10 Best Street Foods In Penang At Night

Looking for the best street food in Penang at night? Well, we’ve got your back.

Penang is a true food paradise. You can walk down almost any street, follow your nose, and end up with a meal that blows your mind.

From sizzling woks to smoky grills, every corner seems to hold a new discovery. The island is especially famous for its street food, and even after the sun sets, Penang keeps feeding our cravings.

Sure, many stalls close early, but there’s no reason to end your foodie adventures there. Penang comes alive at night with late-night hawker stalls, bustling night markets, and the kind of comforting local dishes that make you feel right at home.

To help you choose, we’ve rounded up our top picks for the best street food in Penang at night, all tried, tasted, and loved.

1. Kimberly Street Night Market

If you want to taste some of the best street food in Georgetown, Penang, this is where to go.

The Kimberly Street Night Market (open daily from around 5 PM till late) is one of Penang’s most famous night eating spots.

The air is filled with the smell of roast duck, sizzling noodles, and sweet desserts. It’s lively, slightly chaotic, and absolutely delicious. Prices are mostly $, though some stalls are closer to $$.

Our top recommendations?

Kimberly Street Duck Kway Chap

This is the star of the night market.

Kway chap is a Teochew-style dish of flat, silky rice noodles served in a dark herbal broth, with braised duck meat, tofu, egg, and sometimes offal.

The broth is rich and slightly sweet, the duck tender, and the whole bowl comforting in that way only Penang food can be.

Add some chili sauce on the side, and you’ll understand why locals queue here every night.

Ice Kacang at Dessert Old Time Delight Shop

After all the savoury bites, it’s time for something cooling. Ice kacang is shaved ice topped with sweet syrup, red beans, corn, grass jelly, and palm seeds.

The Dessert Old Time Delight Shop serves a version that’s extra generous and beautifully balanced: not too sweet, just refreshing and fun to eat. You can’t leave Kimberly Street without one.

Lorong Susu Specialist BBQ

Walk a little down the lane, and you’ll smell grilled meats wafting through the air.

The Lorong Susu Specialist BBQ stall serves skewered chicken wings, pork belly, and sausages grilled over charcoal. Each bite is smoky and slightly caramelized.

Pair it with a cold drink, and you’ve got a perfect late-night snack.

Traditional Home of Dessert – Si Koh Soup

This little stall is famous for Si Koh Soup, a Penang-style dessert that looks simple but surprises with every spoonful.

It’s a mix of shaved ice, syrup, fruits, and ginkgo nuts. Sweet, chewy, crunchy, a perfect ending to your Kimberly Street feast.

Hours: Daily, 5 PM–11 PM
Location: Kimberly Street, George Town
Prices: $

2. Macallum Street Night Market

Next up for the best street food in Penang at night is the Macallum Street Night Market. It only happens on Mondays, but if you’re in town, it’s worth planning around.

The vibe is pure Penang: bright lights, sizzling grills, and crowds chatting over cheap eats. You’ll find everything from fried snacks to beautiful homemade cakes.

Jia Ma Lor Bak

Lor bak is a Penang classic: marinated pork (or sometimes chicken) wrapped in beancurd skin and deep-fried till golden brown.

At Jia Ma Lor Bak, the rolls are crispy outside and juicy inside. You get them served with chili sauce and a little blob of thick soy dip. One bite and you’ll understand why Penang locals never get tired of this.

Cakes and Local Bakes

Don’t leave without trying the homemade cakes sold at the dessert stalls.

You’ll find pandan cake that’s soft and fragrant, chocolate blueberry cheesecake that’s surprisingly rich, and plenty of buttery pound cakes.

They’re sold in small slices, so you can sample a few. Perfect if you’re hopping between savoury dishes.

Satay Wah Heng

Satay is always a crowd favourite, and Wah Heng’s version is one of the best around.

Juicy skewers of chicken, beef, or lamb grilled over charcoal and served with thick peanut sauce. The meat has that perfect balance of smoky and sweet, and the sauce is addictive.

Grab a few sticks and a side of cucumber for crunch.

Hours: Mondays only, around 5 PM–10:30 PM
Location: Macallum Street, George Town
Prices: $

3. Chulia Street Night Stalls

If you’re wondering what to do in Penang at night, just head to Chulia Street. It’s buzzing every evening with hawker stalls that have been here for decades.

Locals, expats, and tourists all squeeze around tiny tables, eating under the neon lights. It’s one of those spots that really shows you why this island is known for the best food in Penang.

