Bring back a souvenir or two from Penang to your friends and family back home.
Penang has artsy crafts made with skill that has transcended generations. As well as a variety of mouth-watering traditional pastries and snacks!
You can pick up souvenirs easily as they are often near to popular attractions and come in handy little packages.
Table Of Contents:
Penang Edible Souvenirs
Penang is synonymous with food. So not surprisingly, the most recommended souvenirs to get are food!
So not surprisingly, the most recommended souvenirs to get are food!
Food is always a safe option if you do not know what to buy in Penang. Though you should always double check what is allowed if you need to bring them back on a flight.
1. Penang Tau Sar Piah – Tambun Biscuits
Made from simple ingredients like wheat flour, sugar, green beans, fried onions, vegetable oil and salt:
These ping pong ball sized biscuits pack a punch with a sweet and savoury crumbly filling in a flaky crust.
It is a must-have treat for your family, friends, colleagues and yourself!
Him Heang:
- Location: 162A, Jalan Burma, 10050 George Town, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:30am to 3pm (Closed on Sundays)
- Contact: +604-228 6129
Other Recommendations:
- Soon Hiang Biscuit Shop 順香餅家 (Local favourite)
- Tean Ean Tau Sar Piah
2. Beh Teh Saw Biscuits
Beh teh saw (Hokkien) go by a different name in Ipoh – Heong peah (Cantonese). These cup-shaped pastries have a flaky exterior with a sweet and sticky filling.
Ingredients include wheat molasses, sugar, wheat flour, peanut oil, sesame seeds and fried onions.
And they are made through a laborious and unique baking method. Him Heang has perfected this recipe for generations!
Him Heang:
- Location: 162A, Jalan Burma, 10050 George Town, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:30am to 3pm (Closed on Sundays)
- Contact: +604-228 6129
3. Pepper Biscuits
For people who like a hint of spice, the humble pepper biscuit uses Chinese five-spice as its main ingredient.
It’s a thinner variant of Kampar chicken biscuits (kai chai peng in Cantonese)! And the overall taste is more savory than sweet.
You can get this type of pastry at Ban Heang (Thousand Fragrance) on Jalan Macalister. Or at Ng Kee Cake Shop which is an 85-year-old business that happens to specialize in these biscuits!
Ban Heang Bakery:
- Location: 200, Jalan Macalister, 10400 George Town, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: Daily from 9am to 6pm
- Contact: +604-229 5018
Ng Kee Cake Shop:
- Location: 61, Lebuh Cintra, George Town, 10100 George Town, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: 9am to 6pm (Closes at 4pm on Sundays, closed on Mondays)
- Contact: +604-261 2229
4. Crushed Peanut Candy
Crushed peanut candy or kacang tumbuk (in Malay) is a timeless sweet treat. Generations of Malaysians still enjoy this novel candy as it brings a sense of nostalgia!
Elders like this candy as well as it is neither too sweet, salty, or crunchy. The texture is chewy but easy on the jaws!
If you happen to pass through Jalan Perak, you can witness how peanut candy is made for yourself!
Ang Seng Heong Enterprise:
- Location: 326-U Ground Floor, Jalan Perak, Taman Ara, 11600 George Town
- Opening Hours: Daily from 9am to 7pm (Monday until 6pm)
- Contact: +6012-933 4448
5. Nutmeg Products
Nutmeg has been around for centuries in this region too. Its history as a precious agricultural commodity goes back to the 19th century!
Europeans considered nutmeg to be a luxury good out of all their favourite spices in this region.
Hence, in the early 1800s, nutmeg was brought into Penang under the East India Company. And then, locals discovered multiple uses for this plant and its seed!
Uses of Nutmeg:
- Medicated oils
- Mace (A spice made from nutmeg seeds to flavour food or for medicinal purposes)
- Balm
- Syrup
- Preserved fruit flavouring
Ghee Hup Nutmeg Factory:
- Location: MK 3, 202A, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Kampung Sungai Pinang, 11000 Balik Pulau, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: Daily from 9am to 5pm
- Contact: +6016-433 6303
Alternatively, if you have limited time, you can get nutmeg products in the city at:
Cheong Kim Chuan (Main Branch):
- Location: 99-B, Lorong Selamat, George Town, 10400 George Town, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: Daily from 9am to 5pm
- Contact: +604-226 2375
Note: There are 2 more branches of Cheong Kim Chuan near Kek Lok Si Temple
Some local coffee shops and breakfast haunts also have homemade nutmeg juice available. We really like the one that is sold at Kong Thai Lai Coffee Shop.
