The Finest Chinese Restaurants in Penang

Welcome to Penang’s culinary paradise, a gastronomic utopia for food connoisseurs where a colorful tapestry of tastes and cultures merge. Chinese restaurants are a prominent feature of Penang’s rich culinary heritage, distinguishing them among the many eating alternatives available on the island. These restaurants make eating in Penang a memorable experience by showcasing the diverse range of Chinese food and infusing it with innovative and local flavors.

Chinese restaurants in Penang provide a taste experience that spans several regions of China, ranging from Cantonese dim sum to Sichuan meals that are hot. A wealth of tastes, textures, and scents await you, all expertly prepared and presented with creative flair. Penang’s Chinese restaurants feature everything you could possibly want, from the crispy texture of freshly steamed dumplings to the juicy softness of roasted meats. Nothing beats the soothing warmth of a big bowl of noodles.

The ability of these restaurants to combine classic Chinese cuisine with regional products and flavors that are exclusive to Penang is what really makes them stand out. The end product is a mix of flavors that entice the palate and make you appreciate the island’s rich cultural diversity. Every mouthful reveals a tale of centuries-old cooking customs and the vibrant energy of this captivating island as you set out on your gastronomic journey through Penang’s Chinese eateries.

The Chinese restaurants in Penang provide a delicious and enthralling experience that goes beyond simple nutrition, whether you’re a native seeking a little taste of nostalgia or a tourist keen to discover the depths of Penang’s culinary diversity. Come along with us as we discover the delectable world of Penang’s Chinese food, where the past and present coexist together on your plate and inspire lasting memories long after the meal is finished.

Best Chinese Restaurants in Penang

1

Starview Restaurant

Steamboat and excellent Chinese food made with a modern touch are served at the Starview Restaurant.

The restaurant’s signature Peking Duck, fish steamboat, abalone specialty, suckling pig, wok-fried prawns with butter and curry leaves, and Hong Kong-style steamed grouper are what bring in regular customers. Red beans and Nian Gao, or Chinese sesame pancakes, mark the end of the dinner. The locals love this eatery so much, especially during Chinese New Year!

Highlights:

• Open Reservation 
• Seafoods Steamboat

What a lovely art deco architecture designed building in Georgetown Penang. The food are all yummy and the service is just excellent. Also, the desert completes our lovely dining experience. Another outstanding restaurant in Penang. Easy parking too. – Chet Wah

Is it possible for a Chinese restaurant in Penang to serve Hakka food? Real Hakka cuisines are available at Tofu Village, which specializes in tofu meals. There is excellent service and a relaxed environment at the restaurant. Ask the waitress for suggestions if the menu is too confusing for you, and they will present you with some great selections. You should definitely try the Mala Tofu and Wine Chicken meals.

Highlights:

• Authentic Hakka Cuisine
• Tofu dishes

Very tasty food. I am vegan and there is an extensive range of food, and the servers are very helpful in recommending dishes. Vegetarian options: Lots of veggie and vegan options are available. – Laura Freeman

3

Maple Palace Chinese Restaurant

Because to its popularity, Maple Palace is a well-known Chinese restaurant in Penang. They provide a variety of excellent Chinese meals in a white house, making them perfect for large gatherings. Not to mention the possibility of using private rooms for parties and special occasions.

This spot has a well-kept Victorian-style home with a large range of authentic Chinese cuisine and an in-house steamboat made with premium seafood ingredients. It’s perfect for a classy event!

Highlights:

• Victorian-style Mansion
• Chinese/ Cantonese Szechuan Specialties
• Exotic Dishes

Every dish we had was very good! Some unique dishes like the fish maw chicken on a lotus leaf, the assam prawn with bread, and the classic Beijing Roast Duck. Worth a trip to George Town for sure! – Chong Peng How

4

Ocean Green Restaurant

The fact that this restaurant offers a large variety of seafood meals is reflected in its name. Though it’s mostly known among the locals as a seafood restaurant, you can have anything from fish to frog legs here. Their baked crab dish is really delicious, and it could be the only one in the community. Additionally, search for classic chu char dishes like spring rolls and satay.

Plus, when dining in, take in the tranquil seaside ambiance. Although you may get a variety of delectable seafood entrees here, locals are most familiar with it as a seafood restaurant. Without question, Ocean Green Restaurant offers the best eating experience around.

Highlights:

• Extensive Seafood menu
• Comfortable Ambience

This was a fuss-free place for a great dinner. The prawns and crab were really fresh. The chicken satay had an awesome slightly spicy marinade. The fried chicken and spring roll were also very delicious. – Elizabeth T

5

Tek Sen Restaurant

The Tek Sen Restaurant started off as a small, unassuming rice stand in 1965. Over time, they have progressively enhanced their palates and culinary options.

They currently possess two retail locations, one next to the other, both with a modern take on a traditional or cultural motif. Assam Tumis Fish, Trotters in Black Vinegar (“Tu Kha Chor”), Double Roasted Pork Fried with Chili Padi (“Char Siew Bak”), and Sweet and Sour Fish are a few of their specialties.

