10 Late Night Restaurants in Penang That Are Peak Delicious
I’ve been staying with my Penang sedara (relatives) for over a week now, and it’s joyful all throughout! I have one issue, though: there are many good Korean restaurants in Penang, but none that cater to night owls like me at the moment.
Even so, all is OK, since there are lots of other fascinating late-night restaurants around Penang that I got to visit! From nasi lemak hawkers and burger joints to soup restaurants and iconic mamak, I never got hungry before hitting the bed.
Below are the most interesting of my midnight finds. Jom pergi makan there someday!
Nasi Tomato Batu Lancang
– Media credit: Gan Lih Ying
Address: 25, Lintang Batu Lancang, Jelutong, George Town
Contact: +60 11-1877 6189
Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 5:30 PM to 2:00 AM
- Sunday – CLOSED
Pricing: $
There are indeed many hawkers around Penang selling nasi tomato (tomato rice), but this spot on the ground floor of an apartment building complex is one of our top choices for a midnight meal. No fuss, just good food.
The delicious, simple food and lovely lepak vibe just make each spoonful of rice taste so much better.
Grab a plate of nasi tomato and ayam goreng (fried chicken) topped with a generous amount of gravy and your choice of side (we suggest acar [pickles] to balance with the savouriness), and you’re off to a wonderful and filling meal.
Pro tip:
Don’t wait until midnight to drop by at Nasi Tomato Batu Lancang. The meals here always sell out way earlier—that’s just how great the food is!
P.O.S Burger Jelutong
– Media credit: Ejaz Ahmed
Address: Lebuhraya Jelutong, Taman Jelutong, George Town
Contact: +60 11-2410 2930, +60 19-474 8986
Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Sunday – CLOSED
Pricing: $
Considered by many as the best Ramly burger in Jelutong, P.O.S Burger stands out in the wide burger market for its tasty recipes, big servings, and bang-for-the-buck pricing.
Just don’t expect your order to come lightning fast: it’s NOT a fast food stall. P.O.S Burger takes its sweet time to cook its burgers perfectly.
Nonetheless, the long queue seems to be consistently worth it (well, it’s been around since 1969!), so customers still keep on increasing, not the other way around. Notable items here include the Papa Burger, Monster Burger, and char kway teow.
Pro tip:
Order your P.O.S Burger Jelutong tapau in advance or get it via the delivery apps if you don’t want to experience the long lines.
Ali IPG Mamak dan Roti Hong Kong
– Media credit: Stanley Tye
Address: Jalan Lunas, Kampung Syed, George Town
Contact: +60 12-498 4027
Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – open 24 hours
- Sunday – CLOSED
Pricing: $
This is a list of midnight eats, but you’re in luck with Ali IPG since it’s open 24 hours from Monday to Saturday! There’s more time to get your fill of its roti, nasi lemak, and even Maggi mee goreng.
Ali IPG’s menu is quite extensive, with different versions of the mentioned mamak staples available. Other than that, there’s not much flair in it, really; it’s actually the atmosphere that carries the whole experience.
Unlike other George Town restaurants, Ali’s is a covered sidewalk filled with tables and chairs, with a casual vibe, and is highly accessible. Typical customers here are workers on the way home or friends catching up on each other’s lives over some food and drink.
Pro tip:
Try out the Ali IPG specials at least once. That’s nasi lemak goreng and roti John with teh ais (iced tea).
Ping Hwa Lok Lok
– Media credit: Calories’ Gallery
Address: Jalan Pasar, Pulau Tikus, George Town
Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday – 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Wednesday – CLOSED
Pricing: $
Pulau Tikus Market has always been a hot spot for hawker stalls.
One of its most popular is Ping Hwa Lok Lok, where one can eat skewered meat, seafood, and veggies cooked in a communal pot of boiling broth—the street version of a steamboat or hot pot.
It’s a perfect place to eat with penny-pinching friends, especially on chilly nights. Some evenings, you’ll inevitably share tables (and pots) with people you’ve just met there, so no double-dipping!
Aside from the food, the stall’s uncle also provides absolute entertainment. The way he counts the sticks of food customers have consumed for the bill has this tantric trance to it, and he never seems to miss even a piece.
Pro tip:
There are six types of sauces available at Ping Hwa Lok Lok. Feel free to mix and match them for your perfect meal companion.
Sup Hameed
– Media credit: SK Wong
Address: 8, Jalan Penang, George Town
Contact: +60 4-261 8007
Hours: Daily – open 24 hours
Pricing: $
Sup Hameed is one of the town’s most iconic mamaks, ever. It’s been serving steaming bowls of soup and other halal food in Penang for over 40 years.
One can get a bowl of its signature broth with meat like chicken, beef, goat, or oxen parts. It’s then topped with green onions and fried shallots for added flavour and served with a huge slice of bread.
Nowadays, you’ll see Sup Hameed full of diners—too bad if the indoor part of the restaurant is full, but maybe you’ll be luckier trying to snag a seat outside. Care for delivery?