6. MyKuali “Penang White Curry” Instant Noodle
Local grocery stores in Malaysia commonly carry these highly rated instant noodles under the MyKuali brand!
The flavor Penang White Curry Instant Noodle is exceptionally good according to ramen enthusiasts!
And it recently ranked second out of 31 international contenders in the L.A. Times!
If you’re in Penang, you can try the real deal with cuttlefish, cockles, tofu, and bean sprouts at the original stall on Lorong Abu Siti!
Note: It’s called white curry because the base soup is white-ish until you add the red chilli paste.
Another great spot for authentic white curry in Penang is at Michelin star restaurant, Hot Bowl White Curry Mee.
7. Pickled Fruits (Jeruk buah)
In Malaysia where fruits are abundant, there are many types of tropical fruit that are can be preserved with brine and syrup.
Such as mango, papaya, guava, kedondong (Or ba long long in Singapore)!
Preserving the fruits this way means they can keep longer but still retain some of their raw texture and natural flavour.
These pickled fruits make for a convenient sweet and sour snack in between meals.
In Penang, there is a well-known chain (Jeruk Madu Pak Ali) that sells these freshly packed!
Jeruk Madu Pak Ali (George Town):
- Location: 423 & 425, Jalan Penang, George Town, 10000 George Town, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: 9am–7pm
- Contact: +6016-440 7799
8. Ghee Hiang Sesame Oil
Sesame oil can add great flavor to your cooking and Ghee Hiang arguably sells the best sesame oil in Malaysia!
In fact, this has been and still is the brand’s specialty product for over 160 years.
Sesame oil can add great flavour to your cooking!
Note: The sesame oil they sell is halal-certified too
Ghee Hiang Bakery (Main Branch):
- Location: 216, Jalan Macalister, 10400 George Town, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: Daily from 9am to 7pm; Friday & Saturday, 9am–9pm
- Contact: +604-227 2222
9. Roti Jari
Roti jari has been around for some time but is recently gaining popularity in Penang’s kopitiam scene.
Colloquially, they are bread sticks that look like a mini French loaf. Locals like to dip this bread stick into their kopi (coffee) to let the bread soak up the coffee taste.
Hup Hoe Biscuit sells roti jari along with many local biscuits. All sold in loose form.
Hup Hoe Biscuit:
- Location: 1629, Jalan Besar, 14100 Simpang Ampat, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: Daily from 8am to 8pm; Saturdays & Sunday, 8am–7pm
- Contact: +604-587 3949
Read more: Penang Famous Cendol – 9 Best Cendol In Penang That You Can Try Today!
Art And Handicraft Stores In Penang
Ultimately if you want something that lasts longer than food, a handicraft makes a suitable gift.
Don’t limit yourself to Penang shopping malls or to a Penang night market either!
10. Batik & Songket / Silks and Batik Art
Malaysian batik is unique and requires a high level of skill to produce.
There are 2 places to get quality batik products in Penang.
One is in George Town while the other is further away at Teluk Bahang.
Note: Teluk Bahang is where ESCAPE Theme Park and Penang National Park are!
10.1. Penang Batik Factory at Teluk Bahang
Penang Batik Factory is an established traditional batik manufacturer. They have been in business since 1973.
And specialize in hand-painted designs utilizing techniques like block printing as well. It’s free for visitors to enter the open-air factory and observe the process.
You can buy quality batik scarves, fans, and clothing at their on-site gift shop.
Note: There is the option of joining a batik painting class too!
Batik Painting Class:
- Malaysian: RM25 (Adult/ Child)
- Non-Malaysian: RM30 (Adult/ Child)
- Location: 669, 11050 Tanjung Bungah, Penang
- Opening Hours: Daily from 9am to 5pm
- Contact: +604-885 1284
10.2. Sam’s Batik House
This is the place to go to stock up on stylish summer wear.
