Penang- Local Cuisine

Nyonya Specialities

Nyonya cooking is peculiar only to the Chinese of Penang, Malacca and Singapore. “Nyonya” is a word used to describe a Chinese lady who has adopted the Malay dressing and cooking while maintaining the Chinese culture. Much of Nyonya cooking is inspired by the rich spices of Malay cooking featuring local leaves and fruits for that extra flavour. It is outstanding for its strong curries and flavour some spiced salads like Acar and Kerabu. The nyonya deserts and cakes are also hot favourites.

Cendol

Cendol is a favourite desert among locals. It is easily identified – green pandan flavoured noodles in white coconut milk with brown sugar and red beans. Sweet heavenly stuff, super cheap and ultra good.

For the best cendol in town (in no particular order): off Penang Road, opposite of the Police Headquarters; Lorong Selamat; Swatow Lane hawker centre in the afternoons; Kek Seng in Penang Road; and Gurney Drive hawker center in the evenings.

Laksa

The famous Penang Laksa is extremely popular, especially among ladies for its spicy, sweet, and sour taste. This is strictly a hawker fare, as one is unlikely to find great laksa in any fancy restaurant. It is basically coarse rice noodles in a sour based fish soup with assam, sprinkled with shavings of 'bunga kantang', onions, sliced chilli, cucumber and pineapple; topped with thick black fish paste.

There is a different variant called the Siam Laksa, which is made of a coconut milk based soup with fish. A protein/vitamin rich and low fat dish, the Laksa is normally served as a snack.

For the best laksa in town (in no particular order): Ayer Itam – beside the wet market from 3:00pm to 9:00pm; Balik Pulau near the wet market from morning to afternoon; Lorong Selamat in the afretnoons; Gurney Drive hawker stalls in the evenings; and Lorong Kuching, Pulau Tikus coffee shop fom 6:30 to 10:00pm.

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Time always for Laksa: The writer takes her discerning palate stall-hopping to shortlist her top three choices for the best Penang Laksa. Click here for full story

Lobak

Lobak is rolls of pork wrapped with bean curd skin and deep fried until crispy. The Lobak is usually accompanied by companions such as prawn fritters, preserved century eggs, fish fritters, octopus, fried beancurd, spring rolls, and cucumber with chili and gravy for dipping. Suitable for snack or as an appetiser.

For the best lobak in town (in no particular order): New Lane coffee shop off Macalister Road in the evenings; Sisters’ coffee shop off Macalister Road, near Perak Road junction from 9:00am to 3.00pm; Lorong Selamat; and Gurney Drive.

Nyonya Cakes

Nyonya cakes include kuih talam, kuih lapis, thor tau kuih, ondek-ondek, kuih koay see and koay beng kang.

For the best nyonya cakes in town (in no particular order): Near the Ayer Itam wet market in the mornings; Pulau Tikus wet market in the mornings; and behind of Penang Plaza in Burma Road during the afternoons.

Nyonya Dishes

Must try Nyonya dishes are kiam chye boay, joo hoo char, otak-otak (photo right), acar raveet, perut ikan, asam prawn, asam pedas and curry kapitan.

For the best nyonya dishes in town (in no particular order): Jaws at Gurney Drive; Hot Wok, Gurney Plaza; and Nyonya Secrets, Service Road.