Best Chicken Curry in Penang

Not a stranger to the Indian gastronomy on the island, Mani Villas has been reaping up reputations as one of the finest places to charm your taste buds with richly spiced curries and sheer spread of meats and vegetables. Daily you can expect a lip-smacking good chicken curry but the main draw is on Sundays, where kampong chicken is preferred over its counterpart. Expect a more intense flavour and meats that are fork-tender. Indeed, you just can’t stop ladling more and more gravy onto your banana leaf meal. Wash it all down with their masala tea, which evokes the aftertaste to extend the party on your palate. 

Oh boy, nasi kandar! Where curries are always the anchor-point of making rice so addictive. To savour the finest, you’ve got the visit one of the pioneers who hold a legacy of dishing out mouthwatering curries. The real deal here is the chicken curry and the best selling cut is the thigh, and once it’s placed on a bed of rice with a hard boiled egg by the side, in a blink of an eye, you’ll be yearning for another plate. Good balance of spices and chicken meat that just slides-off-the-bone with the mildest touch, this is divine. 

Located in a humble-looking house, one who loves authentic Nyonya food should never miss out this restaurant. Despite the simple outlook, upon stepping in, the cosy dining space embellished with numerous Peranakan ornaments and portraits sets the mood straightaway. Food-wise, it’s surely greater than good, especially their chicken curry which lends a lemongrass flavour and aroma. Sinking your teeth into the meat is heavenly; it’s tender and intensely delicious after sopping up the tawny gravy. An experience that justifies their tagline – Just like how mum used to cook, if you have a Nyonya mother. 

Being one of the birthplaces of Peranakan cuisine, there are plenty of contenders out there but among the reliable ones are Ivy’s Nyonya Cuisine. Sited beside Isaribi Tei Japanese Restaurant, it's easily spotted and the interior is casual yet charming. The same goes to the food, and what not to be missed is their chicken curry. Expect a liberal serving with tender meats and potatoes that melt in your mouth. All you need is a mound of white rice and other signature Nyonya dishes if you’re in the mood for a feast. 

A quaint cafe burrowed between colonial buildings along Carnarvon Street that is known to be a haven for freshly brewed cuppas and assorted confectionaries. The interior boasts a marriage of rustic and charming decorations that are sure Instagram-worthy. Another star attraction on the menu is their homemade chicken curry which is generously loaded with chicken chunks and halved potatoes. And what better companion to mop the final drizzles of the savoury curry than few slices of charred Bengali bread. And don’t forget the desserts! 

If anyone questions you, how much do Malaysians love roti canai, just bring them over to this stretched stall which is teeming with hungry bellies all for their sinfully delicious roti canai. The crispy on the outside and spongy on the inside greasy bread are fresh off the griddle and drenched with delicious chicken curry and spicy concoction. Be sure of rewarding yourself with the chicken meat too, which is downright tender and succulent. Wrap up your meal with a shot of teh tarik to cherish the aftertaste. 

Spanning close to 70 years at the heart of Georgetown, this humble stall has always enjoyed a brisk business once the sun takes a dip towards the horizon. It’s where locals gather over for impeccable plates of nasi dalcha which is best consumed with dalca gravy or chicken curry. Delectable meats, curry that packs a punch of savoury and spiciness and price that does not cause harm to your wallet, this spot got to be in your supper shortlist. If eating sinful yet satisfying meals at late night is wrong, we don’t want to be right. 

Chicken curry and biryani – hands down, its one of life’s best pleasure package. And to wolf down a winning combination, make your way to Hameediyah Restaurant, the oldest nasi kandar and briyani house on the island. Expect a never-ending crowd, which is always a good sign and jump over an empty table. Tender pieces of chicken are simmered amidst savoury-spicy curry and once it's drenched over a bed of briyani rice, you just can't get enough of it.

For Indian food aficionados, this famous establishment gives you a good excuse to keep your kitchen clean. Upon walking in, you’ll be in open-mouthed wonder looking at the vibrant spread of dishes and curries. Among the most ordered curry is their chicken version which is served piping hot. Either having in a puddle by the side or ladled onto your rice and naan bread, it’s up to you as both are equally vouched by the patrons.  Creamy, savoury and spicy – you can’t ask for anything better and be sure of adding some tandoori grubs as a part of your meal for optimal gratification.