Talking about Penang street food, Char Kuey Teow, prawn noodles (also called Hokkien Mee in Penang) and laksa are the must-try food when you visit Penang. The name Char Kuey Teow (often called Char Kuey Tiaw, Char Kway Teow and other similar names as well) comes from Hokkien, where “Char” means stir-fry and “Kuey Teow” means flat rice noodles.
Penang’s Char Kuey Teow is traditionally prepared by stir-frying flat rice noodles with various ingredients like shrimp, cockles, bean sprouts, Chinese sausage, and eggs, all cooked quickly over intense heat. This high-temperature cooking imparts a distinct smoky flavour, adding depth and character to the dish. Here are the top 8 best char kuey teow in Penang 2025.
What Does Authentic Char Kuey Teow Taste Like?
Chinese Char Kuey Teow is typically stir-fried at high heat to achieve a slightly charred and smoky flavour. Noodles are typically cooked quickly in a wok, requiring constant tossing and flipping. Malay Char Kuey Teow is also stir-fried, but it may have a different level of charring, emphasising achieving a flavorful and well-cooked dish instead. Depending on personal preferences and individual stall preparations, Char Kuey Teow in Penang can be prepared with varying moisture levels or sauce. Some Char Kuey Teow stalls will serve a drier version with less sauce, whereas others will serve a slightly wetter or saucier version.
How To Choose The Best Char Kuey Teow in Penang?
Penang is known for its fresh seafood, and the Char Kuey Teow in Penang frequently includes prawns, squid and even mantis shrimp. These high-quality, flavorful ingredients improve the dish’s taste and texture. Char Kuey Teow’s preparation requires skill and experience. A skilled Char Kuey Teow hawker knows exactly when to add each ingredient, how long to cook it for, and how to achieve the perfect flavour balance. Small portions of the dish are typically cooked to ensure the ingredients are evenly cooked and infused with the signature smoky aroma.
Discover Penang’s culinary delights while you explore the city:
- Best Seafood Restaurants in Penang
- Best Food Courts in Penang
- Best Places For Supper in Penang
- Best Western Food Restaurants in Penang
Best 8 Char Kuey Teow In Penang 2025
1. Siam Road Charcoal Char Kuey Teow
No doubt, Siam Road Char Kuey Teow is the most famous Char Kuey Teow in Penang, even BBC described the owner as the oldest char kway teow legend in Malaysia. Since the owner is an 80-years-old uncle, please expect to wait longer. Just wait and do not ask, if not, the owner might ask you to leave. It is worth to wait for a nearly perfect Char Kuey Teow.
Operating Hours: 12:00 pm – 6:30 pm (Tuesday to Saturday)
Address: 82, Jalan Siam, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
2. Ah Leng Char Koay Teow
Ah Leng Char Koay Teow established in 1979 offers you a wide range of special Char Kuey Teow. Here, you are able to choose different kinds of special ingredients to be added to your plate of Char Kuey Teow. They have crispy lard, fried eggs, big prawns and fresh cockles. Do come here to eat a plate of Char Kuey Teow with all the ingredients you want.
Operating Hours: 10:30 am – 4:00 pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday – Sunday)
Address: 343, Jalan Dato Keramat, Kampung Makam, 10150 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penangahlengcharkaoyteow
3. Tiger Char Koay Teow
If you want to eat Char Kuey Teow for breakfast, Tiger Char Koay Teow is a good place for you because the stall opens as early as 7:30 am. They have three options for you to choose from, which are no egg, chicken egg and duck egg. The Char Kuey Teow tastes lighter as they do not use a lot of dark soy sauce. For a healthy eater, you would like it.
Operating Hours: 7:30 am – 2:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 179, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Google Map: Navigate Now
4. Char Kuey Teow Parit / Longkang
There is a special phenomenon in Malaysia, where many of the delicious food stalls are located nearby a longkang (drain). Char Kuey Teow Parit / Longkang is a Muslim-friendly Char Kuey Teow because there is no pork being used. Instead, there are big prawns. This is a good option for supper as they operate until 3 am.
Operating Hours: 9:00 pm – 3:00 am (Monday – Saturday)
Address: Jalan Mahsuri, Bandar Bayan Baru, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang.
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057267588765
5. Left-Handed Char Koay Teow
Obviously, you can know that the owner is left-handed from the stall name itself. They open from day to night, so you can have your breakfast, lunch and dinner over there. In addition, they have other Penang local food other than Char Kuey Teow, such as asam laksa, curry mee and cendol. If you want to taste all the food in one go, here’s the place for you.
Operating Hours: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday – Sunday)
Address: 79-G-11, Ivory tower, Kampung Jawa Baru, Off, Jalan Dato Keramat, 10150 George Town, Penang.
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lefthandedcharkoayteow/
6. Presgrave Street Ah Shen Duck Egg Char Koay Teow
As most of the well-known Char Kuey Teow stalls open at the day, Ah Shen Char Koay Teow is the best Chinese style Char Kuey Teow that you can find at night. Compared to other stalls, their Char Kuey Teow is a bit pricey, but then they give good ingredients, like big prawns and duck egg. It is still acceptable if you are craving for Char Kuey Teow at night.
Operating Hours: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (Monday – Wednesday, Friday – Sunday)
Address: 67B, Lebuh Presgrave, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PresgraveShenCKT
7. Cecil Street Market – Barefoot Char Koay Teow
Did you know why there are footprints on the signboard of the stall? It is because the owner does not like to wear shoes when he is at the stall. Hence, his customers started to call his stall Barefoot Char Kuey Teow. Although he uses duck eggs in his Char Kuey Teow, the price is still cheaper than those who do not use it.
Operating Hours: 6:30 am – 3:30 pm (Monday – Wednesday, Friday – Sunday)
Address: Lebuh Herriot, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
8. Cecil Street Market – 850 Char Koay Teow
This is another Char Kuey Teow stall in Cecil Street Market. The taste of 850 Char Kuey Teow is a little bit different from the previous one because they have their own special sauce. The owner inherited the sauce recipe from his mom and improved it. Now, the Char Kuey Teow made by the current owner is tastier.
Operating Hours: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Wednesday – Sunday)
Address: 40-48, Pasar, Lebuh Cecil, 10300 George Town, Penang
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
