Where to eat in Penang: Best Lok Lok in Penang, Malaysia

Lok lok is one of the most fun and cheap ways to eat out in Penang. In this post, we’ll cover what is lok lok and where you can find the best lok lok in Penang! This post is part of a series of posts about What and Where to Eat in Penang, Malaysia.

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What is Lok Lok?

Lok Lok is a popular Penang street food and night market snack that involves skewered and cooked ingredients, which diners dip into a communal hot pot to finish cooking. The skewered items typically include various meats, seafood, vegetables, tofu, and processed food items like fish balls or sausages. After cooking the skewers in the hot pot, diners can enjoy them with a variety of dipping sauces, such as satay sauce, chili sauce, or sweet soy sauce.

Best Lok Lok in Penang, Malaysia

1. Chulia Street (Carnarvon) Lok Lok: in one of the most popular hawker food streets, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
2. Medan Selera Padang Brown Lok Lok: one of the best lok loks in town, with many options and delicious sauces to dip them in, such as their chili or saté sauce.
3. Peng Hwa Lok Lok (Pulau Tikus): a bit far from the center of George Town but every local’s choice for the best lok lok in Penang.
4. Lok-Lok Rojak @ Air Itam (Farlim): located in Air Hitam but quite far from the market, in Farlim Wednesday Night Market, you can find this amazing lok lok stall, located on the far side of the market.

Map of the Best Lok Lok in Penang, Malaysia

How to Get to Penang

Despite being an island, Penang is very well connected to the rest of Malaysia and even internationally! You can access Penang by car, taxi or bus through the . Another option is to arrive by ferry, either from the nearby Butterworth, which only takes around 10 minutes, or from the island of Langkawi. The latter is a long and arduous trip, so it only happens during the dry season.

Lastly, Penang is home to its own international airport, so there are frequent flights from Malaysian cities like Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi or Ipoh, as well as some international destinations such as Bangkok and Singapore.

Where to Stay in Penang

Penang is a very well developed island and George Town is an important cultural and urban center, so there are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation. The best area to stay in Penang is definitely around the center of George Town. It is close to many of its main attractions and also well connected to other areas in the island that you may visit. If you prefer something more relaxing or you’re traveling as a family, Batu Ferringhi may cater better to your needs. If you’re in a honeymoon and are looking for more private or resort-style accommodations, then Tanjung Bungah beach is your area!

Budget

Looking for a cozy spot without breaking the bank? Chulia Mansion is your jackpot. Right at the heart of the action, this place is a steal for its central location. If you’re into that rustic charm and counting pennies, head over to The 80’s Guesthouse. Tucked away on the quieter side of Love Lane, it’s a budget-friendly quirky gem surrounded by popular restaurants and bars.

Mid-range

If you won’t sacrifice comfort but don’t want to spend all your hard earned money, Reunion Carnarvon is a solid choice. This boutique hotel offers small but comfortable and beautiful rooms very close to all of George Town’s attractions but with some privacy, and right next to some of the city’s best eateries!Another popular option is Campbell House, an old Chinese shophouse turned boutique hotel.

Muntri Grove Hotel and its sister Muntri Mews are other gems in the mid-range category. Think heritage vibes, spacious rooms, and a rooftop pool that’s perfect for lazy afternoons. If you can splurge a bit more, check out Areca Hotel Penang, offering 48 rooms accross 12 Chinese shophouses, all beautifully decorated.

Luxury

For luxury, Edison George Town is a stunner, an actual colonial mansion turned into a jaw-dropping stay. The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, also known as the Blue Mansion Hotel, is perfect for those looking to stay in a cultural heritage building with all the luxury it entails! And then there’s Eastern & Oriental Hotel, where colonial style meets dreamy location.

For a beach vacation, head to Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang or Lone Pine in Batu Ferringhi. Private villas, epic pools, spas to die for, and a fitness center that might just inspire you to exercise on vacation.

Closing statement

Lok Lok is one of the most fun street foods in Penang. You’ll get to try a lot of things in one place and for very little money? Do not leave without trying it! If you’re visiting Penang, I suggest you read my dedicated post on things to do in Penang, as well as the more specific posts that you can get to from it:

→ What to do in Penang, Malaysia: the island of cultural tapestry

And if you’re traveling around Malaysia, I think these posts can be useful!

Kuala Lumpur: discovering the Malaysian capital

Melaka, Malaysia: a Journey through Cultural Heritage

Cameron Highlands, Malaysia: where wild and tamed nature meet

Langkawi, Malaysia’s adventure island

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