Penang Food

Penang is an island located 330km north from the capital state of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. This small yet rich island is paradise for both local and tourists. Penang food is sure to tickle your taste buds and make you crave for more. For those who are watching their waistline, Penang is sure to torment you! 

Penang is also known as the melting pot of culture and tradition. The food here varies from Malay cuisine all the way to Western cuisine! You name it, they sure to have it! Penang food is so rich in flavours, which is has also made one of the local’s favourite, the Penang Assam Laksa to be listed on one of the most delicious dish by CNN GO in 2011. The Assam Laksa itself is a dish originated from the Peranakan, a race that are the descendent of the15th century Chinese immigrant whom had married and settled down in Malaya.

It’s hard to separate Penang food and Penang Island itself with history. For example, Char Kuey Teow that is now enjoyed by Malaysian has a story on its own. The simple stir-friend rice cakes with light soy sauce, fish cakes, cockles, bean sprouts and chives were once meant to be eaten by labourers who needed such nutrients to enable to work the long hours. The recipe has been re-vamped as, originally pork lards were used to replace the seafood placed and the dish was stir-fried in pork fat instead of cooking oil.

Being the melting pot of culture and flavours, you’ll see a lot of fusion and mixture of food of different roots in Penang Island. This is where the term Rojak was derived from. Typically this term means mixture. Rojak buah is one of the locals’ favourite Penang foods. A mixture of local fruit salad dressed with a special dark brown nutty dressing.

There’s an endless list of Penang food to write about! These are just few of the examples of Penang food that you should try! Make your visit worthwhile by trying out these and other scrumptious delicacies!