Best Asam Pedas in Penang

Planted in One Precinct Bayan Baru, Assam Pedas Premier is the place to be if you’re looking to charm your taste buds with authentic bowls of assam pedas. Sidestepping from usual humble-looking joints, one can expect a warm and cosy atmosphere. Prices do vary according to the selection of fish – stingray, mackerel and kembong line up as contenders, and it would be wise to opt for set meals which include salted egg, spicy sambal belacan and ulam. The combination of flavours downright delivers in each spoonful, thus you’ll be surprised, in a blink of an eye the bowl is polished clean. If you need another reason to visit, their nasi lemak ayam berempah is another showstopper. 

This renowned stall has garnered a loyal following over the years for their smorgasbord of seafood offerings that are pretty delectable. If you’re trying to drudge through the day or looking to perk up a gloomy mood, everything on the menu offers a helping hand, especially their assam pedas fish. Be awed with the portion as a generous amount of vegetables interweave with fresh chunks of fish, striking a partnership that is nothing short of succulence. Triumphing in both taste and texture, there is a lot happening on your taste buds, leaving you wanting more.

Asam Pedas Hirup has been a household name among the locals for an impeccable assam pedas fix. Justifying their reputation, its habitually teeming with crowd, which is always a good sign. The best seller here is their stingray assam pedas, that looks good and tastes even better. The moreish gravy packs a punch of flavours, while the accompanying mound of white rice, fried egg and vegetable complete a balanced diet. Also, the fish is freshly sourced daily, thus it just flakes off the bone with minimal effort. 

Just as the name suggests, this modest-looking restaurant absolutely excels in steamboat. The real deal here is they have notched assam pedas to a whole new level as patrons embrace the pleasure of flooding their steamboat ingredients in the assam pedas broth which is meticulously infused with herbs and spices that are sure to wake up your senses. If you find fish isn’t winning your palate anymore, a host of ocean catches, meats and even assorted noodles would do the job. For an additional dose of heat and tanginess, dabble in their free condiments. In a nutshell, one helluva of an assam pedas feast!

Nyonya cuisine is among the cornerstones of epicureanism in Penang, and if you’re in the mood to savour some of the finest in a charming environment, Nyonya Breeze Desire is tailored to perfection. Housed in Straits Quay, upon entering, you’ll be rewarded with a picture-perfect view of the marina. Food-wise, be spoilt with choices but be sure not missing out their assam pedas. One would hard-pressed to spot a mistake in this visually appealing gravy, which bombards your palate with a subtle symmetry of spicy and sour. Apart from the fresh fish, copious amount of okra and tomatoes only help advance the flavours. 

Hopping over to mainland, to a restaurant that presents an exhibition of mouth-watering delights each and every day. De Pauh Garden Restaurant is easily identified with huge red awnings and white-washed alfresco dining space. Once you've stepped in, pan your sight from left to right, scanning all the mind-boggling array of food that amps up your hunger, and if assam pedas is your jam, you’re in for a treat too. Served steaming in a claypot, a hotchpotch of fish fillets, tomatoes and okras tie together to deliver mouth-watering flavours. It’s good to go with a mound of white rice but other sides like fried chicken, mixed vegetables and salted eggs vie for equal attention. 

Tucked away tranquilly in a simple house along Batu Maung, Ken Curry House have been making waves among the locals with their set meals that tethers with tantalising curries. Curry varieties include – assam fish, Indian fish curry, vegetable curry, salted fish curry and chicken curry. Their assam pedas is adequately spiced to ensure it suits the palates of all walks of life, while the fish is tender and fleshy. If you’re thinking to look beyond fish, squids can be thrown into the captivating concoction too. Jazz up your meal with satays and chopped chillies, then wash down the heat with their complimentary Chrysanthemum tea.