Whenever you are in Penang, it may be hard to figure out just where to eat. There are so many restaurants and cafes that you will be lost for choice. If that’s ever the case, remember that old is gold!
While it is not always the case, the oldest restaurants have survived decades for a good reason. And the best way to find out what those reasons are is by checking out these restaurants yourself. Luckily for you, we have a list of the oldest makan places in Penang.
Let’s just see what made these old-school places stand the test of time:
Above 110 y.o.
- Hameediyah (119 y.o.)
Image Credit: Traveller Jun on Google Review (Left), Shahadat Hossain on Google Review (Right)
Is there anyone in Penang who doesn’t know this iconic nasi kandar place? Even The Malaysian Book of Records has recognised the restaurant as the country’s oldest nasi kandar place!
The business started in 1907, not as a brick-and-mortar restaurant. It began as a simple stall, with steaming curries cooked out in the open. These curries and baskets of rice were then sold to the public from baskets carried on a pole. Thus, the name “nasi kandar”!
Though that particular tradition is no longer practised, Hameediyah continues to serve the public with hot curries and warm rice. Given the long lines outside the century-old restaurant, it is likely this won’t change anytime soon.
Address: 164A, Lebuh Campbell, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
About 100 y.o.
- Neoh Khay Chye Low Bak (> 100 y.o.)
Image Credit: Hock Chai Cooking TV on Google Review
You know how some restaurants are passed between generations? Well, this one has exchanged hands four times now! So much time has passed that even the family running this roadside stall doesn’t know how old their lor bak recipe is!
Located behind GAMA, Penang’s longest-surviving department store, Neoh Khay Chye initially started off as a small push cart. Its first customers were Chinese opera workers and audience members living in 1930s Penang.
Fast forward to today, and the descendants of the founder Neoh Khay Chye continue to sell their fare just as he did. They serve various sorts of meat today, with a generous helping of sauces. Crowd favourites include the prawn fritters, spring rolls and five-spiced minced pork.
Address: 16, Jalan Trang, George Town, 10150 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Ravi’s Claypot Apom Manis (103 y.o.)
Image Credit: Piow Piow on Google Review (Left), Flavien Wong on Google Review (Right)
If you are looking for a budget-friendly snack, this apom stall hidden in a local kopitiam is a must-visit. In fact, this stall has received all sorts of guests, from celebrities to politicians. It is advisable to visit before 9.30am, because everything will be sold out by then!
People come here to enjoy warm apoms, which have a coconutty taste, a fluffy centre and crispy sides. You also have the option of asking for an egg inside, which gives the apom an additional umami element.
Currently, the stall is run by the grandson of the founder. He makes over 400 apoms daily, using his grandpa’s same old recipe and methods. Notably, this involves the use of charcoal and heated claypots.
Address: 317, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang
About 90 y.o.
- Kek Seng Ais Kacang (~ 95 y.o.)
Image Credit: Ubiquitously on Google Review (Left), Amanda Lam on Google Review (Right)
This coffee shop is a legendary spot, having been established all the way back in 1906! Back in the day, they used to serve a fancy afternoon high tea, with cream puffs on the menu.
Around the 1930s, it was decided that ais kacang would be added to the kopitiam’s menu. This was a decision by the grandfather of the present owner, Cheow Sow Lei. To put it lightly, that decision has paid off massive dividends.
Customers keep coming back for the kopitiam’s bowls of shaved ice, ice-cream and plenty of toppings like corn and red beans. Did you know that the rose syrup is homemade? And another homemade specialty found here is the rose-flavoured jelly which comes with every ais kacang.
Address: 382 & 384, Jln Penang, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Tho Yuen Restaurant (90 y.o)
Image Credit: Alwin Leow on Google Review (Left), Kano KY on Google Review (Right)
While Penang has its fair share of dim sum restaurants, only Tho Yuen can claim the honour of being the oldest. Like in the olden days, servers push around small metal carts laden with dim sum. From these, customers can order anything from siew mai to the famed egg tarts.
While dim sum is only available in the morning, the restaurant has an a la carte menu for lunch and dinner. One must-try often highly spoken of here is the chow fan shi, aka char hor fun. These dry Chinese noodle is served with vermicelli and a generous dousing of sauces.
Address: 92, Campbell Street, Georgetown, 10100 Penang, Pulau Pinang
Below 90 y.o.
- Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng (84 y.o.)
Image Credit: Goh Wah on Google Review (Left), One Ser on Google Review (Right)
Mee goreng is such a simple dish that it’s hard to imagine that it can be considered a top-tier delicacy. Yet, this George Town stall does just that, with its 1940s mee goreng recipe. Previously operating from a humble roadside cart, the stall now stands at Seng Lee Cafe.
At present, 71-year-old Mahboobin continues his forefathers’ legacy at the stove. He has been doing so since he was 15! Here’s a fun thing to do: Converse with him in either Hokkien, English or Malay. Man’s a trilingual!
Address: 102-H-19, New World Park, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Air Itam Sister Curry Mee (79 y.o.)
Image Credit: Linda Fong on Google Review (Left), Shang Yun Wu on Google Review (Right)
One fine day in 1946, two sisters came up with a recipe to cook curry noodles over a charcoal-fuelled fire. And the rest is history. Today, the same aroma that wafted out of their kitchen continues to pervade the alleys of Air Itam.
While the two sisters are no longer around, their legacy is being continued by a grandniece of theirs. The fragrance and fillings which are signature to the noodles are still very much there. Be sure to savour the homemade chilli and the special cuttlefish chilli base of the noodles!
Address: 612-T, Jalan Air Itam, Pekan Ayer Itam, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang
You should also check out: This dim sum place in George Town is Penang’s oldest — here’s how it sends you to the 1950s
Feature Image Credit: Jiamin on Google Review (Left), Allison Tan on Google Review (Right)
