Nasi kandar, a favourite northern Malaysian dish of mildly-flavoured steamed rice accompanied by a variety of curry-based meat dishes and vegetables, is a Penang staple. Malaysians will tell you that the best nasi kandar can be enjoyed in Penang and, predictably, there is hardly a shortage of restaurants specialising n this dish on the island. In a bid to track down the island’s best nasi kandar outlets we considered three factors: whether the piquancy of the restaurant’s dishes was suitable for locals and foreigners; the price of a meal; the ambiance of each selected restaurant. We have listed them in order of how good we thought the food was – so check them out now!
Best Nasi Kandar In Penang
​Liyakat Ali Nasi Kandar
Famously known as Nasi Kandar Beratur (Queue-Up Nasi Kandar), this place is for hardcore nasi kandar enthusiasts – or if you have been out clubbing late and do not mind standing in line for some of the best nasi kandar you will ever taste. They only open at 22:00, which seems a little strange at first, but it makes sense as it is one of the few restaurants that stay open late on the island. Locals say it is definitely worth the long wait – indeed you will have probably have to queue no less than 30 minutes before you can place an order. A mixture of hand-ground spices seasons the curries – think thick, creamy and flavourful, with just a hint of piquancy (for certain gravies). All this contributes to make Nasi Kandar Beratur the best choice for Penang locals, visiting Malaysians, and foreigners.
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Opening Hours: 22:00 – late
Address: 98 Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Penang
Location: Nasi Kandar Beratur
Line Clear Nasi Kandar
A 24-hour joint that merits the number two spot only because Line Clear Nasi Kandar’s food tempts us with its ‘limited-time’ offerings. Line Clear is located in a narrow alleyway along Jalan Penang, with wooden tables and chairs, slightly near open drains. Don’t let that put you off though! In all honesty the food here is phenomenal and the fact that you only pay RM6.50 (the cheapest in all of Penang) for a plate of rice, fried chicken, telur dadar (sunny side up omelette), vegetables and ‘kuah banjir’ (a mix of gravies), makes the whole meal that much more satisfying. There is an impressive amount of hype about their daily specials (ranging from fish curry to beef gravy) and the extensive praise is clearly warranted. Adding to the whole value-for-money aspect of Line Clear Nasi Kandar is the fact that the food served comes in generous portions.
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Opening Hours: 24 Hours
Address: 177 Penang Road, Penang
Tel: +604 261 4440
Location: Line Clear Nasi Kandar
Kassim Nasi Kandar
You will not have to wait long for the nasi kandar at this restaurant but that does not mean the food is not excellent – on the contrary, in our humble opinion it rivals both Nasi Kandar Beratur and Line Clear Nasi Kandar. Founded and managed by locals, what makes the food here popular is the fact that they do not skimp on the spices – which means that the dishes are almost always fiery in taste. This makes it a popular choice with locals and if you are the adventurous sort, sample the beef in black, sweet, tangy and peppery gravy – simply accompanied by a plate of fluffy white rice and a side of sautéed cabbage, this is a true-blue Penang meal. Our only complaint is that though the food is flavourful, the meat portions are pretty skimpy.
Address: 12, Lebuh Chulia, Penang
Location: Kassim Nasi Kandar