The chicken rice was brought to Southeast Asia by Hainanese immigrants, where it has since become a culinary staple. Today, chicken rice is widely consumed in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, each with its own unique variations and flavours. Chicken rice, known as “nasi ayam” in Malaysia, is a beloved and widely consumed dish. It has become an integral part of Malaysian cuisine, and you can find it in hawker stalls, food courts, and even upscale restaurants throughout the country.
Nasi Ayam Penang, also known as Penang-style chicken rice, is a popular variation of chicken rice originating from Penang, Malaysia’s vibrant culinary scene. Penang is renowned for its diverse and flavorful street food, and Nasi Ayam Penang is a testament to the region’s rich culinary heritage. If you want to try chicken rice in Penang, consider visiting these top 10 best spots to grab chicken rice around the state.
What Makes Penang’s Chicken Rice Worth Trying?
The Penang-style chicken rice is typically presented over a bed of refreshing sliced cucumber, adding a crunchy and cooling element to the dish. It is then sprinkled with chopped spring onions, providing a fresh and aromatic flavour profile. Additionally, the chicken itself is available in two delicious options: roasted or steamed, allowing diners to choose their preferred style.
How to Find the Perfect Place for Penang Chicken Rice?
First, look for local restaurants that specialise in chicken rice. Explore Penang’s streets and neighbourhoods, watching for eateries with signs or menus advertising chicken rice. These local establishments often have years of experience and a reputation for serving authentic and delicious chicken rice. Additionally, ask the locals for recommendations. The people who live in Penang are likely to have their favourite spots for chicken rice and can provide valuable insights into the best places to try.
10 Best Chicken Rice in Penang 2023
1. Awe Nasi Ayam Budu
Awe Nasi Ayam Budu in Bayan Lepas is a small restaurant in a small area that has over 300 positive reviews on the Internet. The special part about this chicken rice is the budu side dish sauce. Budu is a traditional condiment and sauce originating from the northeastern region of Malaysia, particularly in Kelantan and Terengganu. Adding budu sauce to the chicken rice gives more sourness and spiciness to the plate.
Operating Hours:
5:30 pm – 11:00 pm (Friday – Wednesday)
Closed on Thursday
Address: 8, Solok Mahsuri 2, Bayan Baru, 11950 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
2. Adik Nasi Ayam Jelutong
Adik Nasi Ayam Jelutong is a famous chicken rice restaurant among locals and tourists. Although the environment is like a normal ‘warung’ or food stall, the menu served in this restaurant is extraordinary. The chicken rice served in Adik Nasi Ayam Jelutong is well-known for its huge portion of chicken and a lot of signature sauce on top of the dish. You can even share a plate with another person because the portion is big!
Operating Hours:
10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Monday – Saturday)
Closed on Sunday
Address: Jelutong, 11600 Jelutong, Penang
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
3. Nasi Ayam Ida Delight
If you come to the food court in Bukit Mertajam, make sure to try the infamous chicken rice in Nasi Ayam Ida Delight. The presentation may look ordinary, but the rice is very flavourful, and it comes with three different side dish sauces: soy sauce, chilli chutney and the local sambal bawang. The chicken is cooked with the traditional recipe so that you can taste the rich flavour in the rice more than the chicken.
Operating Hours:
8:00 am – 9:30 pm (Tuesday – Sunday)
Closed on Monday
Address: 7200, Jln Perda Utama, Bandar Baru Perda, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Website Info4. Nasi Ayam Apple
Batu Maung is a neighbourhood located on the southeastern coast of Penang Island in Malaysia. If you come across this area, you should try visiting the hidden gem where you can eat delicious chicken rice at the Nasi Ayam Apple. This restaurant is small and located in a small rural area, yet the menu is memorable for anyone who gives it a try. The chicken rice in this restaurant is made from fried rice and tender chicken, giving the perfect combination to the plate.
