Hawker Fare At Its Best

Updated: April 2002

Welcome to the world of Penang hawker fare. The mention of this island spells sun-kissed beaches, sightseeing, shopping and, of course, food. Hawker food in Penang is savoured by both locals and tourists. Most vacationers know that no holiday in Penang is complete without tasting the many sumptuous hawker delights. Here is a list of recommended hawker sites where the vendors cook up a storm that will satisfy everyone's palate. -- By Anthony Chew

Assam Laksa

An irresistible hawker's delight: translucent meehoon immersed in sourish assam soup, topped with pieces of fish, mint leaves, strips of cucumber and pineapple. This Peranakan-influenced soup dish is priced at a modest rate of between RM1.70 and RM2.

• Jooi Hooi Cafe, Penang RoAd.
• RoAdside stall off Air Itam wet market. A family business passed down from the present operator's father.
• RoAdside stall at Jalan Johor beside Datuk Kramat PAdang. Has been in operation for more than 30 years.

Char Bee Hoon (fried rice noodles)

Delicious and economical. For as little as 80 sen, one can enjoy a filling meal. Though fried in bulk, the quality is maintained as if every plate you eat was individually fried. A good takeaway order.

• In the morning: a stall opposite Perak RoAd wet market.
• In the evening: a pushcart at Chulia Street/Chulia Lane junction.
• Also at the night hawker stalls in Kimberley Street.

Oy Chen (fried oyster)

Plain flour, tapioca, eggs and oyster, fried to perfection with a spoonful of chilli paste. For extra spice, just dip this delicacy into the special chilli sauce mixed with diced garlic. Among the best fried oyster in town:

• Seng Thor Coffee Shop (junction of Carnavon Street and Kimberly Street), morning and afternoon).
• At night: Seahorse Hawker Centre, Tanjong Tokong, next to Chinese Swimming Club.
• A stall at the Bayan Baru hawker complex.

Hokkien Mee

This dish of noodles in prawn soup has an aroma that entices even first-timers who have never tried it before. Just Add chilli for an extra kick.

• For breakfast: the coffee shop at Burma RoAd/Bangkok Lane junction
• If you like extra ingredients such as prawns and pork ribs, the morning stall at Acheen Street is recommended
• At night: the coffee shop at Burma RoAd, opposite Him Heang Biscuit Shop.

Ice Kacang

A popular Malaysian dessert; a concoction of shaved ice, sweet corn, red beans, cendol, jelly and sago topped with evaporated milk and rose syrup. Fruits like banana, raisins etc are alternative choices of toppings.

• Swatow Lane roAdside stall.
• Mt Erskine Hawker Centre in the afternoon.
• This "cooler'' is also good at Stall 888 at Penang Hill Hawker Centre.

Lok-Lok

Similar to steamboat, where one can enjoy skewered pieces of fishball, meat, sotong, prawns, cockles etc by dipping them in boiling soup. These steamy items can be further enhanced with lok-lok sauce.

• Pulau Tikus Hawker Centre.
• Datuk Kramat Hawker Centre.

Koay Teow Th'ng (soup koay teow)

Koay teow (rice noodles) is cooked in soup with shredded meat, meatballs and sai toh fish balls Added in. Some hawkers use duck meat.

• In the morning: the coffee shop at Nga Aboo Lane/Kimberley Street junction.
• Also for breakfast: Sin Kong Cheong coffee shop at Carnarvon Street (opposite Campbell Street market).
• Another a.m. stop: the coffee shop at Armenian Street/Cannon Square junction.

Char Koay Teow (fried koay teow)

Koay teow is fried in soya sauce with prawns, cockles, Chinese sausages, egg and beansprouts. Some like it hot - just tell the hawker to Add more chilli.

• For breakfast, at the coffee shop at Datuk Kramat RoAd/Lorong Kulit junction.
• For lunch at the coffee shop in Burma RoAd (opposite the police station).
• Also for lunch, the coffee shop at Church Street/Penang Street junction.
• Dinner, at Cintra Street.

Sar Hor Fun

Hor fun (a thicker variety of koay teow) is fried with tapioca flour and ingredients such as prawns, meat and vegetables.

• RoAdside stall at Kuala Kangsar/Chulia Street junction.
• Coffee shop at Cantonment RoAd/Burma RoAd junction.

Curry Mee

The soup is cooked with coconut milk. Chilli and peppermint leaves are Added before the noodles are served with cockles, sotong and other ingredients.

• For breakfast at the coffee shop in Datuk Kramat RoAd next to the former Federal Cinema.
• Also for breakfast, at the roAdside stall in Sungai Pinang RoAd
• For dinner, from a tricycle in Trengganu RoAd, near the Tua Pek Kong Temple.

Wantan Mee

The noodles are either cooked in soup or served dry with a dark sauce, topped with char siew (barbecued pork), vegetables and dried mushrooms.

• For breakfast, try the coffee shop at Argyll RoAd (opposite the Caltex station)
• For dinner, visit the roAdside stall in Johor RoAd (Datuk Kramat PAdang),
• Also at night: the stall at Trengganu RoAd/Lim Lean Teng RoAd junction.
• Another dinner destination: the coffee shop at Presgrave Street/ McNair Street junction.

Nyonya Lobak

Minced pork is deep-fried in rolls covered with beancurd skin and served with a starchy sweet sauce and chilli sauce. The Addition of cucumber helps to "cool'' this hot item. Most stalls also have fried towkua, shrimp or fishcake and egg.

• In the morning: Hai Oan coffee shop in Burmah RoAd.
• Also, the coffee shop at the Penang RoAd/Sri Bahari RoAd junction.

Nasi Kandar

A popular meal for those who like curry. Rice, vegetables, an assortment of meat or fish curry served in whatever combination you prefer; mix the different curry gravies for a totally unique dining sensation!

• At Burmah RoAd, opposite Union Primary School.
• Also, the stalls at Jalan Gurdwara.