Nasi kandar in Penang is one option that you can find all through the later hours of the night when most other eateries and cafes are closed.
In fact, you really should try to have at least one authentic nasi kandar meal while you’re in Penang!
To aide you in your food bucket list, we have listed 11 of the best nasi kandar restaurants in Penang for you to try out.
11 Top Places for Nasi Kandar In Penang
1. Bistro Halia Nasi Kandar
Located at The Latitude, Bistro Halia Nasi Kandar has plenty of loyal customers from tourists and locals alike. However, it is usually not crowded.
Their prices are reasonable and the service is great! Plus, their premises are clean which is definitely a huge plus for dining in.
Do keep in mind that while there are lots of roadside parking it can get packed because this nasi kandar eatery is located walking distance from a couple of condominiums.
Should you decide to head on over, do try their crunchy fried chicken as well as their ginger tea! Both are highly raved menu items in this restaurant.
- Address: 2-1-1, The Latitude, Persiaran Halia 3, 11200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 7.00am to 11.00pm
- Contact: +6019-6759058
- Links: Facebook; Instagram
- Email: [email protected]
2. Shariff Nasi Kandar
You will find this nasi kandar stall inside the market and food complex:
This long-time contender that is a nostalgic spot for a lot of locals, Shariff Nasi Kandar has raked up a huge fan base over the years!
Food is cheap and delicious which definitely explains the long queues! So we do recommend that you head on earlier as food for the dinner rush tend to finish by 8pm.
Among the many choices of dishes available, we recommend the Kapitan chicken (or chicken ros curry) and the onion omelet!
Note: Not many parking opportunities here so prepare to drive around a little to find a vacant spot
- Address: 159, Jalan Permai Taman Brown, Gelugor hadapan 7, 11700 George Town
- Business Hours: 5.30pm to 9.30pm, Closed on Saturdays
- Contact: +6017-4586786
- Links: Facebook
3. Nasi Kandar Sulaiman
Nasi Kandar Sulaiman is located along a main road and nestled in between rows of other shops. While that makes it easier to find, parking can be difficult during peak hours.
Getting here early does have its perks as you’ll be able to pick from a larger selection of food before it finishes! As it will because the prices here are very reasonable and attractive.
Thus, Nasi Kandar Sulaiman is very popular among locals. Long queues are common but thankfully, service is fast so you may not have to wait for too long.
Onion chicken (ayam bawang) and fried chicken are their top sellers. And since the curries are less spicy than elsewhere, you can attempt to do what the locals do and mix (campur) the gravy!
- Address: 739, Jalan Air Itam, George Town, 10460 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 6.30am to 2.30pm daily
- Contact: +6017-4688402
- Links: Facebook; Instagram
- Email: [email protected]
4. Nasi Kandar Ali IPD Corner
This little nasi kandar stall opens in the evenings at 6pm till late! The crowd comes flocking to Nasi Kandar Ali IPD Corner for the delicious fried chicken so do get a hold of that if you’re here.
Though we will say that their other dishes, while tasty, are not particularly unique. On the other hand, the portions are very generous and the 2 people may be able to share 1 chicken!
And as with many other place in Penang, the parking situation can be tricky as there isn’t much roadside parking.
The result is that you will see lots of people parking at illegal spots – proceed at your own risk!
- Address: Kampung Makam, 10150 George Town, Penang
- Business Hours: 6pm till late
5. Nasi Kandar Maima Maju Sdn Bhd
Nasi Kandar Maima is in a corner lot surrounded by lots of other businesses and restaurants so while there is plenty of parking spaces, they still fill up quick.
Parking woes aside, their friendly service will make you feel very welcomed and their delicious dishes of a satisfying assortment will having you come back again when you can.
Some feel that the food here is better than other more well-known locations for nasi kandar in Penang.
They have a way of mixing their thick curries (sweet or spicy) that just hits the spot! And you’d be doing your taste buds a favor to get some of their fried chicken while completing the experience too.
Prices are reasonable – almost bordering on cheap so you don’t have to worry about spending too much here!
- Address: 2405, Jalan Kampung Baru, Taman Tampoi, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 10.30am to 10.30pm, closed on Mondays
- Contact: +6016-4223347
- Links: Facebook
6. Deens Maju Nasi Kandar
Another highly favored spot for nasi kandar in Penang is Deens Maju Nasi Kandar. Their lines are pretty long but the speedy service can keep up.
It’s worth waiting for the food and the agreeable price points!
They are located along a main road where there isn’t much parking available so we suggest you come here for dinner instead of lunch as the lunch rush can get hectic.
Furthermore, you will have to queue out in the sun if you come during the day.
Don’t leave here without trying out their fried chicken, Indian flatbreads like roti canai, fried or curried squid as well as the sambal kelapa!
