Penang Char Kuey Teow is undoubtedly one of the most well known and mouth-watering dishes out of the wide variety of dishes we have here in Malaysia. No doubt, there are numerous places across the country that serve this delicious delicacy, the most famous of which are found in Penang. Penang Char Kuey Teow is well known for its authenticity due to the higher number of Hokkien and Teochew people that reside there. It’s a controversial topic to discuss where to find the best Penang char kuey teow and that’s why we’re here to tell you about the top 7 that we recommend.

1. Siam Road Charcoal Char Koay Teow

Image credit: @allsonchong, @nimr & @jerry

Siam Road Charcoal Char Koay Teow is one of, if not the best Penang Char Kuey Teow. Although it is just a small hawker store selling Char Kuey Teow from a single wok, tons of locals and tourists alike will testify that the Char Kuey Teow is worth the extremely long queue.

Most customers give up after witnessing the bee line queue with at least 2 hours of waiting time for this iconic plate of Penang Char Kuey Teow found at Jalan Siam. Although they close around dinner time, at 6pm, business will usually be booming around lunch time and most of them are queuing up early to take away for dinner. 

Address: 82, Jalan Siam, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 12pm – 6pm (Sunday & Monday closed)

2. Tiger Char Koay Teow 

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Found along Lebuh Carnarvon in George Town, Tiger Char Koay Teow can be found with a queue outlining the shop for the majority of its operating hours. However, they open their doors to customers rather early at 7:30am and close their doors right as the lunch crowd starts to fade at 2pm. Although this Penang char kuey teow stall may seem like short operating hours, it helps to ensure that every plate of Char Kuey Teow that is served out of its kitchen is fresh and is on par with the quality that is expected.

Address: 179, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 7:30am – 2pm 

3. Duck Egg Char Koay Teow (BM)

Image credit: @kuntekng, @kelvinkhoo & @marilynteh

As the name would imply, BM is well known for not only cleverly incorporating the duck egg’s rich and flavourful yolk, but also including the duck itself while it is stir-fried alongside the kuey teow.

Whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast or a late night snack, Duck Egg Char Koay Teow has got you covered since it opens its doors at 8am and closes at 12am with a break from 1pm to 6pm. Usually not being too busy and overcrowded, you’ll find that BM is a great balance between great Char Kuey Teow and avoiding overcrowding which are common in most other Penang Char Kuey Teow stores.

Address: Jalan Song Ban Kheng, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Penang
Operating hours: 8am – 1pm; 6pm – 12am

4. Ah Leng Char Koay Teow

Image credit: @christopherchong, @jaredchan & @jonathanlo

Craving some Penang Char Kuey Teow? Look no further than Ah Leng Char Koay Teow! Beginning operations at 10:30am and closing their stall at around 4pm, Ah Leng is the perfect place for a great serving of Char Kuey Teow during breakfast and lunch time.

However, most customers will find that there are minimal seating at the moment mostly due to recovery from the MCO days. Their servings are nothing to look down upon either. Their plates of Char Kuey Teow are usually accompanied with some sizable prawns that taste fresh and add a whole new level of complexity to a classic dish.

Address: 343, Jalan Dato Keramat, George Town, 10150 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 10:30am – 4pm (Wednesday closed)
Social media: Facebook

5. Hiong Hiong Char Koay Teow @ Pasar Medan Selera Batu Lancang

Image credit: @tonylau & @foursquare

While walking around the Batu Lanchang Market, you will be able to see a sign with bright red and green lettering that will let you know exactly what it’s selling. Penang Char Kuey Teow!

Hiong Hiong Char Koay Teow is well known among the locals of Penang and for good reason. Hiong Hiong serves a satisfying plate of Char Kuey Teow upon a banana leaf with a hearty amount of bean sprouts, prawns and cockles. Hiong Hiong has been well known in the Batu Lanchang Food Court and will continue to be one of the best classic Char Kuey Teow stores that honors the classic dish by sticking to a textbook recipe for classic Char Kuey Teow.

Address: Lrg Batu Lanchang, Taman Sri Damai, 11600 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 12pm – 5:30pm (Monday, Thursday & Saturday closed)

6. Lorong Selamat Char Koay Teow

Image credit: @boscofrancis, @chongcheefei & @behkhengaik

A small unassuming hawker stall on the side of the road may not be the first place you look at for good Char Kuey Teow, but Lorong Selamat Char Koay Teow is an amazing place to savor a freshly fried plate of Penang Char Kuey Teow along with all the ‘Wok Hei’ it needs.

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or an early dinner, with its doors open from 10am to 5pm, this hawker stall is sure to fulfill your Char Kuey Teow needs while also having a comfortable amount of seating space as well. This little hawker stall will leave your mouth watering with its sizeable prawns, fresh cockles and deliciously cooked rice noodles.

Address: 82, Lorong Selamat, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 10am – 5pm (Tuesday closed)

7. Barefoot Char Koay Teow @ Cecil Street Market

Image credit: @bobbywan & @vc

Are you in the Cecil area and craving for some Penang Char Kuey Teow? Cecil Street Char Koay Teow has got you covered. Starting at 6:30am for the breakfast crowd and 3:30pm for those who want a late lunch.

Although they are just a small hawker stall among the many that can be found in the Cecil Market, their Char Kuey Teow has an amazing hit of the ever important ‘Wok Hei’ and served along with the aroma of the banana leaf and bean sprouts that have been stir fried alongside the rice noodles to perfection. This Char Kuey Teow will definitely not disappoint.

Address: 40-48, Lebuh Cecil, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 6:30am – 3:30pm (Tuesday closed)

We hope this article helped you find the best Penang char kuey teow! Follow us on Instagram (@penanglicious) for latest cafe reviews! Bon appetit!