Say Penang and most people think char kuey teow or assam laksa, but ask a local where they eat on a lazy weekday and a good number will point you to their favourite chicken rice shop. Nasi ayam, plain chicken rice, is the quiet workhorse of the island’s food scene: a plate of poached or roasted chicken, fragrant oil rice, a bowl of clear soup, and a fiery ginger-chilli dip that ties the whole thing together. It is the meal families grew up on and the one office workers queue for at noon.
The catch is that Penang has hundreds of chicken rice stalls, and the ones with the biggest signboards are not always the ones worth your drive. So we did the digging. Every shop on this list holds a Google rating above 4.0 from real diners, is still open for business, and serves chicken that keeps people coming back. From heritage Hainanese shops in George Town to bean sprout chicken over on the mainland and late-night Malay-style nasi ayam, here are the 10 best places for nasi ayam in Penang.
What Makes Penang Nasi Ayam Worth the Hype?
Penang chicken rice leans on the Hainanese tradition brought over by early migrants, and the details are where the good shops separate themselves. The chicken is poached low and slow so the meat stays silky and the skin turns smooth, or it is roasted until the skin crackles and the fat renders down. The rice is the real test: proper shops cook it in chicken stock and fat with garlic and ginger so each grain is glossy and fragrant, never plain. Then there is the chilli sauce, usually sharp with garlic, lime and a good punch of heat, which locals will judge a shop by before they even taste the chicken. Get all three right and you have a plate worth queueing for.
Roast, Poached or Bean Sprout: Knowing Your Order
Penang gives you options. Classic Hainanese shops serve steamed white chicken, cool and tender, alongside oil rice. Roasted chicken and duck rice shops, or siu lap stalls, go for crispy skin and a darker, richer flavour, and many let you mix chicken with char siu or roast pork. Over on the mainland in Bukit Mertajam and Butterworth you will find bean sprout chicken, the Ipoh-style plate of poached chicken with a heap of crunchy tauge and a bowl of kuetiau soup. There is also the Malay-style nasi ayam, halal and often served with a spicy budu or berempah gravy. Whatever you fancy, timing helps: many of these shops are lunch-only and sell out fast, so go early.
Table of Contents
- 1. Sin Nam Huat Chicken Rice
- 2. Goh Thew Chik Hainan Chicken Rice
- 3. Ipoh Onn Kee Tauge Ayam (Bukit Mertajam)
- 4. Tong Seng Hainanese Chicken Rice
- 5. Ban Chuan Chicken Rice
- 6. Awe Nasi Ayam Budu
- 7. Adik Nasi Ayam Jelutong
- 8. Foong’s Hainan Chicken Rice
- 9. Gai Fan Zai Roasted Chicken And Duck Rice
- 10. Fatty Fatty Hailam Roasted Chicken Rice
1. Sin Nam Huat Chicken Rice
Tucked into Wayton Court on Jalan Burma, Sin Nam Huat is the sort of no-frills coffee shop stall that Penang folk have relied on for years, and the steady lunchtime crowd tells the story. The draw is smooth, well-poached chicken paired with rice that carries a proper hit of garlic and chicken fat, plus a chilli dip with real bite. It opens early and runs a morning-to-afternoon service, so it works just as well for a hearty breakfast as a midday plate. Come before the best cuts sell out, order extra rice, and do not skip the soup. Casual, dependable and a firm George Town favourite.
Operating Hours: 7:40 am – 4:00 pm (Daily)
Address: No. 386, Wayton Court, Jalan Burma, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 016-422 7683
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
2. Goh Thew Chik Hainan Chicken Rice
A genuine George Town heritage name, Goh Thew Chik has been serving Hainanese chicken rice on Lebuh Chulia for generations and remains a benchmark for the old-school plate. The chicken is steamed to that silky, cool finish the Hainanese are known for, the oil rice is fragrant and full-flavoured, and the whole thing lands at prices that have stayed friendly. It is a lunch affair, opening late morning and winding down by mid-afternoon, so slot it into a walk around the inner city. Expect a busy, wallet-friendly shophouse rather than anything fancy. Note it shuts on Wednesdays, and arrive early on weekends when the queues build fast.
