Street food$little-indiaDaily 10:30-19:00
Penang Famous Samosa fries mutton, chicken, sardine and vegetable parcels at pocket-money prices on Queen Street, Little India's Michelin-listed snack stop.
Try: Samosas
Tip: The mutton samosa is the flagship; grab a mixed bag and eat them hot walking Little India's sari row.
Street food$george-townMon-Tue, Thu-Sun 17:00-23:00; closed Wed
Super Star Koay Teow Soup has run its Kimberley Street cart since 1960, a third-generation Bib Gourmand bowl that keeps Penang dinners under RM10.
Try: Koay teow soup with braised chicken feet
Tip: The braised chicken feet are the sleeper order; get them as a side even if the koay teow soup is your main.
Street food$george-townMon, Wed-Sun 07:00-14:00; closed Tue
Ah Boy Koay Teow Th'ng simmers chicken and pork-bone broth on Lebuh Clarke, a second-generation Bib Gourmand breakfast from RM5.50 in Penang.
Try: Koay teow th'ng
Tip: Try the dry-tossed version with the soup on the side; the springy tendon balls are the add-on worth the ringgit.
Malaysian$george-townMon-Sat 07:00-12:00; Sun 07:30-12:00; curry often gone by 11:00
Roti Canai Transfer Road has flipped flaky flatbread at its roadside stall for around half a century, Penang's definitive curry-flooded breakfast.
Try: Roti canai banjir
Tip: Ask for banjir, flooded with curry, and add a curried egg; go before 11:00 because the gravy pots empty first.
Chinese$george-townMon-Sat 07:00-20:00; closed Sun
Ee Beng Vegetarian Food fills trays with meat-free economy rice on Lebuh Dickens, the pay-per-scoop buffet Penang's vegetarians rely on daily.
Try: Vegetarian economy rice
Tip: Prices are per item, so load vegetables and one mock meat; the sweet and sour rolls go fastest at lunch.
Street food$george-townDaily 09:30-17:30
Joo Hooi Cafe packs char koay teow, assam laksa, lor bak and duck bee hoon into one corner kopitiam on Penang Road, a full hawker crawl per table.
Try: Char koay teow, laksa and lor bak under one roof
Tip: Seats are scarce at lunch; claim a marble table with a drink order first, then collect dishes stall by stall.