Best Chee Cheong Fun in Penang

Nestled in the tranquil vicinity of Island Glades, Genting Cafe is a prime example of Penang as a gastronomic hub. It’s habitually bustling with voracious patrons, especially during morning hours, the best place to kick start your day! Among the most vaunted stalls is the Chee Cheong Fun, which has a quirky punch of flavours that stands out from your regular fare. The silky smooth rice noodles are laden with dark prawn paste which is infused with peanut butter, adding a subtle balance of sweetness and fishy aftertaste.  Chili condiment is also added for a spicy kick, a chopstick licking experience guaranteed. 

This food court offers far-flung choices of dishes that would satisfy all sorts of appetite, from pizzas baked in open firewood oven to sizzling grilled seafood, curry mee to nasi kandar, it’s all here. The Chee Cheong Fun stall is praiseworthy, despite being underrated or rather unknown to some. The rice noodle is fresh and exudes a springy texture and is snuggly soaked in the thick prawn paste, spicy chili sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. It’s a delight to your mouth, gentle texture and great flavours. 

Ask any true blue Penangite where the best Chee Cheong Fun is? You’ll definitely hear a humble stall at Macalister Lane, which has been churning out delicious plates of rice noodles for more than 60 years. Being run by a team of husband and wife, this staple breakfast has aficionados from all over the world. The texture of the noodles is utterly smooth and chewy, gently coated with rich prawn paste, a dash of chili sauce and sesame oil plus dusted with sesame seeds. Simple ingredients that work wonders!

This renowned restaurant needs no introduction if you’re from Penang. It’s habitually flocked with dim sum lovers, which are absolutely toothsome. However, you can never leave without a shot of their Hong Kong style Chee Cheong Fun. The rice noodles are much mildly wrapped, offering a smoother layer of bite and is liberally loaded with shrimps and pool of rich prawn paste. The chilli sauce offers a tad of spiciness onto your palate. You’ll slurp the bowl clean! 

Another full of life food court at Paya Terubong that has been a melting pot of local delights under one roof. An amiable lady has been stalking up praises for her Hong Kong style Chee Cheong Fun, which has pork filling (char siew) and shrimps as an additional layer of flavour. The rice noodles are suffused with gooey prawn sauce, a splash of sesame oil and spicy chili sauce. There is a lot going on at each bite, yet the ethereal lightness of the noodles is well maintained.

If you find regular Chee Cheong Fun isn’t wowing you taste buds anymore or you just need that extra punch of flavours? Sebai Sebai Thai Restaurant has breathed new life into this dish, which would make you grin all the way. This restaurant fries the silky rice noodles in hot wok and loads it with juicy prawns, squids, eggs, spring onions and sesame seeds. It visually evokes you of Char Koey Teow yet it’s a whole new unique spin, the chewy texture of the noodles complements the generous splash of seafood.

Alright, we have the original style, seafood pumped and Hong Kong style Chee Cheong Fun, how about something more spice oriented that usually complements the rice? Head to Cowboy Street Cafe, where the steamed rice noodles are bathed with aromatic chicken curry and a tinge of sesame seeds. The chunks of tender chicken are among the winner of the dish, you’ll gobble it down within split seconds. Your palates are certainly riding rodeo like a cowboy.