Penang is definitely a food haven where you can get some of the best Malaysian foods, such as Char Koay Teow, Laksa and more. While there are plenty of food guides which tell you where to get the best food for lunch or dinner, many visitors have overlooked the fact that Penang is also filled with snacks which even Penangite finds it hard to resist. Plus, what better way to pile on those calories during a makan trip than to stuff yourself with more local snacks which you can enjoy in between meals.
Let the salivating feast begin!
1. Pisang Goreng
Source: Lowyat Forum
Golden brown pisang goreng is one of the best tea time snacks.
Source: Penang Food Galore
This pisang goreng stall is located along Free School Road. It’s so crispy that when you bite it, u can feel the crunchiness which makes you crave for more.
2. Di Kuih (Fried Nian Gao)
Source: Kyspeaks
In Hokkien dialect, we called this as “Di Kuih”, the “Di” refers to sweet. So, the whole thing actually is made of potato, yam and “nian gao”. The “nian gao” is actually very sticky. You can also find it from the same pisang goreng stall along Free School Road.
3. Nyonya Kuih
Source: Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay & Canteen FB page
You must really try this nyonya kuih in Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay & Canteen as this family business has been running for at least 60 years. The canteen is located at Jalan Masjid. Other than nyonya kuih, they also have Asam Laksa and drinks.
Source: Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay & Canteen FB page
4. Cai Tao Kuih
Source: Youtube
Some people prefer the Cai Tao Kuih (reddish cake) to be soft and crispy at the same time, while others prefer it to crispy through and through. So, don’t be shock if you see some Cai Tao Kuih is in more golden brown colour.
Source: Cai Tao Kuih FB page
In Air Itam, there is a popular stall which has a long history of selling Cai Tao Kuih for over 26 years. It’s located just right at the opposite of the famous Laksa stall in Air Itam too and it can be spotted easily with a long line of people waiting to get their hands on this snack during tea time.
5. Apam Balik/ Ban Jian Kuih
Apparently, there is two kinds of Apam Balik, one which is really soft and fluffy with a hint of crispiness at the edge, which the other is pure crispiness inside and out. In Penang, the soft ones is known as Apom and the crispy ones we call it Ban Jian Kuih. Just think of them as siblings with different texture, will you?
Source: SG Food on Foot
This is how Ban Jian Kuih looks like! Crispy~
So where can you find it? I strongly recommend you to get it from AKI Pancake Stall.
Source: It’s About Food Blogspot
Source: Ipohmotormouth Blogspot
This stall sells a huge variety of Ban Jian Kuih and is located in Lip Sin Super Tanker Food Centre, Penang. there’s always an endless line of people queuing up for this, so it is no surprise that their Ban Jian Kuih are all sold out most of the time.
Source: Koleksi 1001 Resepi
Source: Rebecca Saw
They also have different sizes of apom too, ranging from XS and XL.
You can find the XL size at the Pisa Corner Food Court, which is just opposite SPICE Arena Penang. Whereas, the XS size can be found in Uncle Guan pancake stall which has been selling it for more than 4 decades. Most Penangite knows about Uncle Guan. So, if you don’t know where is it, feel free to ask the any of your Penangites and they will gladly show you the way.
6. Curry Puff
Source: Nyonya Cooking
Curry puff is a snack that you can get from every states in Malaysia. However, do you know that curry puff actually have different sorts of varieties too?
Source: Foodspotting
Mutiara Karipap is a place where where everyone get to taste different types of curry puffs which comes in large size. This stall serves 12 kinds of curry puffs! Their curry puff is only available on weekdays, from 1pm till 6.30pm. Do note that they will close their stall early when they run out of stock to sell for the day.
7. Samosa
Source: Youtube
If you are a big fan of this Indian snack, you must really try this Samosa at Queen Street, Little India, Penang.
Source: Cokeworld Citizen Blogspot
The thing about the samosa from this stall is that it’s always crispy, like, all the time! What sorcery is that?
They also have other snacks like Chickpeas, Sugee cake and a lot more.
8. Cendol
This one right here needs no further introduction.
Source: Gourmanda
Speaking of cendol, every Penangite will most likely recommend you to try the one from Penang Road Famous Teochew Cendol, which is located at Lebuh Keng Kwee, Georgetown, Penang.
Source: I Blog My Way Blogspot
It’s so popular that there’s always a line waiting to get a bowl of this sweet goodness. In the past, Penangites used to stand and eat by the roadside, but now people can enjoy their cendol by sitting inside the air conditioned shop. Be sure to mae your way there early as their store opens from 10am till 7.30pm daily.
9. Tau Sar Pheah
I guess people are quite familiar with this. Normally, people will make it a point to stop by Ipoh after visiting Penang to get this before driving back to KL, but you can actually get this in Penang too.
Source: Penang Trails
Normally, Penangites will purchase this from Him Heang and Ghee Hiang. Both shops are very famous in Penang and they have expanded their businesses to a few branches. You can check out their website to see which branch is located closer to your while you’re in Penang.
10. Chee Cheong Fun
Source: Objekwisata
Is a MUST try food! The Chee Cheong Fun from Genting Café (Island Glades) and Seow Fong Lye Café (Macalister Lane) are exceptionally famous among locals.
Source: Vkeong.com
For Genting Café, their Chee Cheong Fun is served with dark prawn paste mixed with peanut butter, which makes it special among Penangites.
Source: Michelle Noms Blogspot
The Chee Cheong Fun from Seow Fong Lye, on the other hand has more than 60 years of history and it is famous for its silky smooth texture of the rice rolls.
