Penang is home to many delicacies, including curry noodles and Hokkien noodles, but let's not forget about char kway teow. We don’t know anyone who doesn’t like char kway teow, especially Penang char kway teow! The evocative lard, the duck egg that underlines the flavour, the ingredients — have you really experienced Malaysian food culture if you haven’t tried this?
In Penang, good char kway teow isn’t uncommon. Today, we’re excited to bring you 8 shops selling some of the best char kway teow in Penang!
1. Ah Leng Char Koay Teow @ Tong Hooi Restaurant
The char kway teow stall here works hard to deliver orders everyday and it’s quite easy to see why many locals enjoyed them so much. The noodles are fried to ultimate fragrance and totally delish, the ingredients — particularly the prawns — are aromatic even on their own, and the lard was in a liberal amount. A must-try for all char kway teow lovers out there.
We hope you’re prepared to wait in line, because the shop is probably halfway into being fully filled by the time you’re there. Good news is, that’s quite telling of how good the char kway teow here is. In fact, the owner has an experience in cooking char kway teow for 40 years! The noodles are fried using a charcoal stove, giving it a slightly smoky flavour, served with scrumptious pieces of good ol’ prawns. You’re really missing out on one of the seven wonders in the world if you don’t try this!
3. Char Koay Teow @ Kedai Kopi Sin Hwa
3. Char Koay Teow @ Kedai Kopi Sin Hwa
Various media outlets have reported about this place as their char kway teow stall is known as one of the best in Penang. We would say that one of their major selling points is that their char kway teow includes squid as one of the ingredients Of course, other reasons include the flavour, which must be a vital point in order to savour good char kway teow — and this stall in Kedai Kopi Sin Hwa does the job well!
Another shop that you best be arriving early at, because they get many patrons and when the seats are filled, we hope you have the patience to wait. However, we would say it’s worth waiting even forever for a plate of their char kway teow — they’re not known as one of the best in Malaysia for no reason, after all! That perfect plate of char kway teow filled with lard that you’ve always dream of? It’s right here!
Situated right in front of the coffee shop is this particular char kway teow stall. Aside from their char kway teow’s fragrance, they’re also known to be quite generous with their ingredients — of which include a hearty amount of mantis prawns and regular prawns. Not to mention, they’re one of the cheapest places around town.
Their char kway teow may look like any other, but again — it’s always the taste that’s most important! This is Penang we’re talking about and Tiger Char Koay Teow isn’t about to disappoint with their lip-smacking cooking. It might be a little bit too greasy for those who are watching out for their health, but a small indulgence every once in a while doesn’t hurt!
Sister’s Char Kway Teow is quite special, starting with the fact that bits of crab meat are actually incorporated into each plate! The taste is the most noteworthy part — it’s distinct and strong without straying from the signature char koay teow flavour we love, making it easily stand out from the standard ones. Do note that ordering drinks is compulsory at the café, otherwise you will be charged.
Sany is famous for their “wet” char kway teow — served in a thick handmade gravy! In fact, you can even buy their gravy in a bottle. Known for being one of the best Malay char kway teow in Penang, patrons love them for how the gravy accentuates the flavour and contributes generously to the char kway teow experience.
