Best Char Koay Teow In Penang
No.5 Char Koay Teow
No. 5 Char Koay Teow is something of a hidden gem amongst the more famed counterparts in the George Town area.
Though it is situated right in the bustling and tourist-filled Macalister Road, the stall itself is wedged right next to a durian stall and in a corner of a small old-school hawker space within a carpark lot. It would be rather easy to miss if not for its signage and the whiff of woodsy fragrance.
We’ll warn you first – don’t come here too famished that you won’t be willing to wait for your food to arrive, because waiting is what you’ll have to suffer through first before you get that yummy CKT.
We arrived to find the stall empty and void of any wok hei action, and wondered if the stall was closed – except that there were several customers seated at the tables, seemingly waiting to devour some food.
Upon prodding some workers idling about the hawker area, we were told to grab a seat…and wait.
There didn’t seem to be any sort of queuing system here, so instead of waiting for someone to approach and take orders, head straight over to the cook, give him your orders, and you’ll have a glorious CKT in no time at all.
While No. 5 is known for its loaded seafood char koay teow, we opted for a small traditional plate with the usual ingredients that’s priced at RM10.
It would simply be unscrupulous of us to not mention how our first bite absolutely floored us. Though admittedly, that was hugely because of how we underestimated the lesser-known CKT spot.
No. 5 stands out with the robust flavour of the noodle dish that were perfectly charred at edges of their strips, but somehow they manage to retain the freshness of the rest of the ingredients. The prawns were firm and juicy, the cockles whole and not shrivelled up from the heat, the shreds of Chinese chives and bean sprouts unabashedly sturdy, crunchy, and flavour-intact.
The explosion of flavour got more intense with every bite, it gradually bordered on salty. It made us wonder if they did cheat with a magic sprinkling of MSG. Nevertheless, it is an outstanding Penang char koay teow dish that we wouldn’t hesitate recommending.
Address: 94, Jalan Macalister, Sunshine City, 10450 George Town, Penang Opening hours: Mon – Sat 12pm-10pm (Closed on Sundays) Contact: 018-948 5680
Chulia Street Char Keow Teow
Chulia Street is arguably THE place to be in Penang at night, thanks to its array of bars and eateries. It’s not surprising then, that it is here where you’ll also find arguably the best char koay teow in Penang during the night! This humble stall, located smack dab in the heart of Penang’s nightlife zone always attracts a crowd. If you’re craving a taste of this popular char koay teow, make sure to come with a good appetite and plenty of patience!
Opening Hours: Daily 6–10pm
Chulia Street, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
Char koay teow is conventionally eaten during lunch or dinner. However, in Penang, you can also eat it for breakfast. Tiger Char Koay Teow offers exactly that, opening early in the morning and offering customers mouthwatering plates of savoury char koay teow from as early as 8am! Expect to find your char koay teow piled high with juicy prawns, cockles, and either chicken or duck eggs. For an extra kick to go with the wok hei (smokey aroma) of the noodles, ask for extra chili in your noodles. You won’t regret it!
Opening Hours: Daily 8am–2pm
179, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Siam Road Char Koay Teow
Photo: @eatwithandrewchan (Instagram)
We’re starting our CKT adventure with a real Champion! Awarded with a Michelin Bib Gourmand for “good quality and value cooking,” Siam Road Char Koay Teow will hook your taste buds in with just one bite. Flavoured with a hint of spice and served up with lots of wok hei, the stir-fried char koay teow here is well seasoned and hits like Heaven.
Photo: @sasmitaedo (Instagram)
Siam Road Charcoal Char Koay Teow
Address: 82, Jalan Siam, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday (12 – 6 pm), Closed on Sundays & Mondays
We’ve Got The Wok Hei Power Char Koay Teow Fans!
From the stir-fried rice noodles filled with incredible wok hei to the irresistible flavour combos of each topping, every plate of char koay teow is a culinary masterpiece waiting to be devoured. It’s time to get your taste buds excited CKT fans!