Lok Lok

Lok Lok is one of the most fun things to eat here. You pick skewers of meat, fish balls, tofu, vegetables, and more, then dip them into boiling broth to cook yourself.

Once cooked, you dip them into sauces: peanut, chili, or sweet soy. It’s a sociable meal, perfect for sharing, and you pay by the stick. Great for those who like to try a bit of everything.

Nasi Kandar

Another Penang icon. Nasi kandar is a plate of steamed rice served with a mix of curries and fried dishes. The best stalls along Chulia Street serve fluffy rice drenched in spicy, aromatic sauces.

You can pile on fried chicken, squid, or mutton curry, then top it with “kuah campur”, a mix of all the gravies. It’s hearty, messy, and unforgettable.

Hours: Every day except Mondays, from 3 PM to 12 AM
Location: Chulia Street, George Town
Prices: $

4. Gurney Drive Hawker Centre

You can’t talk about the best hawker food in Penang without mentioning Gurney Drive. This seaside hawker centre is one of the most famous in Malaysia.

Open nightly from around 3 PM, it’s packed with both locals and tourists eating under the open sky. The variety is huge: char koay teow, oyster omelette, satay, laksa, and more.

But if you’re after good late-night food in Georgetown Penang, the lok lok and nasi kandar stalls here are also excellent. Everything’s affordable, and the sea breeze makes it an easy place to spend hours.

Hours: Daily, 3 PM–12 AM
Location: Gurney Drive, George Town
Prices: $–$$

5. Lebuh Keng Kwee – Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

This place is a must for dessert lovers.

The famous Teochew Chendul stall on Lebuh Keng Kwee has been around since 1936, and it’s still drawing crowds every day. It’s not just one of the places to visit in Penang at night; it’s a food landmark.

Chendul (or cendol) is made of shaved ice, green pandan jelly, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup. Simple ingredients, but when done right, they turn into magic.

The Penang Road version is perfectly creamy with that deep, caramel-like sweetness from the gula melaka. Have it after a spicy meal, and you’ll understand why this dessert is iconic.

Hours: Daily, 12 PM–7 PM (some nights open till 9 PM)
Location: Lebuh Keng Kwee, off Penang Road
Prices: $

Tips for Enjoying Penang Street Food at Night

A few small tips to make your night food crawl even better:

Go early or go really late. The most popular stalls get busy fast, especially on weekends.
Bring cash. Many hawker stalls don’t take cards or e-wallets.
Pace yourself. You’ll want to try everything, but don’t fill up too quickly.
Dress comfortably. It’s hot and humid, and you’ll be moving between stalls.
Be adventurous. Try something you’ve never eaten before. You might just find your new favourite dish.

Exploring the best street food in Penang at night is a whole adventure in itself. From steaming noodles to icy desserts, smoky skewers to crunchy lor bak, there’s always something waiting to surprise you.

It’s food that feels alive, made by people who’ve been perfecting their recipes for generations.

Final Thoughts

When the lights of George Town flicker on, the island transforms. Streets that were quiet in the day turn into buzzing food lanes filled with laughter and sizzling woks.

Eating your way through Penang at night isn’t just about filling your stomach. It’s about feeling that warmth and energy that makes Penang one of Malaysia’s happiest food cities.

So if you’re ever wondering what to do in Penang at night, just grab some friends, head to one of these markets, and eat your way through the island. Trust us, every bite is worth it.

FAQs on the best street food in Penang at night

Is George Town better during the day or night?

If you want to experience the charm of Georgetown, I wouldn’t go at night. Not that it’s unsafe, it’s fine, but the main charm of Georgetown is the colonial architecture. You won’t be able to see that as well at night. Go during the day.

What is the famous street in Penang?

Armenian Street is arguably the most famous street in Penang, known for its vibrant street art, restored shophouses, and art galleries. Other famous streets include Chulia Street for food and nightlife, Queen Street with its mix of cultures, and Gurney Drive, which is famous for its hawker food.

Is it expensive to eat in Penang?

Not only does Penang have great food, but you don’t need to sit in expensive restaurants and shell out a fortune to try some of the best. With 60 Malaysian ringgit — the equivalent of $20 — you can eat so much, and so well, you’ll understand why many travel to Penang just for its food.

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Ride with SOCAR

If you’re planning a full night of food crawling, Ride with SOCAR makes it so much easier.

You can hop between night markets, try all the late-night favourites, and move at your own pace without worrying about parking or waiting for rides.

SOCAR’s flexible pick-up and drop-off points around Penang mean you can focus on the fun part, which is tasting everything the island has to offer. Enjoy the freedom to explore like a true local.

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