Best Roti John in Penang

Nothing to shout about the ambiance of this joint, an open space dining area filled with plastic tables which are habitually accompanied with famished foodies. Mamak-style fried noodles and roti john are firm favourites, cheap and sinfully satisfying. Omelette mixed with chunks of chicken clings onto the fluffy bread and toasted on the hot grill and that’s not the end, more the eggs, the merrier the plate. Two sunny-side eggs are laid on the bread and drizzled with chili sauce and mayonnaise. A perfect late-night snack!

Benefiting from a multicultural makeover, there is no better place for a full-fledged Malaysian meal than Pasar Malam, also known as the night market. Copious of diverse and delicious dishes thrive your taste buds yet you can never leave without heading towards the Roti John stall where you’ll be carried away on how it’s prepared. With selections of chicken, sardine or beef to fill the burger bun, which is then drenched in egg batter and dropped in hot vat of oil. Once it turns golden-brown, it's ready to be devoured. Each bite is oh-so-worth-it, where the crunchy texture of the bread binds with the hearty filling inside, it's as good as it sounds.

Definitely leaving up to its name, this Roti John is downright marvelous! Under the stewardship of an amiable man, it’s highly rated among the locals for dinner or a late-night bite. It’s usually raining orders; many return with armloads of Roti Johns to accompany them later on the couch. Offering chicken and beef meat, which are chopped into little pieces and mixed with fresh eggs then layered on bread. It’s then smeared with rich mayonnaise, chili sauce and a tinge of white pepper. If you choose to dine in at the miniature space, the block of bread is showered with generous cheesy sauce. 

Belly begging for something piping hot yet the clock exceeds midnight? Jostle away the worry, make your way to Ali Kopi, a casual joint where locals enhance moment of togetherness with a scrumptious spread of comfort dishes such as tomyam fried noodles, fried rice, nasi lemak and Roti John Hong Kong. The bread is coated with a batter of egg and minced chicken, grilled till golden-brown and topped with sausage, a slice of cheese and two gooey eggs. Slither that half-done egg to get the york oozing out which blends with the chili and mayonnaise spread for a lip-smacking experience.

This humble burger stall is a realm of juicy and monster burgers, loaded with a bouquet of toppings and assorted sauces. No doubt, looking at the grilled patties masked with slapdash sauces and melting cheese evokes your appetite at full-stretch. Their Roti John is praiseworthy, battered egg suffused throughout the bun and seared till mildly brown and drizzled with mayonnaise and chili sauce. You can opt to add sausages and cheese too, for an additional layer of flavour. Cheap, appealing and quick service, you’ll never be dissatisfied. 

For decades, this restaurant has been a classic meeting point for football aficionados, and if you’re a Manchester United fan, you’ll be looking in an open-mouthed wonder. Pan your sight left to right, it’s all about the Red Devils, ornaments, flags, quotes and photos of the owner’s visit to Old Trafford. Matching the ambiance, the food is yummy, especially their Roti John. A thick slice of bread drenched in a batter of egg and chicken bits grilled till golden-brown, accompanied with sides of greens and showered with lots of sauce and mayonnaise. Pair your bread with a glass of lathered tea, it’s a match made in heaven. 

Tucked at the heart of Tasek Gelugor, Zaly Roti John is a perfect tea time snack or dinner. A long slab of bread is smeared with a batter of fresh eggs, heaped with shredded cabbage and carrot and liberally bathed with chili sauce and rich mayonnaise. Your eyes take in all the beauty of the messy presentation, which is about to get you finger licking and it’s always a good sign. Indeed, it’s worth another round.