Operating Hours:
9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Sunday – Thursday)
Closed on Friday – Saturday
Address: 7269, Lintang Permatang Damar Laut, Rumah Murah Fasa 1, 11960 Batu Maung, Pulau Pinang
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nasiayamapplepenang/?locale=ms_MY
5. Che Nah Nasi Campur & Nasi Ayam
Che Nah is an old lady with years of experience in cooking local delicacies, including classic chicken rice. If you are in Georgetown, take your time to visit Che Nah Nasi Campur & Nasi Ayam, a small restaurant always packed with customers. Besides plain rice with many accompaniments, you can also order the signature chicken rice that will blow your mind at the very first bite.
Operating Hours:
7:00 am – 5:00 pm (Saturday – Thursday)
Closed on Friday
Address: 8, Jln. Utama, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheNahFoodInternational/?locale=ms_MY
6. Udin Hainanese Chicken Rice
Hainanese Chicken Rice combines steamed or roasted chicken, fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth, and various condiments and sauces. The best place to enjoy Hainanese chicken rice in Bayan Lepas is Udin Hainanese Chicken Rice, a restaurant in the area’s complex. You can choose to enjoy the food at the restaurant or take out and enjoy it at home.
Operating Hours:
9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Monday – Saturday)
Closed on Sunday
Address: No. 70, Kompleks Sri Selera Bayan Baru, Jln Mayang Pasir 3, Bandar Bayan Baru, 11950 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/udinnasiayamhainan/
7. City Chicken Rice
City Chicken Rice refers to a dish with the most basic recipe, likely a simple version of chicken rice. The basic components of chicken rice typically include chicken, rice, and accompanying sauces. If you don’t like to have a too strong flavour in your food, you can come to City Chicken Rice Restaurant in Bayan Lepas and try the most simple yet iconic chicken rice you ever have.
Operating Hours:
12:00 pm – 9:30 pm (Wednesday – Monday)
Closed on Tuesday
Address: Unnamed Road, Kampung Nelayan, 11950 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063633037125
8. Paklongwan Otai Nasi Ayam
“Pak Long” is a term commonly used in Malaysia to address an uncle or older brother. It is not a specific individual’s name but rather a respectful term used to address someone older or as a sign of familiarity and affection. The owner of this infamous chicken rice restaurant in Bukit Mertajam calls himself Pak Long Wan to create a comfortable bond between him and the customers. Paklongwan Otai Nasi Ayam is definitely worth trying if you come to Penang because the flavour in the rice is like no other!
Operating Hours:
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm (Saturday – Wednesday)
Closed on Thursday – Friday
Address: No 9. LORONG ALMA JAYA. PUSAT PENJAJA, Taman Alma Jaya, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Penang
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/@Paklongwan-Otai-Nasi-Ayam-100063600968416/
View website9. Aisyah Nasi Ayam
Restaurants by the street will always give us comfort food. Aisyah Nasi Ayam is a warung-like restaurant in Butterworth that is well-known for its signature chicken rice. The chicken will be served on a different plate from the rice plate, so you can mix the rice according to your liking. The sauce on top of the chicken is like no other because it has the same texture as chilli chutney, and you have to taste it yourself to fall in love with the food.
Operating Hours:
11:00 am – 6:30 pm (Monday – Saturday)
Closed on Sunday
Address: Jalan Pantai Bersih, Kampung Bagan Ajam, 13000 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063645966663
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aisyahnasiayam/?hl=en
View website10. Nasi Ayam 10 Beradik
Suppose food and the environment are equally important to you. In that case, you should visit Nasi Ayam 10 Beradik in Kampung Nelayan Teluk Kumbar because you can enjoy your chicken rice while looking at the calming beach scenery. The restaurant is purposely decorated like a classic warung to give you the vibe of being a local in a fisherman’s village. The chicken rice is relatively simple but matches the whole vibe well.
Operating Hours:
11:00 am – 8:00 pm (Sunday – Friday)
Closed on Saturday
Address: Dekat 926 Mukim 9, Kampung Nelayan Teluk Kumbar, 11920 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Cafe-10-Beradik/100066779130080/
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