Laksa mana? Right here in Penang! There’s nothing that Penang can’t do from char kuey teow to cendol — and Penang laksa is no exception. Whether you’re a Penangite with hunger pangs for spicy noodles or a visitor yearning to get a taste of Penang’s laksa, here are 8 places where you can go to get your Penang laksa cravings satisfied!

Wait — before we begin, we must ensure that Penang laksa is properly appreciated and in order to do that, we must know what Penang Assam Laksa is made of.

What is Penang assam laksa made of?

This Nyonya dish is commonly described as a spicy noodle dish with a sour, tangy broth and there is a good reason for this distinct taste; it is made of assam (tamarind) and flavoured further with fish and other fragrant ingredients such as chilli, lemongrass and galangal.

Now that we know what it is, let’s move on to where we can find best laksa in Penang!

Top 8 best Penang Laksa you should try

1. Penang Air Itam Laksa

The first restaurant on our list for the best laksa in Penang is Penang Air Itam Laksa; this eatery is renowned in the state and has been a favourite hotspot for Penang laksa amongst locals and visitors for a long time.

You’ll have competition though, because this restaurant only opens on weekends three times a month; be sure that you’re not visiting on their off weekend! Once you manage to tickle your tastebuds with the scrumptious, flavourful laksa, you’ll understand what the hype is all about. Penang Air Itam Laksa presents the perfect balance between spicy, sour and sweet and is full of flavour with its rich ingredients and seasonings as well as generous servings of fish, vegetables and other tidbits. We guarantee that you’ll want to be back the next weekend!

Address: Jalan Pasar, Paya Terubong, 11500 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 11am – 5pm (Saturday & Sunday)
Social media: Facebook

2. Penang Road Famous Laksa

Image credit: @eohotelpg

You know it’s going to be good when it starts with ‘Penang Road Famous’ and we can assure you that it is! This roadside stall on the busy Lebuh Keng Kwee street serves fragrant, flavourful laksa Penang that preserves the authentic Nyonya taste.

The strong flavour of assam makes this broth more sour than sweet or spicy but nonetheless, a combination of all the different tastes is there and this piquant noodle dish is truly one to be savoured and devoured. P.S. While you’re there, the char kuey teow at this restaurant is also a delicious must-try!

Address: 5, Lebuh Keng Kwee, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 9am – 5.30pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
Social media: Facebook

3. Kim Laksa Balik Pulau

This Penang laksa restaurant serves three types of laksa; assam laksa, lemak laksa, and assam-lemak laksa. While assam laksa is a tamarind and fish based broth, lemak laksa has a coconut milk base which gives it a thick, creamy texture and flavour.

Kim Laksa Balik Pulau serves the best of all three but we have to commend the assam-lemak laksa for the richness of the flavour combination between the light broth of the assam laksa and the heavy brother of the lemak laksa. Pair your laksa with their signature nutmeg drink to really pack a flavour punch!

Address: Nan Guang Kopitiam, 67, Main Road, 11000, Balik Pulau, Penang 11000 Balik Pulau, Penang
Operating hours: 10am – 5pm (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Social media: Facebook

4. Laksa Mamu Famous Sungai Pinang

This laksa Penang serves an authentic, home cooked bowl of assam laksa that is made with care and careful consideration. The taste and the vibe of this Penang laksa restaurant will make you feel at home and of course, the laksa is as flavourful as it gets! If you’re in the area, you have to visit Laksa Mamu Famous Sungai Pinang to enjoy a simple yet delicious bowl of this local comfort food.

Address: Taman Lita, 11600 Jelutong, Penang
Operating hours: 3pm – 8pm (Closed on Sundays)
Social media: Facebook

5. Laksalicious

Image credit: @laksalicious

Laksalicious? Sounds delicious! Laksalicious offers a more cafe-style ambience than the other Penang laksa restaurants on this list but rest assured, the laksa here is scrumptious!

The laksa broth has a good balance of sour, spicy, and tangy and it contains generous helpings of noodles, fish and the other little tidbits you’ll find in your standard laksa. We highly recommend that you order their prawn crackers to add a little more zing to your meal!

Address: 117A, Jalan Hutton, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 11.30am – 6pm (Closed on Mondays)
Social media: Facebook

6. Xiao Er Laksa Penang

Image credit: @xiaoerlaksa

This Penang laksa restaurant is set up like a kopitiam and serves tasty assam laksa and lemak laksa. The assam laksa broth is very flavourful and you can taste the traditional recipe whilst the lemak laksa has the taste of the assam laksa with coconut milk added. The dishes may be a little bit towards the pricier end but they’re definitely worth a try — the same goes for their coffee!

Address: One Square, 2-1-3A Ground Floor, Tingkat Mahsuri 1, Bayan Baru, 11950, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 8am – 9pm
Social media: Facebook

7. Restaurant Taman Emas

Restaurant Taman Emas is a kopitiam but the Penang laksa on their menu is so good that they’ve earned a spot on this list and also in the hearts of many laksa lovers in George Town.

The assam laksa served here is fragrant and flavourful and the broth is more sweet and sour than spicy. However, if you’re looking to fill yourself up with noodles, you might need to order two bowls of laksa, or an additional plate of this restaurant’s delicious char kuey teow!

Address: 1, Jalan Gottlieb, George Town, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 11.30am – 6pm (Closed on Mondays)
Social media: Facebook

8. D Laksa Aeon Queensbay Mall

Image credit: @dlaksamalaysia

If you’ve been to shopping malls around Malaysia, you might have spotted a little store out in the open that serves aromatic laksa in yellow paper bowls. Good news, Penang has one too in Aeon Queensbay Mall!

Though this chain of restaurants may be more commercialised than the others on the list, the quality and authenticity of the Penang assam laksa taste is preserved and D Laksa is a favourite go-to spot for a quick fix of this delicious noodle dish.

Address: Queensbay Mall,LG-59 (Foodcourt, 100, Persiaran Bayan Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 10am – 10pm
Social media: Facebook

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If you are in Penang and you have laksa love for laksa, you’ll be spoilt for choice with all the delicious, authentic laksa dishes around you! Try one (or all!) of these 8 places for the best laksa in Penang the next time you need your spicy noodle cravings satisfied!

Follow us on Instagram (@penanglicious) for latest cafe reviews! Bon appetit!