Operating Hours: Mon–Tue & Thu–Fri 10:00 am – 4:00 pm; Sat–Sun 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (Closed Wednesday)
Address: 338, Lebuh Chulia, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: Not listed
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
3. Ipoh Onn Kee Tauge Ayam (Bukit Mertajam)
The famous Ipoh bean sprout chicken name has a mainland outpost in Bukit Mertajam, and it brings the full ayam tauge experience across the border. The set-up is the Ipoh classic: poached chicken with that soft, springy texture, a generous plate of plump crunchy bean sprouts, and a bowl of flat kuetiau in clear, sweet chicken broth. It runs an afternoon-to-night service, which makes it a rare option for a proper chicken rice dinner rather than a lunch-only dash. Bright, clean and family-friendly, it suits groups who want to share plates of chicken, tauge and noodles. A great shout if you are on the Seberang Perai side and craving Ipoh-style.
Operating Hours: 1:30 pm – 9:30 pm (Daily)
Address: 7, Medan Seri Impian 3, Pusat Perniagaan Seri Impian, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 014-954 8011
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
4. Tong Seng Hainanese Chicken Rice
Right on busy Jalan Penang in the city centre, Tong Seng is an easy pick for a solid Hainanese plate without hunting down a back lane. The steamed chicken is tender and clean-tasting, the rice is nicely fragrant, and regulars rate the chilli sauce, which has the garlicky kick that lifts the whole meal. What sets it apart is the long daily service, running from breakfast right through to early evening, so you are not tied to the usual lunch rush. That makes it handy for travellers staying nearby who want a proper chicken rice at odd hours. It closes on Thursdays, so plan around that one day.
Operating Hours: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm (Closed Thursday)
Address: 406, Jalan Penang, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 016-422 0912
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
5. Ban Chuan Chicken Rice
Over in Chai Leng Park on the Perai mainland, Ban Chuan is the neighbourhood chicken rice shop locals keep in their back pocket. It sticks to the fundamentals and does them well: smooth poached chicken, fragrant oil rice, a plate of blanched bean sprouts and a light, clear soup, all priced for everyday eating. The midday crowd is a healthy mix of factory workers and families, which is usually a reliable sign. Because it runs a morning-to-afternoon service and closes on Mondays, treat it as a proper sit-down lunch rather than a late plan. Honest, satisfying and easy on the wallet, it is a dependable pick on the Seberang side.
Operating Hours: Tue–Sun 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (Closed Monday)
Address: 47, Lebuh Kurau 5, Chai Leng Park, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang
Tel: Not listed
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
6. Awe Nasi Ayam Budu
For a halal, Malay-style take on the dish, Awe Nasi Ayam Budu in Bayan Baru is a cult late-night favourite. The signature here is nasi ayam served with a punchy budu-based sauce, the fermented anchovy condiment from the east coast, which gives the plate a savoury, moreish depth you will not find at the Hainanese shops. The chicken comes fried or roasted, the rice is fragrant, and the sambal brings the heat. It only fires up in the evening and runs late towards midnight, making it a proper supper spot for night owls. It closes on Thursdays. Come hungry, and be ready for a queue on weekend nights.
Operating Hours: 5:30 pm – 12:00 am (Closed Thursday)
Address: No. 10, Solok Mahsuri 2, Bayan Baru, 11950 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 012-584 9670
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
7. Adik Nasi Ayam Jelutong
A well-loved halal stall on Jalan Jelutong, Adik Nasi Ayam has built a loyal following for its straightforward, tasty plates. You can go for roasted or steamed chicken over fragrant rice, with a sambal that carries a satisfying kick and a bowl of soup on the side. The portions are generous and the pricing is kind, which is why the lunchtime queue moves briskly and rarely lets up. It runs a daytime service through to late afternoon and closes on Sundays, so it is best planned as a weekday or Saturday lunch. Unpretentious and consistent, it is a reliable halal option for anyone craving nasi ayam around the Jelutong area.
Operating Hours: Mon–Sat 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (Closed Sunday)
Address: Jalan Jelutong, 11600 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 012-456 3009
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
8. Foong’s Hainan Chicken Rice
On Jalan Hutton in George Town, Foong’s is a tidy little shop that has quietly earned a strong reputation for its Hainanese plate. The steamed chicken is smooth and tender, the rice properly fragrant, and the chilli sauce well judged, which is really all you want from a good chicken rice. What makes it handy is that it runs both a lunch and a dinner service most days, so you are not forced into the usual midday-only window. It is a compact spot, so it fills up quickly at peak hours. Note it closes on Fridays and shuts earlier on Thursdays, so time your visit and turn up hungry.
