Nasi kandar is one option that you can find available throughout the day. Even when most other eateries and cafes are already closed.
In fact, you really should try to have at least one authentic nasi kandar meal while you’re in Penang!
To aid you in your foodie goals, we have listed 11 of the best eateries for you to try out.
1. Hameediyah Restaurant
Prepare to pay more for their signature dishes (e.g., lamb shank). The pricing is notably higher here since this is a touristy part of town.
But the food is delicious, and the portions are big enough for small eaters to share comfortably.
The daily queue quickly forms outside this eatery at lunch time. But they are also open for dinner.
Read about our dining experience at Hameediyah Restaurant. And see what we ordered!
- Address: 164 A, Lebuh Campbell, street, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 10am to 10pm
- Contact: +604-261 1095
2. Bistro Halia Nasi Kandar
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 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.
If you decide to head on over, try their crunchy fried chicken as well as their ginger tea!
- Address: 2-1-1, The Latitude, Persiaran Halia 3, 11200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 8am to 11:30pm
- Contact: +6019-6759058
3. 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 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: Gerai 23, Kompleks Pasar Dan Makanan, Jalan Permai, Taman Brown, 11700 Gelugor, Penang
- Business Hours: 5.30pm to 9.30pm, Closed on Saturdays
- Contact: +6017-4586786
4. Nasi Kandar Sulaiman
Nasi Kandar Sulaiman is along a main road and 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.
Note: Do expect to be sitting closely with other people during their peak times.
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 (closes at 12:30pm on Fridays)
- Contact: +6017-4688402
5. Kassim Nasi Kandar
A few minutes’ walk away from KOMTAR Penang, Kassim Nasi Kandar is open for breakfast until dinner (they close at 7:30pm every day).
What stands out about Kassim Nasi Kandar is the fact that their dining environment doesn’t feel cramped.
Roti canai is a popular breakfast item here. And the nasi kandar is reasonably priced. With drinks, you can expect to pay about RM20 for 2 pax.
There may not be many sides available, but their fried chicken, lamb curry and onion chicken (ayam bawang) are good.
Their popularity (including takeaways) is picking up among locals, so there is a wait during lunch time.
- Address: 221, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 7am to 7:30pm daily (Opens at 6:30am on Saturdays)
- Contact: +6016-434 7788
6. Nasi Kandar Ali IPD Corner
This little nasi kandar stall has exceptionally long working hours. They work till late daily!
Despite the higher pricing:
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 places 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: 247, Jalan Dato Keramat, Kampung Makam, 10150 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours:
- Monday to Thursday and Saturday – 11am to 5:30pm, and again from 6pm to 4am
- Friday – 11am to 1pm, 2:30pm to 5:30pm, and again from 6pm to 4am
- Sunday – 11am to 5:30pm, and again from 6:30pm to 4am
7. Nasi Kandar Maima Maju Sdn Bhd
Nasi Kandar Maima is not in Penang Island, but in Bukit Mertajam. And the shop is in a corner lot surrounded by lots of other businesses and restaurants. So, while there are plenty of parking spaces, they fill up quickly.
Parking woes aside, their friendly service will make you feel very welcome 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.
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! Moreover, they are now open all throughout the day and night.
- Address: 2405, Jalan Kampung Baru, Taman Tampoi, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 10.30am to 10.30pm, closed on Mondays
- Contact: +6016-505 2509
8. Deens Maju Nasi Kandar
Another highly favored spot for nasi kandar in Penang is Deens Maju Nasi Kandar. Their lines are long, but the speedy service can keep up.
It’s worth waiting for the food and the agreeable price points!
They are 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!
Besides food, you ought to get a glass of their milk tea.
- Address: 170, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 12pm to 10pm, closed on Fridays
- Contact: +6012-4252421
9. Nasi Kandar Kampung Melayu
Over at Ayer Itam is another must-try eatery. Nasi Kandar Kampung Melayu does not often have a queue because the service is fast!
But 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 the 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:
- Most days: 6.30am to 1.30pm and again from 4.30pm to 10.0pm
- Friday: Closes earlier at 12.30pm, but open again from 4.30pm to 10.0pm
- Mondays: Only open from 6.30am to 1.30pm
- Contact: +6010-4503434
10. Tajuddin Hussain Nasi Kandar
Tajuddin Hussain Nasi Kandar in Penang Little India 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.
They are famous for ros chicken.
However, we still do recommend the duck biryani, lamb curry, and onion chicken (ayam bawang) as well. 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 10.00pm, closed on Sundays
- Contact: +604-2625367
11. 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. Variety is not their strong point, but the taste is authentic to old-school nasi kandar.
- Address: 567, Lebuhraya Gelugor, Jelutong, 11600 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 6:30am to 10.30am, 6pm to 10.00pm
- Contact: +6016-4626275
12. Nasi Kandar Merlin
Near 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, fish curry as well as the biryani. Latecomers will miss out on the sambal kelapa.
Pricing is fair.
- Address: 1A Union Street Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 8am to 3pm, closed on Sundays
- Contact: +6016-4027452
Conclusion
While nasi kandar in Penang isn’t exactly the most glamorous meal you can get when it comes to food hunting, it has a lot of flavor!
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.
Further reading:
- Top 11 Places For Seafood In Penang
- Top 9 Places For Famous Penang Cendol
- Top 13 Restaurants In Penang – For Something Different
- Top 11 Japanese Restaurants In Penang
- Top 11 Korean Restaurants In Penang