They have bedspreads, table clothes, and men and women’s clothing made of natural fabrics like cotton, viscose, and silk.
Moreover, they offer free alteration service!
Other than ready-made apparel, you can get fabric with batik print on cotton voile to make your own clothes too!
Note: Bargaining is acceptable here.
- Location: 183,185, Jalan Penang, George Town, 10000 George Town, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:30am to 8pm (Closed on Sundays)
- Contact: +604-262 1095
Read more: 13 Best Breakfast In Penang – With Local, Western Cafe & Halal Options
11. Photographic Prints At Studio Howard/ Shop Howard
Run by a local artist Howard Tan, there’s a gallery on Armenian Street displaying his photographs of typical George Town scenes.
Besides the prints, there are calendars, postcards, magnets, stationery, bags, and notebooks for sale.
But you can also find similar merchandise for sale at his shop on Kapitan Keling Street too.
- Location: 154, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, 10200 George Town, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 11am to 5pm; Saturday & Sunday from 10am to 6pm
- Contact: +604-261 1970
Read more: Penang Durian Farm (Ultimate Guide) – 9 Best Places To Eat Durian
12. 14 Living Story Handicraft Shop
At Armenian Street, you can spot this shop from its colourful patchwork curtains that hang in front! They occasionally change up the entrance decor with lanterns too.
Take the time to browse through their wares and you might find something special that catches your eye.
What To Buy At 14 Living Story:
- Malaysian batik gifts (e.g. pouches, pocket tissue covers, coasters, shirts, etc)
- Vintage postcards and storage boxes
- Mah-jong sets
- Hand-made jewellery
- Dainty ceramics
- Prints
- Peranakan tiles
- Tiffin carriers
Note: The staff will pack your items accordingly if you want to bring them back to your home country!
- Location: 14, Lebuh Armenian, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: Daily from 10am to 6pm
- Contact: +604-261 0352
Read more: 11 Best Asam Laksa In Penang – Satisfy Your Tastebuds With This Iconic Malaysian Dish!
13. The Owl Shop – Specialized Handicrafts
Set up by an owl-obsessed duo, the quaint shop close to the main entrance of Khoo Kongsi sells everything with owls on it!
There are wooden sculptures and ceramic or metal works of owls! Even some made of shells!
Things You Can Buy Here:
- Toys
- Caps
- Key chains
- Lamps
- Home décor
- Pouches
- Jewellery
- Coin purses
- Location: 13, Lebuh Cannon, 10200 George Town, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: Daily from 8:30am to 7pm
- Contact: +6012-421 6868
Read more: 15 Best Hotels In Penang For An Unforgettable Stay (From Budget To Luxury)
Getting To Souvenir Shops In Penang
Some places like the Batik Painting Factory in Teluk Bahang aren’t as accessible as others.
But you can incorporate a visit to any of these places into a fully customized itinerary with private tour service, RayTheTour!
Other Benefits:
- Pick up and drop off anywhere in Penang during the tour
- Long hours from 9am to 6-7pm
- No limit to the number of places
- MPV or van transport
- Local guides who speak English or Chinese
- They have tours to Cameron Highlands, Ipoh and Taiping too!
Book a tour via their WhatsApp – It’s easy!
Further reading:
- 4 Best Ways For Getting Around Penang (With All Penang Transport Options)
- How To Get From Penang Airport To Georgetown (4 Easy Ways)
- How To Get To Penang Island From Kuala Lumpur (KL)
Conclusion
Hunting for Penang souvenirs can be a fun process! Be sure to leave some time in your Penang trip itinerary to do so to avoid rushing yourself.
Take some tasty snacks back home. Or other Malaysian souvenirs like photo prints, vintage pieces, or local handicrafts including exquisite batik products!
Need more activities to fill up your time in Penang? There are so many things to do in Penang. This is a list of the 13 best things to do in Georgetown Penang. And these are 23 best things to do in Penang at night.
Are you planning to go to Langkawi next? Here’s how to go to Penang from Langkawi (All Methods).
Other posts you might like:
- The Top KOMTAR Penang (Detailed Guide): Things To Do, Tickets, Food
- 17 Best Cafe In Penang With Great Coffee (Includes New Cafes)
