Penang has always been associated with good food, let's start there. No matter how many times you've been to Penang, you'll never run out of options of places to eat. Among the common dilemmas, one often faces when they visit Penang is always, "where to eat ah?"

Well, let us make your life easier by recommending 12 best street food places you can find in Penang, as suggested by the locals themselves, so you know it's legit!

Let's find out what they are: 

1. Tiger Char Kuey Teow 

When you think of Penang char kuey teow, think of Tiger Char Kuey Teow. Dubbed as one of the best there is in Penang, your  trip to the island just wouldn't be complete without a plate or two of this legendary springy noodles. 

Address: Kafe Ping Hooi, 179, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang

Operating hour: 8am - 2pm daily

2. Fried Oyster @ Keat Seng Restaurant 

Rated as one of the best oi chien or fried oysters you can get in Penang, this particular stall located in Keat Seng restaurant has been operating since the 1980s, and has garnered a large number of loyal customers over the decades, for obvious reasons. Definitely a must-eat!

Address: 10J, Mk. 16, Jalan Air Itam, Taman Ria, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang

Operating hour: 8am - 8pm daily 

3. Pasembur, Hokkien version

There are two types of pasembur available anywhere in Penang, namely the Malay version and the Chinese version. While the Malay version is more commercialized, you should also try the Chinese version to complete your foodie experience in Penang. Head on Cecil Street Market for the best Pasembur (Hokkien version) experience through and through. It doesn't get any more authentic than this!

Address: 40-48, Lebuh Cecil, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hour: 7am - 5pm daily

4. Hock Seng Penang Rojak 

If you don't mind the long queues, we'd highly suggest trying the famous Hock Seng Penang Rojak. Its thick, caramel-y Rojak sauce, which has been perfected for years, is definitely the main star of this rojak. You just gotta try it at least once. 

Address: Gat Lebuh Cecil, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang

Operating hour: 3pm - 8pm daily except on Mondays and Tuesdays

5. Hon Kei Food Corner

If you like to be spoilt with choices, we'd recommend going to Hon Kei Food Corner where you can get a variety of authentic Chinese food such as pork porridge, Hokkien mee, loh mee, and many more. You can order anything on the menu and it will not disappoint. That's how good they are!

Address: 55, Kampong Malabar, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang

Operating hour: 9am - 10:30pm daily except on Thursdays

6. Yee Sung Kai Chok

If you're craving an authentic, homey Cantonese-style rice porridge, have yourself some Yee Sung Kai Chok at Lebuh Cintra. Their chicken rice is not to be missed either!

Address: 36, Lebuh Cintra, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang

Operating hour: 12:30pm - 9:30 daily except on Tuesdays

7. Char Siew Rice / Wai Ker Char Siew

You can't go wrong with a heartful plate of Char Siew rice in Penang, and the one in Lebuh Chulia is considered the OG. 

Address: Lebuh Chulia, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang

Operating hour: 

Wednesday - 10:30am-1:30pm, 4-7:30pm

Thursday - 10:30am-1:30pm, 4-7:30pm

Friday - 10:30am1:30pm, 47:30pm

Saturday - 10:30am-1:30pm

Sunday - closed

Monday - 10:30am-1:30pm, 4-7:30pm

Tuesday -  10:30am-1:30pm, 4-7:30pm

8. Wantan Mee with Prawn Mee Soup

Wantan Mee is quite honestly one of the best food the humankind has created, and Penang is spoilt with choices when it comes to where you can get one. One of the most popular spots would be the one in Mt. Erskin Morning Market. The broth, the accompanying sambal, the springy noodles.. every element of it would make you want to order another bowl. 

Address: Mt. Erskin Morning Market, Jalan Mt. Erskine, Tanjung. Tokong, Penang

Operating hour: 11am - 4pm daily 

9. Legendary Hillside Burger 

Ah, the legendary Hillside Burger. Look at the amount of caramelized onions they put in their burgers! Nothing beats street burgers in Penang, and Hillside Burger is one you simply need to check off your list. 

Address: Jalan Sungai Kelian, Tanjung Tokong, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang

Operating hour: 4:40pm - 9pm, Fri - Sun

10. Loh Mee @ Perak Road

Loh mee is that one meal in Penang that you simply must not miss whenever you're stopping by. Specifically, the one located at Perak Road. Customers have been going there for years for their Loh mee fix, and once you try it, you'll know why. 

Address:  Kim Leng Loh Mee, Joo Huat Coffee Shop, 336-G1 Lintang Slim, off Jalan Perak, 11600 Penang

Operating hour: 8am - 1pm daily 

11. Green Tomyam @ Esplanade 

The one and only Green Tomyam you can get in Penang, the Green Tomyam at Esplanade Court is famous among the locals for its incredibly rich taste. A must-try for sure!

Address: Esplanade Road, Esplanade, Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang

Operating hour: 6pm - 10pm daily except on Wednesdays

12. Sister Curry Mee

Frankly, Sister Curry Mee needs no introduction. This duo is so famous that there's a huge mural dedicated to them at the heart of the Ayer Itam market. The Lim sisters have been in the Curry Mee business for over 70 years, and is regarded as one of the most legendary curry mees you can ever find in Penang. Definitely don't miss this one!

Address: 612 T, Jalan Air Itam, Pekan Ayer Itam, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang

Operating hour: 7:30am - 1pm daily except on Tuesdays

There is a reason why Penang is regarded as food heaven in Malaysia, and if you haven't fully immersed yourself in Penang's street food experience, keep this article somewhere safe so you could re-visit the next time you're going on a trip to Penang!

What's your favorite Malaysian street food? Share with us in the comment section!