 2:30 PM, 6 PM – 10 PM (Daily)
Contact: 017-260 1399
Blog Disclosure: This blog is written independently. No compensation, such as free meals, monetary payment, or services, has been received from featured establishments. Thank you Yeong and Tan for the lovely treats!
