Guide

Penang hawker food, the official way

By Covered Abroad Research Desk · Last verified July 2026

Penang's official tourism agency, Penang Global Tourism, maps a three-day street food trail across the island and the mainland — curry mee and assam laksa in Air Itam, char koay teow in George Town, Siam laksa in Balik Pulau and more. For an evening feast, the Gurney Drive Hawker Centre opens daily from 5pm to midnight.

Day 1: Air Itam to George Town

Penang Global Tourism's Street Food Trails leaflet suggests starting in the hills and working into the heritage city:

Breakfast — curry mee: Sister Curry Mee, Air Itam
Assam laksa: Bisu Laksa, Air Itam
Lunch — biryani rice: Hameediyah Restaurant, George Town
Tea — nyonya kuih: Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay & Canteen, George Town
Dinner — char koay teow: Ah Shen Famous Char Koay Teow, Lebuh Presgrave
Supper: Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town

Sources: Penang Global Tourism — Street Food Trails & World Wonders of Penang leaflet; Penang Global Tourism — Gurney Drive Hawker Centre; both read 8 October 2026.

Days 2 and 3: the island's west side and the mainland

The trail then heads out of town:

Roti bakar and butter coffee: Bee Ghah Coffee Shop, Teluk Kumbar
Hokkien mee: Jalan Sungai Ara 1, Sungai Ara
Siam laksa: Nam Guang Coffee Shop, Balik Pulau
Dinner: Long Beach Food Court, Batu Ferringhi
Supper — oh chien: Bee Hooi Restaurant, Pulau Tikus

Day 3 crosses to the mainland: chai kueh and Jawi laksa in Sungai Bakap, loh mee and rojak in Butterworth, and cup rice and duck egg char koay teow in Bukit Mertajam.

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Gurney Drive, and eating like a local

The Gurney Drive Hawker Centre on Persiaran Gurney is open Monday to Sunday, 5pm to midnight, according to Penang Global Tourism — an easy evening introduction to the island's hawker culture.

Penang Global Tourism describes George Town as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Penang as a true melting pot of cultures, and the trail reflects it, from biryani rice to nyonya kuih and char koay teow. For a newcomer, working through the trail is one of the best ways to get to know your new home.

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Common questions

What hawker food is Penang famous for?

Penang Global Tourism's street food trail features curry mee, assam laksa, char koay teow, Hokkien mee, Siam laksa, oh chien, nyonya kuih and more.

What are the Gurney Drive Hawker Centre opening hours?

Monday to Sunday, 5pm to midnight, according to Penang Global Tourism.

Where can I get assam laksa in Penang?

The official street food trail recommends Bisu Laksa in Air Itam.

Is there an official Penang food trail?

Yes. Penang Global Tourism publishes a Street Food Trails leaflet with a suggested three-day itinerary across the island and mainland.