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

Laksa is one of the most iconic street food dishes in Penang. In this post, we’ll cover what is Laksa and the difference between the Curry and Assam versions, as well as where you can find the best Laksa in Penang! This post is part of a series of posts about What and Where to Eat in Penang, Malaysia.

A bowl of tangy Assam Laksa at the Air Itam market in Penang. Photo by: DTW with CC BY-SA 3.0

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What is Laksa?

Assam Laksa is a tangy and spicy noodle soup dish that features a flavorful fish-based broth, tamarind, lemongrass, and chili, giving it a distinctive sour taste. The dish is usually served with rice vermicelli noodles, shredded mackerel or other fish, sliced cucumber, onions, mint, and a generous dollop of thick shrimp paste (heh ko) for added richness.

While similar in concept, Assam Laksa is very different in taste to the Curry Laksa found in Kuala Lumpur or the Katong Laksa in Singapore. In this case, it is a curry noodle soup where the broth is spiced with curry and smoothed with coconut milk, making it more earthy and velvety in contrast to the tangy and spicy of Assam Laksa.

A bowl of curry laksa in Chinatown Kuala Lumpur

While Curry Laksa is my favourite version of this dish, Assam Laksa is the Penang version of it and it is a very unique dish. That is why you can’t leave the island without trying this tangy and filling fish soup!

Best Laksa in Penang, Malaysia

1. Pasar Air Itam Laksa: close to the Kek Lok Si temple you’ll find the Air Itam market. One of its most famous stalls is Air Itam Assam Laksa, offering the Penangite version of laksa. They serve it with squid and a nice scoop of shrimp paste.
2. Assam Laksa Jelutong: located a bit far from George Town, behind the post office at Jelutong, this food truck serves one of the most amazing bowls of assam laksa, with a perfect balance of spicy and sour and it has a flavourful fish broth and fragrant herbs.
3. Penang Road Famous Laksa: Penang road is one of those places where you can go there for the laksa and then stay for some char kway teow or chendol. While it is fairly touristy, this place has kept the original flavours of their laksa, and it is conveniently located in the center of George Town.
4. Restaurant Taman Emas: delicious bowl of tangy laksa with a thick mackerel broth, perfect for those taking some of the heritage trails from Penang Botanical Gardens to Penang Hill.
5. Mollie Dessert House and Asam Laksa: this tiny hidden stall serves one of the tastiest Assam laksa in town. While the broth is not as thick as in other stalls, the full mackerel fillets and fishballs are added to your soup. The laksa is very freshly made as well!
6. Other locations far from George Town: Kim Laksa (Balik Pulau), Farlim Shell Station Laksa (Farlim).

Map of the Best Laksa 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

Laksa 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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