Pro tip:
Those looking for something to ‘spice up’ their night should try Sup Hameed’s sup torpedo. (They say it improves virility because of the bull’s balls.)
Pauline’s – Tanjung Tokong
– Media credit: Pauline’s
Address: 3h, Jalan Pantai Molek, Kampung Raya Baharu, Tanjung Tokong
Contact: +60 4-890 4125
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Saturday and Sunday – 11:30 AM to 2:00 AM
Pricing: $$
Pauline’s has been brightening up the Penang foodie scene with its tasty versions of Malaysian favourites at very reasonable prices. No wonder this restaurant is in its fourth branch already!
The Tanjung Tokong branch itself is very nice. It has a pleasant modern motif that’s equal parts sleek and inviting—after a recent renovation, making every part of the restaurant air-conditioned, it’s even more attractive to nighttime crowds.
As with any Pauline’s branch, we highly suggest giving the fried laksa a try. Other strong dishes are the mee goreng, any rice meal, or the bingsu for dessert.
Pro tip:
Pauline’s also bakes its own bread and pastries. Grab some tarts or cakes for tapau lah, they’re really good!
BM Duck Egg Char Koay Teow
– Media credit: Trevor James
Address: Jalan Nangka, Bukit Mertajam
Contact: +60 12-438 3328
Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday – CLOSED
Pricing: $
For over a decade now, a small hawker in Jalan Nangka has been whipping up plate after plate of char koay teow (stir-fried flat rice noodles, a.k.a. CKT) made a bit more special with the addition of duck eggs.
It’s the only food the stall sells—the rest are drinks (barley, passion fruit, herbal tea, and lemon tea). Yet, customers keep coming back.
Not to thrash on its competitors (one even has a Michelin nod), but many argue that this nondescript CKT hawker is better. Though the recipe is oily, the uncle here still uses charcoal in cooking, adding that pleasant wok hei to every serving.
Pro tip:
For its dining area, this CKT spot takes over the facilities of a car wash at night. Tables and chairs may also run out if there are many customers, so take advantage of the food court next door and tapau your order instead.
Lameizi Hot Wok
– Media credit: @hungryme_27
Address: 5, Jalan Nagor, George Town
Contact: +60 4-227 9969, [email protected]
Hours: Daily – 2:00 PM to 5:00 AM
Pricing: $$$
Lameizi (not to be confused with ‘La Mei Zi’, the chain restaurant) is a Chongqing-style steamboat in George Town, operating since 2005.
Like how any other steamboat goes, the policy here is to choose the base soup, carbs, and a set of meat and veggies you’ll boil together on your table. According to locals, the old duck and butter spicy soups are best for hitting the spot.
It’s a blur why it isn’t there in the first place, but now I definitely think we need to update our list of the best steamboat restaurants in Penang, lah!
Pro tip:
Most parts of Lameizi are in an open layout, but there are also private rooms for more intimate dining celebrations.
KSB Nur
– Media credit: Joe Bundle
Address: 461, Lebuh Pantai, George Town
Contact: +60 14-340 6021
Hours: Daily – 7:00 PM to 4:00 AM
Pricing: $
KSB Nur is a literal sibling of the famous Abu Mamak (now in Weld Quay), thanks to being owned and operated by Abu’s brother. Since they’re both mamak eateries, there are similarities indeed, but KSB Nur has its aces.
First: the hole-in-the-wall vibe. It’s all about simplicity, with the kitchen right outside the entrance and the rest of the dining area extending into the narrow expanse of the restaurant.
Next: the specials. The Maggi Goreng with ayam goreng, fried egg, and a slice of American cheese, plus a Milo special (its version of Milo dinosaur) are murah tapi padu (cheap but solid).
Pro tip:
We can’t really consider KSB Nur as a Penang vegetarian restaurant. But if you really need to stave off the heavy stuff, order a plate of Maggi goreng ‘vegetarian’—plain Maggi kari noodle variant, prepared using pack instructions and without eggs.
Restoran Ju Heng
– Media credit: Ju Heng Mee Tomyam
Address: Jalan Raja Uda, Taman Bunga Raya, Butterworth
Contact: +60 19-466 9009, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Sunday – 5:30 PM to 12:00 AM
- Tuesday – CLOSED
Pricing: $$
Ju Heng specialises in tom yam soup. The key draw of this place is the endless opportunities for customising your bowl of tom yum, thanks to the large number of different toppings available.
Here’s how it goes: first, pick the toppings you want (meat, seafood, dumplings, egg, veggies, or balls; each costs separately). Then choose between instant mee (usually Maggi) or bihun for your noodles.
The cook will then boil everything together with the shop’s signature tom yam broth and finally serve it on your table when done.
Choose your toppings wisely and don’t forget to include fried fish in your soup—customers love that it’s always fresh and crispy.
Pro tip:
Restoran Ju Heng’s tom yam broth is on the thin side and has a lighter flavour than others. Don’t worry, it still has that good spice.