Hokkien Mee In Penang

If you’re ever in Penang and happen to be a foodie, you should give the best Hokkien mee in Penang a try!

Penang’s Hokkien Mee is like no other bowl of soupy prawn noodles, with recipes and skills passed down from generation to generation.

Prawn mee goes by a few names too – in Cantonese, it is Penang har mee. Be sure to check out at least one of these 11 best Hokkien mee stalls in Penang that are simply irresistible!

1. Bridge Street Prawn Noodle 正宗橋頭福建蝦麵

Occupying the sides of bustling Lebuh Pantai, the Bridge Street Prawn Noodle serves old-school Hokkien mee with a strong following.

Exterior Of Bridge Street Prawn Noodle
Exterior Of Bridge Street Prawn Noodle – Photo credits to jimmy19751210 (Instagram)

Unlike other stalls that are predisposed towards thicker broth, the broth here is thinner, milder, and less spicy.

Furthermore, the ingredients used are extremely fresh, lending a natural sweetness to the dish.

Prawn Noodles at Bridge Street Prawn Noodle
Prawn Noodles at Bridge Street Prawn Noodle – Photo credits to jimmy19751210 (Instagram)

For less than RM5, you’ll get a bowl of noodles topped with egg, small prawns, pork slices, fried shallots, and bean sprouts; the result is utterly delicious.

Note: Owing to its popularity, expect a queue during peak hours.

2. Ah Koo’s Hokkien Mee @ Classic Café

Ah Koo Hokkien Mee Stall
Ah Koo Hokkien Mee Stall – Photo credits to jimbhl (Instagram)

If you love your broth thick and spicy, then head over to Ah Koo’s Hokkien mee, which is lauded as one of the best Hokkien mee places in Penang!

Located within Classic Café, the tantalizing aroma of prawn paste greets you even before the bowl arrives. 

Prawn Noodles At Ah Koo_s Hokkien Mee
Prawn Noodles At Ah Koo’s Hokkien Mee – Photo credits to jimbhl (Instagram)

Because the store opens its doors from 8 am, it’s normally sold out by 11 am!

That being said, the environment is a truly rustic “Kopitiam”; so if cleanliness is a top priority, you can opt for takeaway instead!

3. Sungai Ara Hokkien Mee

Sungai Ara Hokkien Mee Stall
Sungai Ara Hokkien Mee Stall – Photo credits to limlihjing (Instagram)

For mouth-watering, Penang Hokkien mee, the Sungai Ara Hokkien Mee is the place to be.

Firstly, the signature fried prawn fritters are browned to crispy perfection. Pairing that with roasted pork and pork skin, you’ll get a heavenly combo that hits all the right notes!

Hokkien Mee At Sungai Ara Hokkien Mee
Hokkien Mee At Sungai Ara Hokkien Mee – Photo credits to Yap Kar Fay

Furthermore, the store is helmed by a friendly owner who accepts customizable orders too.

So you’ll be sure to get a hearty dose of Penang’s favorite noodles, served with a smile.

4. Oh Lay Ee Hokkien Mee

Nestled within a traditional Chinese eatery, Oh Lay Ee Hokkien Mee offers a bowl of prawn mee with the right balance of sweetness and spice.

Located just down the road of its famous sibling, the 888 Hokkien Mee, Oh Lay stands out with its cleaner taste that’s far less oily.

Prawn Noodles At Oh Lay Ee Hokkien Mee
Prawn Noodles At Oh Lay Ee Hokkien Mee – Photo credits to sengchiang28 (Instagram)

Its robust broth pairs well with other side dishes which include braised chicken feet, intestines, and pork slices.

Favored by locals, this Hokkien Mee store is relatively small so seats are limited.

Note: the stall opens during the day only.

5. Granny’s Hokkien Mee 奶奶福建面

Granny’s Hokkien Mee serves a flavourful broth infused with a rich taste of shrimp essence. The broth here may look red, but its taste is quite mild despite its appearance.

Although it leans towards a sweetish taste.

Save for the smallish shrimps, you’ll get a generous amount of everything in the bowl!

Hokkien Mee At Granny_s Hokkien Mee
Hokkien Mee At Granny_s Hokkien Mee – Photo credits to june_pang (Instagram)

And once you’re done with the meal, wash it all down with their classic Kopitiam coffee.

Price-wise, it’s slightly costlier compared to other stalls, mainly due to the comfier and roomier ambiance.

6. Mu Tong Hokkien Mee @ The Shark

With more than 60 years of culinary history, Mu Tong Hokkien Mee doles out a delicious broth for its customers.

The rich broth has a  thick texture and aromatic flavors that perfectly complement the signature prawn paste.

Also, the chili paste (sambal) is not overly spicy, so feel free to add more if you’d like more spice in your dish!

Hokkien Mee At The Shark
Hokkien Mee At The Shark – Photo credits to unclegohpg (Instagram)

Coupled with generous servings, Mu Tong takes pride in showcasing one of the best Hokkien mee recipes on Penang!

