Best Lobak in Penang

Ask any local for the best loh bak in the island; an immediate answer would be to drop by this old-school cafe with an affable man wearing a quirky white hat behind a huge vat of oil. For more than 40 years, aficionados make a beeline for the scrumptious slivers of deep-fried loh bak, prawn fritters, spring rolls, tofus, fish cakes and century eggs. The loh bak is crispy on the outside and packed with flavours from five-spice seasoning. Paired with slices of cucumber, homemade chilli sauce and a sweet sauce, it’s sinfully satisfying.

Tucked in a residential area, this coffee shop has the ambience of a regular kopitiam with plastic chairs and tables, buzzing customers and endless varieties of local delights. You’ll definitely be spoilt with choices but when your appetite triggers for deep-fried goodies, locate the loh bak stall. The platter is served with tofu, prawn fritters, loh bak and cucumbers. The loh bak is meticulously marinated with Chinese five-spices, enveloped in a crunchy bean curd skin. Dip your slices of loh bak in their chili sauce and sweet sauce; it’s just irresistibly good.

This unassuming stall has been drawing patrons from all walks of life for decades with their deep-fried goodies that tantalise your taste buds straightaway. Their loh bak is made fresh daily; you can see huge bowls of marinated pork being rolled into bean curd skins and dropped into bubbling hot oil. The Chinese five-spice powder lends an oriental flavour to the seasoned pork. Their dipping sauce is another showstopper; it’s a concoction of chilli, lime juice and garlic, leaving a spicy and tangy kick.

Looking for Penang's hawker scene at night? When the sun hits the horizon, this street comes alive with staggering choices of food. Among the to-do list once touching down at this hawker galore is to gobble down a plate of loh bak. The loh bak is addictively crunchy; every bite is as delicious as it sounds and dipping into the chili sauce enhances the flavours.

Predominantly luring regulars for their pork porridge and noodles, however, the loh bak here is the best-kept secret that should never be overlooked. It comes in a set, where generous chunks of deep-fried tofus, sausages, crispy prawn fritters and loh bak stack up the platter. The loh bak has a perfect blend of spices retaining moisture within, while the bean curd skin offers a crunchy bite. You’ll go autopilot chomping down all these tantalising morsels and before you know it, your plate's empty.