Where to eat in Penang: Best Koay Teow Th’ng in Penang, Malaysia

Koay Teow Th’ng is one of the most iconic street food dishes in Penang. In this post, I’ll cover what is this dish and where you can find the best one 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 Koay Teow Th’ng?

It’s a popular Penang noodle soup dish consisting of flat rice noodles (koay teow) served in a clear, flavorful broth. The soup often comes with slices of poached chicken or pork, fish balls or fish cake. It’s also sometimes topped with crispy fried shallots, green onions, and a dash of white pepper.

Best Koay Teow Th’ng in Penang, Malaysia

1. Pitt Street Koay Teow Th’ng: this was a big surprise for me. While the dish looks rather bland, it is packed with flavour! While the taste is not too much on the nose, it is refined and delicate. The fish balls are really tasty because they are made with eel instead of mackerel, and the pork slices where really mushy. It was a really comforting bowl of soup!
2. Ah Boy Koay Teow Th’ng: while the flavour of the Koay Teow Th’ng is milder at Ah Boy, the name is quite prophetic! That’s the sound that will come out of your mouth as you gulp on this comforting soup.
3. Duck Meat Kway Teow Th’ng @ Cecil Street Food Market: a delicious version of the dish with duck meat!
4. Restaurant 113 Duck Meat Kuih Teow Soup: another version with duck. If you are adventurous, try their version with duck meat and intestines and a drizzle of garlic oil.

Map of the Best Koay Teow Th’ng 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

Koay Teow Th’ng 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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