7. Hokkien Mee @ New Cathay Café 新国泰茶餐室

While New Cathy Café is brimming with food stalls selling a variety of local delights, the Hokkien mee stall in particular,  will bowl you over.

The broth is thin, but its bold flavor and aromatic gravy make it a sterling dish.

Jawa Noodles At Hokkien Mee @ New Cathay Cafe
Jawa Noodles At Hokkien Mee @ New Cathay Cafe – Photo credits to kelvin_chiahcs (Instagram)

Most importantly, the chef balances the creaminess and savory taste to perfection; it’s flavorful, but not overly rich.

Apart from the Penang Hokkien Mee, the char kuey teow, wanton mee, banana pancake, and duck flat noodles are crowd pullers too.

Prawn Noodles At Hokkien Mee @ New Cathay Cafe
Prawn Noodles At Hokkien Mee @ New Cathay Cafe – Photo credits to silrave (Instagram)

As you can expect, the place is crowded even on weekdays. So be prepared to walk further than expected to get there since you will likely have to park at a remote spot.

8. Hokkien Mee @ Swee Kong Coffee Shop 瑞江茶室

Folks have been known to queue here early as 6 am to satiate cravings for some of the best Penang Hokkien mee in town.

Exterior Of Swee Kong Coffee Shop
Exterior Of Swee Kong Coffee Shop – Photo credits to johniethefoodie (Instagram)

Because, at Swee Kong Coffee Shop, the top-tier Hokkien mee sells out around 8.30 am!

It is simply delicious – The spicy broth is well-flavored with nuances of prawn essence, dried shallots, and fried pork lard!

Hokkien Mee At Swee Kong Coffee Shop
Hokkien Mee At Swee Kong Coffee Shop – Photo credits to hotliar28 (Instagram)

And for only RM4.50 per bowl, we’ll admit that the slightly crowded and noisy environment of the coffee shop is worth putting up with.

9. Halal Hokkien Mee @ Bee Hwa Café 镁华茶室

Exterior Of Bee Hwa Cafe
Exterior Of Bee Hwa Café – Photo credits to keechuanooi (Instagram)

Established in 1992, this halal Hokkien mee packs a punch with huge succulent prawns accompanied with a heavenly dollop of sambal.

Spicy Hokkien Mee At Bee Hwa Cafe
Spicy Hokkien Mee At Bee Hwa Cafe – Photo credits to foodlytics

The cafe interior is clean but naturally crowded because there are many other savory dishes to try:

Such gastronomical delights include their char kuey teow and white curry noodles.

White Curry Noodles At Bee Hwa Cafe
White Curry Noodles At Bee Hwa Cafe – Photo credits to monamaria8 (Instagram)

On the downside, prepare to wait anywhere between 15 to 20 minutes to be served.

Besides this, finding a parking spot is troublesome given the high traffic here, so you might want to hail a ride there for convenience.

Note: Come before 8 am before the star attractions sell out.

10. Halal Hokkien Mee @ Toon Leong Coffee Shop

Exterior Of Toon Leong Coffee Shop
Exterior Of Toon Leong Coffee Shop – Photo credits to alifzamre (Instagram)

Another halal Hokkien mee shop to add to your foodie trail is Toon Leong Coffee Shop.

This corner lot eatery along Transfer Road boasts a host of good eats. But the chart-topper here is none other than Aimi’s halal Hokkien mee. 

The broth tastes refreshingly full-bodied, with natural sweetness from the prawns and condiments.

Prawn Noodles At Toon Leong Coffee Shop
Prawn Noodles At Toon Leong Coffee Shop – Photo credits to interlude_xiii (Instagram)

Add in a generous serving of ingredients, and it’s a worthy contender for any Hokkien Mee out there.

With raving accolades from the community, Toon Leong Coffee Shop definitely serves one of the best halal Hokkien mee in Penang!

11. Prawn Noodle @ Dannok Café

Last on the roll but still worthy of attention, is the Penang prawn noodles in Dannok Café.

Exterior Of Dannok Cafe
Exterior Of Dannok Cafe – Photo credits to Wilson Teoh (Facebook)

Overflowing with condiments and a rich prawn broth:

A hearty bowl at RM6 has all the basic toppings like fried shallot and fried lard bits to make it a satiating dish. You can also add on extras like spareribs, prawns, egg, quail egg, fish ball, and Fuzhou fish ball.

Prawn Noodles At Dannok Cafe
Prawn Noodles At Dannok Cafe – Photo credits to umami.joy (Instagram)

The noodles are extremely gratifying as well, with the soup striking a good blend between savory and sweet.

Additionally, the obliging owner Mr. Lim caters to requests to add more soup too.

Throw in speedy service and short wait time, the Penang Hokkien mee at Dannok Café deserves second helpings!

Conclusion

Now that you know where the 11 best Hokkien mee joints in Penang are, start planning your gourmet trail on the island to savor the best the island has to offer!

Be patient with the waiting times, and you’ll be rewarded with a feast that’s hard to come by. And after you eat, make your way to some of these top attractions in Penang for some fun!

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