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Name: Penang
Address: 117 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA, 19107
Telephone: (215) 413-2531
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.92

Penang

117 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA, 19107

(215) 413-2531
Store is closed

Penang Menu

Appetizers

Home Made Roti Canai (indian Pancake)*

Roti Telur*

Pasembur*

Penang Rojak*

Penang Satay Chicken/beef*

Squid W. Chinese Watercress*

Kerabu*

Satay Tofu*

Ipoh Bean Sprouts

Crispy Pork Intestines

Penang Young Tofu

Penang Poh Piah*

Baby Oyster Omelette

Achat*

Penang Chicken Wing's

Spicy Crispy Squids*

Shrimp Puff

Penang Lobak.

Phoenix Shrimp

Vegetable Spring Roll
Fried Noodles

Chow Kueh Teow*

Hokkien Char Mee

Indian Mee Goreng*

Singapore Rice Noodles*

Beef Chow Fun

Cantonese Chow Fun

Seafood Scramble Egg Chow Fun

Fried Pearl Noodle

Fried Rice Noodles W. Salted Fish

Mee Siam*

Seafood With Crispy Noodle

Triple Slice Veg. W. Noodle

Seafood Lo Mein*

Penang Pad Thai*

Thai Basil Noodle*
Noodles In Soup

Prawn Mee*

Asam Laksa*

Kueh Teow Thong

Clay Pot Pearl Noodles Soup

Chicken Feet With Mushrooms

Ginger Duck Noodles

Java Mee*

Wonton Mee

Fish Head Soup W. Rice Noodles

Seafood Tomyam Rice Noodles*

Curry Mee With Young Tau Foo*

Clay Pot Noodles

Beef Tripe Noodle

Spare Ribs With Noodle Soup

Seafood Lo Mein Soup
Casserole

Chicken Feet W. Chinese Mushroom

Curry Mixed Vegetable In Clay Pot*

Curry Beef Tripe Casserole*

Seafood Combination Casserole

Penang Curry Fish Head*

Penang Assam Fish Head*

Indian Style Curry Fish Head*

Tomyam Fish Head*

Green Curry Seafood In Clay Pot*

Green Curry Chicken In Clay Pot*
Soup

Salted Cabbage With Bean Curd Soup(shrimp Pork )

Seaweed W. Seafood Soup

Seafood W. Bean Curd Soup

Salted Cabbage Fish Head Soup

Seafood Tomyam Soup*

Bah Kut Teh(chinese Herb)

Wonton Soup (w. Shrimp & Pork)

Spicy Prawn Soup*
Rice Dishes

Nasi Lemak*

Hainanese Chicken With Rice

Curried Chicken With Rice*

Beef Rendang Rice (dried Curry Beef)*

Young Chow Fried Rice

Penang Seafood Fried Rice

Pork With Dried Veg. & Rice (for Lunch Only)

Pork With Yam And Rice (for Lunch Only)

Fried Rice With Salted Fish

Duck W. Ginger & Scallion Rice (with Bone)

Chicken With Ginger & Scallion Rice

Spicy Thai Chicken Rice*

Green Nasi Lemak*

Curry Tofu With Rice*

Curry Mixed Veg. With Rice*
Poultry / Beef

Hainanese Chicken

Spicy Thai Chicken*

Penang Kari Ayam*

Sarang Burong (w. Chicken)

Mango Chicken*

Beef Rendang*

Masak Chicken*

Masak Beef*

Penang Spicy Chicken*

Basil Chicken*

Basil Beef*
Pork

Spareribs Malaysian Style

King Pork Buff

House Special Pork With Yam

House Special Pork W. Dried Veg
Vegetable

Salted Fish With Bean Sprouts

Salted Fish W. Chinese Broccoli

Spinach W. Preserved Bean Curd Sauce

Chinese Watercress W. Preserved Bean Curd Sauce

Kang Kung Belacan*

Shrimps W. Ladies Fingers Malaysian Style

Shrimps W. String Beans Malaysian Style*

Malaysian Buddhist

Bean Curd In Thai Style*

Steamed Bean Curd W. Egg White

Mango Tofu*
Seafood

Crispy Golden Fried Squids*

Penang House Special Squids*

Penang Dried Curry Squids*

Assam Ikan Bilis*
Choices Of Fish: Red Snapper Or Striped Bass

Deep Fried Fish In Belachan Sauce (whole Fish)

Deep Fried Fish In Black Bean Sauce (whole Fish)

Deep Fried Fish In Thai Sauce (whole Fish)

Deep Fried Fish In Sweet & Sour Sauce (whole Fish)

Steamed Fish In Teow Chow Style (whole Fish).

Steamed Fish In Ginger Sauce (whole Fish)

Steamed Fish In Hot Bean Sauce (whole Fish)*

Curry Red Snapper With Okra (whole Fish)*

Mango Fish

Jumbo Prawns In Special Sauce*

Coconut Jumbo Prawns*

Hot And Spicy Jumbo Prawns

Penang House Special Jumbo Prawns*

Jumbo Prawns In Thai Sauce*

Dried Curry Jumbo Prawns*

Steamed Fresh Jumbo Prawns

Sambal Shrimp*

Sambal Petai*

Mango Shrimp*

Masak Shrimp*

Sweet And Sour Shrimp*

Shrimp W. Scallion & Ginger In Soy Sauce

Penang House Special Crabs*

Crabs In Special Aromatic Flavor*

Hot And Spicy Crabs*

Sauteed Frog With Kung Pao Sauce*

Sauteed Frog With Ginger And Scallion

Clam With Black Bean Sauce

Hot And Spicy Lobster*

Penang House Special Lobster*
Sizzling Platter

Sizzling Japanese Bean Curd

Sizzling Seafood Combination Delight

Sizzling Beef

Sizzling Beef With Black Pepper*

Sizzling Chicken With Black Pepper*

Sizzling Triple Delight With Black Pepper

Sizzling Chicken
Side Order

White Rice

Hainanese Chicken Flavor Rice

Coconut Flavor Rice

Brown Rice
Beverages

Watermelon Drink

Orange Juice

Carrot Juice

Pineapple Juice

Lychee Drink

Rambutan Drink

Longan Ice Drink

Soya Bean With Grass Jelly

Coconut Drink

Abc

Chendol

Malaysian Ice Coffee

Malaysian Ice Tea

Soya Bean Milk

Soda

Ice Lemon Tea
Dessert

Peanut Pancake

Ice Cream

Fried Ice Cream

Healthy Meal suggestions for Penang

Appetizers

Home Made Roti Canai (indian Pancake)* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roti Telur* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasembur* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang Rojak* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang Satay Chicken/beef* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Squid W. Chinese Watercress* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kerabu* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Satay Tofu* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ipoh Bean Sprouts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Pork Intestines [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang Young Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang Poh Piah* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Oyster Omelette [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Achat* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang Chicken Wing's [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Crispy Squids* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Puff [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang Lobak. [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Phoenix Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Spring Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fried Noodles

Chow Kueh Teow* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hokkien Char Mee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Indian Mee Goreng* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Singapore Rice Noodles* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Chow Fun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cantonese Chow Fun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Scramble Egg Chow Fun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Pearl Noodle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Rice Noodles W. Salted Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mee Siam* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood With Crispy Noodle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Triple Slice Veg. W. Noodle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Lo Mein* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang Pad Thai* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thai Basil Noodle* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Noodles In Soup

Prawn Mee* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Asam Laksa* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kueh Teow Thong [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Clay Pot Pearl Noodles Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Feet With Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ginger Duck Noodles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Java Mee* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wonton Mee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish Head Soup W. Rice Noodles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Tomyam Rice Noodles* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curry Mee With Young Tau Foo* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Clay Pot Noodles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Tripe Noodle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spare Ribs With Noodle Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Lo Mein Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Casserole

Chicken Feet W. Chinese Mushroom [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curry Mixed Vegetable In Clay Pot* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curry Beef Tripe Casserole* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Combination Casserole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang Curry Fish Head* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang Assam Fish Head* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Indian Style Curry Fish Head* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomyam Fish Head* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Curry Seafood In Clay Pot* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Curry Chicken In Clay Pot* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soup

Salted Cabbage With Bean Curd Soup(shrimp Pork ) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seaweed W. Seafood Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood W. Bean Curd Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salted Cabbage Fish Head Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Tomyam Soup* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bah Kut Teh(chinese Herb) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wonton Soup (w. Shrimp & Pork) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Prawn Soup* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Rice Dishes

Nasi Lemak* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hainanese Chicken With Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curried Chicken With Rice* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Rendang Rice (dried Curry Beef)* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Young Chow Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang Seafood Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork With Dried Veg. & Rice (for Lunch Only) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork With Yam And Rice (for Lunch Only) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Rice With Salted Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Duck W. Ginger & Scallion Rice (with Bone) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken With Ginger & Scallion Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Thai Chicken Rice* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Nasi Lemak* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curry Tofu With Rice* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curry Mixed Veg. With Rice* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Poultry / Beef

Hainanese Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Thai Chicken* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang Kari Ayam* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sarang Burong (w. Chicken) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mango Chicken* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Rendang* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Masak Chicken* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Masak Beef* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang Spicy Chicken* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basil Chicken* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basil Beef* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pork

Spareribs Malaysian Style [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

King Pork Buff [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Special Pork With Yam [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Special Pork W. Dried Veg [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Vegetable

Salted Fish With Bean Sprouts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salted Fish W. Chinese Broccoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach W. Preserved Bean Curd Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chinese Watercress W. Preserved Bean Curd Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kang Kung Belacan* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimps W. Ladies Fingers Malaysian Style [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimps W. String Beans Malaysian Style* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Malaysian Buddhist [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bean Curd In Thai Style* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Bean Curd W. Egg White [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mango Tofu* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Seafood

Crispy Golden Fried Squids* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang House Special Squids* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang Dried Curry Squids* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Assam Ikan Bilis* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Choices Of Fish: Red Snapper Or Striped Bass

Deep Fried Fish In Belachan Sauce (whole Fish) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Deep Fried Fish In Black Bean Sauce (whole Fish) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Deep Fried Fish In Thai Sauce (whole Fish) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Deep Fried Fish In Sweet & Sour Sauce (whole Fish) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Fish In Teow Chow Style (whole Fish). [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Fish In Ginger Sauce (whole Fish) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Fish In Hot Bean Sauce (whole Fish)* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curry Red Snapper With Okra (whole Fish)* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mango Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jumbo Prawns In Special Sauce* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coconut Jumbo Prawns* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot And Spicy Jumbo Prawns [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang House Special Jumbo Prawns* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jumbo Prawns In Thai Sauce* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dried Curry Jumbo Prawns* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Fresh Jumbo Prawns [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sambal Shrimp* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sambal Petai* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mango Shrimp* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Masak Shrimp* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet And Sour Shrimp* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp W. Scallion & Ginger In Soy Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang House Special Crabs* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crabs In Special Aromatic Flavor* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot And Spicy Crabs* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Frog With Kung Pao Sauce* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Frog With Ginger And Scallion [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Clam With Black Bean Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot And Spicy Lobster* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penang House Special Lobster* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sizzling Platter

Sizzling Japanese Bean Curd [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sizzling Seafood Combination Delight [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sizzling Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sizzling Beef With Black Pepper* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sizzling Chicken With Black Pepper* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sizzling Triple Delight With Black Pepper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sizzling Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Side Order

White Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hainanese Chicken Flavor Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coconut Flavor Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brown Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beverages

Watermelon Drink [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Orange Juice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carrot Juice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pineapple Juice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lychee Drink [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rambutan Drink [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Longan Ice Drink [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soya Bean With Grass Jelly [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coconut Drink [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Abc [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chendol [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Malaysian Ice Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Malaysian Ice Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soya Bean Milk [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ice Lemon Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dessert

Peanut Pancake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ice Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Ice Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Mona C.

My friends and I LOVE this place! It's always, always our go-to when we come to Chinatown and want good food at reasonable prices, which for poor, newly-grads is the best! We got everything that was recommended on here, and we thoroughly enjoyed it! Most recently, our dishes consisted of green curry, coconut rice, shrimp fried rice, mango chicken, and basil beef, which we all shared family style. The appetizer of roti and curry is always amazing. We will most likely be back when we are in town again, and cannot wait to try something new! Good job, Penang!!
(5)
Jessica H.

Am new to philly...am glad that I found this place... love their manu. It so many to chose from...especially the deserve "abc" I always want that. I recommend this place to everyone#yummy#bestinphilly!
(4)
Trisha C.

My boyfriend and I went here last night with a few of our friends. It was everyone's first time trying Malaysian food. Our server was very friendly and helpful when we had inquiries about certain menu items. She made it a point to let us know if she thought certain dishes might not work well with our American palate and offered other suggestions. We are all pretty adventurous eaters and were there to experience new cuisine. We got the Roti Canai as as appetizer. I highly recommend that. Overall, it was great and everything was delicious. I would come back again to try different menu items.
(4)
Derek B.

Very good. Inexpensive and flavorful. Must try if in Chinatown. Must have: Appetizers - Homemade Roti Canai (Indian Pancake) - CrÃªpe like with chicken curry dipping sauce. Amazing! Entree - Thai basil noodle
(5)
Yvonne L.

I am Malaysian residing abroad so I was anxious to check this place out. Compared to the other places in Chinatown, this one was better looking with a nice ambience. We ordered the Nasi Lemak which I really liked, the Cantonese Hor Fun was acceptable (just too much gravy), bean sprouts fried with salted fish was pretty good and the Indian Mee was very tasty although it wasn't quite the real Mamak style we get back home. All in all not even 40$. Some stuff on the menu dont really seem like Msian dishes but they seem to have some Thai style food too. Great value!
(4)
Laurie J.

Great service. Nice big space. Mediocre food. Ambience is nothing to write home about. Food is solid Malaysian food. I didn't see many Cambodian dishes at all. It's a neither here nor there kind of place. I won't be running to philly for this spot anytime soon. Lots of good spots in the neighborhood because it's in the middle of Chinatown.
(2)
Jasmyne G.

One of my favorites, and my go to when I'm down town - especially to impress. As people say the roti is amaziiiing. During the weekends it is very very crowded so it's good to call ahead. Even so, I feel like the service is never lacking. The manager ( or i can assume, by his service and always being there) is great and friendly, and big on customer service. He will try to make conversation, and is very hands on and serves well with the rest of the staff. Anyone wondering what to get? Beef rendang is my favorite, and anyone who likes curry or the roti would loveee it!
(5)
Edward H.

I always stop by this place when I'm in Philly. My favorite dishes are Mee Siam, golden fried squid, the roti is a must, and Penang curry.
(4)
John M.

Best Pad Thai I've ever had to date (and I've had a lot of variations). The classic Penang Pad Thai will give you strips of tofu, shrimp and squid added to the classic egg noddles and peanut sauce. However, I'd advise starting with the chicken (comes with tofu, as well) or just tofu Pad Thai. In addition, they give you pickled beans sprouts in a sweet sauce to eat separately or, as I do, dump on top of the dish. Adding the sprouts elevates the Pad Thai to a whole new experience. I've never eaten in at Penang but it is an exceptionally clean and nice establishment (sort of an oasis) in the middle of smelly, dirty China Town. Each time I've taken out I'm greeted with a smile and given a nice Penang plastic bag with my dishes wrapped inside a paper bag. I can tell you from experience that the packaging method they use (plastic dish containers, closed paper bag) keep things hot for a good hour after taking out. I pick up and drive home, place the dishes in the microwave until my boo is home and things are still hot and ready. Lastly, Penang charges you little for great quality food. I pay under $20 for two heaping dishes of Pad Thai (used to paying about $25 at other establishments).
(5)
Jennifer R.

Oh my gosh was this delicious. Byo too fellas ;-) I got the green curry chicken which was really wonderful and my boyfriend's beef chow fun (i think it was) was the best noodle dish weve ever had. So much flavor! Everyone that got a noodle dish here struggled past the full point to eat it all because it was too good to leave. We also got roti, chicken satay, and dumplings which were all great too. Dumplings were all stuck to the plate which was disappointing but everything was so delicious otherwise. Prices were cheap with atmosphere being nicer than you'd think. Service was a tad rough but the language barrier was the source of the struggle. Hey they make some damn good noodles.
(5)
Molly F.

Went for take out on a Sunday afternoon. The staff is very friendly and the interior is nice. I ordered the first noodle on the menu. The dish is labeled spicy but mine wasnt, but I think this may be due to my not letting them know I wanted and could handle a hot dish. The dish is nice, flat stir fried noodles with bean sprouts, egg, but not particularly memorable. I ate around the shrimp and squid, it was too fishy for my taste. The portion is great end the price is a very reasonable 8.50. I also ordered the roti canai. 4.50, very cheap. I had a similar dish at Rangoon Burmese and I liked their version better but it was still good.
(3)
Annie D.

Ok so this place is amazeeeeeballs!!!! Being from Toronto, I really did not enjoy the city of Philadelphia which was grimy as heck but this restaurant made the trip worthwhile! Again my fellow yelpers came through, and the great reviews are totally accurate. We walked in for dinner around 9 pm on a Wednesday night and got a table right away. Having read the reviews before I knew we had to start with the roti canai which is a crispy style pancake (basically a really soft and crispy roti) & curry chicken with potato dipping sauce (it was a small bowl of chicken curry). I ordered two figuring we could just share. Big mistake!! My family toreeee throughhhh it as soon as it got to the table. I suggest ordering 1 per person. Everyone just lovedddd it. The roti was super thin, crispy and soft all at the same time. I've never tasted anything like it before. And the curry was mouth watering!!! This dish reallllyyyyyy is "like crack"!!! After we finished it, we just sat there sad that the experience was over, wanting moreee moreeee moreeeeeeeeeee lol!!! But we had to get over it! For our mains we ordered the the Green Nasi Lemak which was coconut rice fried w. mixed vegetables, shrimp in ginger sauce, Basil Chicken and Malaysian Style Spareribs. First the ribs were second only to the roti canai. My mom who never eats pork was all over them. These ribs were marinated and lightly fried and came with a spicy/sweet sauce. Just ahhmazing. The rice and chicken dish were super flavourful. We also got the Mee Siam which was stir-fried rice vermicilli w. tofu, shrimp & bean sprout in spicy thai chili sauce. Again, very good. Lastly because I wanted to be adventurous, I ordered a Malaysian dessert called ABC which after a quick Wikipedia search, I found out is an acronym for Air Batu Campur, meaning "mixed ice". It had a bunch of weird non-dessert stuff in it but I guess it was interesting. It was a souped-up snow cone ... so basically shaved ice, red beans, sweet corn, palm seed, grass jelly, cubes of agar agar, topped of with condensed milk and red rose syrup. I would say one order is good to share between 4 people because it melts pretty fast and then just tastes weird. Overall we loveddddd the food here. I am now on the hunt for roti canai in the GTA! If you do anything when you go to Philly, go hereeee!!!!!
(5)
Nicolas N.

Food is decent (compared to Bamboo Leaf around the corner). Go here if you are craving for this type of Southeast Asian food - and stay away from Bamboo Leaf (which is worst than this restaurant in all categories). We ordered two appetizers (pancakes and vegan veggie rolls), coconut fried rice and the beef brisket curry. * The fried rice was good with ample amount of decent size shrimp (with vein removed). The other dishes were heavy on the oil. * Unless you like milky and flavorless sugary tea (or coffee), please do not order the Malaysian iced tea and iced coffee, which was made from powder. I recommend the Thai iced coffee somewhere else. Three stars for decent food - and for the bad negligent service - even with just two tables. We came for lunch and the restaurant was empty with over 6 employees, chatting amongst themselves. Our water had a beansprout in it which the server didn't notice and did not say anything or did not bring us a replacement. We may order take out in very distant future (perhaps in another state), but will never dine-in again, unless it is one of those late nights after enough alcohol to numb the senses, and memory, and rationale decision-making.
(3)
Grace H.

I'd never had malaysian food before my visit to Penang, but the roti canai alone is enough to bring me back (I prefer the plain over the scallion and egg version)! It was actually my favorite dish of the ones we ordered - I could literally drink a whole bowl of the chicken curry dipping sauce for dinner and be content. For our mains we got the mango chicken, a seafood pot pie-type dish, and another chicken dish that was way too greasy. The seafood in my dish almost tasted like half of the ingredients had been frozen beforehand, and the mango chicken was HUGE but too sweet for my taste. I walked away full but a little underwhelmed by the food. If I come back it'll probably be for the roti canai!
(3)
Cameron G.

You let me down, Yelp. This place wasn't good. I tried three things: some kind of tofu burrito-like appetizer, char keow teow, and Buddha's tofu. The tofu burrito-thing was alright. I give it three stars. I'm not sure what it was, and I can't remember it's name. (Sorry!) It's an appetizer, and it was my favorite part of the meal. It looked a little like a wet burrito. The Buddha's tofu was sub-par. It tasted exactly like something you'd get a cheap Chinese restaurant in a rural town. It was a mound of vegetables and tofu, but nothing tasted fresh and the sauce was bland and bad. The char keow teow was worse. It had few vegetables and and basically no sauce. It tasted like noodles that had been soaked in oil and served alone. Virtually no flavor/taste. Worse yet, it left a little bit of a queasy feeling. Stay away.
(2)
Sam B.

This place was weak! I am a frequent customer of banana leaf and decide fed to try out this instead. Service was poor, and food was uninspiring. All around a poor experience. I'll be sticking with banana leaf going forward.
(1)
Magen S.

My favorite restaurant in Chinatown. Dined here on a Friday night at 7:30 with a reservation. Would recommend making a reservation on the weekends as the doorway was super crowded when we arrived and restaurant completely filled. Food- Roti canai (Indian pancake) is a must. The curry sauce is SO delish. You'll be ordering a second one. Beef Masak - was not overly impressed with this dish. The sauce was a bit syrupy for my liking. Thai basil noodle - so so good. Reminded me of drunken noodles. Very good flavor and lots of vegetables so not a huuuge carb dish. Green curry clay pot - MUST. We ordered with chicken and the spicy creamy flavor easily made it my favorite dish of the night. Penang spicy chicken - this wasn't my favorite. Reminds me of Chinese sweet and sour chicken as the dish came with fried chicken and the sauce on the side. *none of the dishes come with rice so you need to order separately. All dishes are family style. Service was ok. Restaurant was very busy so it was good for how busy it was but could have been better. They didn't charge the $10 cork fee noted on the menu so that was awesome. The prices are not to be beat. I was there with a party of 5 ordered 3 appetizers, large soup, 4 family style dishes, rice and the bill was only $90. byob helps but the prices are very reasonable. Ambiance - the restaurant is pretty loud so I would avoid if you're looking for a romantic night. Overall, would recommend this restaurant in Chinatown.
(4)
Diana N.

Took a day trip to Philly and found this place for dinner. Haven't had Malaysian food in a while and the photos on Yelp were inviting and tantalizing. Parking in Chinatown is the worse and this almost kept us from coming to this place. The restaurant is quite spacious. We arrived around 6:45pm and it was pretty packed. Luckily the wait wasn't very long, about 5-8 minutes. Service is fast, friendly, and efficient. For an appetizer, we ordered: Roti Canai - The bread was hot and flaky and the chicken curry was flavorful and had a nice hint of heat. The dipping sauce wasn't hot though. For dinner, we ordered: Chow Kueh Teow - famous Malaysian stir fried flat rice noodles w/ shrimp, squid, bean sprouts, egg, soy sauce and chili paste. This dish was OK. Tastes like pad Thai. Nothing spectacular. The flavors were good and the squid was surprisingly tender. I didn't taste any chili paste at all. The noodles were all broken up which was weird. I ate this dish with a SPOON. Kang Kung Belacan - sautÃ©ed water spinach with spicy Malaysian shrimp paste. DELISH! I love water spinach and the subtle spicy fermented shrimp paste flavor was superb. Steamed fish Teow Chow style - WOW. This steamed fish dish was A M A Z I N G. It was a whole fresh striped bass bathing in a light chicken broth with pork, silken tofu, shiitake mushrooms, pickled green mustard, ginger, peppers, tomatoes, scallions, and cilantro. The flavors blended so well together and I'm so happy we chose this dish. The flavors are very reminiscent of the Chinese traditional pork and pickled green mustard noodle soup dish, but with the addition of ginger. Dinner was delicious, but the courses came out in a weird sequence. The roti came out first for an appetizer of course which was fine. We expected the noodles to come out next since the fish dish would take a bit of time to steam, but it came out last. The water spinach and rice came out second then the steamed fish. We've could of easily done without the noodle dish. Our server was very friendly and our waters were kept filled. Overall, we would definitely come back again. Food is tasty and service is good.
(4)
Victoria L.

