Malaysia has long been known as a food paradise, a melting pot of flavours shaped by its multicultural roots. From mamak stalls to hawker centres, it’s easy to find affordable, mouth-watering dishes almost anywhere you go. But among all the states, one has stood out once again for its irresistible street food scene.
According to a new ranking by Time Out, Penang has been named the best street food city in Asia.
Photo via Singapore Airlines
The international lifestyle publication praised Penang for its rich blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan influences that come together in a street food culture unlike any other. Dishes such as char kuey teow, assam laksa, roti canai, and hokkien mee were highlighted as must-tries for visitors.
A writer for Time Out even remarked, “If I had to choose one place to eat street food for the rest of my life, it’s Georgetown, Penang – hands down.”
This isn’t the first time Penang has earned global attention for its culinary scene. Back in 2016, food writer James Oseland dubbed Penang the world’s best food destination. In the same year, CNN ranked Penang Assam Laksa among the world’s top street foods, while The Culture Trip listed Penang among the 15 best food cities in the world.
Following Penang, Hanoi (Vietnam) came in second, while Singapore took third place. Interestingly, Thailand was the only country to have two cities featured, Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
Here’s the complete Top 10 ranking and their must-try dishes:
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Penang, Malaysia – Char Kuey Teow
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Hanoi, Vietnam – Bún chả
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Singapore – Hainanese Chicken Rice
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Mumbai, India – Vada Pav
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Chiang Mai, Thailand – Khao Soi
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Tainan, Taiwan – Oyster omelette, candied yams, coffin bread, stinky tofu
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Osaka, Japan – Kushikatsu
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Bangkok, Thailand – Mango Sticky Rice
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Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Num Banchok
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Chengdu, China – Xiao Ming Tian Shui Dan Dan Mian
Penang’s continued presence on the global stage proves what Malaysians have always known: there’s truly no place like home when it comes to good food.
