Penang Must-Eat 10

Cendol

Shaved ice with green rice-flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar.

Penang Road Famous Teochew Cendol · George Town

Mon–Sun 10:00–18:30

Koay teow th'ng

A clear, gentle soup of flat rice noodles with fish balls and sliced meat.

Ah Boy Koay Teow Thng · George Town

Mon 07:00–14:00; Wed–Sun 07:00–14:00; Closed Tue

Lor bak

Five-spice meat rolled in bean-curd skin, deep-fried, with a thick dipping sauce.

Kheng Pin Cafe · George Town

Wed–Sun 07:00–13:30; Closed Mon–Tue

Nyonya kuih

Peranakan bite-size cakes of glutinous rice, coconut and pandan.

Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay · George Town

Mon–Sun 10:00–17:00

Rojak

Fruit and vegetables tossed in sweet, thick prawn-paste sauce with crushed peanuts.

Rojak Ho Wei Jeng (101 Rojak) · George Town

Tue–Sat 18:00–23:00; Closed Mon, Sun

Hokkien mee

Penang's prawn noodle soup: a deep prawn-shell broth with noodles, prawns and sliced meat.

888 Hokkien Mee · George Town

Mon–Wed 15:30–21:30; Fri–Sun 15:30–21:30; Closed Thu

Nasi kandar

Rice flooded with mixed curries, with fried chicken, squid or vegetables on the side.

Deen Maju Nasi Kandar · George Town

Mon–Thu 12:00–22:00; Sat–Sun 12:00–22:00; Closed Fri

Char koay teow

Flat rice noodles fried hard over high heat with prawns, cockles, egg and bean sprouts.

Siam Road Char Koay Teow · George Town

Tue–Sat 12:00–18:00; Closed Mon, Sun

White curry mee

Noodles in coconut curry broth with cockles and tofu puffs; stir in the chilli paste yourself.

Hot Bowl White Curry Mee · George Town

Tue–Sun 08:00–14:30; Closed Mon

Assam laksa

Rice noodles in a sour, spicy tamarind and fish broth, topped with mint, pineapple and prawn paste.

Air Itam Laksa · Air Itam

Sat–Sun 10:30–17:00; Closed Mon–Fri

Nasi kandar

Rice flooded with mixed curries, with fried chicken, squid or vegetables on the side.

Deen Maju Nasi Kandar · George Town

Mon–Thu 12:00–22:00; Sat–Sun 12:00–22:00; Closed Fri

Apom manis

Thin, sweet coconut pancakes, crisp at the edge and soft in the middle.

Apom Tosai Kampung Rawa · George Town

Tue–Sun 06:30–11:30; Closed Mon

Mee goreng mamak

Yellow noodles fried with potato, tofu, egg and chilli -- the mamak-stall classic.

Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng New World Park · George Town

Mon–Sun 09:00–18:00

Roti canai

Flaky griddled flatbread with dhal or curry for dipping.

Heritage Transfer Road Roti Canai · George Town

Mon–Sat 07:00–12:00; Sun 07:30–12:00

Pasembur

Shredded cucumber, fritters, prawn cake and egg under a sweet-spicy sauce.

Pasembur King (Hussain) · George Town

Mon–Fri 11:45–00:15; Sat 11:45–00:30; Sun 11:30–00:30

Nasi lemak

Coconut rice with sambal, peanuts, anchovies and egg, often wrapped in banana leaf.

Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu Georgetown · George Town

Mon–Sun 07:00–04:00

Char koay teow

Flat rice noodles fried hard over high heat with prawns, egg and bean sprouts.

Man Char Kuey Teow Wet Style (Halal) · Tanjung Tokong

Mon–Wed 17:00–23:00; Fri–Sun 17:00–23:00; Closed Thu

Mee udang

Noodles in a rich prawn broth with large prawns.

Mee Udang Batu Ferringhi (Mamu Misai) · Batu Ferringhi

Mon–Sun 17:30–23:00

Assam laksa

Rice noodles in a sour, spicy tamarind and fish broth, topped with mint and pineapple.

Farlim Shell Station Laksa Cafe · Air Itam

Mon–Sun 11:00–18:30

Cendol

Shaved ice with green rice-flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar.

Nana Cendol & Bihun Sup · Gelugor

Mon–Fri 12:00–19:00; Closed Sat–Sun