My first time trying Malaysian food, and it was delicious! I tried the Mee Siam, a fried noodle option. It was made up of stir-fried rice vermicilli mixed with tofu, shrimp, bean sprout, and topped with a spicy Thai chili sauce. All the flavors blended well together and they didn't skimp out on the ingredients. The proportions were very generous as well! I also tried a little bit of my friend's roti canai, a staple at Penang. The soft, thin, flaky pancake was delicious and it was even better when dipped with its curry chicken and potato dipping sauce. If you come here, I would definitely recommend starting off with the Roti Canai, you can't come here without trying it first! The service was fast and friendly! Plus, with the decent prices and generous proportions this place makes for a great place to do some family style sharing with some friends or family members!
(4)
Richard R.

It had been awhile since we had been to this Penang, maybe 8 or more years. I used think this place was great so we were excited to get back there on a recent Friday night. Penang is still super crowded, the staff is still super efficient and the servers friendly and polite. They now take credit cards, which they didn't take back when they first opened which I was happy to learn. I don't know if it was Lent and we couldn't order Roti Canai, Satay or curried chicken but the dishes were disappointing. The Singapore noodles tasted like bad Pad Thai, and the seafood dish we ordered was average at best. Maybe we ordered the wrong dishes, maybe we caught Penang on a bad night, and maybe there are just so many more Malay, Indonesian and Asian Fusion restaurants around now that the shine has worn off a little at Penang? Whatever the case, on this night Penang was pretty average.
(3)
Victoria C.

I came here on Sunday evening at around 6PM, and there was no wait for a table of two. We split the beef chow fun and the Thai half chicken (it's located beneath the Hainanese chicken on the menu), which came out to 21 dollars and lots of chicken leftover. Such great prices! The beef chow fun was pretty standard. It's not too oily and contained decent amounts of fried egg as well as bean sprouts. The slices of beef in the chow fun were thick, well cooked, and actually quite juicy! The Thai chicken was poached chicken served atop cucumbers and itself topped by a spicy thick sauce. There was a nice kick the the dish, although the bottom pieces seemed to be drowning in the sesame oil. Next time, I'd opt for the Hainanese chicken with the beef chow fun, because the chicken would serve as a nice, simple protein addition to the already flavorful noodle dish. Decent service, good food, and great prices.
(4)
Kayla C.

If it's your first time eating here, or Malaysian cuisine in general, the homemade Roti Canai (Indian pancake with chicken curry on the side as dip) is 100% recommended as an appetizer. It's a classic and you can't go wrong with that one! Penang does a great job at making theirs, along with ensuring that it's a shareable amount! The thing about eating at places like Penang is that you have to make sure you know what you're ordering. The flavors of each menu item are really strong and may not suit everyone's tongue.. The waiters do a great job at recommendations and descriptions of what you're interested in ordering. Any of their starred menu items are typically fantastic. Their Malaysian iced coffee is a strong one! I'm a fan. The service here is above and beyond fantastic. They are quick to greet you, seat you, and serve you. Throughout your meal, they are extremely attentive to your every need! It may seem odd at first, but it is simply the asian way to do things! Very very speedy and courteous. If you're ever in chinatown and want to try something new, check this place out. Also has a cool and dim atmosphere.
(5)
Sumita R.

I come here again and again for the Roti Canai. Very fast service and I usually order this as my appetizer as we are sitting down. I also lately have been getting the vegetable clay pot. It has a similar tomato/coconut milk base as the roti canai but filled with my favorite vegetables. You can see pieces of tofu, Chinese eggplant, okra, green beans, and mushrooms floating in the curry base. This portion is very large and enough to share with 2-4 people. My boyfriend and I split it and ate way too much. We could have easily ordered more rice and shared it with more people. The ambiance is fine with tables close together and it is normally always busy and occasionally has a line. The service as I said is always quick and the meals are very reasonably priced.
(5)
Leigh O.

Sometimes I see a place that's super crowded and I'm like yeah let's go here, it's crowded so it must be great!! That's how I felt about Penang before having probably one of the most average meals I've had at an Asian restaurant. We had the mango shrimp, some soup, rolls and shrimp with scallion and ginger in soy sauce. Nothing was terrible - yet nothing was extremely good. There were no distinct flavors or spices and I found the food to be almost completely bland. I also did not like that rice doesn't come with your meal. That seems like such a petty additional charge when there's rarely restaurants of this scale that don't include rice with a main dish. Initially the service we received here was great. However, after finishing our meal the waiter consistently stood over us as if motioning us to leave and while we sat and talked he even approached us TWICE to ask if we were SURE we didn't want to decide on a dessert. I do not like being rushed - especially when I had low budget food I feel I should at least be able to enjoy my company. To put it simply, I equate the food here to the quality of that at a hood corner store joint. If my Chinese store threw some mangoes in their dishes it'd likely taste better than the dishes I got here. The lesson learned here: Don't judge a restaurant by its crowd. I will not be rushing to return to Penang!
(3)
Thutrang L.

I've been to this place many times, can't believe that I've haven't reviewed it yet! This place is always busy during peak hours, lunch and dinner! Service is great and table turnover is quick! Wait staff is very attentive and food comes out fast! The kitchen is open so delicious aromas fill the entire restaurant. Definitely try the Indian pancakes for appetizer! It comes with this thin batter that is heated up on a hot pan. On the side, is a small bowl of chicken curry that isn't too spicy. It's prefect. We ordered the skewers as another app and they were really flavorful! Wait staff were really attentive the entire time during our dining experience. I seriously love this place.
(5)
Annie L.

Penang is pretty much a staple in Chinatown. I can always count on their food to be consistent (not spectacular, but still fine). The Malaysian dishes are good but I've definitely have had better Thai food elsewhere. The roti canai is great to start out with as an appetizer to share amongst friends. I think that it's a good spot for a large group since their dishes are pretty varied. Also not that expensive per person; the $$ rating is accurate.
(3)
Glo F.

It was alright. I went to a Penang in Boston many years ago and didn't realized they have one in Philadelphia....fond memories in Boston so I thought this would be a good last meal. Wrong....the server was nice but since there was only one of me I really want to order smart...and a dish with vegetables. The server was not very helpful when I asked what is the speciality. I settled on the Shrimp with green beans...Malay style with dry Shrimp. Very good flavor....but I got only six shrimps....size of my pinkie. I ate the entire dish with my rice. The ambience is nice, servers efficient, and turnover high. They served Thai, Cambodian and Chinese dishes too....but I'll stick with the Malaysian. I may go back if in the area. The restaurant is right at the entrance of Chinatown and near the greyhound and Jefferson train station.
(3)
Partha A.

Food was cold. All components for Nasi Lemak except rice was cold. Like real cold - the cooked anchovies as well. The thai basil noodles had no flavor. Also all noodles were doused in oil. Beef rendang was not good.
(1)
Laura R.

Some friends took me here back in November. I would love to go back. The Mango Shrimp was on point! The sweet to spice ratio was just right. And it was actually served inside of a mango which really turned me on. For dessert we shared the fried ice cream...very very delicious. Never had fried ice cream before. Looking forward to that again. It was a Friday night and the place was packed but we didin't wait that long to be seated (approx. 10-15 minutes). The kitchen area is open for your viewing pleasure. The food came quick enough. They allow you to bring your own bottle and if you are celebrating a birthday or something you can bring your own cake. Not sure if there is a cake cutting fee though. Also I had a bite of my bff's Roti Canai...the reviews are accurate...very tasty.
(5)
Peter N.

Roti Canai is a must here. My favorite app here - I order it before even looking at that menu. Be careful, you will get addicted! The entrees are flavorful and can be shared, but be adventurous with the selections to get a great experience. Pad Thai? Nothing to write home about. Go for the entrees that you don't see everyday - mango chicken, deep fried fish. And instead of a bowl of steamed white rice, opt for the chicken rice. Life changing! The decor reminds me of a legit southeast Asian restaurant. Probably the most decorative restaurant in Chinatown, Penang is going for the full dining experience! So take in the atmosphere as your chomping away! Did I mention it's BYOB? Makes this place a great date option on the cheap. It can get a little loud in here, though. They now accept credit cards (they were cash only once upon a time), so bring the plastic!
(4)
Tiffany S.

Our friend we visited took us here for dinner. We had a party of 5 and we ordered 2 roti, curry mee, mee goring, half hainan chicken, and another noodle dish. Curry mee stood out the most- creamy, coconut flavored and slightly spicy- it definitely hit the spot after a long flight to philly. All in all- was super surprised with the quality, proportions, and how cheap our dinner was. It ended up being about $11 per person. Would stop by here again!
(5)
Lilly T.

3.5 stars. Dropped by Chinatown for dinner at Penangs on a weekend trip to Philly. It was packed so we knew it must be popular with the locals. Penang from what I remember is a chain, and I think we have have one or two in the city but I've never had it. We ordered satay tofu, roti canai, Hainanese chicken over rice and the green nasi lemak. Our waitress was a sweet well mannered little Cantonese lady that spoke English to use despite us ordering in Cantonese! Food came out quick, the satay tofu was good, very hearty and flavorful, but a tad watery from the bean sprouts and cucumbers not being drained well. The roti and chicken curry dipping sauce were average. The roti is freshly handmade to order by the cook which you can see when you walk past their open kitchen(kind of weird) but it is a little dry. The key is a good helping of ghee(clarified butter) to make it crisper but chewy, and satisfyingly hearty like Malaysian roti is supposed to be. The chicken curry sauce is too greasy and watery. The chicken should be shredded and blended into the sauce for a heavy, masala like consistency. I don't eat chicken and I even I know that. The green nasi lemak I admit I had low expectations for. I'm not a big fan of fried rice but this was the bomb! It's the coconut rice and their ginger sauce--so flavorful and exciting. I've never had fried rice like this. The BF's Hainanese chicken and coconut rice was apparently overdone. It took long to come out so the chicken was overcooked and became too tender. I couldn't finish my rice so I had them package it to go, but instead they dumped it, and realizing their mistake they made me a new half order to go which was sweet, but unfortunately was rushed and didn't taste as good as the original order I had. I think NY's Nyona is a bit better but I would now go try the Penangs in the city.
(3)
Grace L.

Roti canai (Indian pancake) is the best !! I could honestly eat this all the time The Thai basil noodles was a lil greasy and kinda bland Tom yum soup is delicious Basil chicken was good but I've had better I definitely want to try other dishes Service was good surprisingly .. I'm so use to the lack of service in many other Asian restaurants
(4)
Lulu Z.

Best Malaysian cuisine in Philadelphia. Wish they would consistently have the crispy squid served. Fast service and casual.
(4)
Seth C.

I'm a white Texan who really enjoys spicy food, curry, and the exotic (for my limited experience). Penang fulfilled all of these desires. I really enjoyed their curry, Pad Thai, sea food platter, and some random things we threw in just to try. Give it a try. Be adventurous. Enjoy.
(5)
Sarah G.

My favorite place to eat. I always get the beef or chicken satay with an order of the roti canai and Malaysian iced tea. I come here all the time especially with a big group of people. Last time I went was July 4th, Atmosphere is great except it was busy and I kept getting rushed, my waiter took my menu out my hands before I could even look at my entrees. Other then that I love coming here.
(4)
Vinny P.

I honestly feel like eating in Chinatown is more of an adventure than an actual culinary delight. Perhaps I've eaten at the wrong spots, but most places that people recommend to me have dirty floors, dirty walls, rude staff and sedated frogs. Not the case with Penang. As soon as we walked in, post bubble tea crawl, I noticed a stark difference in the restaurant itself from other spots. Maybe Penang has better funding or maybe they are catering to a different crowd but to me, it felt more like a restaurant than a dirty hole in the wall (not that they don't have their place) I felt comfortable and started to explore the menu. We began with the tofu satay. I was pretty impressed at how they were able to bend the friend tofu and stuff it with shredded cucumber and a big glob of peanut sauce. It wasn't overly spicy but it was flavorful and I enjoyed it. Upon trying to order the twice cooked pork with dried vegetables, the waiter attempted to steer me away from it. He actually said, in a respectful manner "maybe you might want to try something else" When I inquired why, he had just said that what I was ordering was intensely flavorful and I might not like it. I pressed on, assuring him that I was able to handle it. I have to say that both dishes were delicious. The mango chicken was both sweet and sour and served in a shell, with mango pieces in it. I thought that was pretty creative. My pork dish blew me away. It was thinly sliced pork belly, dried vegetables (re-hydrated in cooking) and a brown sauce. It was an intensely flavorful dish and I ended up taking leftovers. I was really happy I ordered it and I'll be trying to make it at home. The service was excellent and I like the layout of the restaurant. The waiter, seeing that I passed the test recommended some other items on their menu for my return visit which will be happening very soon.
(5)
M W.

Best Food in Chinatown the prices are reasonable staff is friendly the food is so fresh and good my favorite thing to get is the mango chicken.
(5)
Anna B.

Well...it was around 10 pm when my girlfriend and I were looking for a place to it and also that was still open. It was a cold night in Nov and we were craving asian food. We yelped and found this place. This place is in the heart of Chinatown. It's funny to us being from CA where there is abundance of asian restaurants. I was dying for some good ol asian food. I really liked the interior of this place. Reminds me of sitting outside a house. We ordered pad thai which was really good and their mango chicken which to us was ok but definitely something you need to eat with rice. For the Philadelphia area, its pretty good.
(3)
Susanna L.

Doesn't disappoint! I normally come here everytime I'm in the chinatown area looking for a bite with friends. The waiters are very friendly and they don't rush you to order. The food is very good, my favorite being the mango chicken. The food always comes out hot and in a pretty good time span. If you are looking for a inexpensive good meal in chinatown, I suggest coming here :)
(4)
Nobuyuki S.

Whatever good you've heard, it's probably true. I've had a lot of Malaysian friends, many from the state of Penang. Since Penang is known for its prowess for great food, it should be no surprise that this restaurant does so well. When I lived around Philadelphia for 8 years, I would avoid most of the places in China Town. The food just wasn't right. I'd try the hole-in-the-wall restaurants and they were hit-or-miss. Sometimes, I would get food fit for an Asian, and other times, it was so Americanized that it wasn't tasty to me. I believe these people are doing something that few do: they're serving what they like, much like what you find at Korean restaurants. It was a bit difficult to find the place, not that it's hidden by the pavement, errr, sidewalks are narrow and the building numbers are usually blocked by someone's big sign. I've often found it better to be on the other side of the street in order to find a place. This restaurant is on the east side of 10th Street. The sign is black and gray and a bit worn so you might not notice it. Inside, it's all modern and sleek without a metallic look. Someone was quick to greet me and showed me to a table for two next to the window. That means I have to have better manners than the families in the back of the restaurant, because I'm on display to the whole world walking past the place. I had two thoughts when I arrived: roti canai and nasi lemak. I took some time to look at the menu and someone came to ask me about a drink. He wanted to give me hot tea and I was sweating like mad and asked for anything cold to drink. In a few minutes, an older gentleman came to the table and we talked about appetizers, and I ordered the roti canai. I still wasn't sure what it was exactly but roti is like fried or braised puri, so it seemed safe. I like Indian food but as far as Malaysian Indian food, I have no idea. Another minute later, the dear woman who seated me returned to ask me what I decided, and I ordered the nasi lemak and told her that the gentleman had taken the roti canai part of the order. It was busy, but I believe that the roti canai arrived quickly. The image of it reminded me of frying a tortilla for a taco salad. It looked like a small mountain. I tore some of it and dipped it in the curry and it tasted so good, that I started to smile, I'm sure. To extend the tortilla analogy, it was like having chips and salsa. It took a bit longer for the nasi lemak but the staff kept filling my water glass. When the dish arrived, I was quite ready for a treat. They fulfilled my expectations. The plate came with the nasi lemak, some cucumber strips, a sliced, hard-boiled egg, curry chicken balls, and it was all so amazing. Now, I know that non-Asians probably don't want to eat whole anchovies, or possibly any anchovy bits at all. However, they're not seasoned the Italian way, and they're crunchy and tasty and a good source of all those things you'll never get eating red meat. I eat tofu, also, but it's just part of life, and it's good for you. I was surprised that the sauces were a bit sweet, but this was my first experience. I've noticed that some Chinese food tends to be more sweet than Japanese or Korean food is. However, with everything included, the sweet wasn't overwhelming and the anchovies might have neutralized a bit of the sweet. I'd recommend that anyone, within 1500 miles, drive, fly, bike, or otherwise flock to Penang and try anything and everything. I'd love to use the menu as a check list. I can't say that about many places.
(5)
Jenny U.

When I visit here I usually eat my favorites. That is Chicken Hai Nam, Oyster omelet and their famous appetizer that almost everyone has on the table. I'll leave that to your imagination so you can see what Im talking about when you dine here. I tried other dishes here but I can say from my opinion and taste-buds that I only come here for these dishes. Their service is great! Nice clean place with a open kitchen, although a little on the dark side, the lighting I mean.
(4)
Darwin G.

A cool Malaysian place smacked in the middle of Chinatown. Many of the area's restaurants may feel simple, but this is different with its high ceilings and stone covered walls. As for the food, two of us had two appetizers and a curry rice dish, and were still left with enough leftovers for lunch the next time. The roti canai is always mandatory. Good as many places I've been to, though the sauce was a bit thicker and fattier. The chicken curry rice was a different kind of curry, a spicy green curry. A simple dish for those looking for a simple, familiar dish. However, the highlight was the fried squid. Little squid fried and tossed with a sweet and spicy sauce, topped with sesame. I'm surprised that I've never had this before and that this is the first time I've had it. The squid is fried, but still holds a chewiness to it. The salty, sweet, and spicy combination makes the dish addicting. It's huge for an appetizer. I would call it a main dish and it can feed at least 3.
(4)
Janet E.

The last time I went to a Penang was in Boston. So when I came to Chicago, I was so disappointed that the Penang was closed due to a fire. Luckily they had a Penang in Philadelphia so I was reunited with delicious Malaysian food! This restaurant is a chain, but the food is delicious! I cant remember the exact dish that I ordered, but the food had great flavors and not a lot of heat (the appetizer was a curry dip with roti bread). Service was good but hovered a lot. Plus, the restaurant was not full of people but we felt very rushed. They were quick to give us the bill but were not quick in settling the bill. Weird.
(4)
Eugene W.

Was here few weeks ago. We got mango chicken, a Malaysian style veggie like watercress, and roti canal. For dessert we got abc which is a crust ice with red beans, jelly, etc.
(4)
Lucy S.

Not an expansive menu, but for what this restaurant does offer it pulls off with success. Very much recommend the roti chanai.
(4)
Kenny C.

The food here is good and fairly priced. Their Hainan chicken is usually done right. It usually come with different sauce catered to your taste. Their Indian pancake is always hot and fresh, comes very fast for appetizer. Their small soup is $6, and comes in a very large portion. Their mango chicken surprised me a little bit. From my previous experience with mango chicken elsewhere, Penang's was scourging with flavor. It's definitely very flavorful. Their service is usually great even when it's jammed pack. They also accept credit card. Majority of restaurant in Chinatown do cash only. When i'm low on cash, Penang is my number 1 choice to eat.
(4)
Lauren W.

We went into Chinatown last night in the mood for an adventure, and decided to walk into the first restaurant that looked good. Penang was the lucky winner tonight, based on my boyfriend catching a glimpse of the interior and noticing that it had Malaysian cuisine. Something we had never tried before. Adventures! The first thing I enjoyed was the interior and decor. The seating is kind of bi-level, creating almost two separate dining rooms. I loved the windows into the kitchen, decorated in twinkle lights. Reminded me of pictures I've seen of actual Chinese street vendors. Next up was service. Our waitress was awesome! Often times, I haven't received very personable service in Asian restaurants; it tends to be more quiet, fast, and efficient. She was all of these things, but also very nice and helpful. She even brought out two bowls for a soup we ordered, without asking, and ladled it herself so that we could easily share. Finally was the delicious food. We started out with roti, a super thin Indian bread. It was perfectly chewy and slightly crispy, and served with a potato curry sauce that I embarassingly drank to finish it off because it was so good. I ordered the Prawn Mee noodle soup. It had spaghetti-like noodles (tasted homemade!) with a few pieces of shrimp and pork and a slightly bitter green in a rich, spicy broth. For $7.50? This thing was unreal. Delicious and hugely filling for pennies. The boy ordered a seafood seaweed soup, small he said. It came out very fast, was bigger than my face (and I have a large face) and completely loaded up with shrimp and calamari and mushrooms, among other things. He also ordered a noodle dish, and looked similar to a Thai drunken noodle dish. I don't know what it was called, but it delicious as well. Really, does it matter the name? Everything seems to be great here! Food is delicous, prices are super cheap for Philadelphia, and the atmosphere is cool too. Perfecto.
(5)
Jennifer M.

On the original advice of my Chinese file clerk, after hearing my woes of finding great Pad Thai in downtown Philadelphia, she told me to head to Panang. I would have never considered a Malaysian restaurant for my favorite noodle dish. Indeed their Pad Thai is great, and the price is less than $10, which further makes it so addictive. I also love their Chow Kueh Teow and often order both dishes for take-out. I've also been and had some of their more unique dishes, often denoted by "ask your server" on the menu. My boyfiend and I are quite adventurous in our eating styles, so nothing was too scary or weird for us. That said, you really have nothing to fear. My boyfriend enjoyed their curry dishes as his main, and I stuck to my usual. Perhaps its the Leo in me that is quite loyal, but I cannot go to Penang and not have their Pad Thai or Chow Kueh Teow. It is just that good.
(4)
Carol C.

Everything we had at this place was delicious!! We ordered the pancake appetizer, mango chicken, and a stewed beef curry dish that the waiter chose for us. The mango chicken was by far my favorite dish!! freshly cut mango perfectly grilled with chicken. The dish may seem a little pricey, but it's a pretty big plate of food. I would have given this place five stars, but the service was a little slow. by the time our main dishes came out, our appetizers were cold. Still, the food is definitely worth the wait!
(4)
Jay D.

open late, when nearly everything else in chinatown is closed. my server "got" what i meant by vegan without me having to get into a dissertation. and he made a wonderful recommendation for some kind of noodles with vegetables thing. i thanked him by saying "of course" to the question of spicy which turned out to be a wise decision. takeaways: don't eat like an american baby. get it spicy.
(4)
Danny K.

This Malaysian and Thai foods it definitely the most delicious around in Chinatown My family always went there. I love it and the service is great, food also bring out fast too .
(5)
Gopal M.

This place is one of my favorites in China town! The Canai Roti with chicken Curry, that tastes like my Grandma's makes me nostalgic. other Must trys: Satay chicken, Mee siam, Indian Mee gorang Beef Rendang
(5)
Maggie P.

This restaurant was all over the map for me. Here's why; Server would get pretty close to us--in our personal space- and smile a lot. He had very bad teeth. He was also kinda pushy. I'm sure he was just trying to make helpful suggestions, but I didn't like it. After we had our food, and he checked in on us, he was nowhere to be seen for a while. Score a 4, because I think it's only fair to disregard the server's creepy factor. His recommendations were good. Roti and sauce are excellent. Mango chicken a very good dish. We also got a heaping veggie plate that we had never seen on any menu before, Malaysian Budda I think it was called. Also good. The menu isn't just one cuisine (all over the map, see?). Malaysian, Indian, Thai, and Chinese. We were hoping to get a distinct flavor of Malaysian, because Yelp said this place was Malaysian and Thai. Oh well. Dishes were nicely presented. The roti and two dishes with one bowl of rice was more than enough for the two of us. We probably could have just ordered the roti and one dish to keep from wasting food (we did our best). Score 4. Atmosphere is clean, dim, mod. I didn't really notice much cultural decoration. I have no problems with the way this was laid out. Score 4. One thing I love and miss about big city Asian food, a pot of tea immediately shows up on the table. I don't see that happen in SLO, but we only have two Chinese restaurants, and the nostalgia I have for Bay Area Chinese may never allow them to measure up. While I would rather try another place in the future, I wouldn't mind going back if a friend wanted to go.
(4)
Tierra M.

Best wonton mee soup!! The only con is they don't give you your change back, they automatically assume your going to give them all your change. I just think they should ask if you want change back. Other than that everything is great the food is great the atmosphere is great!
(4)
Chantal G.

If your looking for "Americanized" asian food, keep walking. This stuff is authentic, it's spicy, it's friendly, and above all, it's filled with Asians (which is my ultimate barometer). You'll be back....
(4)
Sheldon R.

