Updated 1 September 2025: After three recent visits, the editor refreshed this post with the latest menu and experiences at Hon Kei Food Corner.
If you grew up in Penang, you’ve probably had a bowl from Hon Kei Food Corner (汉记小食店) at least once.
Tucked along Kampung Malabar, this once-tiny pushcart has grown into one of Penang’s best-known food spots.
I’ve been eating here since my student days.
Back when we sat on rickety stools, sweating over steaming bowls of pork porridge.
Fast-forward to 2025 — Hon Kei is brighter, bigger, and busier than ever, yet the flavors remain comfortingly familiar.
Bitter Gourd Mixed Pork Soup
The Bitter Gourd Mixed Pork Soup is Hon Kei’s star dish.
Slow-simmered pork bones give a full-bodied yet clean broth, with a gentle bitterness from fresh gourd slices.
Paired with soft, fragrant yam rice, it’s Penang comfort food at its finest.
I went with Yvonne, who ordered the kidney and liver soup — her offal heaven.
Cooked in Hon Kei’s copper pot, the soup was perfectly hot with an irresistible aroma.
Her verdict? Instant love. Silky kidney, tender liver, zero funk.
I tried a spoonful and understood why offal fans swear by this place.
If you’ve hesitated about pork offal, this is the perfect introduction.
Fresh, clean, perfectly balanced — delicate textures with deep, comforting flavors.
Hon Kei Food Corner 2025 Menu
Forget the old Char Hor Fun — it’s no longer on the menu.
Hon Kei is leaning into what it does best: soulful soups, pork noodles, and porridge.
🥢 Signature Soups (Non-Halal)
- Bitter Gourd Mixed Pork Soup — the new local favorite
- Pickled Mustard Pork Soup — lighter, tangy broth
- Mixed Offal Soup — for the brave – kidney, liver, intestine, heart, brain.
🍜 Noodles & Porridge
- Minced Pork Porridge (Bak Moi) — timeless classic
- Fish Head Vermicelli — light, milky broth
- Noodle choices: thin, thick, vermicelli (mee suah), or a mix
🍚 Rice Options
- Yam Rice — best paired with bitter gourd soup
- Steamed White Rice
Optional fried add-ons like wantan, loh bak, and crispy pork lard are available for extra crunch.
Why Locals Love Hon Kei Food Corner (汉记小食店)
Part of Hon Kei’s magic was the open kitchen — copper pots clanging, broth hissing, and chefs scooping soup with precision.
It was chaotic, noisy, and gloriously Penang.
In 2025, things have evolved.
The kitchen is now separate from the air-conditioned dining area — a cool upgrade for George Town’s relentless heat.
Now you can enjoy your steaming bowl in cool comfort, but the flavors haven’t changed.
Hon Kei still serves bold broths, perfectly cooked offal, and the nostalgic taste that keeps generations coming back.
Tips for Ordering at Hon Kei
- Go early — Bitter gourd soup and yam rice sell out fast at lunch
- Ask about offal — Not every cut is available daily
- Best seats — Near the windows if you prefer airflow
- Pair smartly — Bitter gourd soup + yam rice = unbeatable combo
Hon Kei Food Corner Practical Guide
📍 Address: 55, Kampong Malabar, George Town, 10200 Penang
🕘 Opening Hours: 9 AM – 3 PM & 5 PM – 12 AM (Closed Thursdays)
📞 Contact: +60 4 421 2235
🚗 Parking: MBPP street parking nearby or private lots within walking distance
Travel Tips
Street Parking: MBPP parking is available Mon–Sat (9 AM–5 PM, including public holidays). Free on Sundays.
Private Parking: A lot further down the road offers ample spaces during peak hours. Rates: RM3/hour (Mon–Fri) and RM4/hour (weekends & public holidays). Be aware it can fill up quickly.
Final Thoughts — Why You Should Visit Hon Kei Food Corner in 2025
For me, Hon Kei Food Corner (汉记小食店) has always been more than just a place to eat.
It’s where Penangites gather after badminton, families share Cantonese soups, and friends like Yvonne savor silky pork kidney and liver.
If you’re visiting George Town, start with the Bitter Gourd Mixed Pork Soup paired with yam rice — rich, balanced, and deeply comforting.
Feeling brave? Order the offal soup. Few places in Penang prepare it this well.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, Hon Kei remains one of the best spots for Penang pork noodles.
A little modernized, a little cooler, but always delicious.
Blog Disclosure: This blog is written independently. The editor has not received any compensation, free meals, payment, or services from the featured establishments. These are simply places the editor personally enjoys and brings friends to when visiting Penang.