READ MORE: Top 25 Best Street Food In Penang (2024 Guide)
Sungai Dua Char Koay Teow
Photo: @Azim Rizzo (Google Images)
Here’s a Halal one for all you Muslim CKT lovers! Available in two options, Sungai Dua’s Char Koay Teow Seafood and Char Koay Teow Lobster Special will be calling your name. It’s saucy, flavourful and downright packed to the brim with juicy prawns and squid.
Photo: @Rohaya Ahmad (Google Images)
Sungai Dua Char Koay Teow
Address: Lot 1746, Jalan Kampung Teluk, Sungai Dua, 13800 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: Thursday to Tuesday (5.30 pm – 1 am), Closed on Wednesdays
Status: Halal-certified
Ah Shen Presgrave Street Duck Egg Char Koay Teow
Speaking of duck egg char koay teow, one of the most popular spots for this upgraded version of char koay teow on Penang Island is a humble shoplot on Presgrave Street. Manned by local foodie Ah Shen, the stall sells smoky char koay teow (stir-fried over a charcoal fire for extra wok hei) topped with a sunny side up duck egg. The duck egg elevates the entire dish, giving it a richer, creamier flavour that goes well with the springy rice noodles and crunchy bean sprouts. Don’t forget the spicy sambal too!
Opening Hours: Daily 3–10pm
67b, Lebuh Presgrave, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Siam Road Charcoal Char Koay Teow
You know the advice of visiting a famous eatery: come with plenty of tummy space, and also with plenty of patience.
The pioneer of charcoal-fueled char koay teow which once operated by the roadside and now a Michelin-approved stall, Siam Road Char Koay Teow is one of the oldest CKT hawkers in Penang, and arguably one of the very best.
We arrived half an hour before its opening time, and was already met with a short queue which grew exponentially when the hawkers arrived. The queuing and ordering system was rather seamless with the auntie’s sharp attentiveness and clear instructions for customers to keep things in order.
We all know of the elderly uncle, affectionately known as Uncle Tan, and the king behind Siam Road’s treasured plates of charred goodness. Since his retirement, his son has taken over the helming of the store and stove.
Melting from the heat in line wasn’t half as torturous as it would have been, if not for the uncle’s artisan display of frying the dish.
Unostentatious and laser-focused in his craft, he cooked in such a habitual efficiency, it was an awe to witness. The oil and pork lard triggers the sizzling, and in goes the rest of the ingredients in quick succession, interspersed with swishes of spatula and the addition of hot coals beneath the wok.
Rest assured that Siam Road’s char koay teow remains just as divine. A small-sized plate priced at RM9 is simple in its conception, with chilli-coated rice noodles interlacing thickets of eggs, decently plump and seared prawns, sweet lap cheong or Chinese sausages that have been singed in all the right corners, and fresh cockles that melts in your mouth.
The best part about this dish is its smoky wok hei aroma that is evident all the way till your plate is wiped clean, layered with the flavour of the pork lard which makes the dish sinfully moreish.
Our only gripe is for them to limit the number of orders per person – having a customer right at the front of the queue who smugly ordered 16 packets of CKT was not fun for the those at the back of the queue.
Address: 82, Jalan Siam, George Town, 10400 George Town, Penang Opening hours: Tue – Sat 12pm-6.30pm (Closed on Mondays & Sundays)
Char Koay Teow, a beloved street food staple in both Malaysia and Singapore, is a dish that speaks of heritage and heart. Stir-fried over intense heat, it marries silky flat rice noodles with an intoxicating blend of ingredients and sauces that differ where you go. Today, we break down Char Koay Teow in Malaysia and in Singapore.
Ah Leng Char Koay Teow
Photo: @bryan_yc (Instagram)
Opening its doors in 1979, Ah Leng’s char koay teow will bring your taste buds back to life! Famed for its wok hei infused CKT that comes complete with big juicy prawns and duck egg, be sure to come here early before the crowd starts pouring in. Tourists swear by it!
Photo: @billytan_ (Instagram)
Ah Leng Char Koay Teow
Address: 343, Jalan Dato Keramat, George Town, 10150 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating Hours: Sunday to Tuesday (10.30 am – 4 pm), Friday & Saturday (9 am – 5 pm), Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays
Link (s): Facebook | Instagram