Operating Hours: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm & 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm; Thu 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Closed Friday)
Address: 122H, Jalan Hutton, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 011-2843 8428
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
9. Gai Fan Zai Roasted Chicken And Duck Rice
If your idea of nasi ayam leans towards crispy skin rather than steamed, Gai Fan Zai in Taman Island Glades, Gelugor, is the one to try. This is a roasted chicken and duck rice shop in the siu lap tradition, so you can pile your plate with glossy roast chicken, roast duck or char siu over rice, all with that deep, savoury flavour a good roast delivers. It keeps long daily hours from morning to evening, which is a real plus in a scene full of lunch-only shops, and makes it an easy call for an early dinner. Casual and consistent, it is a favourite for Gelugor and USM-side diners who want their chicken roasted, not poached.
Operating Hours: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 2E, Lorong Delima 6, Taman Island Glades, 11700 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 016-408 5562
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
10. Fatty Fatty Hailam Roasted Chicken Rice
Rounding out the list is Fatty Fatty on Jalan Trengganu in Taman Free School, a cheerful spot that blends the Hainanese and roasted styles under one roof. You can order steamed chicken for that classic smooth texture or go for the roasted version with its crisp, golden skin, both served over fragrant rice with a punchy chilli dip. The portions are hearty, which lives up to the name, and the shop keeps a steady daytime service from breakfast into the afternoon. It sits handy to the George Town neighbourhoods, drawing a loyal local crowd who treat it as a regular. Just remember it closes on Wednesdays, and the best cuts tend to go by early afternoon.
Operating Hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm (Closed Wednesday)
Address: 75, Jalan Trengganu, Taman Free School, 10460 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 012-418 7985
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
Penang proves that a simple plate of chicken rice can be just as worthy of a special trip as the island’s famous noodles. The right pick comes down to what you are after. For old-school Hainanese steamed chicken, the heritage names like Goh Thew Chik and Foong’s rarely miss, while roast lovers should chase the crispy skin at Gai Fan Zai and Fatty Fatty. If you are on the mainland, Ipoh Onn Kee brings proper bean sprout chicken and Ban Chuan keeps it honest and cheap. For a halal, Malay-style plate, Awe Nasi Ayam Budu and Adik have you covered. Every shop here clears a 4.0 Google rating, so you can plan around any of them with confidence.
Just keep in mind that many of these shops are lunch-only and sell out fast, so a quick call or a check on Google before you set off never hurts. Now round up the family, pick a shop, and make a proper Penang chicken run of it this weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which nasi ayam in Penang is halal?
Many of Penang’s most famous chicken rice shops are Chinese-run and not halal. For halal, Malay-style nasi ayam, Muslim diners should head to Awe Nasi Ayam Budu in Bayan Baru or Adik Nasi Ayam in Jelutong, both of which are popular with local Muslim crowds. As always, confirm the current certification or status with the shop before you order.
What is the difference between Hainanese chicken rice and roasted chicken rice?
Hainanese chicken rice uses steamed or poached white chicken, cool and silky, served with fragrant oil rice and a garlic-chilli dip. Roasted chicken rice, or siu lap, uses chicken roasted until the skin crisps and the flavour turns deeper and richer, and these shops often serve roast duck and char siu too. Penang has excellent versions of both, so it comes down to whether you prefer smooth or crispy skin.
What time should I go for chicken rice in Penang?
Go early. A lot of Penang chicken rice shops run a lunchtime service and sell out their best chicken by mid-afternoon. A few, like Awe Nasi Ayam Budu, are evening and late-night spots instead. If you have your heart set on a particular shop, aim to arrive within the first hour or two of opening, especially on weekends when queues build quickly.
Where is the best area for nasi ayam in Penang?
George Town is the heartland, with heritage Hainanese shops clustered around Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Penang, Jalan Hutton and Jalan Burma within easy reach of each other. On the mainland, Bukit Mertajam and Perai have strong bean sprout chicken and neighbourhood chicken rice options, while Bayan Baru and Jelutong are the spots for halal, Malay-style nasi ayam.
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.