I don't know why some of the items advise you to ask the waiter first and I don't know how you keep some of the chicken dishes on the menu "room temperature." I don't care. I don't even care that you have to pay separately for rice. Actually that's a travesty- it's 102 in Philadelphia so keep your hot green tea and give me my rice damnit. I crave you Penang for one dish- The Roti. That crispy, chewy, flaky paper thin "bread?" that is then sunk into a dangerously addictive chicken and potato curry stew. By now, the word has spread so half the restaurant will be ripping apart this delight that Emily instinctively compared to the air pockets in the crust of a good pizza. So, so good and I want it now. Why did I only order one for each of us? Am I training for the Olympics?! Fool! P.S. End it with the ABC dessert, the sort of shaved ice - halo halo- hybrid that makes you wish your girlfriend was already full from the roti.
(4)
April L.

Food was alright, but that rude ass lady kicked us out that very moment we all finished our food so she could let other customers in. Because of that, one star for you Penang!!!
(1)
Eevee M.

I've been here a handful of times for the past year, and each time was a good experience. Favorites: Mango Chicken Fried Rice with salted fish Beef Chow Fun Pad Thai Oh, and don't forget to start off the meal with the Roti Canai (Indian pancake) and end it with the fried ice cream! Dee-licious. The first time we dined here, the man who I'm assuming is a manager (he wasn't "serving" anyone per se) stood by our table, asked if everything was all right and engaged us in some friendly conversation. I thought it was a bit creepy at first, but he was so nice and gave us a good impression of the restaurant overall. Definitely recommend.
(5)
Josh T.

Underwhelmed. Shrimp with string beans had barely any spice or flavor. Clay pot chicken was spicy, but one note. Expected more, based on past reviews. Indian pancake appetizer was the most flavorful item we had. Prices high for the quality.
(3)
Lesley L.

Ate here with a group in town for the library conference, and really enjoyed it! Had the chicken with ginger and scallion rice, with veggie spring rolls as an appetizer. The service was really good, especially for a group, and the atmosphere was quite nice. We got there early and didn't have to wait, but it filled up by the time we left. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Sarah F.

Delicious and fast! Came in for a brief work lunch and was highly satisfied with how quickly our food came. I ordered exactly what the server recommended to me: indian pancakes, penang satay chicken and beef skewers, curry me with you tau foo, and the mango chicken. In particular i LOVED LOVED the chicken and beef skewers. The meat was so flavorful but the dipping sauce was to die for! I have never had a peanut sauce so great! The mango chicken was also outrageously good and is served in a carved out mango. Very pretty
(4)
Monica L.

PROS: Consistently good food, decent portions and prices CONS: Tables situated too closely together What Penang does, Penang does well. I always order the Seafood Pad Thai (which I like), but the menu list is enormous. Though, I think the Roti Canai is overrated. See it as a place where you can't really go too terribly wrong with your order.
(4)
Tala T.

Whenever feeling like good Asian food, we head to Philadelphia's Chinatown where the possibilities are endless. From dim sum to korean bbq there is a range of choices to choose from. With friends in town this week, we decided to try Malaysian. Friends had just returned from a two year backpacking journey in Asia including Malaysia and were keen to relive the Malaysian food experience in Philadelphia. There are several Malaysian food restaurants in Chinatown but we chose to go to Penang given the more modern and industrial look of the restaurant. Yes, decor does lure us in sometimes. the restaurant was packed on a wednesday night which is always a good sign of good food to come. And so we left it to our backpacking friends to choose from the endless list of options. As always, the meal started off with two orders of the Roti Canai: delicious crispy layers of bread served alongside a bowl of fragrant yellow curry. This dish proved to me my favorite of the evening. I will be going back just to have their Roti Canai.
(4)
Christine B.

The roti was awesome, but everything else was ok. I had a spicy beef dish with brown rice. It had some good flavor and was cheap, but there wasn't anything particularly special about it. A couple friends got the mango chicken which was enjoyed. Service was fine, but we were a big group squeezed into a small table in the middle of everything which led to a pretty cramped environment.
(3)
Amanda L.

I love Penang! I first visited a Maryland location a year ago and let me say: great food, Fair prices and good portion sizes! The only thing I noticed is when I ordered my favorite dish the spicy crispy squid it was deliciously crispy, and overly sweet. It had no spice! It was almost like a sweet general tsos. It wasn't bad but it wasn't what I ordered or remembered :( I recommend the drinks highly! Litchi drink, watermelon drink, it's all good. I also recommend the flavored rices they're amazing we got the chicken and the coconut. Grab extra to go you'll love it in the morning with your eggs and ham :)
(4)
Brandon H.

Even though Yelp says they don't make reservations, they do. I recommend doing so when in large groups! It's actually a pretty fun environment when you're going with a large group of people. The waiters try to be really accommodating but they often times rush you to place your order, pay your bill, etc. The food is pretty good. Like I said, it's a great place to go in large groups and do family style. It's a pretty overwhelming menu so everyone is likely to find something that they'll enjoy. The food is reasonably priced and it is served particularly quickly, which is nice. Although the outside looks a little sketch, they have a decent set-up inside. It's by no means a luxurious destination, but it is much nicer than you would think from the outside. It's hard to describe a mood because the place gets pretty loud. I think it's more of a place to go to when you just want to have a fun (and slightly rowdy) time with your friends.
(3)
Mariella Z.

My brother and I really enjoyed this place for lunch on our first trip to Philly's Chinatown. Try their Malaysian Iced Tea- it's delicious! Good service too. It gets busy since it's right in the heart of Chinatown, but we didn't have to wait to be seated and were not rushed to leave either. Definitely would recommend this place to others.
(5)
Jenn P.

Ordered the Penang Poh Piah for appetizer to split with a friend and then the Green Nasi Lemak (Coconut fried rice with shrimp) for my main dish -- AMAZING. Hands down the best fried rice dish I've had EVER. Pretty friendly and attentive wait staff, despite how crazy busy it was while I was there. If my second trip there, and I WILL be going back, is as good as the first time it will totally get five stars easy.
(4)
Matthew L.

Roti! Malaysian spare ribs! Open late-ish! 3 stars. One of the better roti options I've had in Philly. Comes with a chicken and potato stew/dip which I'd like to try to order as a platter some day. The spare ribs are fried and delicious, though I believe they've been reducing the portion size over the years. So sad. The other food is fine and the service has always been nice to me. Prices are a smidge on the higher side for Chinatown but nothing ridiculous. No big complaints. Decent food and service. Why not? Cheers.
(3)
Christina W.

I was fairly disappointed with my experience here. The roti canai is honestly better at Banana Leaf. I ordered the mango chicken based on Yelp reviews and I thought it was pretty sour, possibly because it's out of season but in any case, it was subpar in flavor and overpriced. The Nasi Lemak, coconut rice with some side dishes, was tasty, especially the spicy anchovies. Service was good and very fast--the waiter we had gave very honest recommendations which was helpful. Perhaps if I had asked his opinion on the mango chicken, I wouldn't have ordered it...
(2)
Lianna N.

I take it back. I went again and Won Ton Min WAS ON THE MENU. LOL!! joke's on me. Same great service, and consistency in the food. Great job Penang. I saw a Cherry Hilll location recently. Wonder if it's the same food and service? It didn't quite seem to have the same decor and vibe as the philly one, although I realize it is a chain.
(4)
Ellen T.

I'm a usual here and it's always good. I always start off with the pancake and curry and then spicy Thai chicken which is a lot spicier than you would think. My family usually opts in for a Chinese inspired entree. Try the sizzling platters or the spicy thai chicken. Both are AMAZING!
(4)
Alex X.

I came here for my birthday before. It was delicious. Some of the dishes similar to the food my mom or cousin in law cooks at home. Lucky me! Haha. Exception the ingredients in the food have a higher intensity in flavors and leaning more toward Thai/Malaysian ingredients than Cambodian, but it is still a mesh of both culture's foods. This range of thai, malaysian, cambodian, chinese, and indian all into one restaurant makes for the choices for those who may want familiarity with one culture's food or another. Can not wait to come back. I do miss you Penang- it has been a while! You still look delish!!! My favorite: the open windows dining in the summers evenings. I love that style.
(5)
Kristin W.

I gave the Philly location of this chain a chance for dinner. Service was a little slow (we had a lot of waitstaff milling around us, but no one took care of us unless directly asked), but larger portions were worth waiting for - 3 entrees dishes would have been more than enough for the 4 of us. I tried the Indian Mee Goreng with beef substituted for shrimp and enjoyed the wok-y flavor and the super-tender beef. Get a table near the kitchen to see one guy swing dough around his head endlessly to make the thin, light Roti bread (which is a pretty good appetizer option).
(3)
Nicole L.

I used to love coming to Penang and had not visit Philly in a long time. It was nice to see that Penang was still operating. We had a quick lunch there it was quiet in the restaurant we took a table right by the kitchen, it was interesting to see that the entire kitchen was operated by non-Asians. They were hard at work grilling satays and making rotis. The chicken satays and shrimp noodle soups were good it hit the spot.
(3)
Yiwen S.

i have sorta mixed feelings about penang. the service weirded me out a bit. we must've had 4 different waiters stop by our table in the first 5 minutes after sitting down to try to get our orders. hold your horses, people! and one of the waiters just came up to our table and stared at us for a while before speaking. ummm.. creepy. but anyways, penang definitely has a flair for southeast asian cuisine. i came with my friend for an early dinner one weekend and we decided to split two dishes: the green curry chicken in a clay pot (casserole) and the shrimp with string beans malaysian style. with two bowls of rice, of course. the string beans dish was awesome. i love when dishes are spiced just perfectly, and this one in particular reminded me of home and all the good restaurants in socal. i was less impressed with the green curry chicken casserole. it was a bit watered down for my taste and as a result, not as spicy. i've definitely had better before. but overall, not a bad experience. 3.5 stars, rounding up.
(4)
Devin D.

Penang is great for casual cheap eats. Lots of great dishes both malaysian and other aysian haha. I've never had a bad dish, so I think that speaks for itself. Salt baked fish, nasi lemak, roti canai, mee siam to name a few. No matter how crowded this place is, you will always get your food exactly FIVE minutes after you order it (try it, seriously). However, service refilling your tea pot is much to be desired :-\ I do enjoy me tea, and that is enough to remove one star. But otherwise, high praise for Penang.
(4)
Vivian L.

Recently discovered this place with my coworker on a busy Friday night. The service was very attentive and the waiter come right at our table making suggestions on the menu. The Roti Canai was an eye opener when we first tried it. The Mango Chicken was a bit too sour. Overall the food gives us a taste of Malaysian food that we rarely had before.
(4)
Frank H.

I have eaten hear three times in the last three years, and this time was my last. The food was bland. The manager hovered over us as we were looking at menus suggesting appetizers and entrees, to the point of turning the pages himself and pointing them out. Very annoying.
(2)
Chris C.

After living here 8 years and walking past it about 100 times, I decided to give Penang a try. Verdict? Totally underwhelmed. 4 stars? No way. I ordered the shrimp puffs as an appetizer. They were basically minced shrimp wrapped in a kind of cured ham (ok, so they call it bacon...not the worst crime), and then deep-fried. Tasty enough and thankfully not greasy, but they give you a small bowl of mayonnaise for dipping. Yes, mayonnaise. Not like some exotic aioli or remoulade...it was like 3 tablespoons of straight-up Hellmann's scooped into a bowl. Artery-clogging properties aside, this dish was average at best. On to the the main dish, which was Cantonese-style chow fun. The dish consisted of broad noodles swimming in a large bowl of "brown sauce"...you know that kind of generic, soy sauce-based, slightly gelatinous stuff you find in most Chinese restaurants. Swimming nearby were chewy squid, tough chicken with a slightly gamey taste (or was that pork? the menu didn't mention it), uncleaned shrimp with the black veins intact, and some type of bitter greens. True I didn't order Malaysian specialties which might have been a better option, but overall it was a disappointing meal. The icing on the cake was when the server brought back the check after running my credit card, and explained how she "accidentally" entered .01 as the tip because her finger slipped. Harmless enough right? It's only a penny. Except that she effectively left me no ability to add the tip to my credit card. I didn't buy for one second that this was accidental. Luckily I had cash for the tip. I guess that worked, huh? I wasn't about to quibble. I just wanted out at that point. I took 1/2 my meal with me in a doggie bag, which I left at the nearest bus stop for someone less fortunate who might need something to eat. Definitely not on my list going forward.
(2)
Jonny D.

Their Roti Kanai isn't as good as that at Banana Leaf, but we had a fantastic time here. We started with an oyster omelette (served with a perfectly, absurdly complementary jelly/sauce) which was absolutely wonderful and was nearly a meal in itself. The lady had pork belly with dried vegetables and brown sauce and it was fabulous--the pork belly had quivering, creamy fat to go with the tender, juicy meat. Decadent and the flavor was wonderful. I had the asam laksa, the fish noodle soup, and it was extremely fishy with a healthy kick of spice and some tasty noodles in the mix. I approved. We split an order of mango tofu which was probably my favorite portion of the meal apart from the omelette. Chunks of mango and bell pepper in a sweet-and-sour-ish sauce sat atop a bed of shredded carrot and jicama, dotted here and there with tofu deep-fried to perfection. The price was great--our meal, which should have been enough for three, still came in at less than $50, and we had plenty of leftovers despite our beastly hunger. Service was great too--our table was visited frequently by unobtrusive servers. Overall, a fantastic experience. It's a worthy competitor to Banana Leaf and the two are among my very favorite restaurants in the city.
(5)
Erin D.

Amazing. I came here for dinner about a week ago and could not believe how good it was. I started with wonton soup and was very impressed. The won tons were cooked to perfection and were mouth watering. For my main course, I got the malaysian Buddha's feast and was again very happy. The service was very fast and friendly, we got a table immediately. I also love how you get a fresh orange after your meal, how refreshing! I would come back here any time!
(4)
DivZ G.

I Love love love this place absolutely. My friends live in PA and this has been one of the places we always went without fail. The quality and taste of the food never seem to change. If you go, do not forget to have the Red Snappper with Okra fish dish (though expensive its worth it..:) )..also do not eat anything before you go so you can finish the savor it completelyt ..;).. also you can order the coconut for drinks, pretty yummmmy it is!! and obviously roto chanai for apetizer.. its a place you can go anytime for lunch and dinner, no restrictions for any serving...if you are in phily..get to penang..:) I already can feel the taste..:) Ambience- casual,dressy for dinner i guess. Parking is pretty difficult as expected this is in china town in philly and price range is reasonable, the fish dish is expensive as it should be i would say.
(5)
Joanne T.

I've been dining here since god knows when, I guess a review is overdue. This place is cheap, has fast service, and get the job done. You will not be disappointed ever! It's great for party of one to party of many. The must haves from this place is as follows: roti canai (pancake appetizer), crispy squid, chicken rice, beef chow fun, salted fish fried rice, kang kung belacan, mee siam, clams with black bean, and sometimes the deep fried fish dishes. A combination of one or two of the previously listed dishes are usually what is ordered every time this place is visited. Last time I came here we were so hungry. As soon as we sat down, we placed our order, no menus necessary. They really have a great wait staff who are quick and efficient. When in doubt in chinatown, here's your go to.
(5)
Nick V.

This is truly one of favorite restaurants in Philly. I recently moved to a different state. This is one of the few places I miss. Great food at very reasonable prices.
(5)
Sam B.

The service is strange. Multiple waiters asked us for our order multiple times, just minutes apart. The main waiter was incessant in his frequency. While they asked us multiple times for appetizers, they didn't bring us waters and I practically had to hunt them down to get myself another beer. The food is pretty good but I won't come back.
(2)
Namir S.

Love this place! Red curry, mango chicken, pad thai, and mee goreng are all good. Roti for appetizers is good - the dipping sauce is even better! And the price is not bad at all considering the good food.
(4)
Ceasar B.

Food is cheap and tasty (though more expensive options are available depending on your goals), decor is intimate and interesting, service is fantastic (+1 for serving tea as soon as you're seated). Nothing not to like. Specifically, I got to try the Indian pancake, which was really tasty. It's basically just fried dough and it comes with a kind of dipping sauce. Awkward to eat though given that one cannot cut with chopsticks and it's kind of greasy. Still, a decent deal at $4. For my main meal, I got fried noodles and chicken in some kind of coconut based broth. Was very tasty-- I wish I came hungrier. PS: @PenangManagement, The Christmas decoration are out of place and should go away.
(4)
Enid C.

Penang is exactly like Banana Leaf except it doesn't have the Thai Basil Noodle, the dÃ©cor is slightly different, and for some reason I just like Banana Leaf better. In general, the same things will be good at both locations (Mee Siam, Prawn Mee, Hainanese chicken, Roti Canai, etc.). And in general, the same shortcomings are also true of both locations (service, accommodating customers' requests, typos in the menu). But the other day I experienced something at Penang that I have never, ever seen at Banana Leaf (as of yet). It was the peak of lunch hour. Tables were full, kitchen doors were constantly swinging open, conversations were at a gentle roar. Suddenly, an eerie silence swept over the dining room. The air was tense - something epic was in the making. The silence was abruptly broken with a blast of cheery instrumentals from the overhead speakers. Two waitresses entered the scene beaming, each bearing a tray of candle-lit cupcakes, gracefully delivering them to the customer of honor. The recorded instrumental intro is finished, and we hear on the audio track what sounded like the entire staff of Penang blaring their song: "Happy birsday to you, happy birsday to you!!..." That's right, the audio recording said "birsday." Every single time. It killed me. Aaand...I think I've found my new go-to place for taking my friends out to birthday (birsday?) lunch!
(4)
Cat P.

I've spent a considerable amount of time living in/traveling through Asia, so I'm always on the lookout for some quality Asian fare. Enter Penang. We stopped by here after a bubble tea crawl through Chinatown and the memories came right back. The tofu satay was the perfect blend of spicy and sweet flavors. The mango chicken was mouthwatering and it beautifully prepared. It came out inside the mango shell, surrounded by flowers. The pork with dried vegetables should be illegal and our rice dishes were steamed to perfection. The waiter was friendly and was able to make wonderful recommendations. We definitely had enough to take home and I'm already looking forward to eating the leftovers tomorrow. There are questionable restaurants throughout our area, but this definitely isn't one of them. Penang is a must for anyone visiting Chinatown!
(5)
Eileen S.

Penang has been and continues to be a Philly fave for me, countless visits over the years and the food has been consistently good. Recommend: roti canai, hainanese chicken, chow kueh teow, kang kung belacan, coconut rice, ice kechung (aka ABC ice), ...
(4)
Celic M.

I have been coming here for over 10 years. The food is tasty and my suggestions are: roti canai (curry and pancake); haianese chicken rice comes with one bowl of rice, seasoned and soy?sauce chicken with cucumbers. (If you're not into salty foods, I would probably advise against it) -- the chicken is very delicate and cooked well; giant prawns (a bit on the expensive side, but well worth it); pad thai or chow kuew teow (they are very similarly made, so don't bother getting both in one sitting).
(4)
Jeswin J.

Great for large groups. Our waitress was very friendly and provided excellent recommendations for my group of friends. I ordered the chicken satay and it tasted delicious! The Pad Thai was delicious as well.
(4)
Steve C.

Ok, so to really get an idea of how my experience went I figured I'd let you know I'm writing this review from the toilet.....I'm here because of the "wonderful" meal I had. So let's set the scene. A server who rushed us through our meal... How so you may ask? Well we read the menu for about 30 seconds and she came and asked if we were ready to order... At this point I'm ok, thinking she is just attentive, it wasn't till she returned about a minute later with our heads buried in the menus asking again if we were ready. Now I'm mildly perturbed. My fiancÃ© ordered some shrimp appetizer to make her go away for a while. We ordered on her next pass... We chose seafood fried rice, spare ribs and beef chow fun. Yes I decided to play it safe at this point. Well to cover the food (besides my toilet comment), the chow fun was no fun at all. The beef was chewy, kinda made me think "I wonder if this is what a sneaker tastes like?". The noodles just tasted large pieces of greasy fat, so much so I had ask my fiancÃ© what they were and she do course replied "they are noodles dear". The fried rice was ok but a bit tasteless, and the shrimp still had the tail shell which I just find annoying. If anything ever screamed "help drown me in duck sauce" it was their fried rice. Finally the spare ribs were much like the fried rice, ok but without flavor, they came with a dipping sauce which added a slight tinge of flavor. Oh and let's not forget the classy can of coke we were given as a drink when we ordered soda...really, they can't spring for bottle if they can't be bothered having a soda fountain installed lol. Last but not least, the spare ribs came out about 10 minutes after the other two dishes (we can see the kitchen is as great as our server), and of course abut 5 minutes after serving us the spare ribs we were asked if we were done... I blame myself actually.. I dared take 30 seconds to have a conversation with my fiancÃ©, I gues if I'm not shoveling food in my mouth constantly that's a sign I'm finished lol. Well some others rated this place very highly so maybe we caught them on a bad night, a night where they ran out of flavoring and replaced in with a laxative??
(2)
Yo J.

I honestly go here only when I want to eat "Indian pancake" Other food they have here are so and so nothing too exemplary to really go back for.
(3)
Jan L.

Even though I believe it is the same owner as banana leaf, I like penang much better. Their food is pretty good and the waitresses are nice. This place can get pretty busy. But it's a must try!
(4)
Amy C.

Penang franchise locations are either a hit or miss. This one was a hit! The roti canai could have been more flavorful, but I don't like it when it's too spicy either so this mild version was more to my liking. I strayed from my usual sizzling chicken platter so I could try the ginger duck noodles in soy sauce. I made the right choice because I absolutely loved the dish. The duck was overcooked, but the noodles were perfection. The proportion was enough for two people, but I ate most of it which resulted in no room for dessert. I was disappointed on missing out on the peanut pancake, but that itself is a meal on its own.
(4)
Zack T.

Asam laksa must try, prawn mee delicious, rojak not bad, and so on. If you want to add extra sauce please ask the server such as har kao, sambal belacan, chinese wine.
(5)
Joe M.

Penang is a five-star restaurant for three reasons: 1. EXCELLENT, helpful and attentive staff! Everyone was friendly and very helpful. The waitress that took our order was great. She explained the options for the food we were ordering and suggested smaller, single-person portions that were CHEAPER. 2. The food. Normally, I rank this first, but I wanted to call out the excellent service. The Curry Chicken I had was excellent and my wife's pad Thai was enough for a small family by itself! Everything was excellent! 3. Price. We had one Tsing Tao, two appetizers (which were AWESOME), and two entrees. I quizzed my wife and she said $50 easily. Nope. Would you believe $34! This place was the trifecta restaurant - service, food and price all in one. If you like Asian cuisine, or want to try it, and are in Philly and you can get to this restaurant, I say it's worth WHATEVER your drive would be to get there!
(5)
Weijia L.

Went there with a bunch of friends. The pancake (the thick one) impressed me. It's a combo of Chinese-style pancake with egg and chopped onion, paired up with a bowl of curry. String beans with shrimp was also nice. The mango chicken was beautifully prepared (that's for sure) but it's like sweet-and-sour chicken. Personally I think it was over seasoned with the red sauce. It's very dark inside. I know restaurants here in the U.S. prefer dim light but IMO, that's for fine-dining or hip/trendy places. Penang should be brighter and heartier.
(3)
Dustin W.

Extensive menu and great Malay food. There is definietely a shortage of Malaysian restaurants.
(4)
Sammy C.

Went here late night with some co workers after a busy day. after 10 pm. 1. Waiter was annoyed that we ordered a bunch of appetizers and only 2 small entrees. ok, he didnt say anything, but he made a face, and walked away. (our bill came out to 33 bucks for 4 people). he did not smile once during the whole time we gave our order. 2. The roti with the chicken curry (2 orders) came out, food was good, but one person in our dining party asked from some sriracha, and the same waiter who was annoyed with our small order rolled his eyes as if the sriracha request was a major imposition, but he brought it over. 3. When i ordered our food, i asked for the peanut pancake dessert at the time of ordering, because I know it takes a long time. 4. our waiter disappears after another waiter delivers our entrees , and never came back to our table. 5. as we were done with our apps and main course, i asked, where our peanut pancake was. everyone looked confused , and they told me it was never entered on the initial order. So, i told them to forget about it. I didnt want to wait another 15 minutes. If you are annoyed that our order was small, then you forget to put a dessert on the order? thats not my problem. if you want more revenue for your company, then don't forget to put the whole order in. then you will get more tips i think it would have added another 7 bucks to the bill... Then while other customers are walking out our waiter was all of a sudden friendly and cheery to others? Dude, either learn how to smile and suck it up, or get another job, preferably not in the hospitality industry, in any case, probably wont go back and spend my hard earned money here, when there are other places in Ctown where the waiters want to work hard and care about customers...
(1)
Grace Joy P.