Highlights:

• 50-years-and-counting legacy
• Heritage Mixed contemporary Design
• Chinese cuisine, featuring a wide range of authentic Cantonese, Teowchew, Hakka and Peranakan delights

The service is quite well organized, efficient and fast. The dishes are very tasty. We ordered the sweet and sour pork, the belacan fried chicken (crispy outside, tender, and juicy inside) and the roasted pork (sweet salty and chewy texture). My parents really enjoyed their lunch, and although they had to wait half an hour standing under the hot weather, they quickly made new friends while waiting in line. We really enjoyed our lunch experience and would love to try other dishes as well. – Beatrice Irene

Even if you’re not familiar with Ong Cheng Huat, you’ve probably heard of their well-known spring chicken. This restaurant offers basic but wonderful fish and other stir-fried foods in a down-to-earth ambiance; it’s at least a 30-minute drive from the island. Crispy and flavorful, spring chicken has an amazing blend of flavors. It’s also worth trying the coconut blossom wine, but it takes some getting accustomed to.

Highlights:

• Spring Chicken
• Seafood
• Unique experience

Awesome food at Old Cheng Huat Seafood restaurant. Love the fried bee hoon so much! The steamed fish head and prawns are so delicious and fresh. Hubby also loves the fried chicks and the prawn paste crackers (popiah) The honey lemon drink is so good too! – Lily Lee

7

Sea Queen Restaurant

One of Penang’s best examples of an upscale Chinese restaurant is Sea Queen Restaurant. Without a doubt, the list includes this restaurant, which sits on Straits Quay and is often reserved for special occasions and gatherings. Customer reviews state that the food is great and the prices are fair. In addition, the spacious and sophisticated atmosphere makes it perfect for large events.

Highlights:

• Great ambiance
• Affordable
• Great Food

I recently visited this restaurant with my dad, uncle, and aunt, and it was a delightful experience. The food here is absolutely delicious, and they use fresh ingredients that make each dish a culinary masterpiece. The cleanliness of the environment is impeccable, which added to our overall enjoyment. Additionally, the pricing is reasonable. – Genie Lew

Butterworth’s Ong Lai Seafood, often called Ong Lai Seafood, is a well-known Penang Chinese restaurant with a focus on seafood. Reviewed as having some of the best chu char in the region, the food is surprisingly affordable. It’s a terrific location for family get-togethers because of the prompt service.

Highlights:

• Fast Service
• Great for family gatherings
• Seafood cuisine

The food is delicious! Very friendly staff and the head chef is very good looking! The price is reasonable and service is excellent! Although I’m not a seafood person, I tried their seafood dish and they were all very fresh and a very good introduction to seafood! There are other non-seafood dishes and tastes amazing as well! – Velvet Vintorez

From its humble beginnings, Wu Jia Chinese Restaurant has grown into the massive enterprise that it is today. They can accommodate huge gatherings and families due to their size.

Wu Jia offers a broad variety of Chinese food, including stews, stir-fries, and more. With a large dining space and air conditioning, the restaurant is perfect for family get-togethers over traditional Chinese food. Both their Curry Prawn and Taro Fish Claypot are highly praised.

Highlights:

• Royal Promotional Set Wujia Value Set
• Offers reservation

Great place for Chinese cuisine. However, the outside parking ate always full. There’s a multi-underground car park. Wheelchair access is a bonus for this place. – JY Tong

10

Noble Season Hei Yeong Seng

The Georgetown location of Noble Season Hei Yeong Seng restaurant is situated on the second level of Penang Plaza, which also houses a number of other eateries. The best exquisite Chinese food in town can be found at Noble Season Chinese Restaurant.

The Noble Season Hei Yeong Seng restaurant serves traditional Chinese food at a fair pricing point. Their executive chef, Sifu Keong, uses premium Asian ingredients and recipes to create these dishes.

The herbal soups made with therapeutic herbs and the steamed chicken at Noble Season Hei Yeong Seng restaurant are well regarded. The food is presented in a simple yet tasteful way. To see for yourself, just sample their abalone, salmon, or steamed spring chicken!

Highlights:

• Wide varieties of traditional Chinese Cuisine
• Premium Asian Ingredients
• Offers Promotion and events

Honest rating after multiple visits: 5-star service (attentive staff/serving food super fast after placing orders) , 5-star freshness of food ingredients, 5-star chef’s cooking skill (top notch) , 5-star dining atmosphere, 4-star food decorations, with quite reasonable/affordable charges (at least 30% cheaper than some very high-end Chinese restaurants around), those are enough for our family with kids to visit there repeatedly. Such a hidden gem, highly recommend it! – Don Hor

To sum up, Penang’s Chinese eateries provide witness to the island’s abundant culinary legacy. They provide a delectable blend of regional ingredients with classic Chinese tastes, creating a sensory-engaging culinary experience. Penang’s Chinese restaurants offer a lovely dining experience that symbolizes the cosmopolitan nature of the island, whether you’re relishing classic meals or creative concoctions that will leave a lasting effect on your palette and emotions.

Do check out our list of Hawker Centres in Singapore and have time to check their best dining services.