You need to be a foodie if planning a vacation in Penang, Malaysia. After all, everyone here is a foodie and is simply in love with food. It is no surprise to see Penang famous as the street food capital of Asia. If you want to enjoy Penang and its food, why not take the cheapest flights to Penang and embark on a gastronomic journey that you have never experience before?
When you visit a city with that kind of reputation, you certainly need to find the best the city has to offer. Every year, millions of visitors looking for cheap Jetstar flights to Penang, to explore the city and its attractions and of course, find the best the city has to offer when it comes to food.
Here are some of the top foods to enjoy if in Penang
Lor Bak
Made of various meats, tofu, and vegetables, you will love Lor Bak if you enjoy deep-fried foods. Seasoned with five-spice powders and rolled in thin beancurd skin, Lor Bak is deep-fried before serving. It is served hot and with chili sauce and loh.
Nasi lemak
Another must-have food while in Penang is a local’s delight – nasi lemak. The recipes still remain a favorite even after decades and can be enjoyed at famous street-side stalls. It is hard to resist the fragrant dish with creamy rice and is eaten for breakfast. The hearty meal cooked in coconut milk is a great way to start your day.
Char Koay Teow
Char Koay Teow is a national favorite and popular even in Singapore. You will come across different char koay teow stalls carrying their own signature taste and enjoying a fair share of popularity with the locals and the tourists. Enjoy the richer taste of noodles and the flavor of ‘wok hei’ made with fresh ingredients.
Seafood Popiah
Popiah is like a fresh spring roll where the paper-like crepe or pancake is stuffed with grated turnips and grated carrots, pork, bean sprouts, chopped peanuts, fried tofu, fried shallots, and shredded omelet. Every mouthful of Popiah is sure to send your taste buds into ecstasy.
Nasi Kandar
Nasi Kandar is the most common recipe, which is the cheapest too. You will find it at every food court in Penang and canteen-style buffets. You can create your own mix and get curries and veg dishes of your choice over the rice.
Koay Teow Soup
Also known as Koay Teow Th’ng, the soup is served with pork, fish, and a tasty broth with flat rice noodles. The soup stock is based on chicken or pork bones and thus carries richer flavors. One can ask for duck meat instead of pork.
Oyster Omelette
You are sure to come across Oyster Omelette, a very popular dish in Penang, which is loved and enjoyed by the locals. It is basically an oyster-filled omelet that is fried. The typical Penang version is prepared with rice flour batter that gives it a crisper texture. Other variations may contain potato starch.
Rojak
Rojak is indeed one of the most unusual foods you can try in Penang. It is a kind of Malaysian salad, but unlike any other salad, you have had before. While some of the ingredients may be familiar, others might not. Taupok is a puffed soya bean cake, while jicama looks similar to turnip.
Mee Goreng
The famed Mee Goreng dish is a plate of noodles with cuttlefish, potatoes, and beansprouts. The stir-fried noodles come with a tangy concoction of tomato and soy sauce.
Curry Mee
Also known as curry laksa, the dish is made with egg noodles and carries a coconut curry soup. It is loaded with bean sprouts, bean curd puffs, pig’s blood curd, shrimp, and cockles.