Very accommodating! I say this because I ate here last week, which was not to long ago, for a friend's birthday. There were about 7 of us, total. I called twice to change the reservation time, and they were very polite about it. We were worried about not being able to eat here because we found out one of my friends has a peanut allergy. Knowing the way Asian restaurants work, a lot of them use peanut oil or peanut products in their food. Three people that worked there came up to our table to listen to our orders to make sure that they got it right, and to omit any peanuts in the dishes. I believe one of them might have been the manager. If that isn't good service, I don't know what is! We ordered the roti canai (indian pancake), shrimp puff, young chow fried rice, hainanese chicken, sizzling beef, shrimp pad thai, deep fried shrimp with ginger soy sauce. The roti is probably their most famous dish. Once you try it you'll know why. As soon as we sat down I asked if we could order an appetizer to start (since everyone was hungry and it was already 8pm). She asked if I wanted roti and how many, before I could even ask what I wanted. How'd she know? Two please! The shrimp puff was so delicious! I'm warning you though to let it sit for a bit and give it 5 minutes. It is served HOT and WILL burn your tongue. The sauces tend to squirt out into your mouth as soon as you bite into it, which is no fun when it's extremely hot! Wait it out and you'll thank me later. The sauce was a nice touch to the shrimp puff. Very cohesive appetizer. You should definitely try this one. Fried rice was average, as any Asian restaurant's fried rice is. Hainanese chicken was very different ... never had anything like it. It's completely baked but served at room temperate so it gives off the feeling that it's being served "cold". It's actually pretty good with the soy sauce (which is served under the chicken) if you can get over the way it looks and the cold texture. We we're actually served a piece that was still blue and looked like a cyanotic chicken extremity which turned me off completely, even being in the medical field. Shivers. We decided just to set it aside and remove it so we wouldn't have to look at it anymore. The sizzling beef was absolutely.. FORGETTABLE. Do not get this dish. It lacked flavor, and did not come out sizzling. Womp, womp. The pad thai is also just an average dish. Nothing too special going on, probably would not get it again since I could get better pad thai elsewhere. Now I saved the best part for last.. the deep fried fish! It normally comes with other sauces, but we requested to do a simple ginger and soy sauce. This is the best fried fish, ever! We all couldn't get our hands off it and fought for the last morsel! Main reason it was so good was because it was so crispy! Good to share due to it's size. Fairly big. I would totally go back for this. Parking could be difficult during the weekend due to it's location, so try an odd weeknight. Like say, a thursday.
(4)
Jen S.

I love it here. The ambiance is perfect, and you get a great amount of food for the price that you pay. This is a great place for a date and for large groups of friends. It's one of my go-to restaurants in Philly.
(5)
John B.

Great Malaysian food....especially the Mango Shrimp. Even tried the Fish Head Soup!
(5)
Alisa C.

*NOTE: This review is solely about one take-out item...but it was delicious!* We ordered the Hu Nan chicken home and it was GREAT!! It reminds me of some street food that I would always eat in Thailand. I know this is a Malaysian restaurant, but the spices and flavoring of the sauce tasted of pure Thailand to me! Hu Nan chicken is pretty much soy sauce chicken served over a bed of rice that comes with some sweet soy sauce and this orange, spicy sauce. It is DELICIOUS when you combine the 2 sauces together over your chicken for that perfect tangy, spicy flavor. Now I want to come back and try some of their other dishes as well! Pros: - Delicious food that tasted pretty authentic to me! - Very quick about their take out orders Cons: - Impossible to find parking outside of Penang! It's really tough to pick up food from here as well Why I gave it a 4..... Penang offers great food that has authentic flavors. I only ordered take out here but now I want to dine here and enjoy the ambience because it looks really nice from the outside! I took a star away because it's so difficult to find parking around this place and I just don't want to completely judge it based off of one dish.
(4)
Regina F.

If you ever want to stuff your face with tons of Asian food that isn't overly spiced - unless so requested - come to Penang. The menu is forever long, so you'll definitely find something you like, whether it's fried pork intestines or simple mango chicken curry. Start your meal off with the Indian bread dish. The bread is thin and doughy and perfectly pipping. Sharing is allowed, and probably preferred, but you best just grab the whole thing and shove it in your mouth before anybody else can experience the doughy indulgence. (The bone sauce it's served with is okay - mostly it just tastes like marrow soup...if I knew what marrow soup tasted like.)
(4)
Jason G.

Mee siam was very good. Such kind and friendly service! Appetizer, two entrees and a drink came to $27! Definitely will be back!
(5)
Stephanie Y.

I always start with the roti when I get seated here. The food is generally pretty good. I think they're a bit overpriced, but there isn't a place like this close by. The laksa soup noodle is a-ok. It was pretty flavorless when I had it. The hainanese chicken is usually good paired with the chicken rice. I do enjoy the mango chicken a lot. The crunchiness and sweetness of the mango seems to go great with the chicken even though I do not like cooked fruits. My friends enjoy the pineapple fried rice. They also like the spare ribs, but it was a bit tough for me. I like the ribs falling off the bones.
(4)
Stephen H.

Good food. Not the best I've ever had, but wasn't anything to turn my nose too. If I go back, I definitely have the pancake again!
(3)
Jessica S.

best asian food place in town. I had to visit philadelphia for 5 days, and i came here more than 6 times to get my food. Their prices are very cheap compared to the food they serve. I dont know what else to say, because i was there last year and i dont remember too much. I tried more than half of their appetizers, and they were all very great.
(5)
Adrian B.

Good authentic Malaysian. Wouldn't bother with the mango shrimp next time - just a lot of mango that would be so much sweeter if it was in Malaysia. The prices are higher than in the menu on the website. Roti Cannai is awesome - a good enough reason on its own to go here. Must say it is hard to choose between this place and the Banana Leaf - maybe whichever is closer to where you park?
(4)
Maricris D.

Dangit I can't remember everything we ordered! Well the important part is that we ordered about six dishes and everything was so delicious! My fave was the fried skreet....haha jk....fried squid. I couldn't understand the waiter very well and bless him for suggesting the dishes. We just kept saying yes. He left and I asked, "what's fried skreet?" No one knew but we were all curious...just to find out he meant fried squid ok. Good thing we just said yes! It was one if my faves after the roti. Mmmmm. Roti.
(4)
Hoa T.

After a long night of class, I was so hungry that my stomach was about to jump out of my body to find its own food. Thank god Penang was there to satisfy the little man in my stomach. We had the Roti Canai (Indian Pancake), crispy pork intestine, seafood with crispy noodle, hainanese chicken with rice, and hot and spicy crab. The roti canai was awesome, I could have eaten that all day. The pork intestine was interesting, the sauce really carried it home for me. The seafood with crispy noodle was the least favorite of all the dishes for me. The sauce that they put on there was pretty bland. The chicken was surprisingly good, whatever sauce that was again made the dish. The hot and spicy crab was flavorful and delicious. What is it about eating something so messy making it so freaking good. I wish it was more spicy though. Our waiter was a little weird. I totally understand that there are some weird stuff on the menu that someone who may not know should be warned about. However, there were two Asian people in our group of three, so we know what we were doing. It was really bizarre that he would second guessed practically everything we ordered. Oh well, the food was good so I can't complain that much.
(4)
Polina P.

I came in with a group of friends over the weekend. By the way, they stay open when there is a crowd inside even when they are supposed to close. I admit although it is very difficult to choose one restaurant over another in Chinatown, this one was inviting. I never tried mango salad before and seeing this on the menu outside invited me in. Thai mango salad is quite tasty! The chili dressing spiced it up so I ordered lychee drink to cool myself down. I saw the cooks work fast in the front of the restaurant so I felt convinced I was eating high quality food. Overall, we had a good time and I would definitely return.
(4)
Ming T.

The Kang Kung belacan and Roti Canal were superb! The deep fried Mango fish was a bit sweet for my taste but my friend's loved it. Friendly service and nice ambiance. I will be back.
(4)
Patrick S.

Dinner here last night was excellent. Our server answered and explained the menu to us very well. If you go here you must order the fish head casserole. AMAZING!!
(4)
Allison B.

My first experience eating Malaysian food! I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but I was very pleasantly surprised to find that it's kind of a Thai/Indian hybrid. The roti canai was delicious, just like everyone said! A flat, thin pancake served with a bowl of sweet curry. My only complaint? Too much curry, not enough pancake. There is simply no way one pancake could soak up all that good stuff, unfortunately. I tried the tofu satay on the suggestion of other Yelpers, but I was a little disappointed. Over-fried tofu shells left me crunching in a weird, dry way and the stuffing of bean sprouts, cucumber and peanut sauce was not that flavorful. Entrees were huge and shared among the table. I sampled the mango tofu (perfect, amazing, probably not authentic) and veggie/tofu curry in clay pot (great mix of vegetables and the curry was reminiscent of a thai massaman). My only real gripe with Penang? The overly obnoxious "birthday song," which blares blurrily from a stereo and lasts a little bit too long. We heard it THREE TIMES in the two hours we were there last Saturday night. Distracting.
(4)
Travis L.

A real gem in Chinatown that is spacious and comfortable. Very inviting decor and great for family dining. Very authentic Malaysian flavors with diverse menu items. The food: 1. Hainan chicken - tender and flavorful. Of course, get the flavored rice to go with it, but its very well-seasoned and they give just the right amount of soy sauce. Well-prepared and memorable. 2. Roti Canai - simple yet always well done. Flaky, peel-away Indian flatbread with a bowl of lentil curry. Perfect appetizer. 3. Japanese style teppan tofu - unexpectedly good. Very soft tofu with an agedashi-esque fried outer layer topped with a thick, savory sauce with peppers. Colorful and great with rice. 4. sizzling pepper beef - decent, but the beef is a little over done. 5. coconut shrimp - really large batter-fried prawns with fried coconut on top. To die for. 6. Nam Yu Spareribs - Some of the best red beancurd fried ribs I've had in a long time. Crispy and flavorful, but a tad difficult to eat because of the size and the nature of the meat. Be prepared to take a hard bite and chew! Really worth coming back to.
(4)
Richard K.

Finding a parking spot's a b*tch but well worth the hassle. The roti canai, mee siam, and clay pot noodle soup are among my favorites. They even take credit card now. What more can you ask for? Oh, yea a parking space....
(5)
Alison S.

I always love coming here. They have delicious appetizers (the Roti is amazing)! I think what I usually get for the meal is Mee-sium, which is always good too. One of the few Malaysian places that I've seen around too.
(5)
Lidan L.

Have been this place too many times. Love their Indian bread and Hainan Chicken. The dining environment is great and the waiters are very nice. Tried their special Malaysian salad (called loya? MAYBE) which is one of the most weird taste I've ever had. However, some of my friends like that taste.
(5)
Thao N.

OK, this review may be biased, but dude.. come on. My two girlfriends and I only stopped by because we wanted the fried ice cream dessert.... and that was the only thing we intended to order. We originally planned to go to Banana Leaf, but it was cooold, we were tired, and that was a long walk away. We had dinner at a spanish place and they definitely didn't have fried ice cream on the menu! No shame, no shame. When we entered the restaurant, we were warmly greeted by the host and seated by a waiter. It was all smiles, rainbows and ponies... until the waiter took our order. "Can we get the fried icecream?" "How many?" "Just one" (hide our faces in shame) After (or maybe during the moment) we received our dessert, service went awry. I'm glad we only ordered one serving of fried icecream.. because it was not good at all. The jam (I didn't even know they used jam in fried ice cream?) was sour and the batter left a strange residue/after taste. Maybe they prepared a "special" sauce just for us because we were cheapos who only ordered one serving of dessert. *shrugs* I don't know. We finished our dessert promptly. We weren't rude, we weren't loud, nor were we obnoxious. But it was obvious that we were unwanted... they were in such a rush to hand us the bill and give us the boot. When we were looking over the bill and had cash in our hands, the waiter was in a hurry to ask us if we were done. Well dayumn? It wasn't like people were waiting to get a table.. it wasn't even close to closing time, either. They were lucky that we gave them tip.. One order of dessert or not, business is business.. and Penang disappointed me tonight. -3 stars because of the service and the questionable fried icecream.. +2 because i know their curry and veggie dishes are not bad, especially the roti canai.
(2)
Basant N.

Three words. Roti, Roti, Roti! Penang is a top Malaysian restaurant among many restaurants in Chinatown. It's location is optimal for passerby's who want to try something new. It has a relaxed atmosphere with a "rushed" twist, mainly because there are always customers ready to indulge. The reason I started out with the word Roti is because its a must have at Penang. One of their top selling appetizers, Roti is light crunchy crepe-like bread that is served with this amazing creamy curry. No matter how many times you get it when you go to Penang, you never get bored. As for the other dishes, you can't go wrong getting their chicken curry, meesiam, crispy seafood noodles. Their dishes are full of life and flavor and they keep you coming back for more!
(4)
Stephanie S.

Their roti canai, beef satay, rendang, pad thai and fried ice cream are delicious. The ambiance is great and the staff are helpful. It does get really packed when it's busy hour but Penang is my go-to Malaysian place in Chinatown.
(4)
Nicole L.

Cheap but good
(4)
Joyce T.

Food is satisfyingly good, comes in good portions and served quick. I ate here several years ago and now I come back and food is still good. The ambience of this restaurant is great. My folks were happy that I took them here. Will definitely come back.
(4)
Bryan P.

Consistent and delicious. Love this establishment. It served as the place that my partner and I spent many a dinners when we first met and it's great to know that it is still serving the same great food. Roti Canai forever!
(5)
Melissa W.

I've been to Penangs from Jersey to California, and they're all pretty much the same. Roti canai, the old standby, is just as good here as anywhere else. However, the satay tofu was a bland mess. I love satay tofu when it's done right, but I have yet to find a place in Philly that does it right. The Hainanese chicken was good (half a chicken is more than enough for two people), and the tiny tentacles of the crispy spicy squid were uniquely crunchy and tangy. They could serve this stuff packaged as delicious junk food from a vending machine. Your average Malaysian place, though not too shabby. Maybe 3.5 stars.
(3)
Darren R.

Decided to try this place out instead of my usual Philly staple on Arch Street: Cali Pho. I ordered way more than I could eat because I really wanted to try something new. Frog is on the menu by the way, but I chose two fantastic appetizers: Baby Oyster Omelet and Squid with watercress. Fantastically delicious and the serving was big enough to be a meal. The problem for me came with my entree: Java Mee, a soup with shrimp, shrimp cakes and noodles. It was so thick with sauce it was more like a stew and then the tomato sauce (it was mostly red) was so over-whelming I really couldn't decipher the taste of the soup or it's ingredients. A real shame, and a real let down after the great appetizers. I would still recommend the place, as it was clean, service was good, and food brought out quickly. Lost a star for the bad soup though. However, I plan a second visit to try their pancakes which I saw being made and it looked like a fun tasty dish. A lot of their dishes are definitely visually very appetizing.
(4)
Mimi L.

The food here is always good. I frequent this place in the past and it has not changed at all. Food quality was great then and still today. My fave is the Indian Pancake with Curry Chicken. Entrees changes for me depending on what I am craving. The service was also really good. I couldn't have asked for anything more. So, its a must go to place and eat.
(5)
Fallon R.

Penang was great! I tried this restaurant in lieu of Banana Leaf which has disappointed me with their lack of quality. Penang is just as busy as Banana Leaf, but they have their act together both with service and quality of food. My boyfriend and I ordered the SPRING ROLLS (not fried) and the CHICKEN SATAY for an appetizer. The spring rolls were average. The satay came out of the kitchen steaming hot and was served with red onions and cucumbers which were a nice cooling compliment. We split the MANGO CHICKEN which came out in a mango shell and was flavored perfectly. The chicken was succulent and the mangoes were fresh. This is definitely a sweet tasting dish, so if you prefer spicy, I would not recommend it. Also, it did not comes with rice, so make sure you order rice on the side (I'd recommend the coconut rice with this dish.) Server was not over the top friendly, but efficient and tended to our table intermittently throughout our meal. The bill was around $40 with tip, just perfect for two people.
(4)
Corinne M.

Hands down a favorite of mine. Been going here for years, to the point where most of the staff knows us. Have yet to have anything on the menu that I didn't love, but especially love Beef Rendang, Crispy Spicy Squid (although they haven't had it when I have been there for the past 6 months), Indian pancakes, and the shrimp puffs. We have parties here (have accommodated us for parties as large as 35 people), dinner dates, and late night meals when we don't have the kids. LOVE Penang!
(4)
Adam F.

Penang and Banana Leaf are like the Pats and Genos of BYOB Malaysian restaurants in Philly. The differences are subtle and largely unnoticeable. They are a BYOB and are open late (til Midnight). So it's a great place to have dinner and pre-game before going out. Plus they take credit card. Plus the food is awesome. What more can you want? Came here with a group of 4. Food was great for sharing. We went with the cant-miss dishes: - Roti Canai - Chicken Satay - Beef Rendang - Mango Chicken I need to explore their menu a bit more -- the table next to us ordered a whole fish boiled in a hot pot that looked awesome.
(5)
Jimmy A.

Been here countless times and i always leave satisfied...great curry dishes and great apps!!
(4)
Katie L.

While on vacation i stayed near China Town in Philly and had NO idea where to eat. I saw this place was rated high so I had to try it. I looked at other people's comments about certain recommended food like the "Mango Chicken" and ordered that. It was good, but i was slightly disappointed because the sauce seemed like it was just sweet and sour sauce with ketchup. Ketchup!?! So besides the Mango Chicken I LOVED everything else. The spring rolls (PENANG POH PIAH) are amazing!!! The waiter i had was fantastic and recommended this pancake thing from the appetizer that was also fantastic (especially if you like curry) called HOME MADE ROTI CANAI (INDIAN PANCAKE).
(4)
Dave H.

Penang is a Malaysian place in Chinatown, and part of a chain. The decor was unusual, there were metal fixtures in the ceiling serving a purely ornamental function. The restaurant was divided into two sections, a ground floor and slightly elevated platform. I had a window seat with a lovely view (of the street - this is Philadelphia, after all). Service (Ha) was attentive, they came by to check to see if we had ordered and filled our water glasses repeatedly. The wait staff was ever-present, delivered food quickly, didn't mind taking pictures, and even walked over when I gave a thumbs-up sign (which was surprising). The penang poh piah (steamed Malaysian spring roll stuffed with jicama, fried tofu, eggs and bean sprouts) was light and sweet. The Mee Siam (stir-fried rice noodles with tofu, shrimp and bean sporuts in a tangy sweet (they say "spicy") Thai chili sauce, sprinkled with ground peanuts and sliced hard boiled eggs on the side) was fine, too. Not terribly expensive, and credit cards are accepted now (minimum purchase of $12). Noise level was acceptable, though I had to strain somewhat to hear my fellow diner (she's soft-spoken, so that didn't help). Worth a visit if you've never been. UPDATE: February 22, 2008 - went here with a large, raucous party - food was delicious - management and service was patient with our group, considering how drunkenly rowdy many of our group was... also, the interior has changed since the last time I was here, and renovations are still happening.
(4)
Brian H.

This is the best Malaysian place I've ever been to. As much as I think Philadelphia sucks, I love Penang! God, I wish you guys were on the west coast! If you are eating here start off with an Indian pancake. If you want to hit the town, I think Penang closes at 1am or 2am. If you miss the closing there are a few great Chinese restaurants nearby that close at 4am or 5am.
(5)
Lori H.

Tried this place, as it looked beautiful on the inside and out. While waiting for a table, i saw mouthwatering dish after dish pass by. Had no idea what to order, short of stopping at each table asking people what deliciousness they were indulging in. Ordered 2 great appetizers; baby oyster omelet and squid with Chinese watercress. I could have licked the plate clean, but decided to keep some decorum. Ordered a noodle soup that sounded delicious, but unfortunately, was not my favorite. Prawn Mee sounded great.. who doesn't love prawns, egg noodles, shredded pork and vegetables in a spicy broth. I think it wasn't the cooking, but this is not my kind of soup. The broth was more of a rich sauce, instead of a light broth that i usually find in soups. It was very rich, and i picked out the meat and shrimp. Thankfully, i already got my fill on the appetizers, and I walked out full. In spite of my poor choice of entrees, I definitely plan on going again when I am in Philly again !
(4)
Victoria L.

The food here is good. However they need to improve on their drinks. I took my sons here and ordered each of them a coconut juice. When it came out one of the coconut juice was obviously sour. I told the waitress ,she took away the coconut juices then came back with the same one except this time it's more like water ! She obviously diluted the bad coconut juice with tap water! This happens to me regularly but when I took my kids here , they only wanted coconut juice. I'm very disappointed with this restaurant. My sons are only 3 and 1.
(3)
Ezra S.

I really like Penang, the food is great especially the coconut rice and the Stay Tofu, which is the best I ever had. The service is great with an attention to detail, the prices moderate, the decor is lovely. I would recommend this Thai restaurant as the "Best Thai Food" in Philly.
(5)
Neekosum N.

Best Malaysian food I ever ate..in all of US. Love the green chicken, roti kanai. At there several times when working in Philly. Vegetable clay pot was too good. Miss Penang....
(4)
Dom V.

I just ate here last night for the 1st time. The Indian pancake was very tasty. In fact, we ended up ordering two of them. The waiters are helpful, as far as picking out the favorite & popular dishes. I will definitely go back!
(5)
Jameson W.

Penang is an institution. Solid food and open late. Deserves 4.5 stars. If you like pad Thai, try the mee Siam, a spicy thinner noodle dish I love. They have various other great noodle dishes. My favorite dish: Masak chicken. I also always order the roti.
(4)
Peter L.

The greatest item on the menu has got to be the Kang Kung Belacan, which is a convulus dish with spicy malaysian shrimp paste sauce.
(4)
Monica S.

This morning when I woke up, I made a few promises to myself: -Go to the gym -Eat a salad -Don't drink today -Avoid carbs Here's how the day panned out. -Went to the gym -Went to lunch at El Camino (see "updated" review) -Ate at Penang and ordered Beef Chow Fun (noodles), Mee Siam (more noodles), and some green bean/shrimp veggie dish I did not adhere to my morning goals and am thus something of a failure. Can I borrow someone's will power? Don't go to Penang if you're trying to "be good." Which, by the way, I love when people say, "oh, no thanks, I'm trying to 'be good' tonight." Losers. Note to drivers: It's a bitch to find parking, but my city-sleuth extraordinaire (Kevin L) found the small open lot on 10th street where they charge a flat $8.
(5)
John W.

Great food, fast friendly service and doesn't break the bank. Love this place.
(4)
Tommy L.

Decent place with hits and misses. So we were in the city on Friday. Lunch time and we're strolling through Chinatown. The GF remembered this place during her good ole college days. We started with the Roti Cania and I do admit all the praise for this starter is deserving. My only complaint is I wish they give you more of the pancake to dip into the curry. They give you one piece of a floppy pancake and the size of the pancake is not in proportion to the bowl of curry. The second starter was the Penang Lobak, which consist of fried pork roll, fried tofu, and fried shrimp pancakes with hoisin/chili dipping sauce. This dish was terrible. Everything was fried to a crisp and everything was dried to death. Very unappetizing. The chili sauce was no chili sauce. Avoid this dish. For my main dish I had the Chow Kueh Teow, a dish that has fried stir fried flat noodles with shrimp, squid, eggs, and bean sprouts. I thought the dish was a little bland. I felted it lacked flavor. The GF got Crispy Fried Squids. This was a decent dish. Nice, light crispy breading and tender. I like the large portions in a large plates that made it ready for family style sharing. Service was spotty. The menu was expansive, we would tell our server we needed more time. But after 20 seconds he was back at our table. This happen at least 3 times. Maybe I'm nitpicking but wouldn't you back off after the second time. Then as the meal progressed, as noted by another Yelper, a bunch of servers would be staying around but not available. You couldn't catch their eyes or flagged them down or anything. The GF suggested this place, so why not. But then I was skeptical because of the large non-asian clientele. Unfortunately, my feelings were justified. It's one of those places that if someone wanted to go, you wouldn't object. But you wouldn't exactly recommend this place either. I thought this place was border-line. Mediocre at best.
(3)
Erica M.

Went to Penang again for lunch today...yum!! I got the Thai Basil Noodles, which were SUPER yummy. I asked for medium heat and they were definitely mild, but the flavor was excellent. The roti canai was delicious as well...we got to watch them making the roti. My sister got the Penang seafood fried rice, which was good but didn't have a ton of flavor. She enjoyed it but wouldn't order it again. For 2 entrees and an appetizer, the bill was $21 + tip. Good deal!
(4)
Vanessa T.

