Where to eat in Penang: Best Hokkien Mee in Penang, Malaysia
Hokkien Mee (or Prawn Mee) is one of the most iconic street food dishes in Penang. In this post, we’ll cover what is hokkien mee and where you can find the best hokkien mee in Penang! This post is part of a series of posts about What and Where to Eat in Penang, Malaysia.
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Post Contents
What is Char Kway Teow?
Hokkien Mee, also known as Prawn Mee, is a popular Penang noodle dish that features a flavorful and aromatic broth made from prawn shells and heads, combined with thick yellow noodles and rice vermicelli. The dish is garnished with prawns, hard-boiled eggs, bean sprouts, water spinach, and a spoonful of spicy chili paste.
Penang Prawn Mee is served with broth as a noodle soup, unlike its counterparts in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, which are served with a thick sauce or dry, respectively.
Singapore-style Hokkien Mee. Photo by Jpatokal – Own work with CC BY-SA 4.0
Best Hokkien Mee in Penang, Malaysia
- Bridge Street Hokkien Mee: with more than 50 years of history in Penang, Bridge Street is worth a visit for their rich and aromatic broth.
- Mu Tong Hokkien Mee: located in the Shark Food Court, this hokkien mee stall excells at the thick, spicy and savoury broth. The generous serving comes with springy yellow noodles, shrimps and pork.
- 888 Hokkien Mee: an iconic Hokkien Mee stall in Penang. It has dropped in quality since its peak days, but it still serves a mean bowl of prawn mee. There are three locations (that I know of) in the island.
- Green House Prawn Mee Corner: this place has been famous for a while. While the quality may not have survived the test of time, they still serve a mean bowl of Hokkien me, with prawns, lor bak or a mix of the two.
- T&T Prawn Mee Shop: they serve their signature claypot Hokkien Mee (and other claypot dishes), which makes the dish much more comforting!
- Ah Koo’s Hokkien Mee: right in front of Medan Selera Padang Brown, this bowl of Hokkien Mee packs a bunch of flavour! Due to their popularity among locals, they sell out quick, so be sure to be there before 11am (not kidding!).
Map of the Best Hokkien Mee 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
Hokkien Mee is one of the most delicious and iconic hawker dishes in Penang. 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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