8 Best Bak Kut Teh Spots in Penang (Island & Mainland Guide)

Penang is not as famous for bak kut teh as Klang or Johor, yet locals are quietly loyal to a handful of very solid spots on both the island and the mainland. Here is a fleshed out guide to where to go, what to expect, and what online reviewers consistently praise.

1. Khoon Klang Bak Kut Teh, Jelutong

Address: 320, Jalan Perak, Jelutong, George Town.

Khoon Klang is one of the most frequently recommended bak kut teh shops in Penang, often topping local “best of” lists. It offers both soup and dry versions, which already sets it apart from many older shops that only do the soupy style.

Online write ups and reviews love the broth for being properly herbal and quite strong, the sort of flavour that keeps you refilling the bowl. Several guides highlight the dry bak kut teh in particular, describing it as spicier with a thicker, more concentrated gravy that clings to the meat and lady’s fingers. TripAdvisor reviewers also mention the “Klang style” thick soup and point out that this is where to go if you want that heavier, more robust profile in Penang.

Reviews:

• Ordering a mix of ribs, belly and innards if you enjoy variety

• Adding yam rice and fried tofu sides, which appear repeatedly in photos and reviews

• Coming in the late morning or at dinner time, when the atmosphere is lively but still very local

• If you want a properly intense herbal hit and the chance to compare wet and dry styles in one sitting, this is the place to prioritise.

2. Lao San Tong / Lao Shan Dong Bak Kut Teh, Raja Uda (Butterworth)

Address: Raja Uda area, Butterworth (often listed as Lao San Tong or Lao Shan Dong Bah Kut Teh).

Across the channel in Butterworth, Lao San Tong is arguably the most talked about bak kut teh in the state right now. It is Michelin Guide selected, and Penang food groups repeatedly highlight it as “the best bak kut teh” they have had in Penang.

Reviews:

• Value - portions are generous, and pricing is described as “relatively affordable” by Penang standards

• Flavour - the soup is clearly herbal but not overpoweringly so, with a clean, clear broth rather than something muddy

• Customisation - you choose the ingredients to go into your claypot from a long list of cuts and add ons, without extra charge per variety, which reviewers find fun and good value

• Locals also like that soup refills are free and that there is a good range of side dishes, from yau char kway to vegetables and yam rice. If you are willing to hop over to Butterworth, this is the one to aim for, especially for an evening meal in the Raja Uda food belt.

3. Kedai Kopi Ho Ping, George Town

Address: Jalan Penang, in the heart of George Town.

Ho Ping is an old school corner coffeeshop best known for char kuey teow and beef noodles, but multiple food guides flag the bak kut teh stall as one of the island’s best. This makes it a strong option if you want to tick off several classic dishes in one go.

Writers describe the broth as a “good balance of herbal and smoky pepper taste”, not as dark or herbal-forward as Klang style but more rounded and approachable. The claypot usually comes with pork ribs, Chinese cabbage, tofu puffs and meatballs, while reviews suggest ordering yau char kway to soak up the soup.

Reviews:

• The classic kopitiam setting and central location, which makes it ideal for visitors staying in George Town

• Reasonable prices considering the touristy area

• The ability to mix and match - bak kut teh for some in the group, char kuey teow or beef noodles for others

• This is a very convenient first stop if you are exploring the heritage core and want an accessible, balanced version of bak kut teh.

4. Lai Xiang Bak Kut Teh, Bayan Baru

Address: Lintang Mayang Pasir 3, Bandar Bayan Baru.

Lai Xiang is often recommended by islanders living nearer the airport and Bayan Lepas. It is a roadside-style operation with additional indoor seating, which reviewers say creates that relaxed “makan tepi jalan” feel without sacrificing comfort.

Reviews:

• A strong herbal aroma that hits you as the claypots arrive

• Flavours that are pronounced but “perfectly balanced”, so the soup does not become bitter or too medicinal

• A comforting evening atmosphere, as it opens in the late afternoon and runs through dinner

• If you enjoy that slightly more rustic setting, with plastic tables by the roadside and families sharing claypots, Lai Xiang is a very Penang way to eat bak kut teh away from the tourist centre.

5. Coffee Island, Gurney Drive

Address: No. 77, Persiaran Gurney, George Town.

Coffee Island is a large, modern café right on Gurney Drive, popular for both Western and Asian dishes. Surprisingly, several lists and guides highlight its bak kut teh as one of the better versions on the island.

Reviews:

• You can choose between soup and dry versions

• The restaurant uses pork that is advertised as free from antibiotics and hormones, leading to slightly chewier but very flavourful meat

• The al fresco seating, sea breeze and music make the experience feel more like a night out than a simple hawker meal

• Reviews also mention that prices are fair for the seafront location, and that service is efficient compared with some smaller shops. This is a good option if you want bak kut teh in a more contemporary, café-like environment, perhaps with friends who prefer something other than strictly traditional kopitiams.

6. Hong Xiang Bak Kut Teh, Jalan Macalister

Address: 88, Jalan Macalister, George Town.

Situated along one of George Town’s main food streets, Hong Xiang is a full restaurant dedicated largely to bak kut teh. It has picked up a Travellers’ Choice badge on TripAdvisor, which indicates consistently strong reviews over time.

Reviews:

• The food is generally praised as “reasonably delicious”, with a richer, more intense broth compared with some coffeeshop stalls

• Service is described as fast and the restaurant as comfortable, with proper seating and table service

• Some reviewers find it “a bit salty” and “on the more expensive side” for the portion size, so it feels more like a sit down restaurant experience than a cheap hawker stop

• FoodAdvisor and other guides still list it as one of the go to bak kut teh venues on the island, especially for those staying around Macalister Road or looking to combine bak kut teh with a small food crawl in the area.

7. Man Shan Bak Kut Teh, Jalan Perak

Address: 128, Jalan Perak, George Town.

Man Shan is a newer, more polished addition to Penang’s bak kut teh scene, set in a bright yellow, air conditioned shop on Jalan Perak. Local food blogger Ken Hunts Food notes that the restaurant has “bagged some awards” and appeared on national television, which has helped it build a steady following.

Reviews:

• A broth with a softer, milder herbal flavour than expected. The writer personally found it a little underwhelming, but that also makes it suitable if you are not a fan of very strong herbs.

• A family friendly menu with other Chinese dishes like fried chicken with yuzu sauce and cold appetisers such as pineapple and vinegared black fungus, which add freshness to the meal

• A cosy, comfortable space that feels more like a casual restaurant than a stall

• It is not the cheapest option, but if you are after comfort, air conditioning and a broader menu in the same place, Man Shan is worth considering.

8. Beng Heang Bak Kut Teh, Air Itam

Address: 554s, Jalan Air Itam, near Ayer Itam.

Beng Heang appears in curated lists as an ideal spot for people who are newer to bak kut teh. The soup is repeatedly described as “just nice”, neither too salty nor too bitter, which is exactly what can put some diners off more extreme versions.

Reviews:

• Fair pricing and good value for the portion size

• Friendly, efficient service even during busy evening shifts

• A comforting bowl that locals describe as their “all time favourite” on rainy days

• Located on the way up to Air Itam, it is a sensible detour if you have spent the day at Kek Lok Si or Penang Hill and want a warming dinner without travelling all the way back into the city centre first.