So I used to love this place and come here a lot with my friends. I have not been back in this chain for like a year or 2. Recently I came in for lunch because I was craving the Hainanese chicken dish. We came in and immediately got seated, waited on. We started off with the malaysian coffee which was on the milky side but I think that is how malaysian coffee is made. We also had the rambutan and logan drink. Of course, they came from the can so it was EH OK. If you've had the real fruit itself, you'll know what I'm talking about and will be able to taste the difference. For our appetizer, we ordered the roti cani (an indian pancake). I do like their curry, a good appetizer. So here comes my usual dish, the Hainanese chicken which I usually LOVE in this place. I'm not sure if quality of food decreased here but the chicken came out with way too much soy sauce drenched on the dish. The chicken itself wasn't all that fresh either. The unique thing about this dish is the rice that is suppose to be cooked in chicken stock. The rice tasted bland and flavorless. I was very disappointed and likely will avoid this place now. As it always happens, once a restaurant becomes too big of a chain, the quality likely decreases, that seems to be a general trend.
(3)
Lili B.

LOVE LOVE LOVE Penang! Three Things: - Delicious food! - Cheap prices - BYOB What is there not to love! My friend and I ordered the roti as an appetizer and then shared the thai basil noodles and the ginger and scallion chicken; Both were delicious but I did have my preference for the noodles which had an intriguing yet delicious flavor! As Nazee Z. stated in her review, I was not a big fan of the fried ice cream as I was definitely looking to have more ice cream than fried stuff (also the price was pretty steep for fried ice cream). Warning, it seems to get pretty crowded in the week end so if you plan to go like we did on a Friday night, except 10-15 min wait.
(5)
Rula R.

A friend and I stopped at this restaurant for dinner, the server that we got was awesome! Her name is Josephine Tang and she was so engaged in making recommendations and made us feel very welcomed. I'm giving only 4 stars for one reason and it's because the food was very greasy, good but greasy. Overall it was a satisfying visit
(4)
Susan M.

I ordered Seafood with Fried Rice that allegedly included shrimp, scallops and squid. Unbelieveably, there were 3 very small tails only and 1 over-boiled shrimp. I'm still wondering if they were leftovers from someone else's meal or the chef or server was hungrier than me. The 2 friends that joined me were also disappointed with their meals but not to the extent that I was. I've attempted to reach the owner or manager several times to no avail. Needless to say, we will never return there.
(1)
Doris T.

Roti canai, is a must try! This place has to be one of my favorite Places. Service is quick compare to the other Asian restaurants. I ordered the pan fried tofu with diced pork. The tofu was so soft and delicious. Whatever you order, you must try it with a side of coconut rice.
(5)
Brittany Y.

Eee this place is so cool! Normally I like my Asian hole-in-the-wally (except for PF Changs, which is a guilty pleasure), but this place is no hole-in-the-wall. It's got several locations in multiple cities! Gasp! Now before all the hipsters run away, this is far from a chain. Really honest food, no stupid designs on the plates or whistles like that. The semi-open kitchen allows you to see several guys working at big woks and boiling fresh noodles. If you're really close, you can see the guy whipping around the elastic dough for the roti before deep frying it. I had the Curry Mee, a rich, spicy, coconut milk soup with thick noodles and random things that once lived under the sea. The sea critters weren't that great, but I loved the noodles in the broth. The boyfriend got the Mee Siam, which is an excellent plate of noodles. I'm very excited to come back and try some other things. I think the food quality here is very high. Strangely enough our waitress checked us out as soon as our dishes were clean so we never got to order dessert. Ended up going to Bread Top bakery. You should go there, too.
(4)
Khoo K.

Large serving of sambal Kang Kong, crispy fragrant fried squid, roti prata are my comfort food. Chicken rice could be better, stronger. overall best for those who miss home in southeast Asia.
(3)
Fran E.

Walked in on a Saturday night with no real preconceived notions of what to expect. Saturday date night meandering through Chinatown.... Penang looked ok,people looked happy, so in we went. We were told 20 minuted, but were seated in15. Which was nice. Our server told us what we were ordering, rather than asked, to start, but since we are newbies, it was fine. And he did not steer us wrong, the Roti with chicken and potato curry was delightful, and the steamed spring roll with egg and jicama was lovely too. Then we ordered the mango chicken and the vegetables in a clay pot with rich curry. OMG. I nearly wept. It was phenomenal. We requested they tone down the spice a bit (I feared the red stars on the menu) and I guess they were able to accommodate us, as the dished were mist enough to tingle on the tongue without searing pain. All told, I will gladly return, and try really hard not to lick the clay pot clean.
(4)
Valerie K.

Always loving this place..been coming there for more than 10 years...always had good service and good food,love their satay tofu and seafood scrambled egg chow fun...no one compares theirs..!!
(4)
Kris R.

Awesome spicy shrimp noodle soup
(5)
Libby E.

Delicious! The food was great. Started with the Roti Canai as per Yelp recommendations - the pancake itself was delicious and crispy, and the curry dipping sauce was so good my boyfriend wanted to drink it. For our entrees, we shared the Mango Chicken and the Cantonese Chow Fun (despite the waitress trying to talk us out of the chow fun, which was awkward). Both were delicious, although the portions were HUGE! We could have easily split one and still been bursting at the gills. Prices are very reasonable for the portion size, and the ambiance is great. Definitely coming back here again. 5 stars for the food, -1 for the curt/awkward service
(4)
Monty W.

Penang. I've been told by my parents that the restaurant reminds them of being in the markets of Indonesia. Fast, bustling, noisy, amazing smells, superb food. Standouts: Mee Siam - One of my all-time favorite dishes. Put some Haianese Chicken hot sauce on this, and you may faint of excellence. Sizzling Japanese Bean Curd - Sounds vegetarian, but it's not. With a cracked egg on the dish, all of the flavors come together in a mouth watering, sense tingling experience. Best eaten over a side of coconut rice. Satay Tofu - Think tofu is flavorless? Try this one. Beautiful fresh sprouts coated in satay peanut sauce. Mango Chicken - Chicken in a sweet and tangy sauce, served over cellophane noodles and in a halved mango shell. Again, a great dish served with coconut rice. I always tell people that Penang is my favorite restaurant in any price range, and their prices are actually toward the cheaper end for the quality that you get. Thankfully they're not a local staple for me. I'd weigh 800 lbs!
(5)
Jerome M.

Excellent flavor. The mango chicken is a real winner. Just the right mix of sweetness with acid. The house giant prawns were done with a strong aromatic sauce. We very much enjoyed it.
(5)
Coral H.

Came to this "Chnatown" restaurant to try something new. The service was fine the food was OK not a deal by any stretch of the imagination. I was hear on business and it was close to the convention center.
(3)
Tiberiu T.

Both my vegetarian girlfriend and my meatatarian self really enjoyed this place! The waiter was very nice and recommended appetizers -- the home made roti canai (veggie version) and the penang satay chicken were amazing. Then my girlfriend got the mango tofu (which was delicious), and I got the house special pork with dried veg. The waiter actually advised me not to get it because it is a very fatty dish (I think it's pork belly), but I loved it. I had actually had the same thing before in a different place, but had no idea what it was called, so it was a happy coincidence. We finished the dinner with the fried ice cream (which comes with fried bananas), which was, again, delicious.
(5)
Nina C.

My friend is in from out of town and we were hungry. We like walking around and trying new places. We found this place and decided to give it a shot. Unfortunately- I was highly disappointed with this meal. I asked for an 'Ice lemon tea' and the server suggested a Malaysian tea, He said it was better and made with milk. I acquiesced even though i should have stuck with what I originally had wanted. It wasn't bad, just not what I had wanted. I also requested something spicy. When I asked if the Curry chicken was spicy, He stated it was "very hot and spicy". I must say it was the blandest food I have ever tasted.I threw a whole cup of Sriracha on it and it still couldn't save it. The meal left much to be desired. I wouldn't return.
(1)
Tyler T.

My Malaysian friend was asking me all the time to go with him to Penang. Finally, we went for a long lunch. We ordered a couple appetizers to start off the meal. We got some chicken and beef satay which came with some peanut sauce. It was delicious. We also got some roti and the sauce you dip it in was incredible. We split two entrees. One was fantastic. It was okra and shrimp that was seasoned with ground up dried shrimp and dried chiles. I don't recall the other entree probably becuase the okra dish was so good. Highly recommend this place for someone who has never had Malaysian food. Its a great combination of Indian, Chinese, and Thai flavors and dishes.
(4)
Karen C.

Food was mediocre. i loved the app chicken wings. my all time favorite indian pancakes was however, a little disappointing, pancakes were a little to greasy.
(3)
Andrew R.

the place was packed at lunchtime on sunday. big menu but very very limited for vegetarians and vegans. my friends loved their food, i thought my spring rolls and noodles were bland. one turnoff was that the server came by like 900 times to see if we were ready and we had only been at the table for two minutes. i know it was busy and they need to turn their tables, but hot damn. let a girl take a second to look at the menu, ya dig?
(3)
Brian M.

Wow what a disappointment. All the entrees we tried (Mango Chicken, Sizzling Triple Delight, and Beef Rendang) lacked flavor! The Mango Chicken was globby-sweet and except for the tartness of the unripened mango-was tasteless. The Beef Rendang was a one note dish, muted curry-no coconut or lemongrass could be detected. There was nothing the least bit delightful about the Sizzling Triple Delight. The shrimps, scallops and squid were swimming in soy sauce, no other flavor whatsoever. One bad dish, ok. It happens. Three underwhelming, flavorless dishes...sorry, the decor may be tasteful and upscale and the service good, but the food is what I came for. With so many better options so nearby, why bother with Penang!?
(2)
Lily T.

I've eaten at Nyonya in NYC twice (also famous for their roti canai and Hainanese chicken). It didn't leave much of an impression on me. The food wasn't bad, but I didn't understand the hype. However, when I moved to Philly, I found Penang obscenely good. It quickly became our default Chinatown restaurant. The Hainanese chicken is simple, but the thing about simple food is that I can eat it everyday. My new obsession is the fried rice with salted fish. It is mmm mmm good. The servers are quite warm and nurturing unless, on a very rare occasion, you get a waitress who isn't as well-versed in speaking English. It normally isn't an issue... until you have a friend who makes a complicated order. Water under the bridge.
(5)
Omar K.

Penang is a pretty decent restaurant. I was in there for lunch with a friend and we both enjoyed the food, service, and the laid back atmosphere. I definitely will go again! Wish the portions were a little bigger.
(3)
Amy K.

Eating at Penang our first night in town was a great way to start our vacation. The food was excellent, and the portions very generous. They were pretty busy when we walked in on a Thursday night, but we were able to get a window seat right away. It was a little chilly sitting next to the window, even though it was closed, but the hot tea warmed us up. We started with the roti, which I could not stop eating. It was so good! Next we had the mango chicken and the pad thai. The mango chicken in particular was delicious. I would definitely order it again, along with the roti. The chicken was tender and all white-meat, and sauce had a nice kick. We were laughing about all the notes on the menu next to a bunch of items requesting that you ask your server about the dish before ordering it. It did make us avoid those dishes though. If we go back to Penang, which we definitely would if we lived in Philly, we might want to order one of the dishes with the warning, if nothing else, out of curiosity. A few nights later we tried Banana Leaf, and although we enjoyed our meal there, too, we liked the food and atmosphere a little better at Penang. I'm getting hungry just thinking about our meal there. *drool* ***SEE PICS***
(4)
David G.

I'm not much of a Malaysian food expert, but, hot damn I loved this place. I don't know whether Penang qualifies as "authentic" or not, but all I know is that Penang served up some of the most delicious food I've ever tasted. Hyperbole much? I don't think so. My dinner companion and I stepped in here on a frigid Tuesday evening. Although the streets were empty outside, Penang was buzzing with both conventioneers and locals. The space was quite large with a quick turnover of tables, we were able to get a choice spot overlooking the open kitchen. It was a great atmosphere to browse the sprawling menu while sipping the complementary hot tea. Although the staff seemed a little frenzied, they were always prompt and polite. Our server was quick to take our appetizer order, so we started dinner with the following-- * Roti canai. These crispy Malaysian-style "pancakes" were delicious. They came with a curry sauce for dipping, which made for a decadent (albeit messy) start to dinner. * Tofu satay. Massive tofu pieces crisped to perfection, served with a generous pile peanut sauce with cucumbers mixed in. This was probably my favorite item of the night. Next up, the entrees. We both settled for noodle dishes and ate family style, to maximize the opportunities for sharing-- * Chow kueh teow. Basically, these are rice noodles stir-fried in chili and soy and tossed with squid and shrimp. Although I'm not a seafood fan, I was completely surprised by how delicious this one was. The noodles were crispy and flavorful, and the dish didn't taste "fishy" at all. * Beef chow fun. A classic -- beef with flat noodles and sprouts. This was outstanding too. The beef was crispy and spicy, and nothing like the greasy-spoon beef chow fun that I'm used to. Four dishes -- and four home runs. Sounds like a five-star dinner to me. A five-star dinner that was also dirt-cheap (dinner for two amounted to a mere $20 + tip). Nice. No doubt I'll be back here the next time I'm in town.
(5)
Adam W.

Penang is my favourite restaurant in Philadelphia. My Filipino boyfriend and I have eaten there a couple of times a month for the past five years. The reason I've joined Yelp is to endorse Penang. Favourite dishes include: roti canai, shrimp puff, roti telur, cheow keuh teow, shrimp with ladies' fingers (okra), salted fish with bean sprouts, clams with black bean sauce, whole fried snapper with black bean sauce, room temperature hainanese chicken rice. My partner's favourite dishes include: boneless curry chicken, beef chow fun, sarang burong, and sizzling platter with chicken or sizzling platter with mixed seafood. A lot of other people like the satay tofu, the beef rendang, the clay pot curry, the pad thai, the singapore rice noodles, and others. In addition to white and brown rice they'll bring you coconut rice or chicken rice if you ask, the latter two are both exquisite. There are a lot of more daring dishes that you might not like, so ask the server for advice (there are myriad dishes that say "ask server for advice before you order!"). Also if you ask they'll make quite a few things vegetarian. If you're veg-only though I'd say do clay pot curry or satay tofu, those are the best choices. Then wash everything down with a Tiger beer. Glorious.
(5)
Mike L.

Nice ambiance and decor. The food was average.
(4)
Pichoudam P.

The Thai food in this place sucks. My mom can make better. I have tasted better from other restaurants.
(2)
Hank C.

The first Penang I set foot in, I didn't realize this was a chain until much much later. Oyster pancakes were delicious, although skimped a bit on the oysters, but it reminded me of my childhood a bit. The roti canai and other appetizers are pretty good, too, although the satay skewers have come out both very good and very charred before, so it's a toss-up on quality there. Almost always get a noodle dish (pearl noodles are good) as well as one other - mango chicken is ordered a lot here, but I find it's not that tasty, the mango is more a novelty than really good dish. The Hainanese chicken is usually a favorite, and the fish varies day-to-day - sometimes it ends up flaky, other times it ends up dry. Dessert - chendol and ABC seem almost the same, basically shaved ice with different toppings. Don't bother getting a lychee drink, it's just lychee out of the can with a bunch of ice and a little syrup. A long wait at times during the dinner hours, so arrive early if you can. Seating is based on if you're all there or not, and they don't take reservations.
(3)
Paula A.

This was my favorite place to eat at from 10 years ago when I used to live in Philadelphia. All I could remember is how amazing their roti canai is and some kind of deep-fried salted meat.
(5)
Matt D.

We really need to branch out more for dining in Chinatown, so we tried Penang instead of the normal rotation of David's, Sang Kee, and Dim Sum Garden. I was immediately surprised by how big this place is once you get inside. It looks small, but the ceilings are high and it's a deep space. Also of note was the friendly service, which is always a plus when dining in Chinatown. The roti canai was a hit, and I liked the tiny bit of heat that built with each dip. We tried the steamed spring rolls with fried tofu for something different, and it fit the bill. A little spicy, a little crunchy and unique. I was a little disappointed with our seafood special noodle dish, which was supposed to be a house specialty. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad, but I won't develop a craving for it. They were a little light on the seafood and it didn't pack any heat or depth of flavor, which was very surprising after specifically asking for it to be spicy. With so many options to try in the area, I think it will be while before we get back around to Penang.
(3)
Nazee Z.

This place was so fun and delicious! A friend and I wanted to explore Chinatown and taste some delicious things while still being able to drink large portions (AKA, a byob), so we found ourselves at Penang. We started off with Indian roti pancake things, which were stuffed with egg and onion and came with this amazing peanut dipping sauce. They were a bit greasy, but hey, I don't really mind because everything so amazingly flavorful. Definitely would order them again. We split the thai basil noodles and the ginger and scallion chicken. Both were absolutely amazing! Touch of spice, which malaysian food always asks for, and riddled with vegetables. Everything was so well prepared, portions were huge, and so tasty. For dessert we got fried ice cream and this is the only thing I wouldn't recommend. You got a full fried banana, a lot of dough, and a babbyyyyyy scoop of ice cream. Although, seeing as my friend and I were a bit tipsy, we made friends with our waiters and waitresses and they brought us another scoop free of charge. Coconut ice cream was delicious and a great way to cool our mouths off from the spicy. When the check came, I was shocked to see how cheap it was. This is a great place for birthday parties or celebrations as you can get a lot of food (and share it) and have a really fun time for an affordable amount! Absolutely, 100% yes, I will be coming here again.
(5)
lin d.

Not sure if there is any Malaysians working here, but the food wasn't convincing either. Roti Canai looked good, but the taste didn't resemble any of the roti canai's I've had in Malaysia. Texture wasn't right, the supposedly vegetarian curry sauce looked like the meat sauce w/o the meat. Kueh Teow were not broad noodles as supposed to, were cooked too long, shrimps were mushy. Was really hoping for an authentic spot here and leave a better review but left kinda disappointed. One plus (if you like the food): portions are big.
(3)
Ester C.

I've been here a couple of times and I really enjoy the food here. I always get the roti canai but I tried the roti telur which is an upgrade that is a bit more filling (I just really love the curry). I really enjoyed the crispy pork intestines and mee siam which were new dishes that I tried. Definitely recommend the kang kung belacan which is a vegetable dish! Our server was attentive and overall I enjoy coming here.
(4)
Hoang T.

Can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet. I've been coming here for decades!!! Lol. This is one of Chinatown's most consistent restaurants. This is a great place for a casual date, get together, and even birthday celebrations... They renovated a few years ago to a more modern aesthetic. I did prefer the old "authentic" hut inspired interior but I understand the update did attract new customers. Luckily the prices have not changed drastically over the years despite the modern renovations (thanks!!). Like everyone has said, the roti canai is bomb. I try to order just enough to share, although I'm compelled to want assn order for myself.... But that will just make me full. I've ordered various dishes on the menu throughout the years... Vegetables, seafood, meats, noodles, desserts etc. Most are fairly good, with the exception of some dishes that weren't my thing flavor wise (too strong seasoning, salty, etc.) I'll admit, over the past few years, ive mostly gone here only when I crave two dishes. Roti canai and spicy Thai chicken (with chicken rice). They are absolutely my favorite thing in Chinatown to eat.. Probably more than soup dumplings (sorry dim sum garden). Like I said, I've been coming here for decades, mostly for these two dishes. The simpleness of these two dishes are unmatched. The flavor profile simple, but executed so well and consistent.
(4)
Ren N.

Best Malaysian food in town! Always serving my favorites and consistent in taste every time. I bring my Family and friends here all the time and they always enjoyed a good meal. Never cease to bore me with their cooking. I really love the dessert chendol but sometimes they make it smaller than usual. One time it's half the amount I usually get. I don't want to complain because I come here all the time but if I ever get smaller than what it's suppose to be again I will definitely say something next time If it's your first time here you have to try: haianese chicken, rotti canai, chendol, crispy golden fried squid, Malaysian bbq ribs, mango chicken, water crest, seafood tofu soup
(4)
Julie N.

Penang has been the go-to spot for Malaysian cuisine for probably about 15 years now. I remember coming here to celebrate one of my birthdays with friends back when I was in high school. Some of my favorite dishes include the roti canai, roti canai telur (has onions in it), the Penang spicy chicken, chicken with ginger on rice, seafood pan-fried noodles, and coconut rice. Came here last week with my husband and the service was decent. We were seated pretty quickly and were given hot tea and water. Our server checked on us throughout the night and refilled our waters a couple times. The only thing I miss is getting orange slices for dessert - they only give you fortune cookies now.
(4)
Mohana B.

The food was great but the manager of the restaurant - pathetic customer service. We ordered roti canai - I am a vegetarian and my friend is a non vegetarian. So we asked for 2 different curries and agreed to pay the extra cost to the waiter. Just when the waiter was placing the order on our table - the manager is like that's 2 bucks extra!!! How cheap. We have been to other penangs in tri-state and have never been through such a experience. Definitely not returning.
(1)
C T.

Its good due to the lack of competition. Its a place that i frequent never had a bad experience and food has a good price point. The best Malaysian place in philly.
(4)
Olesya P.

I was very excited to try this place since I have heard so much about it and reviews are really positive. I was very disappointed. Food: - I ordered seafood sizzling plate, which was $16 and had no rice or starch. It had 3 shrimps and few other weird and undistinguishable sea animals and just a bite of veggies. Sizzling plate? Seriously? It was COLD and food was swimming in some tasteless sauce or oil, whatever it was. Sea food was watery and it definitely was frozen and refrozen several times. HAD NO TASTE! SIZZLING PLATE was not sizzling.... Such a disappointment. - My friend ordered duck rice dish that said in the menu (has bone). The thing is that it HAD NO MEAT! Just bones, fat and skin... Basically she paid for cup of rice $9. I tried her duck and it was like rubber. We were thinking what it was, what part of a duck... Well, maybe it was neck, but besides lacking meat, it had taste like it was cooked like 10 times. It had weird flavor and no duck taste. HORRIBLE FOOD. Cheapest Chinese food truck is better! Service: - We waited for the food like 50 minutes, nobody came to check if we needed anything. We had no tea, no water, and waiters were not happy when we asked about drinks. - Bathroom was so dirty and it was Wednesday, not too many people were there, why would not they clean? Pros: -Indian Pancake was tasty. The only thing I enjoyed at that place. Conclusion: Not coming back!
(2)
LK M.

Being gluten free is difficult and no fun when going out with a group. Sure I can put my husband through the torture of picking out a GF friendly place, but I try not to be as particular with groups (for example, "I'll take the salad"). After 20 min of being indecisive, our friends chose Penang. I wasn't very optimistic but I quickly started yelping reviews and tips for advice. I ordered the Mee Siam without soy sauce, so did another (unaltered), a seafood lo mein, and Pad Thai. The waitress was willing to work with me on the menu, even though I always feel like such a pain in the rear. She even came back to make sure I could eat tofu. The tofu is fried in the same oil I assume, which doesn't bother me, I'm not that intolerant, but a heads up to those that are. After ordering I pulled my travel bottle of Braggs amino out of my bag. The waitress noticed, and asked if I wanted them to prepare the noodles with the sauce. Of course! Needless to say, I was super excited. I didn't have the app, but the rest of the table enjoyed the spring rolls. Consensus was that everything was great but the original Mee Siam was the favorite.
(4)
Nancy N.

One of my favorites. Must haves: chicken skewers, indian pancakes, and pad thai. Love it there! The ABC Jelly dessert is a great dessert to share with your table and finish off your delicious meal here.
(4)
Jiban K.

I came here on a date couple of time before. Their service is always on point. The waiter always smiled and made sure our food was on time. He checked up on us from time to time. Their food was very delicious. I like how their bread was soft and curry I had with was amazing.
(4)
Tom Y.

A chain restaurant that can also be found in NYC. This place was very packed and had decent reviews on Yelp. We ordered satay tofu, roti canai, Hainanese chicken over rice and the green nasi lemak. Food came out quick, the satay tofu was good, and flavorful, but a tad watery from the bean sprouts and cucumbers not being drained well. The roti and chicken curry dipping sauce were average. As my gf told me, the roti is freshly handmade by the texture that we observed and ate but it is a little dry. The chicken curry sauce is too bland and watery with too little chicken. My gf enjoyed her green nasi lemak. The fried rice was very well made. The coconut rice and their ginger sauce were made with the right proportions. My gf didn't finish her rice so we had them package it to go, but instead they dumped it, and realizing their mistake they made us a new half order to go which was sweet, but unfortunately was rushed and didn't taste as good as the original order that she had. However, my Hainanese chicken over rice was mediocre. Chicken was overcooked and it had too much soy sauce. Trust me. I have had eaten a lot of Hainanese chicken and there are way better places in NYC that makes it way better. This is one of the main reason why I got to give this place a 2 star regardless of their generosity. However, to be fair, if I am back in Philly again, I might go back and try their other dishes, especially the Mango chicken. If they taste mediocre or worst, I will re-consider coming here again. P.S. Penang chain in NYC tastes a little better. Step up your game, Penang Philly!
(2)
Kelsey S.