- Address: 170, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 12.00pm to 9.30pm, closed on Fridays
- Contact: +6012-4252421
- Links: Facebook; Instagram
- Email: [email protected]
7. Nasi Kandar Kampung Melayu
A must try nasi kandar in Penang would be the Nasi Kandar Kampung Melayu. There isn’t much of a queue with this one though as the service is fast!
However, it is located below flats and prime parking slots will be gone during usual lunch or dinner hours. It might be easier (and less stressful) to get here via an e-hailing service instead.
The curries aren’t too spicy which is suitable for kids or those who can’t handle spice! Dishes you should try here include fish head curry and the squid curry.
A fair warning though, their premises and the surrounding area aren’t very clean so if you’re someone who can’t stomach that, we suggest you skip this one.
- Address: A-29, Jalan Kampung Melayu, Kampung Melayu, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: Mon: 6.30am to 1.30pm; Tues to Sun: 6.30am to 1.30pm, 4.00pm to 10.00pm
- Contact: +6010-4503434
- Links: Facebook; Instagram
- Email: [email protected]
8. Tajuddin Hussain Nasi Kandar
Tajuddin Hussain Nasi Kandar has some loyal customers that keep coming back and with good reason! Although, the taste of the food has changed a bit compared to before.
However, we still do recommend the duck biryani, lamb curry, and onion chicken! The rice for the biryani is soft and fluffy. Do note that the portions are big as well so light eaters, be prepared!
Also, request for mixed curry for that extra oomph!
It’ll also please you to know that their premises are clean and prices are favorable.
Note: Beware that available parking slots are hard to come by here.
- Address: 45-63, Queen St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
- Business Hours: 11.00am to 3.30pm, 6.00pm to 8.00pm, closed on Sundays
- Contact: +604-2625367
- Links: Facebook
9. Ali Ameir Nasi Kandar
Hate the thought of having nowhere to park while food hunting in Penang? Ali Ameir Nasi Kandar happens to be right next to a huge paid parking lot!
Plus, just across the road is street parking as well. However, since the main road is close, there will be a jam during peak hours.
Most of the patrons of this old-school nasi kandar eatery usually come in the morning so plan your lunch well to skip the queue.
Besides logistics, we have to talk about their low prices but most of all, their delicious food which they have successfully maintained the taste of throughout their many years of operation.
You won’t regret ordering their fish curry, as well as their chicken and squid.
- Address: 567, Lebuhraya Gelugor, Jelutong, 11600 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 8.00am to 11.00am, 6.30pm to 8.00pm
- Contact: +6016-4626275
- Links: Facebook
10. Nasi Kandar Merlin
Located near the Padang Kota Lama, Nasi Kandar Merlin is right below the Merlin hotel. Despite the fact that there is a lot of street parking in the surrounding area, it’s still not easy to find parking here.
So you might want to avoid peak hours so you can also secure seats (they have limited seating) and escape the long queues during lunch too!
However, being in the queue isn’t so bad since their service is quite fast.
If you do manage to get here, order mixed curry, sambal kelapa, fried chicken as well as the biryani. Latecomers will miss out on thesambal kelapa.
- Address: 1A Union Street Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 8.00am to 3.00pm, closed on Sundays
- Contact: +6016-4027452 / +604-2642826
- Links: Facebook
- Email: [email protected]
11. Hussain Nasi Kandar Drive Thru
Their name, Hussain Nasi Kandar Drive Thru implies that they offer drive through service. Though at the time of writing, their drive thru service is on hold due to a lack of staff.
If you’d like to experience a drive-through nasi kandar, you can give them a call first before you visit.
However, you can also dine-in as their dining environment is quite comfortable! You can choose between indoor seating (with air-conditioning) or outdoor seating.
Their biryani (with raisins and cashew nuts) is a must have as well as a generous helping of onion chicken (enough for 2 pax).
On the other hand, if you want a simple dish of white rice and curry, we suggest the lamb or fish curry!
For those with their own car, parking is easy here with plenty of free parking available right in front of the restaurant.
- Address: Butterworth, 13800 Sungai Dua, Pulau Pinang. (Toll Sungai Dua)
- Business Hours: 7.00am to 10.00pm daily
- Contact: +6019-5591137
- Links: Facebook; Instagram
- Email: [email protected]
Conclusion
While nasi kandar in Penang isn’t exactly the most glamorous meal you can get when it comes to food hunting, it definitely has a lot of soul!
Plus, it is easy on the wallet. Do try out the ones listed above and you may find a new fave hangout spot that you’ll be itching to return to.
We consider nasi kandar to be one of many traditional Malaysian dishes so don’t miss out on this if you’re in Malaysia for only a short while!
Further reading:
- Top 11 Places For Seafood In Penang
- Top 9 Places For Famous Penang Cendol
- Top 11 Places For Steamboat In Penang
- Top 11 Places For Hokkien Mee In Penang
- Top 13 Restaurants In Penang – For Something Different
- Top 11 Japanese Restaurants In Penang
- Top 11 Korean Restaurants In Penang
