Joanna James
Foodies visiting Georgetown are in for a treat, quite literally. The town is known for its diverse culture, which is reflected in its food as well. Here are the best street foods to try in Georgetown.
If you could only try one dish during your time in Georgetown, make it Char Koay Teow, which is said to have originated in Penang. It’s a dish consisting of flat rice noodles with a variety of other ingredients that meld together to create a satisfying flavour bomb. It’s usually made with prawns, cockles, bean sprouts, Chinese chives, and eggs, all cooked together with a generous amount of pork lard for richness. Its signature charred flavour comes from cooking the noodles over high heat. The dominant flavour of this dish is smoky, which sets it apart from other noodle dishes. Char Koay Teow is typically served with a dash of chilli and lime.
Its bold and spicy flavours have crowds gathering at street food stalls, hoping for their next taste of Mee Sotong. It primarily includes yellow noodles tossed with a spicy sambal, giving it its signature spicy flavour. A delicious addition to the dish is cuttlefish, which is cooked just right, leaving it chewy and savoury. It is served with chilli sambal and a squeeze of lime, making it an explosion of spicy flavours. If you want to be close to the street food scene in Georgetown so that you can try dishes like Mee Sotong whenever you want, stay in a hotel like Travelodge Georgetown within easy reach of foodie hotspots. To get more bang for your buck, keep an eye out for a Penang hotel promotion at such properties which make an ideal base for your travels.
Loved for its rich flavour profile, Nasi Kandar is adored by locals and tourists alike. It’s a rice dish featuring steaming white rice and an assortment of curries. The most popular choices of toppings include fried chicken, beef rendang, fish, prawns, and vegetables. All these delicious additions are coated in spicy curries. The secret to this dish lies in the generous servings of these curries, creating a 'flooded' effect on the rice. This delicacy was brought to Penang by Tamil and Muslim traders and is now part of Penang’s culinary identity. It’s hearty enough for a satisfying lunch or dinner, but you can also have it for breakfast, especially if you had a wild night out the previous day and are looking to enjoy something savoury and spicy!
Penang’s midday heat calls for a sweet delicacy like Teochew Chendul. It’s a delicious treat made with shaved ice, coconut milk, palm sugar syrup, and green rice flour jelly. This combination of ingredients gives it a unique texture and flavour. It’s often served with a topping of red beans for added crunch. If you decide to go for a midday walk around the town, stop at one of the street food stalls to try this delectable Malaysian delight!
This is the Malaysian version of flatbread, soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Roti Canai has roots in Indian Muslim culture and is a beloved dish nationwide. It is served with a side dish, typically a curry. Popular choices include dhal curry and chicken curry or some spicy sambal. Locals usually eat it for breakfast, but you can have it for lunch, dinner, or as a snack!
Adding a touch of caffeine to Penang's street food scene is Kopi or coffee. The coffee you find in Georgetown is different from your typical Western coffee. Malaysian coffee is brewed using a cloth-like filter and strong dark coffee beans. This Kopi is served in Kopitiams or coffee shops. To sweeten the brew, local coffee shops add condensed milk, which gives it a delightful creamy texture. You can have it after a substantial meal or with toast. Whatever you prefer, trying a cup of Kopi is a must!
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