Great place! Came here based on the reviews and was definitely not disappointed. If you're confused on what to order, look through the pictures that people have posted- they helped me to decide. The food came out quickly and was just as delicious as it looked. I'd suggest coming here with a couple of friends and splitting a few plates family style so you can experience a lot of what they have to offer.
(5)
Melissa B.

The food here is great and so are the people that work here. I really enjoyed everything. Cannot wait to come back one of the best restaurants in Chinatown.
(4)
Jessica H.

Very busy, popular and loud. Place is a little dingy for the prices. Not much atmosphere. $5 beers, main dishes $ 16-26. Food was just OK. We ordered 5-6 plates of food and there was nothing I had I would want again. $16.50 "Fried chicken" ended up being a bunch of thin chicken fingers hot spicy sauce. Not good especially for the prices. Could have gone to Mickey D's for same. Hate that they tack on the tip for you and put a spot for an additional tip. Not impressed. Wouldn't be missing out if didn't come back. Much rather eat at Lee how fuk around corner. Have been to much better around Chinatown. Disappointing.
(2)
Joe B.

Great food, that's served quickly and always hot, the staff is friendly and informative. I'll return for sure. The roti canai is a must try favorite of mine.
(4)
Assaf G.

Excellent food, not expensive, good service. What more can you ask for? The roti canai was great, and so were the chicken satay. The best 2 things I ate were the beef rendeng, which is cubed beef in the roti canai curry sauce, and the shrimp puff that were wrapped in bacon and deep fried. Highly recommend.
(5)
Kathleen D.

Full disclosure: I am not a consumer of Asian cuisine on the regular. I will eat it maybe twice per year. This was my first delve into Malaysian. When we walked in last night, we were seated at one of the high tops by the window, which was great for people watching in Chinatown. I liked that especially since I'm never in Chinatown. Plus, the rest of the restaurant looked a little crowded. Penang certainly has an interesting menu -- that's for sure. Now, being that I'm me, I instantly searched the menu for the cheapest and blandest looking options. I asked our server if I should order the spare ribs with noodle soup or boneless chicken with scallion rice. He suggested the chicken, and it was a good pick. Good flavor, heaping portion of white rice on the side. Cheap. Overall, not a bad meal. I wouldn't recommend the Tiger Beer. It's comparable to very-cheap domestics and almost $5. Now, we were headed to a show after dinner, so once we were done eating, I nicely asked for our check. And then waited, and waited, and waited. And of course, when you're on your way somewhere and waiting, a minute feels like five. So it felt like I was waiting for a very long time. He popped over at one point to let us know that he didn't have our check yet because he got busy, but then he NEVER resurfaced again. Eventually, I flagged down another server and requested the check be delivered right then. He brought it out -- not separate like we had asked, but we figured it out. We never saw our server again before cutting out (thank goodness we had exact change), and that was pretty annoying to me. I understand being busy; I don't understand why it takes forever and a day to bring a check to a table. In all: A decent place in Chinatown, but I'd never go if I had anywhere to be after dinner.
(3)
Christine V.

I came here with the purpose of ordering one thing: the roti canai. I love roti with their dipping sauce, and Penang is a place that serves up a mean roti with a yummy dipping curry sauce. Highly recommend their roti canai as an appetizer.
(4)
Lorrianne Z.

Great and delicious food. Would give it a 5 star but service is inconsistent. But would always recommend
(4)
Bryce P.

Penang boasts a menu that hits the elusive sweet-spot that exists between delicious and affordable. The atmosphere, an industrial setting, is one that is unique in Chinatown. The servers are friendly and are always prepared to offer up their suggestions. Their food is always delivered quickly, and is always tasty. Definitely give them a shot next time you're in the area!
(4)
David L.

Good location Good help on service All workers speak Cantonese Food is good but not (Super) Restroom is 80 % clean They need put the carpet on the upper dinner area because when next table moving the chair you feel like the earth quake ! Bad set up !! I hope the owner can see this review ! Thanks !
(3)
Inny K.

Cheap & delicious food = I'm sold. My girlfriends and I came here on a Monday evening after spending the day in Philly just touring and checking out different places. We were starving, and we just wanted some cheap Asian food. A friend suggested that we go to Penang due to its positive reviews and we decided, why not? We were a group of 6 so I was afraid that we wouldn't get seated immediately. To our surprise, however, we did! (Maybe it was just pure luck). The workers here are VERY friendly despite the hustle and bustle (there was a lot of people here even on a Monday evening, which talks about how popular this place is). Our waiter was SO friendly. He was always smiley and I felt appreciated as a customer. I decided to get the Thai Basil Noodle and it came out to be less than $10. The portions are HUGE even though they may not appear so. My girlfriends and I loved this place and if we're ever in the area again, we're probably making a second trip here. Great food, great service. Highly recommend!
(5)
Eliza T.

Was staying at the nearby Hilton Garden Inn and swung by here based on solid Yelp reviews (plus it's about 500 yards from the hotel, which helps.) Was looking for someplace delicious, with ambiance that hit that precise balance between not-a-hole-in-the-wall/for-sure-not-romantic that's required for dinner out with my boss while we're both here on travel. Success! Definitely not a date, plus it was super tasty. Roti Canai, like everyone says, is delicious. Imagine a crepe that is crispy and moist at the same time (I know this is contrary; just take my word for it;) super rich, almost gravy-like chicken curry to dip it in. Also ordered a noodle dish (it was #10 on the rice/noodles section, cannot remember the name) with glass noodles, shrimp, tofu, and boiled egg. Not exceptional, but very tasty and a nice level of spice. Tried the mixed satay, as well, which was exceptional-- the lamb and dipping sauce were both super flavorful. A totally serviceable meal and ambiance that was exactly what I was looking for. Yay Penang!
(4)
Cheryl S.

This was the first restaurant that I ate at upon my arrival in Philly with my cousin. He met me as I got off the Chinatown bus from NY and we went straight into this restaurant for lunch. My friend who had lived in Philly recommended this spot to me, and it was as she said, "the bomb!" The Roti Canai and the Coconut Shrimp are incredible appetizers. I ordered the Mee Siam for my entree (I don't remember what my cousin ordered) but I do remember that we were both pleased with what we got. The service was great and as my first introduction to having Malaysian food, it was very memorable. I wish that we had something similar to this place in Los Angeles. The closest thing that I have tried to this spot is Burma Superstar in the Bay Area. It's a guarantee that when I return to Philly, this will definitely be one of my "to go to" spots!
(5)
Yalonda C.

These are all of the dishes I've had over the years and my rating. 1 being least 5 being greatest. Thai Basil Noodle 5 Roti Canai 5 Roti Telur 4 Mango Shrimp w/ Coconut Rice 4 Seafood Tom Yam Soup 1 Won ton soup 5 Curried chicken w/ rice 4 Beef Rendang 5 Singapore Rice Noodles 3 Good portion size, relaxed environment, wonderful customer service, the waitress will make sure you get something you'll like. For instance I was going to order the Java Mee, I liked the ingredients but the waitress told me that Americans usually don't like the dish and that it's really popular with Asians because it's really authentic Malaysian. She could be wrong but I respected that she was honest with me that Americans tend to hate the dish when they order it. Of course this says that they are trying to save money because when ppl don't like something we send it back and get it taken off of the check they loose money etc etc.. but it was helpful for me and I got something that I really liked.
(5)
Natasha S.

Our friends who frequented this restaurant for several years during college who now live in LA introduced us to this place. We were really excited to try this place based on their feedback about this establishment. We came in on a Saturday night, but fortunately early enough in where we were seated before the rush arrived. We ordered; Roti Canai Mee Siam Crispy Spicy Squid Steamed Bass With Ginger Sauce Chicken With Vegetables On Fried Taro I'm not sure the name of the last dish we ordered, but it was a stir fry combinations of chicken breast and vegetables then set on a round fried bed of Taro root. Everything was delicious. My favorites were the Taro Root entree, Roti Canai and Mee Siam which to me was a cross between Filipino Pansit and Thai Pad Thai. The Roti Canai was prepared perfectly and accompanied with a chicken and potato yellow curry that was on point. The spicy squid was decent. The steamed bass wasn't very fresh. Additionally, it was very skinny and the sauce was just ginger. There wasn't any scallions or flavor as expected from the menu description. I would definitely return but not order the steamed fish with ginger and squid. I'd like to try more of their curries which seem really good here! Service was good. Not the best but good enough. Prices can be a little high but the food is well worth it. Atmosphere is nice and clean.
(4)
Karl A.

I went there two weeks ago for the first time. I went with two friends, and we were extremely happy with the value and quality. I whole-heartedly agree that the Roti Canai is a major highlight, and we also tried the Satay Tofu & Penang Poh Piah. I'm not a huge tofu fan, but I enjoyed the Satay, and we all agreed that the spring rolls had an excellent, complimentary sauce. I ordered the chicken curry as my main dish and made short work of it, as my friends did with their dishes (I don't recall for sure what they went with). I didn't try anything I didn't like, and we were very happy with portions & prices.
(4)
Shaina F.

Our first time there, we walked in around 8 on a Saturday night and it was pretty busy but they were able to seat us immediately. We started with the Roti Chanai as an appetizer (suggestion from a friend as well as by our waiter), which was a pretty different dish - fried bread dough served with a thick chicken curry dip/sauce. The curry flavor stood out and it had a hint of spice! For dinner I got the Beef Chow Fun (noodle dish) which was delicious, definitely the highlight of the meal! My boyfriend got the Pad Thai, also a noodle dish, which was their twist on traditional pad thai with shrimp, squid, and some sort of mushroom. He said it was good (I don't eat much fish so I didn't try it) but that the squid tasted and smelled a little funky. Slight communication barrier with our waiter made it interesting, but we enjoyed our meal! Overall it was very clean and the kitchen was open so you could tell that was clean too - a big deal for me! I'd go back but probably would order a different appetizer, and maybe try a rice dish.
(4)
Jasper D.

Mediocre food with good services. However, I had to wait over 20 minute for my food since appetizer and it kills my appetite. It would speed up the process more if the chefs in the open kitchen would get down to cooking instead of checking their phones for texts from grandma.
(3)
Ateeb K.

Great value, good ambiance, good service. Went with friends for late dinner. I had the "Singapore ..." Fried noodle dish, and we shared the first appetizer on the menu "Indian roti ..." something. It was a soft roti with a small bowl of chicken in broth/gravy ("salan" for u brown ppl). Honestly, the appetizer was my favorite dish. It's the first thing on the menu. It's #1 under the appetizer section Our waiter was very honest about the menu and made great recommendations for us first time customers. At conclusion of meal, you are given cut orange slices which was a nice (& healthy) surprise. Part of the kitchen is visible and adds to the authentic feel of the restaurant. From my view, the kitchen looked well maintained, organized and clean. ONLY bad thing I can come up with is the "hot" tea. It was barely warm at best. I know it's free but common in, this is China Town- at least make your tea hot. PARKING INFO/TIP: Do not risk getting towed by parking your car in the nearby $5 parking lots *unless* there is an attendant present who gives you a ticket to place on your dash. We went around 9pm on a Tuesday night and even though there were open spots available, there was no attendant present to take $5 and give u a ticket. There are numerous signs in these lots warning u of being towed with unlawful parking so don't gamble and just spend the $2/hour by parking on the street.
(5)
Osama S.

Delicious Malaysian food in this city. Thanks for all the people who posted the pictures of there food that did help us to go and try it.
(5)
Alex H.

Service was fast and food hot. Didn't feel too adventurous and had the mango chicken. To my surprise it was nicely prepared and presented (in mango shells) coconut rice and Malaysian ice tea, ending with fried ice cream...happy tummy.
(4)
Michel L.

Came here tonight with a friend and had a great time! We ordered three appetizers such as the roti canai or Indian pancake with a side of chicken curry sauce. The roti is a large, very thin flat bread. It was soft and warm. The roti was accompanied with a small bowl of curry sauce with a chunk of chicken for dipping. It was very delicious and is the among their most ordered appetizer. The second appetizer was the satay chicken and beef skewers. You have the option of all beef, all chicken, or a mix, we chose the mix which is 6 skewers (3 chicken and 3 beef) with a side of peanut sauce. The meat was grilled to perfection and very flavorful. The sauce had nice tangy taste and the peanut wasn't overwhelming and went very well with the grilled meats. Our waitress was very nice and offered suggestion the whole way. My friend and I were very curious of the friend pig intestines, but our waitress quickly killed our curiosity by saying that she didn't recommend it. We pressed for a better answer and she mentioned the smell. I am no stranger to pig intestines and have always known them as chitterlings or "chitlins" in Soul Food, so I am all to familiar with that strong pork, barnyard smell. Admittedly, I avoided "chitlins"when I was younger. She was persistent in steering us away, so we left it alone. However, as we waited for our entrees, we kept thinking about the pig intestine. We decided to order it. Our waitress tried to dissuade us from ordering, but we, especially I, was curious to try "chitlins" prepared a different way. She basically said that she was washing her hands clean of the situation. In case we didn't like them, a refund wasn't optional, she said. I understand the warnings for some, but it's just pork. This isn't fear factor and pig intestines are enjoyed by many cultures around the world. The intestines weren't bad, though. They were nicely fried, with a nice even outer crisp. The best and preferred parts were the very crispy ends. The inner texture is what made it a bit unbearable and I could never get used to it which is why the crispier parts were better. The fried scallion stuffed inside some pieces wasn't enjoyable, at all. A sweet sauce sprinkled with sesame seeds was served for dipping. Also, that pork barnyard smell that our waitress spoke about was nearly non-existent. I guess frying the intestines masks the smell, but stewing them in a pot does exacerbate it. Our choice in entrees vastly differed. My friend ordered the Prawn Mee, a noodle soup with a broth made from prawn shells. The egg noodles were very thick. The broth had a certain thickness and very "fishy" taste, in other words, the taste of the prawn was very strong. The soup also had slices of pork and shrimp. My friend really enjoyed it, but I wasn't a big fan. I ordered the beef rendang which consisted of tender cuts of beef stewed in a curry/turmeric based sauce. The beef was amazingly tender and succulent. It was served with a side of rice. Our only gripe with the meal is that entree portions were small. However, I will be returning. The food was delicious, the restaurant's decor and ambience is great for a nice dinner out in the city. The wait-staff was also very friendly.
(4)
L L.

Delicious, legitimate Malaysian food. I highly recommend Nasi Lemak and Mee Siam. Owner and staff are very friendly. Food quality and taste are comparable to the ones I've had on the West Coast.
(5)
Prasanna R.

After hearing a lot about this place from Friends, wife and myself visited this place for lunch. It was jam packed on a weekend afternoon. We found a table and ordered the usual 'Roti Canai' and 'Roti Telur'. The vegetable potato dipping sauce is just amazing. I ordered a Curry Mixed Vegetable pot and wife got a Penang Pad Thai. Both were just amazing. The service was wee bit spotty. But the food made us look past it. This become our default place in Chinatown.
(4)
Jessie H.

I used to come here a lot and would always get the hainanese chicken rice. It was pretty good but recently I came and got the same thing and was really disappointed!! The chicken had ZERO flavor, not even like salt or any sign of anything. The rice was super yellow which was kind of strange. After I finished my meal I wasn't feeling well at all. I don't know what happened, maybe they got a different chef? I won't be back, the hainanese chicken rice at banana leaf is way better.
(2)
Jonas O.

Delicious Malaysian cuisine. There are plenty of soup and noodle dishes under $10 that are more than enough for a meal. I usually get the noodles in soup because the sweet and sour broths are really excellent and they're what keep me coming back. Favorites include the Prawn Mee, Java Mee, Asam Laksa, and Seafood Tomyam. The Roti Canai is as good as everyone says. Everything else I've had here has been good, the noodle soups are just my personal go-to. I like that you can spend upwards of $25 on a jumbo prawn dish (and I bet it's worth it) or $7 on a big noodle or rice dish that is just as filling. I like the tall window tables for two, which seem to usually be available. The service tends to be good, and I like that they will try to talk you out of ordering certain weird things if they don't think you can handle it.
(5)
Lisa P.

I am a regular customer to this restaurant and I went yesterday and I always order the same dish. A old asian guy that took my order did not have a pen and a pad to write down the order because he thinks he can memorize everyone's order. That was the start of a disastrous meal!! The dishes that we ordered were not the one that we ordered. I was mad because the guy was lazy and did not want to write our order down and lo and behold the wrong orders was placed. I complained about them and the asian guy attempted to place another WRONG order without my consent and the second dish came out wrong! Then the owner of the store came over to check what was wrong and I told her that the order was wrong and so she personally placed the order. Despite her efforts, my order still came out wrong!!!!!!!!!! This restaurant has NO COMMUNICATION with their customers and their employees. I have been a LONG time customer but after that service, I can say that I will NEVER RETURN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Advice: Go to banana leaf instead. They have better service and food and only down the street.
(1)
Siv L.

Came here with my boyfriend for lunch. Service is excellent. Food is delicious! We started with the roti that had garlic/scallions -- it was yummy. We then had noodles (Penang noodles?) which were delicious and then the beef rendng which I thought was just okay. But overall, the meal was excellent and I'd highly recommend!
(4)
Jon Z.

Consistently good affordable food in Chinatown. They finally accept credit card now also! The "half" Hainanese chicken is a giant large pizza sized plate of soft warm chicken with a spicy red sauce on top. Must also get a roti canai as that is one of their staple appetizers. Service is always fast and attentive. Food comes out within 15 minutes usually. Very similar to Banana Leaf minus the sushi.
(5)
Vivian T.

This place deserves 5 stars for the place and price. Great food and fast service. Food seriously starting coming out 15 mins after we put our order in. The waitstaff was attentive and friendly. Our water was always filled. The menu has a lot to choose from but my personal favs include roti canai, Thai basil noodles and boneless white meat curry chicken w. Brown rice. One area of improvement Is that their roti canai dipping sauce needs more chicken meat. Great Malaysian / Thai food !
(5)
Keshav M.

Food was delicious. Everything we ordered had a unique flavor unlike the usual run of the mill Thai drunken noodles or red curry flavor. Never tasted flavors like that before. However it is pricey when you consider rice with every entree (almost $17/dish) and I didn't think the very high price validates the dish quality. Service was decent nothing spectacular, which is the reason for the 3 stars. Good place though and while not as good of a deal as Erawan right around the corner, definitely worth visiting!
(3)
Fransisca M.

In reality, the city Penang is Malaysia's number #1 culinary destination. I can staunchly attest that Penang Restaurant doesn't fall short of the name it bears. I've been coming here many times ever since I moved to Philly and never been disappointed. Be sure to make reservation if you go in group because it can be really packed especially during dinner time and on weekends. Whenever I go to Penang with friends, we always do a "family style" dinner where we order a lot of items to share. To start off, I highly recommend the roti canai. Char kway theow to me is always a must-have! My other favorites are kangkong belacan, hainanese chicken, asam ikan bilis, and tom yum soup. Btw, save some room for dessert: chendol always ends your Malaysian meal with a bang!
(4)
Kermit T.

Excellent food, nice ambience, awesome service. Try Penang Kari Ayam* with bone, also mango chicken (sweet and sour) and some appetizers. No draft beer. Green tea complimentary. Worth it.
(4)
Deidre D.

delicious food, very generous proportions, flavorful, pleasant customer service and fun atmosphere. this is a good spot for large groups (4+) as the service is swift (from my experience) and polite. their noodle dishes could do no wrong, in my opinion. enjoy.
(4)
Duke C.

Not much experience in Malaysian food, but I did like everything that I got to try! We started off with the Roti Canai as recommended by our server. The roti, an Indian-style pancake, is served with a chicken potato curry as the dipping sauce. It's pretty damn tasty. A little salty, but it's perfect with the roti. The curry made me wish I had ordered a curry instead of noodles! However, I did like the chow kueh teow though! The Malaysian staple is stir fried flat rice noodles with shrimp, squid, bean sprouts, eggs, soy sauce, and chili paste. First time trying it! I got it medium spicy, but totally could have increased the heat level. Also tried a bit of my coworker's Mee Goreng, which is Indian style stir-fried egg noodles in a mild dried squid sauce with tofu, potato, shrimp, egg, grounded peanut, and bean sprouts. It was his first time eating anything from Southeast Asia besides Thai food and he liked it. I tried a little bit and gotta say, it is good. Looks like pad thai, but definitely doesn't taste like it! The service provided by our server, an old dude, along with the rest of the staff, was on point. Price-wise, a little higher compared to the rest of Chinatown's spot.
(4)
Greg S.

I've never been to Malaysia so I don't know if it's "authentic" but it's very tasty. The Indian bread dip (I forget the name) is out of this world. Awesome ambience, great food, and inexpensive plates. Do a little research on the menu first before you go as some of the items are pretty exotic.
(5)
Nikki I.

Excellent food! I had the pad thai and it was excellent. They told us it would be a 20 minute wait (which we didn't mind) and it was actually more like 8 minutes. They turn the tables very fast and the service was excellent!
(5)
Madeline C.

It's a shame. I had good experiences there before but lately going down hill. I got Singapore street noodles, they had lettuce and the dish was brown. Maybe they gave me the wrong dish? I also got a roti canal appetizer. It had a piece of potato. I was always impressed with this place now I don't think I'll be going back after the last few experiences.
(2)
Reetu B.

Went there twice. Roti Canai was pretty good. Tried their pad thai , it was good enough. I had a curry based dish last time and it was alright as well. Big proportion, shared it with my friend. Good options for vegeterian people.
(5)
Suzy Q.

Absolute favorite restaurant in Chinatown! Right under the ornate arches, woks turned into tables. A Malaysian inspired menu. They offer swift service, delicious, generous selections, and great prices! I usually get the roti canai, chicken satay, and a soup. All my guests have left happy and satisfied with whatever they chose.
(5)
Anthony M.

I love penang. Always very happy with the food. Large variety of different shrimp dishes. Great presentation on some as well. Sweet and sour shrimp is great, its not the typical Chinese type. And there is an appetizer with shrimp inside alittle fried pocket thing lol, I forget the name but they are really unique and delicious.
(4)
Om F.

The roti canai is incredible. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. The only other appetizer I've tried is the fried tofu, and it's just that. Nothing special there. I seem to only order different noodle entrees whenever I'm here, but each one I've gotten was delectable. Everything comes out pretty quickly, so there's no waiting 45 minutes for your food. Not only is the food good here, but the whole atmosphere is nice. There's kind of a 'top floor' which is a couple steps separating it from the bottom. You get a good view of the place. It's not big, but it's always packed probably due to the great food. I especially love the open kitchen. I like being able to see my food being made. Great service, great food.
(5)
JJ L.

Great Thai / Malay / Indo food. Excellent service and humorous workers. The food never fails!
(5)
S L.

Can't skip my thinly baked pancake with curry!!! Always enjoy my meals
(4)
Candice W.

Atmosphere: The restaurant was quiet and appeared to be clean. The servers were incredibly efficient although they hovered a bit. Food: I ordered the Pad-Thai. It was just okay. However, my friend ordered the roti with curried dressing and it was quiet good. Cost: Cheap. My Pad Thai cost $8.95. Overall: I didn't order a Malaysian dish so I would need to return and try again before I could make a final judgement. The food was cheap and pretty decent and the service was pretty good. I think it would be worth trying again.
(3)
Kiki L.

Roti pancakes were great but this noodle dish called asam laksa, not so much. It was was NOT what i expected according to the menu descriptions... The soup had an unusual aroma which was not appetizing. It wasn't my best choice but I'm sure other items were delicious. If the item descriptions seem vague to you, consult a waiter/waitress.
(2)
Gautam T.

OK. This is hard to rate because I have eaten at Rangoon and Banana Leaf (Same genre of food... kind of) and out of the three this is my least favorite mainly because the food was mediocre in flavor in comparison and the atmosphere just felt more like a production line versus a nice relaxed place where you can sit and enjoy yourself. It almost felt like they want you in and out in 30 minutes or less so that they can get the next customer in. Put it this way, if I didn't know about banana leaf and Rangoon I would probably rate this place a little higher but the beauty about competition is that you get rated amongst your peers and not in a vacuum. Good food but if you're looking for malaysion type food go to banana leaf.
(3)
Diana S.

