10 must try Michelin Bib Gourmand Hawker street food stalls and, restaurants in Penang, Malaysia you don't want to miss!

Penang, acclaimed for its diverse culinary heritage, stands as a premier gastronomic destination. The island's inclusion in the prestigious Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand is a resounding affirmation of its outstanding street food and restaurant offerings. This article meticulously explores 10 revered establishments, honored with this prestigious distinction, ranging from unassuming hawker stalls to delightful eateries. Each venue ensures a unique and unforgettable dining experience, featuring meticulously crafted dishes tailored to enthrall even the most discerning palates. Whether you're a seasoned food enthusiast or an eager traveler seeking an authentic taste of Penang, this deep dive into Michelin Bib Gourmand hawker stalls and restaurants is certain to ignite your passion for culinary exploration. 

1) My Own Cafe

My Own Cafe, a family-run cafe specializing in Penang Laksa since 2013, is listed in the Michelin Guide. We tried their Assam Laksa, Nyonya Lemak Laksa, and spring roll. The soup was made with freshly sourced assam jawa, providing a sour and sweet taste. The Nyonya Lemak Laksa, infused with coconut milk, was rich and creamy, topped with various toppings. The spring roll was expertly fried to a golden brown with a crisp exterior. The cafe's vintage charm and expertly fried interior made it a memorable dining experience.

Address: 2, Cannon St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday 10am - 4pm

Closed from Wednesday - Saturday

2) Sister Yao's Char Koay Kak

Sister Yao's Char Koay Kak, also known as Carrot Cake, is a delicacy from their Teochew ancestral roots. Initially mistaken for Char Kway Teow (CKT), it is actually Carrot Cake, also known as Chai tow kway. The sisters inherited their father's culinary legacy, which began in 1963. The dish is stir-fried with thick black soy sauce and chye poh, bean sprouts, and eggs. The radish cake has a smooth texture and a mild sweetness, while the egg version adds richness and a subtle, creamy quality, making it a favorite.

Address: 96, Lorong Macalister, George Town, 11400 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Opening Hours: 7am - 12pm

Closed on Weds and Thurs

3) Penang Road Famous Jin Kor Char Kuey Teow

Penang Road Famous Jin Kor Char Kuey Teow, a Michelin Guide-listed stall, offers a luxurious and savory dish with duck eggs. The dish, a stir-fry blend of shrimp, blood clams, lup cheong, and bean sprouts, is characterized by its lighter taste, paler outlook, and absence of excessive sweetness. The stall is located within a coffee shop and serves both regular and duck egg versions. The dish is cooked until it achieves a drier consistency and a nice wok hei.

Address: 475, Jln Penang, George Town, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Opening Hours: 9.30am - 5.30pm daily

4) Ah Boy Koay Teow Th'ng

Ah Boy Koay Teow Th'ng, a Michelin Guide-listed stall since 1977, offers a unique broth made from slow-cooking pork and chicken bones. Their Koay Teow soup is excellent with a clear, flavorful broth. The standard order includes chicken slices, meatballs, fried fishballs, and pork tendon balls for $5.5rm, served with garlic oil and spring onions. The menu includes various toppings, including fish maw and egg.

Address: Lebuh Clarke, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Opening Hours: 7am - 2pm

Closed on Tuesday

5) Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay

Penang's Peranakan culture, particularly the Baba Nyonya community, is renowned for its kuih-specializing factory, Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay. Established in 1933, the restaurant expanded in 2016 and is located in a historic Chinese courtyard house. The restaurant features nostalgic decorations, an open kitchen, and a dining area. Recognized in the Michelin Guide, the restaurant offers various kueh, including kueh lapis, Nyonya zhang, and Pulut Tai Tai. The menu includes a small portion for small eaters.

Address: Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Masjid, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Opening Hours: 10.30am - 5pm

Closed on Monday

6) Goh Thew Chik Hainan Chicken Rice

Goh Thew Chik Hainan Chicken Rice, a Michelin bib gourmand restaurant, offers a variety of chicken dishes including Hainanese-style poached and roast chicken. The chicken is served in halved portions and is drizzled with a soy sauce blend. The fragrant rice is well-separated and the chicken is mostly tender and flavorful. The chili, despite lacking spiciness, offers a delightful sweetness and garlicky undertones, making it an excellent accompaniment to the meal.

Address: 340, Chulia St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

Opening Hours: Mon - Tues, Thurs - Sun 10.30am - 5pm

Wednesday 10am - 2pm

7) Green House Prawn Mee Corner

Green House Prawn Mee Corner, a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee, offers a diverse menu of Hokkien prawn mee and otah. The menu includes standard components like prawns, eggs, and kway teow noodles and
add-ons like pork intestine, ribs, meatballs, roast pork, and sausages. The broth, adorned with a pleasing red hue, is the heart of any prawn mee, with a harmonious blend of savory and umami flavors. The Penang-style otak-otak has a moist texture and mild spicy flavor profile.

Address: 133A, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Opening Hours: 9 am - 1.30 pm

8) Tok Tok Mee Bamboo Noodle

On our final day, we discovered Michelin Bib Gourmand breakfast spots and found Tok Tok Mee Bamboo Noodle. The name "Tok Tok" comes from the onomatopoeic sound a chef makes while kneading noodle dough with a bamboo pole. We ordered their Signature tok tok mee, complete with char siew and vegetables, and complemented it with dumplings, eggs, and oysters. We also tried their signature crispy BBQ pork pie and pandan kaya dumplings. Both pastries were delicious, with a crisp, golden-brown crust enveloping a generous filling of barbecue pork and pandan.

Address: 37, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Opening Hours: 9.30 am - 7.30 pm

9) Siam Road Charcoal Char Kuey Teow

Siam Road Charcoal Char Kuey Teow, a popular CKT place, was initially hesitant due to its non-air-conditioned setting and extensive queue. Despite this, we ordered four plates, two with added chili, and enjoyed the distinct wok hei flavor of the noodles cooked over hot coals. The dish featured flat rice noodles tossed with eggs, lup cheong, beansprouts, chives, cockles, and shrimp, making it an enjoyable experience. The uncle is also recognized as the 'Humble King of Noodles'.

Address: 82, Jalan Siam, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Opening Hours: 12 pm - 6 pm

Closed on Monday and Sunday

10) Chao Xuan Restaurant 潮轩

The Penang Teochew community, a minority dialect within the Chinese population, is known for its Teochew Kueh, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant. We tried a mixed selection of kuih, including Mangkuang Kuih, Toh Kuih, and Kuchai Kuih. Mangkuang Kuih features jicama grating and a blend of sweet and savory flavors, while Toh Kuih combines shredded daikon radish and rice flour for a unique taste. Kuchai Kuih, or "Chive Cake," is a blend of chopped chives, rice flour, and seasonings, resulting in a crispy exterior. The kuih is a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors.

Address: 90, Lebuh Melayu, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Open Address: 9.30am - 3pm

Closed on Monday