In Search of Wok Hei: The Best Char Koay Teow in Penang

Penang Char Koay Teow

What makes a good plate of char koay teow? Is it the smokey aroma and flavour of the noodles? Is it the juicy, fresh ingredients? Or is it simply the savoury sauces that bring the dish to life? Whatever your answer, one thing’s for sure: Penang is where you’ll find some of the tastiest char koay teow in Malaysia. 

In fact, the popular Malaysian destination has so many char koay teow stalls to choose from that you might not be able to settle on which one to try when you first visit. However, don’t fret because here’s a list of stalls that sell the best char koay teow in Penang, certified by locals:

Siam Road Char Koay Teow

When it comes to the best Char Koay Teow in Penang, one of the most common contenders for that title is the famous Siam Road Char Koay Teow. Manned by Uncle Tan (as the locals know him by), this popular shop started out as a roadside stall before finally moving into its own shop a few years ago. The noodles are stir-fried along with fresh shrimps, eggs, and Chinese sausage in the traditional way — over heated charcoal, ensuring a smokey aroma that makes each plate of fried koay teow a proper “wok” of art.  

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 12–6pm; closed on Sunday & Monday

Ah Leng Char Koay Teow

Another famous location in Penang to get your char koay teow fix is Ah Leng Char Koay Teow on Jalan Dato’ Keramat. This generational store has been in operation since 1979, making it one of the oldest char koay teow stalls still in operation today. What I love about Ah Leng Char Koay Teow are the large juicy prawns that come with the smokey noodles. However, if you’re counting your calories, you might wanna look elsewhere because each plate of char koay teow here comes with a generous amount of deep-friend pork lard. 

Opening Hours: Daily 10:30am–4pm; closed on Wednesdays

Ah Soon Char Koay Teow

Compared to Ah Leng Char Koay Teow, Ah Soon started just a bit later, in 1983. But like the other aforementioned oldies, this local favourite started out as a humble roadside stall before moving into a place of its own. Its fame is unsurprising given how so many locals love the char koay teow here, complete with plump prawns, aromatic pork lard, and juicy cockles! What’s more, you can also try another Penang staple here — koay teow th’ng, which is a soupy rice noodle dish served with fishballs and minced pork.

Opening Hours: Daily 9am–5pm; closed on Tuesdays

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

Tiger Char Koay Teow

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

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

Left-handed Char Koay Teow

For Muslim travellers, perhaps one of the biggest problems with Penang char koay teow is that most of them come with pork lard and Chinese sausage. Left-handed Char Koay Teow (yes, that’s literally the store name) is one of the few places in Penang where you can get pork-free Chinese char koay teow (you’ll see why we used this term later on). Even without the inclusion of some traditional ingredients, the friendly uncle (who’s a lefty) still manages to captivate customers with his flavourful plate of smokey noodles.

Opening Hours: Daily 11am–7pm

Ah Heng Duck Egg Char Koay Teow

Let me just go on record to say that this is my personal pick for the best char koay teow in Penang. And it’s not even located on Penang Island! Ah Heng Duck Egg Char Koay Teow is a legendary foodie hotspot in Bukit Mertajam (in Mainland Penang) that’s been in operation for nearly 40 years. It’s so famous that some Penangites will make the 40-minute journey across the Penang Bridge just for a taste.I love it because of the smokey noodles and the rich, runny sunny side up duck egg. And the fact that it’s literally five minutes away from my house.

Opening Hours: Daily 8pm–11:30pm; closed on Wednesdays

Bonus: The Best Koay Teow Basah in Penang

Remember how earlier I mentioned the term “Chinese char koay teow”? That’s because there’s a different version of char koay teow that’s conventionally viewed as Malay cuisine. Known as Koay Teow Basah (wet koay teow), the dish is often served with a slurpy gravy along with generous portions of fresh prawns and other ingredients. If that sounds like something you’d like, hit up Sany Char Koay Teow, often considered one of the best in Penang for this soupy version of char koay teow. 

Operating Hours: Daily 7pm-12am