A friend of mines from work had visited Penang and let me taste the food she brought to work the next day. I fell in love with the taste. Has to experience a whole plate for myself. So we decided to have dinner that weekend. When I first walk in I was pretty impressed with the look. It's a mix of cozy yet somewhat modern. I had the roti (indian pancakes) and they were absolutely delious. It was so good! The curry that came with the roti was so rich and full of flavor. As an entry I ordered the curry tofu with mixed vegetable shimp and rice. It good, but not as good as I expected it to taste. All and all I had a good experience. The food is good and the atmosphere is nice.
(4)
Colleen S.

Each time I venture to Chinatown, I am amazed at how great my meals are! After hearing about Penang for years, my boyfriend and I decided to try it out when his out-of-town parents were visiting. Every time we walk by, it's packed, so I knew we were missing something! It was my first experience with Malaysian food and I will definitely be going back here soon. The waitstaff was very friendly and helpful. They made recommendations for us since it was our first time and out of the four entrees we sampled, I don't know if I could pick a favorite! The drinks were ok...beer was all under/around $5 (with not much of a selection) and we got a bottle of wine for around $20. Not that expensive compared to other places, but $20 for a bottle of Sutter Home Chardonnay is hard to stomach anywhere! We started with the roti canai, which is a thin, indian pancake served with a bowl of chicken and potato curry dipping sauce. I'm not a huge curry fan...usually too spicy for me...but this was the perfect amount of spice and flavor! Loved it, only wished they had given us more pancake to dip with! The entrees we ordered were Beef Chow Fun, Jumbo Coconut Prawns, Shrimp with Scallion and Ginger in Soy Sauce, and Basil Chicken. We had sides of brown rice (OK) and coconut rice (which I had never had before and LOVED!). All four of us were contemplating our favorite entree and just decided that the meal overall was a favorite! Ok...if I HAD to pick a favorite...it might have to be the Jumbo Coconut Prawns. The biggest shrimp I have seen in my life covered with a sweet, savory fried-coconut topping...Ok...this was definitely my favorite. We left very full and very satisfied, with enough leftovers for lunch the following day! We impressed the out-of-town parents with our dinner choice and overall the night was a success, thanks to Penang!
(5)
Sue K.

I love this place. Indian roti with curry sauce was so good !!! Geat value, Good service .
(4)
Enjella L.

Foiled again! (By the same dishes, no less.) Duck with ginger and scallion rice is what it says on the menu but what comes out is another story. Pieces of duck in a gravy sauce with ginger chunks and white rice. I was thinking it would be a lighter dish with no sauce. I've made this mistake multiple times now since I come here once every couple of years. No more! Pad thai - so salty, it was a joke. Noodles were overcooked and super short! Did we get the end of the batch with all broken pieces? We left 2/3 of the meal there and left the restaurant, which then prompted the server to follow us outside and ask us if we wanted it boxed. No thanks, yikes! Should have tried Banana Leaf instead. Oh wells.
(1)
Budak S.

Service - Good Clealiness - Ok Food - Good Prices - Average Good place to go in case you want to try Malaysian dishes. Been there couple of times. The last time was 3/9/2014 for lunch. Had achat and popiah as appertizer. Nasi lemak and noodle with Thai basil for main course. Have to say the achat was good. You can skip the popiah. The nasi lemak was good. The beef that came with it was good. Noodle with Thai basil was ok. Just throw some belacan on it and you will be grand.
(3)
Danielle A.

I like the atmosphere. We came in on a rainy night and the service was spectacular. Keep in mind this is Philly, Chinatown, on a weeknight. No concerts, no clubs being let out and they stay open until midnight. And well if you get here late enough the parking is free and the food quality is just the same. ***Be forewarn*** there may be a wine/cork fee. I have no idea but they didn't charge us. Although they say they are a BYOB, they serve booze. I did like how the manager/server still asked us for ID even though we brought out own bottle. THE FOOD! WAS OUTRAGEOUS maybe it was because this is my first tie having Malaysian food, I will die for Roti Canai! And the Singapore Mei fun (aka rice noodles with curry and shrimp) was delightful, and buttery and crazy delicious! My boyfriend got some soup and well it wasn't my thing until I tasted it. It was great! Anyway parking is free after 10 so it was worth the trip.
(4)
Marilyn S.

I'm a addicted to the Rotti and the lychee drink, I think it's the only reason I keep coming considering I've had to name the host " The Wicked Witch" My first time there I wasn't feeling so well so I ordered a soup that apparently had every single animal in it and smelled like all hell! I was unable to even stand the smell let alone eat it! So I asked if I could Oder something else and she yelled at me in front of the whole restaurant letting me know I wouldn't be able to order anything else after the one she already agreed to replace! That was 3 years ago! Despite her aggressive behavior and bad attitude I still, till this day crave that Rotti so I still come and most times bring new friends so they can enjoy the experience as well. As the years have gone by I can say she hasn't yelled at me again but still a little hard on the face 7 out of 10 times... So I kill her with smiles and kindness!
(4)
Smalice N.

Oh my ROTI!!!! The roti here was light, fluffy, crispy, and flaky!! The dipping sauce had potato and chicken in it. It had a very mild heat and was super delicious. Then I ordered a mix of the chicken and beef satay and the peanut sauce that accompanied it was out of this world!!! I was so full from the roti and the skewers I barely touched the green curry and pad thai. The green curry was packed with flavors such as lemongrass and coconut milk but was not as spicy as I expected it to be. The pad thai was HUGE and I kind of liked how the noodles were chopped up as it was easier to eat. The prices are cheap for the portions they give. Our server was polite and attentive even offering to move my sister and I to a larger table. (We had A LOT of food.) I will definitely be back for more of that roti... I may only order roti!!!!!!!! Amazeballs!!!!
(5)
Ratty R.

Oh, oh, oh! Get a seat on the raised area and watch the wok guy in the open kitchen. FIYAHHH! The food is so, so good, consistent, fresh, delicious. We always get the crunchy squid tentacles, and the fried intestines. And don't say nuttin' until you've had it! The noodle dishes are great, the curries and hotpots are so flavorful. They have beer, which is handy, because a lot of the food is spicy. We have a favorite waitress who always asks about family members not present. It's always crowded, but the wait is never bad.
(5)
Jennifer M.

Penang, a cult classic. I've been coming here over the years, and I still love this place. I always, always start with the Roti Canai. My recent visit was over the weekend, and our group of three was quickly seated. We started off with the Roti Canai, and the delicious curry chicken potato sauce accompanied by the hot and fresh crispy pancake is soon a distant memory. It goes that fast! Luckily, our next appetizers of the Roti Telur and Phoenix Shrimp were delightfully placed on the table for us to feast on. The Roti Telur is similar to the Roti Canai, but the pancake is filled with egg and onion with the same sauce. Very good! I didn't try the shrimp, but given the empty plate, it seemed to be a crowd (can two people be considered a crowd?) pleaser. Our dinner entree choices were Singapore Noodles, Mango Chicken, and Boneless Penang Kari Ayam. We also ordered some coconut rice to share. The Singapore Noodles reminded me of Pad Thai, but the flavors mixed well. Mango Chicken was delivered in an empty Mango shell. The sweet and spicy sauce of this dish was incredible! Easily my favorite of the three. I did like the chicken dish, and it had a nice spicy kick. However, I was kinda over the curry sauce since we devoured the Roti Canai and Roti Telur earlier! Overall, a really good experience! I remember when it used to be cash only, but glad they accept cards! This is one of my go-to spots in Chinatown, mainly because of that Roti Canai!
(4)
Melissa P.

My father, who grew up in Singapore, is obsessed with this place. He chooses it for father's day, birthdays, anniversaries, anytime guests visit, and he stops here on his way from the airport to get takeout and anytime he comes to the city. We come here so often that the people know us. The people who work here are super nice and the service is fast. Also, a lot of times we ask for modifications (like garlic sauce instead of belacan) and they're always happy to modify. Unlike a lot of restaurants in Chinatown, this place actually has an ambiance and decorated feel to it. It's a nice place, great for groups or even a date. We ALWAYS get: The Roti Canai. Picture a crispy stretched out nan /crepe dipped in delicious curry sauce. Chicken, Beef, and Tofu Satay. really tender and the sauce is delicious. Beef Rendang. Delicious and always tender. Beef Chow Fun. Classic and awesome. What my dad calls kang kong with garlic sauce, but is on the menu as "convolus" it's a spinachy, delicious vegetable, that is kinda hard to come by usually. Sometimes we branch out and get new things- they're always good. There's also one in Princeton if you live further away and still crave it! BYOB but there's a corkage fee.
(5)
Har D.

The food is missing some of its oomph. I have been there 5 times in last 6 weeks and do not like the changes in their food. Service is slightly lacking
(3)
Angie K.

Solid 3.5, round up for the super sweet server we had. First off, Penang is WAYYYY better than Banana Leaf. I don't understand how people can compare these two, or suggest that they are similar. Sure, they have a similar menu, but the quality of food is not up to par. Banana Leaf microwaves/reheats some of their food whereas Penang actually prepares it before it's served. Roti Canai, Mango Chicken, and Mee Siam are my favorite dishes. Good for groups, price is right, food is served fairly quicky.
(4)
Ashley S.

I really like the layout of Penang. It is very open, and I don't feel crowded next to other diners while I'm here. My friend and I sat at the high top tables by the window and had a really nice lunch the other day. She had the roti and shrimp and squid pad thai, and I had the Seafood Tomyum soup. As always, our food was delicious and inexpensive. You should only order the seafood soup if you like spicy food -- it comes with a very spicy lemongrass soup broth that has jalapenos floating in it. I loved it, but it is not for the faint of heart. The roti has a kick, but I would say that it's more on the mild side, and the pad thai is relatively mild as well. Tea is included in the meal, and we ended up drinking two pots to help us warm up on a cold day. An all-around great place!
(4)
K F.

Looking for a unique place to eat on a hot summer nite in Philly. Having lived in Singapore the option to have an 'authentic' meal appealed to me. I wasn't disappointed. Omg. So good. I closed my eyes and was transported back. Even chased the perfectly cooked noodles with a Tiger beer. If I lived in Philly this would be a regular haunt.
(5)
Allison T.

Maybe if I wasn't vegetarian I would have been more impressed. Not much to choose from that wasn't salted or fried. Tofu satay appetizer was dried fried tasteless tofu smothered in heavy peanut sauce. Not tempted to take the leftovers home.
(2)
Chloe L.

One my favorite places in china town. The beef chow fun is so good! And so is the Indian pancake with curry sauce. The staff even starts to remember you if you go frequently!
(4)
Fenty T.

hmmm sadly to say but this time all the food that i order taste no taste...i mean penang used to be better :( i had 3 order that i ussually loved much..but i think compare to banana leafs penang far behind..just saying they teach the amigo to cook now...you know its not authentic no more..different hand different taste...asian and mexican??
(2)
Herbie H.

Walked in on a busy Friday night and was promptly seated. Before my friend and I could even peruse the menu, our wine was open. After reading many of these Yelp reviews, I wanted to order the Roti Canai. I opened my menu to look for the appetizer name and the waiter smiled, and pointed for me, saying - "it's what everyone gets." And I can see why. I could eat the sauce with bread, rice, or honestly - by itself. For my entree I ordered Singapore Rice Noodles and was not at all disappointed. It came on an unassuming plate, but was a bountiful pile of noodles, shrimp, vegetables, bean sprouts and cabbage. There was so much food that I couldn't finish it. My friend ordered the Triple Vegetable Noodle - also a large portion with tasty noodles and vegetables. The service was incredibly friendly, accommodating, and flat-out pleasant. As my friend and I were struggling to finish our entrees, we were asked about 5 times if everything was ok or if we needed anything before we could explain that we were just trying to finish the tasty meal. It's a fun, lively, and delicious restaurant. Not only is it a BYO, but it's surprisingly affordable (for our Roti Canai and two noodle dishes, it was $26, including tip.) I can't wait to return to Penang and try some more of the extensive menu.
(5)
Chelsea B.

Penang is just a really great place. As other reviewers have mentioned, it has a whole different vibe than other places in Chinatown because the dining area is just modern and nice. When we went on a Friday night around 8pm we were still in for about a 15 minute wait, but they accommodated us quickly. Judging from the number of large parties, this is a popular place for big groups. They start you off with a pot of tea and ice water, which is always nice. We started with the roti canai, and the thin "pancake" was delicious when dipped in the curry chicken potato sauce. Beware, however, because we did spot a few tiny bones in the dip that would have been easy to miss. Then we shared the satay chicken skewers, which have this nice charcoal flavor and are served with a great peanut sauce. I would have been hard-pressed to choose which of these two sauces was better, but man was the peanut sauce tasty. For our entree we shared the mango chicken, which was the least impressive thing we ordered. The mango sauce was just too sweet and overpowering, and you can tell this is a dish that is less meant for authenticity and more meant to cater to the American palette. When you think about it, this is less Penang's fault for offering it and more my fault for choosing it. Oh well. The mango chicken does come with white rice, and it is definitely large enough to share if you're ordering starters. The service was present but not pushy and the food came out quickly. They bring your bill with a generous plate of orange slices, and from the ambiance to the food to the service to the prices Penang is definitely a hit.
(4)
Stephanie S.

Been here twice, both times left full & happy! This place gives you tons of food for the cheap prices. The atmosphere is nice, spacious for large parties, seating is not too narrow or tight. I also like how it seems a bit more professional than other "cheap" chinese food ... u can take business colleagues here or relatives without seeming low quality. The server staff are so friendly! They are very quick & attentive. The menu is huge and slightly overwhelming, but both times the servers told us their recommendations of the best dishes to narrow down the choices. I also like how I picked my favorites , and asked the server if that is good, and both times he was honest and said "uhhh, no how about u try this instead... Is much better..." Followed by their suggestion. Trust them, they are right!! Everything my table of 9 ordered was delicious. We had 9 different dishes, and 5 appetizers. Everyone loved it, no complaints from anybody!!! (except one of the soup bowls was a little too spicy, but you can ask the server for non-spicy). Will certainly come back again !
(4)
Jia T.

I went there last night and ordered beef curry and rice to go. Just now I took the rice out and want to reheat it BUT there was a wine plastic CAP in the rice! I took a picture!!!
(1)
Diana H.

Great food, friendly service and a good price. It's located right in Chinatown but it's definitely one of the nicer looking restaurants in the area. I mainly go here when I'm craving a noodle soup. My fave is the clay pot noodles which is full of veggies, meat and seafood. It's so delicious and comforting especially on colder days.
(4)
Joyce W.

This was one of the first resturants ive tried in philadelphia. One b/c i am asian and two b/c im a great fan of malaysian food. I loved their food and i would consider it one of the most authentic asian place in philadelphia ( or at least to my taste and understanding). I loved their roti canai, asam laksa, chicken and rice and prawn mee. I havent tired everything on the menu but im sure i would love everything. =) great place to go to and not tooo expensive. true gem in philadelphia.
(4)
Jessica C.

love the christmas lights! food is good, service prompt. great place for a casual date!
(4)
R B.

Amazing! I'm vegetarian and they are always accommodating. The Vegetable Curry in Clay Pot can not be beat and is enough for 2 people. I get it almost ever time I am there. The Mi Siam is similar to Pad Thai and is also terrific (i get it without the shrimp). The vegetarian version of the Roti is a delicious appetizer. The service is always fast and nice.
(5)
Ting Y.

Everytime I walked by this restaurant, I saw lots of people inside. Finally, I went in with my husband and tried their food. Maybe the food I ordered was not right. I ordered their curry chicken. I could say, I make much better curry chicken than they do. And they tried to refill my drink without telling me the refill was not free, and it would cost me 2 bucks more for a small milk tea. Another thing was they didn't give my change back which was about 3 bucks without asking me. Come on, do they have the rule to keep the change for their tips without asking? The food my husband got was a little bit better than mine. But I still wouldn't write home about that. One thing I noticed that, in this restaurant, it was always packed with much more Americans than real Asian people. If you want to eat true Chinese or Asian food in Chinatown, tell you a trick, don't go to the ones are packed with Americans, go to the ones packed with Chinese and other Asian people. This restaurant is not on my Chinatown visiting list anymore.
(1)
Kevin M.

Right in the heart of Chinatown, Penang offers amazing Malaysain food that keeps you coming back for more. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, amazing food, & easy on the wallet. I'm there atleast twice a month. You would think these guys would recognize me but the considering the amount of Indian people that go there, I'm just lost in the crowd of brown faces. Oh, & 1 last thing - Motherfucking Fish Head Curry, Bitch!
(4)
Alex M.

Penang is, without a doubt, my favorite restaurant in Philly. The servers barely speak English, the place is always loud and crowded, and they only accept cash - yet I cant stay away. The food is amazing. I recommend the roti (an indian pancake that you dip in spicey curry sauce) and beef satay (shish kebabs) for appetizers. For entrees go for the mango chicken, seafood lomein, curried steamed red snapper, sizzling pepper beef, and maybe even some wonton soup. For dessert do not miss the peanut butter pancakes. A huge dessert that can be shared by three people. It is basically a heavily-buttered crepe with peanut butter and corn on the inside. That is enough food for the entire cast of the Sopranos btw. Penang is great for bigger parties and is open late. Check it out and dont forget cash.
(5)
andrea f.

I love this Chinatown restaurant. The decor is modern, the service often rushed, the food is always good. It's always a fun place to go with a group, or anyone unfamiliar with Malaysian cuisine. Last week, my partner and I shared the Roti Canai, and the Malaysian Spring Roll--both staples for us and both good. My partner ordered a chicken curry; the chicken was tender, the veggies perfectly cooked, and the sauce spicy. I ordered the Mi Siam, a rice noodle dish with shrimp, egg, fried tofu and sprouts. It was good, but not as good as it's been in the past: the tofu was a little chewy and the shrimp overcooked and slightly mealy. Still, it was perfectly spiced. If you go there, don't overlook the Chinese Sweet Shop directly across the street. Their tofu with ginger honey sauce is warm, sweet and wonderful.
(4)
Veronica Y.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chinatown. The menu is pretty large and varied, so there is something for everyone. The portions are huge and around $7 or $8 for a dinner. I wish I could make it here more often! It's delicious and you won't be disappointed. Make sure you have cash on you, though, as they don't accept credit cards!
(4)
Lauryn Z.

Wandering through chinatown this evening in search of someplace new with decent AC, we decided to give Penang a try, it was early in the evening- they weren't terribly busy and we were greeted and seated near the window almost immediately. It was my first time eating Malaysian food, but quickly got the idea that they enjoyed meat (chicken, beef, pork) in most of their dishes. My boyfriend and I, only eating seafood & veggie food, started off with the Satay Tofu - Crispy fried tofu with cucumber, bean sprouts and a peanut sauce. This was delicious and looking back, perhaps the highlight of our meal, The dish was unique- the fried tofu was perfectly cooked, the veggies fresh . For main dishes we chose the mango shrimp and mee siam (vermicelli noodles with shrimp & tofu). The vermicelli dish was our favorite here- we enjoyed the spicyness but agreed that it could have been even spicier. The presentation of the mango shrimp in two halves of a mango was different, and this dish went well with the coconut rice we also ordered. The dish itself was supposed to be a mix of spice and sweet, but ended up being mostly sweet with nothing to counteract the sweetness (i.e. spice). It was delicious, however felt more like a dessert than a main dish. Overall, we enjoyed our meal, and will return in the future. Hopefully next time they will be more confident that spicy food won't scare us away!
(4)
Lindsey B.

Everything was flavorful, presented well, and fairly priced. Nothing to complain about, not amazing but not bad at all.
(4)
Hanna K.

This spot is a definite must! The roti with curry dipping sauce is super addicting and the chicken dumplings are divine. My son actually tried dipping them in the curry and loved it. For our main courses we got the Thai basil noodles, seafood lo mein, and spicy chicken. I wasn't crazy about the Thai basil noodles as they were pretty bland, but the lo mein was full of flavor. The surprise delight was the chicken because it came battered and fried with a bowl of cold sweet and sour veggies. It was like a fresh take on the traditional Chinese version of sweet and sour chicken. Overall, it was very nice experience!
(4)
Aasima A.

So GOOD! If you are the typical "shrimp fried rice" ordering type or more daring (mango shrimp), everyone will love what they get at Penang. "Indian pancake" is not what it sounds like, so I agree with others that you have to read the description of what your ordering. Bring cash, and expect to wait at least a few minutes (they don't take reservations). Decor is like being inside a converted warehouse-loft-apartment turned asian-restaurant. Service is usually very fast (I think they are told to keep turn-around-time quick) and they don't they appreciate when you linger after paying the bill. Soft drinks are served in their cans, and they give forks to EVERYONE even if they see you using the chopsticks. But everything I have ever tried has been good so far, and for the price you can't beat it. This is a good stop for out-of-towners who are on a mission to see down-town Philly in one day. Also very conveneint to Convention Center, Gallery Mall, 11st El-train stop, City Hall, the Courthouse, and (of course) Chinatown.
(5)
Mike C.

When you're in Chinatown few if any restaurants compare to Penang. They consistently serve up some really spectacular dishes for the most obscenely affordable prices I've seen. I'm pretty certain the last time for two with appetizers and possibly even a drink the total bill was under $20. The cuisine tastes like anything but budget-friendly asian though. They have some awesome noodle dishes that I've not found elsewhere and everything they cook has a very authentic pan flavored taste that I really can't describe, but always appreciate when I'm in town. They have a great menu with quite the selection to choose from, even if you may need to ask what some of the dishes are exactly. Even then, you'll often just end up seeing other dishes people have ordered and try to figure out what those are. Service is fine and the food usually comes pretty quick. The seating is pretty cramped during dinner though but it only adds to the charm. Come to think of it, this is also one of the few places in Chinatown I've been into that actually has a decor to speak of. Parking kinda sucks as you'd expect in Chinatown but it's right on the main drag so it has easy walking access from Suburban Station. Definitely not a place to overlook if you're in the area, or even if you're not.
(5)
Alison D.

The food is amazing, but huge menu is not great for veggie options. Like when you look on the menu under "vegetables" it will say "vegetables with pork." But they do have an fantastic and HUGE clay pot vegetable dish that is so delicious that you will try to eat all of it even if it could easily feed three people. The space is great, service brisk/efficient, but not unfriendly. Yes, easily five stars, even if there are limited choices for veggies. Yay Penang!
(5)
Neil B.

Best malayasian food in philly. Get the Roti Kanai and the Beef and Chicken skeweres to start. Then the Beef Rendang is a must. Pretty much everything is good here, I love it.
(5)
Jacquelin K.

Judging by these reviews, the mango dish is one of the most popular. I've ordered it in Philly & DC and I have to say I'm fundamentally not feeling it. They go way overboard with the sauce. It's too thick, too strong, & there's too much of it. Ugh. This place can get so insanely crowded on the weekends that you can't hear yourself think.
(3)
Sibil M.

Penang is an awesome Chinatown find. It's fast, no frills food that has Malayasian favorites. I always have the roti canai which is a crisp large roti and a small bowl of coconut chicken curry with potatoes. The items I most often get here are the Singapore noodles with shrimp and the Thai Chicken (boneless). Both are fresh, hot, tasty and come out very fast. I love that you get a nice hot steaming cup of green tea while you're waiting for your food. This place is always busy but they do a great job of getting you in and out, so the waits never long! You never just have one waitress, it's a team of ladies who walk around making sure everything and everyone is okay. It's beyond affordable, and I actually think they undercharge for what you get. Their spicy crisp whole fish is also tasty and fantastic. There are a wide range of Malaysian, Thai, and Chinese items you can get. Be careful though, because it is a traditional Chinatown spot in the sense that you need to specify you dont' want skin and bones with your chicken. Make sure you ask for boneless and skinless versions.
(4)
Rupam C.

Penang is the asian food that Indians love. The mango chicken, roti kanai is off the hook. But do make sure you bring cash, and try to call ahead because this place gets crowded!
(5)
Ti L.

Having never tried Malaysian cuisine, I didn't know what to expect, but it was the perfect blend of asian and indian fare. For starters, the Indian pancake was great, the Prawn Mee Soup packed a kick (but I kind of liked it), and the Malaysian Spareribs... damn those were good. I didn't think I could eat another bite until the fried ice cream came out... it was gone in like 2 minutes... will definitely go back.
(4)
matthew l.

