Penang is reputed as a food paradise. The Hawker food tradition here is famous and fabulous. For visitors, part of the reasons for holidaying in Penang is to experience the laid back street-side food stalls where the cuisine variations are apparently endless.

The hawker style food are categorised in several varieties, resulting from Penang's multi-cultural character featuring Nyonya, Chinese, vegetarian, Malay, Indian, Hakka-styled Western, seafood and desserts. Considered fishing as the island's main economy, Penang is a true haven for seafood lovers. A handful of gourmet and low-key restaurants offer the best menus in town attracting numerous repeated customers. Great eateries are often hidden away in quiet corners, so hunt around for those sumptuous goodies with reasonable prices. For a change of ambiance, gastronomic dinners can also treat themselves for a sit down 5-10 courses Chinese meal at any Penang's upscale hotels or restaurants.

The Penang Chinese style of cooking has won the hearts of many locals and visitors. The all-time favourite culinary delights include Char Keow Teow and Tar Sau Peah. Char Keow Teow dish is ubiquitous in Malaysia the Penang variety is legendary. The Keow Teow or noodles are wok-fried over a flaming stove in dark soy sauce and toss together in air with fresh bean sprouts, prawns, cockles, chilli and spice. On the other hand, Tau Sar Peahs are small dumplings that look like a cross between a biscuit and a pastry, consumed as a snack or dessert. They are made by baking red bean paste in sugar and lard till it turns yellow. The paste is then rolled into a mould with thin flour. The skin becomes flaky when the dumplings are baked to a crispy golden brown colour. Absolutely mouthwatering!

What's more, Banana leaf rice and Nasi Kandar are two major Indian delicacies. Both are served as hot food with rice being the main staple. Nasi kandar is extremely popular with the locals and many visitors stop by Penang just for a meal of Nasi Kandar before proceeding on their journey elsewhere.