Outpost of small New York chain still the one to beat for the genre. Their chefs work with speed and skill and extract the best from coconut milk, lemongrass, mango, galangel and other great Asian ingredients. Finely balanced and addictive curries hard to match anywhere. Superior roti canai and dipping sauce best prelude to large selection of Pacific Rim treats on large menu. Little anglicizing of traditional recipes with food uniformly good. Equal part Asian and Caucasian patrons demonstrates a seamless bridge between authentic and main stream trans cultural culinary sensibilities. Aqua and Banana Leaf worthy clones but no match for this one for energy and authenticity.
(4)
Kristine F.

This was my first time eating Malaysian, went to Penang because of a friends suggestion. Had the Roti Canai, it was very tasty, friend in our group had the octopus or squid? It was a bowl of tentacles and grossed me out, but he loved it, so if that's your thing it's good too. We had good service, I'm curious about the items on the menu that you have to talk to the wait staff about before ordering... but not curious enough to order them!
(3)
C K.

Not bad, its a chain apparently. I had stay, the pancake stuff, and flat noodles i think. they were pretty good.
(4)
Jenn H. H.

one of my favorite places in chinatown. this place is a chain, and the beauty of it is the consistency of their food. it's always good at whatever location and it comes out fast and hot. the menu is expansive. i usually go with a noodle dish (pearl noodles or goreng) or a noodle soup, or basically anything that they label as a favorite. all of their appetizers are great. prices are so reasonable that you wonder why the food doesn't cost more. you can stuff yourselves silly here and not ever feel it in your wallet. service is ok here. it has a dark and industrial decor. i would give this place 5 stars it they took credit cards. the last time i was there they said they were going to change that in a few weeks, but reading other reviews it seems that hasn't happened yet.
(4)
Caroline H.

satay tofu was good!
(3)
Alicia O.

i really enjoyed the soup we got. it had shrimp and noodles and it was too much for one person to eat. i think i had duck and it was a little fatty but very tastey. i'd def go back!
(4)
Justin B.

great place - excellent traditional chinese food and other fusion selections. fun atmosphere - busy, loud! cross the street to get sweet treats for dessert.
(4)
Randeep M.

best place to eat in china town, PERIOD. everything i have ever gotten from here is delicious and really affordable. their service is super fast and some of the waiters may seem like they are on crack coz they keep comin back over and over until you order. i can see how this may make you feel like they are tryin to rush you out, but they really dont. they serve you fast but dont rush you. ive always had to ask for the check. best thing i like is the curried chicken with rice, then addin mixed veggies (extra 2 bucks) with rice comes out to 8-9 dollars for plenty of great tasting food. for me and my gf this fills both of us and usually leaves some leftovers (shes a really light eater though). oh and they serve tea every time as soon as they seat you for free. great dining experience and its usually packed. even while its packed they still serve you really fast.
(5)
Susan L.

delish and cheap. go there now.
(4)
Jon F.

the best penang branch. i've been there so many times that i have my set dishes (boneless chicken curry, roti canai), but you really should explore this ridiculously long menu.
(5)
Florentina L.

Love their Indian pancake and Thai Chicken. As for drinks, try coconut or the watermelon drink. I always get these items when I have a taste for Penang.
(5)
Tobin G.

Honestly this place wasn't as expected. I love Thai/ Malaysian food but for some reason what I ordered, the pad Thai, was very greasy! Every bite had so much grease in it. I literally barfed in their restaurant! Their roti and chicken was delicious! Their customer service was awesome. Maybe I just had a bad dish.. I'm giving them a 3 because of their customer service and the other dishes my friends bought that was good. I'll give this place another try when I come to Philly from NYC!
(3)
Vy D.

Oh, how I love thee, Penang. Let me describe the dishes.... I always order these same dishes of pure awesomeness. And you should too. 1) Home Made Roti Canai (Indian Pancake, $3.95)- Perfectly crispy style pancake & curry chicken with a rich potato dipping sauce. The roti is amazing- fresh, flaky, oily in all the right ways. Absolutely phenomenal flavors. 2) Mee Siam ($7.95)- Delicious stir-fried rice vermicelli with tofu, shrimp & bean sprout in spicy thai chili sauce, sprinkled with grounded peanut sliced hard boiled eggs on top. The flavors literally burst out of your mouth. You'll drool for more (At least I did). 3) Chicken Curry w/ rice ($6.95)- This is SO good! Always brimming with great taste. Comforting and filling as well. 4) Fried Ice Cream w/ banana- There is always room for dessert if it always taste like this fried ice cream! Incredibly delish. As you can tell by several of the prices I listed, it's also CHEAP FOOD! So next time you're in Chinatown, give Penang a thought. Because contrary to what you might think, the best restaurants in Chinatown may not be Chinese.
(4)
Douglas M.

The spicy seafood and noodles are AMAZING to have on a cold snowy day. Highly recommended!
(5)
Jessica A.

I've been eating at this place for years! And I still love it! They sell real authentic Asian/Southeast Asian food. They don't "Americanize" their food like the typical Chinese restaurants in your neighborhood. Penang is a Malaysian Restaurant, so their cuisines are a mixture of Chinese, Thai, Singaporean, and Indian tastes. I don't even know which food I would recommend, because I've tried almost all of them and I'm always satisfied with the order. This place is good for big party too, they have the big round table. Parking: street meter parking and parking garage. There's a parking lot 2 stores down that allow you to park for $10 for the whole day. They accept credit cards, no bar, and does take out. I usually called for take out and they never disappoint me.
(5)
Christine N.

I love this place! This is my go-to restaurant when I'm craving Malaysian food. The price, atmosphere, and most importantly, the food, is exquisite. The waiters/waitresses are very friendly as well.
(5)
Justine J.

My second time here was not as cool as my first. The roti and the malaysian icea tea continues to be delicious, but the service did not. Staff was ridiculously inattentive, considering how the place was not busy yet. It took a while to place our order,and the water was not well replenished. The server also screwed up my order. I said seafood claypot, and she repeats casserole. I kept correcting her, WHILE POINTING AT the menu item. It finally dawns on her. When the good was brought out, it was nothing like the claypot had ordered last time. The check comes, and I could not believe my eyes. The check says casserole. We also did not get oranges this time, but other tables were getting them. MF said last time he was here at 11 am he got oranges. I was there last time at 7 pm and got oranges. We were there around 3 pm. I kindly ask the manager if we get oranges, or if we had to order them separately. She said that they only came with dinner, and I said, "Oh ok, because other tables got them so I was wondering if we had to order separately.." She gets a smart and snarky, and looks around here and says "where?" sarcastically. This conversation actually went on, which really annoyed me - she was so argumentative. All I said was, "I was wondering." Why can't we just leave it as that?
(3)
Tiffany T.

I wish they'd open a place over in California! I can't find a place to satisfy my Roti Canai cravings anywhere else, so I'm always excited to come to Philly and eat here. The roti canai has the perfect crispiness and the chicken curry pairs well. I could eat a couple portions. :) The Seafood Tomyam noodle soup is very flavorful, with a spicy kick to it. The Mee Siam is also a good choice. I like the chicken or beef satay. I would pass on the Malaysian milk tea next time (way too sweet). The service is not bad, considering how busy they can get.
(5)
Jeanette M.

Love love love this place. Great service, good price, wonderful food! Will definitely be back.
(5)
Small East Gourd ..

Being a Malaysian abroad in this country, the thing is miss the most is food from my country. And Penang helps me with getting my cravings for Malaysian food fixed, not perfect but close enough. I would recommend the staples like char kuey teow, roti canai, penang chicken wings, nasi lemak. I love love the Malaysian style spare ribs. Also known as lam Yu Pai Kuat. They could work on the curry laksa and hainanese chicken rice a little bit more. Prices are affordable and service is quick! I also appreciate a restaurant that gives fresh fruits at the end of a meal not fortune cookies because they don't even exist in Asia.
(4)
Augustina G.

For me, it's very hard not to compare this place to Banana Leaf since they're only a block away from each other. The roti canai is not only a safe choice, but it's a good and pretty much mandatory appetizer choice if you're going to a Malaysian restaurant. The soft, yet crispy pancake is a nice start that will not fill you up by any means. I had the mee siam, which was denoted as spicy on the menu, but I didn't find it to be that way. It had a little kick, but I didn't find it to be hot at all. It was also served on a plate that was much too small given the size of the food. The plate was also chipped, which knocks some presentation points off. The Malaysian iced tea is pretty good stuff! Sweet and will cool you down on a hot day, for sure. Overall, the items are reasonably priced. You can easily get 3 courses for around $15, which is a great deal. Their kitchen is slightly open, so if you're sitting close to it, you can peek in and see the cooks at work!
(3)
Danan R.

We came with a group of 14 today, and they were extremely accommodating with both the setup and service. It was a friend's birthday and they were great about serving the cake and didn't charge us a corkage fee. The food was very good, as well, albeit a tad on the salty side. The mee goreng was very flavorful, and the sizzling beef was very tender. The chicken satay was a huge hit as well, and I really loved how the pieces were numerous but small and well-marinated. The seafood curry casserole was solid, with a spicy green curry broth and green beans, tomatoes, carrots, and eggplant. Service was fantastic and our food came out very quickly. The ambiance is great, as well. Definitely a great restaurant for a group!
(4)
Jordan S.

Your typical Chinatown fare where within a menu of steep prices, there are some hidden gems for cheap! Roti Canai. Everyone must get this. The curry sauce is so savory, the pancake is fun to eat for someone who hasn't had it before, and the chicken in the broth is delicious. I love their curry chicken (boneless). Same sauce as the Roti but with a great helping of rice and chicken for about $7. The Roti appetizer runs about $3-4. Great prices, great food, great portion, you get the point. CAVEAT: $15 minimum of credit cards!
(4)
Nataly N.

I've been here several times, and had pleasant experiences every time. The service is a bit awkward, but the servers seemed like they were trying. The seating space is nicer than at Banana Leaf. There is more room and the furniture looks more clean. It's a good place to take friends out on a gathering. The roti canai here must have crack in it. It's simply delicious. The Thai basil noodles were good, but I felt really heavy afterward from all the oil. If you're on a diet, this is not the dish for you. I also had the mango chicken dish, and although it was good at first, my taste buds got a bit bored by the bright orange sweet/sour/spicy sauce they used. I think the dish would have been better with some kind of broth-based sauce or something less gelatinous. I also had fried ice cream here once for dessert. Unfortunately, I don't recommend it. The crust is made from some kind of really thick beer batter. In general, I prefer fried ice cream crusts to be on the crispy side. This crust was squishy and oily. Bleh. Though I have yet to find an entree here that blows my mind, I do enjoy the overall experience of dining here, as long as I start out with an order of insanely addictive roti canai.
(4)
Liza K.

My friends and I were craving something unusual, and had never tried Malaysian food. We thought it was like a mix of Thai, Chinese and Indian cuisine, but with a twist. I really want to go back to try more dishes. I also loved their lychee drink - as that's one of my favorite fruits. We tried two different roti dishes - and couldn't get enough. We also split three apps between the tree of us. I wish I wrote down which ones - but I would just recommend trying new things. All three dishes were completely different from what we had tried before - you can't go wrong if you're an adventurous eater. Can't wait to go back, take pictures and document the dishes I try next!
(4)
Doo Wee T.

I have no idea that Penang is Malaysian and Cambodian?! I love to eat at Penang because they have my favorite food: Chow Kueh Teow a.k.a Kwetiau goreng. What I like from penang is the quality of food are never change, no matter how busy they are during weekend or dinner time! The only small thing bothers me is the food is greasy when you order take out!
(4)
Robert G.

This place needs to be on everyone's bucket list. It's a shame it's hike from home but it's always worth it. Been a fan of this place for over 15 years now. Very reasonably priced and amazing assortment of meals to flirt with the most seasoned and picky palate. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff to help you with your decision or recommend something new or different. They need to open one up in the Burbs. Highly recommend: - Home Made Roti Canai (Indian pancake) - Chicken/Beef Penang Satay - Mango Chicken - Wanton Soup (my wives favorite, I am not brave enough to share) - Chow Kueh Teow Fried Noodles - Beef Basil
(5)
Kelly C.

This is my go-to spot for pad Thai!!! I've been here many times and still not tired of their pad Thai! I don't have a sweet tooth so it's great that they stir fry theirs in soy sauce and put the sweet and sour bean sprouts on the side. So if you don't want to mix it, you don't have to! And then they sprinkle crushed peanuts on top. Nom! I've also been here several time for birthday dinners. Super easy to arrange! You can just call in and make a reservation. Make sure you let them know especially if you are looking for a big circle table for family style~ a lot of times you can call in a day in advance and it should be no problem~ also (MOST IMPORTANT THING), if you're looking to embarrass your friend or family on their birthday, THIS is your spot!! Just let them know it's someone's birthday and they will BLAST the happy birthday anthem on their gianormous Bose speakers at the four corners of the wall and the invisible spotlight will be unavoidable!! (unless the birthday star is in the bathroom then you got to signal the staff to cut it out!) Overall, I really like coming here for a meal. It's slightly pricier than the rest of Chinatown but still super affordable! I also love the joyful atmosphere they have here~ it always has a diverse crowd~ friends, family, lovers-- all just looking for a delicious meal!! people leave very happy and holding their stomachs!
(4)
Lenn H.

Been coming to this place for about 15yrs and it remains consistently good. Never disappoints and has been the go to spot in Philly Chinatown. Now I'm craving for the Roti Canai. Yum
(5)
Shereen C.

Most of the dishes I had at Penang were passable but not very tasty. Generally, Penang's kitchen oversimplified the flavours of the dishes such that they each had one shallow dominating flavour instead of a blend of flavours with more depth. Best I had at Penang: Roti canai (appetizer) was pretty good. It's standard for what you can get in Philly, which is to say it's on the overly crisp, overcooked side but that's par for the course. Shrimp sambal: sauce was good (if you like sambal, which I do). Shrimp was overcooked, so texture was non-ideal. Bad texture, good flavour. Mango tofu: tofu is dry and a little hard. This dish is mainly just sweet, not particularly good. Bad texture and bad flavour. I'd avoid this one. Steamed Chicken - Disappointing. This style of chicken should be slippery and succulent, but instead it was overcooked. Sauce was okay, flavourwise. Noodle dishes were edible, but not great. Not tasty. Bad texture. Summary: the food's edible but I wouldn't look forward to coming back.
(2)
Nabeel N.

By far the best Malaysian restaurant in Philly. We've been fans since Penang first opened, and we're glad they now accept credit cards. Similar places have cropped up since, but this is by far our favorite. Roti Canai is their speciality. Although I have to say that the Penang Boston is way better in terms of service. Even though the menu suggest you ask the waiter for advice, please don't. They always seem to steer you to the most expensive dish on the menu. Probably because they don't really know the menu?
(4)
Annie N.

I come here often for their Indian pancake. The sauce usually has one piece of chicken and potato in it. My typical entree option is the Mee Siam noodles. I've had the pad Thai here and it was okay. The chicken satay is good. Weekend dinners can get crowded so come early.
(4)
Michael F.

I've visited Penang on multiple occasions. Just to clarify the 3-star rating, on none of these trips was I truly dissatisfied. However, not one could have me locked in as "a fan", and each left me with something to gripe about. The Roti Canai is good. I really enjoy the Nasi Lemak as you can really taste thte coconut in the rice. The Coconut Nasi Goreng is good for the same reason. As for the gripes: The servers have mixed up my order on at least one of my trips and weren't too happy as they tried to make it out to be my fault. Another trip for dinner and the decided that orange slices would only be provided for those dining after a certain time, even though we could clearly see others had been given them. Finally, another time the service was just ridiculously slow especially factoring in the amount of people in the restaurant. Again, nothing individually to stop me from going back, but nothing there pulling me that way. Given the options in Chinatown, it may be a while before I head back to Penang.
(3)
William R.

This restaurant is a treasure. We had a range of dishes, mostly appetizers plus fried squid, and everything was outstanding. The service was quick and efficient, despite it being a crowded Saturday night with lots of families. We love Malaysian restaurants because of the Asian fusion cuisine, and Penang does it perfectly.
(5)
N.J. W.

All I can say is that Penang is OUTSTANDING! I can't name a food here that I don't like. First of all, it is always packed: it's popular with people who live both within the city and outside. There are a ton of possible options for dinner in Philadelphia's Chinatown, but this one is in the top 2 or 3 without a doubt. To start off, the Indian pancakes with the curry sauce is a great pick. For the meal, which is normally family style, I absolutely recommend the curry chicken, peaking duck, the seafood lo mien, and for your vegetable, the watercress with garlic sauce. Also, if you're a soup fan, I recommend the wonton me (one of the best soup and noodle combos I've ever tasted). White or brown rice comes with most of the dishes, so you'll have plenty of that. I recommend going to Penang if you have a big group to go out with, because then you get to taste all of the different sauces and spices and flavors of this Cambodian-Malaysian hybrid. If you're in Philadelphia on a trip or are just spending a night in the city, I DEFINITELY recommend Penang.
(5)
Katlyn H.

Just finished eating here! Super fast service and absolutely delicious. Got the chicken with spicy curry and onions. OMG so delish! My boyfriend couldn't stop picking off my plate haha. It's a must!
(5)
Jay A.

I'm a big fan of the roti canai amd the clay pot curry. Good service and reasonable prices.
(4)
Priya M.

Love love love! The atmosphere is sort of like the street market but the service is prompt the food is amazing and fresh and the bill is cheap! I asked for extra spicy and for once someone accommodated!!
(5)
Catherine C.

My favorite dish at penang is actually the appetizer roti canal. I don't know why it's just so delicious! It's fluffy and crispy and chewy all at the same time, plus it comes with a small bowl of chicken curry that is to die for. I also love all their other dishes and think that their prices are very reasonable!
(4)
Smrithi D.

Went here after SIPS and the food and service was just as the other reviews say. I ordered the basil flat noodles (I forgot what it was called) and got it without the chicken or seafood and it was alright- nothing too exceptional. One of my friends ordered a the roti canai- small dish that came with a dipping curry and a thin naan like crepe. It's phenomenal and drool worthy. A must try!!
(4)
Jemi J.

More like 2.5 Banana leaf is so much better than Penang so far. But the Roti Canai was everything I imagined it to be, except that the roti was tougher to chew than I thought (so the probability of it being in house made versus from the supermarkey freezer aisle is high-yay for handmade roti!) Maybe I ordered the wrong dishes, but I am not a seafood fan, so I stuck to the Thai Basil Noodle without shrimp. It tasted pretty soggy and no flavor whatsoever. The chicken pieces tasted good at first but after a while it started tasting soggy and oily. My cousin had the Chow Kueh teow, which was okay at first but lackluster as our food got room temperature after a while. There weren't that many shrimp pieces in the dish. To finish off, we split a Rambutan drink. Delish. For a rambutan ignorant person such as I until this drink, it tasted like the cross between mango and lychee, but better. The pieces at the bottom were yummy to eat. I definitely want to come back and give them another try, maybe their mango chicken or a noodle soup dish.
(2)
Nicola M.

Fantastic place!!! Indian pancake was so tasty, as was the chicken satay. The tea provided was also delicious. The restaurant was super busy but the service was top notch and we had no complaints, great atmosphere. Would certainly go back again
(4)
Sonia L.

We went here last night having had fond memories of this restaurant in the past. Every dish that we ordered we found to be mediocre at best. This restaurant is not up to it's positive reviews. We couldn't even finish what we ordered as nothing was really good!
(2)
Huong T.

Got the hainan chicken rice and the roti canal as appetizer. The chicken was ok. Nothing special
(4)
Xiaoshu D.

All dishes are very very oily, and too much sugar. Not authentic at all. One dish even has SAND in it!
(1)
Callan W.

A group of 12 of us gathered for a birthday dinner with no problems. There may have been 7 orders of Roti placed, but probably more. Nobody was willing to share. You shouldn't share either as it was definitely the best dish of the night. I will try to remember the rest as it was a hodge podge of different dishes that were passed around our large table. The tofu satay was sans stick and made into a fried pocket to hold julienned cucumbers and then covered in peanut sauce. I hate cucumbers, but I gladly ate it. Spring rolls were crunchy and came with a good chili sauce to help punch up their flavors. The rest of the dishes were pretty good. A fried noodle with seafood was gone in seconds. The pad thai was good, but not the best I ever had. The beef with basil was good and something for an asian food novice to order. We also ordered a chicken dish and a beef dish, both in a penang curry. They were super flavorful. There were others....so many others, but I can't recall. For birthdays, they play a song and sing. It is definitely fun for a group.
(4)
Jay L.

A nicer, more expensive place to eat in Chinatown, with decent food. I did not like how they charged for each bowl of rice, even though we ordered two entrees (which evidently does not come with any). My favorite part of the meal was the roti. The thin roti is crispy and has a tasty, meaty dipping sauce. The portion is small, but it is an appetizer. I was not a huge fan of the rest of the food, the mango chicken or the Mee Siam. I agree with the other reviews that compare the mango chicken to sweet and sour chicken, that is essentially what it is, with mango instead of pineapple. There is also a but too much sweet and sour sauce smoothing the food. But the chicken was cooked right, as were the mangos which were left somewhat crunchy, which was a nice texture. The Mee Siam was just another noodle dish, not much to say. The white rice and the coconut (since I ordered them separately), was also just rice. The sweet coconut rice was not a good pairing with the mango chicken, together they were too sweet. Worth a try just once.
(3)
Kelly L.

There aren't many Malaysian restaurants in town. I grew up in Singapore and definitely have been to Malaysia several times. Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine is always a great topic of debate. Are the 2 cuisines really different? To me, not so much. So I'll give this restaurant a 3 stars, because if I were to ship it to Malaysia or Singapore, I probably wouldn't consider going back because it's below average. Don't misunderstand my words, it's not a bad restaurant but it's definitely not a great one for Malaysian cuisine.
(3)
megan a.

Food is fantastic! Roti can so, satay chicken, mango chicken, prawns in special sauce (if you like a little heat). But really can't go wrong with any dish there. Enjoy!
(5)
Gregory H.

Good food and good service. I went here a few nights ago for the first time and got the Singapore rice noodles. They were quite tasty - savory and a little smokey. The satay chicken appetizer was also quite good. The service was prompt and polite. I would definitely go here again.
(4)
S D.

It's a solid 3.5 stars. Stays open until late and that's always worth a lot! The 2 items not to miss are the roti telur and the roti kanai. Google them - they are standard Malayasian food items. I've tried a few versions and found theirs to be one of the best in the north east.
(4)
Paul C.

Overall, Penang is a solid three-stars. Here's my take: -Food: This was the first Malaysian food I've ever had and quite frankly I didn't really like any of it. Perhaps Malaysian food is not my thing, but everything was really mediocre and tasted like Chinese take-out. The roti pancake curry appetizer that everyone raved about tasted fine but it wasn't particularly memorable. The curry (chicken?) rice dish had essentially the same sauce as the curry dip for the roti appetizer. I was very disappointed with the cheap fluffy rice for that dish. Lastly, there was another dish that I don't quite remember but it was really sweet and was covered in a thick, orange/red sauce. I wouldn't get that again. -Service: The manager of the restaurant helped us to pick out some popular items on their menu. That was very considerate. The unfortunate part is that we didn't really enjoy any of the items he suggested. -Atmosphere: Penang is clean, casual, and modern. Based on the atmosphere alone, I would come back. It's probably one of the cleanest restaurants in Chinatown. The catch: it's not Chinese food.
(3)
Cynthia X.

This Malaysian name-saked restaurant is more of a Southeast Asian delight (with some Chinese-ish options). Penang is a great choice for food in China town and at very affordable prices! In addition to more traditional Malaysian foods of Nasi Lemak or Roti Canai, they also offer Thai and Chinese dishes. Friends got the satay skewers and pad thai, which looked decent. I went for two orders of the roti canai (appetizer). Just how I remember it tasting from my time in SE Asia! The curry dip was great as well. My only complaint is that it was a bit too oily. While I enjoyed the food there, there was nothing special. I'm sure I will be going back for the reasonable prices.
(3)
Jemma C.

Popular place with almost every table taken... Everything was fine however the salt content in EVERYTHING is off the charts. For that reason alone I'd never go back.
(2)
Debra V.

Started with coconut and fruity waters. Refreshing. Roti, a thin crispy pancake with sauce, was good. Enjoyed a beef dish, fried rice noodles, and a bowl of Chinese cabbage with bean curd soup. Coconut rice was disappointing since we had more flavorful rice somewhere else. But we had a choice and would have it again. Good Malaysian food for the first try.
(4)
Dana B.

First time at Penang was for a friend's birthday celebration. They have quite a menu, with the selections ranging from super cheap to relatively pricey--however, for what you pay, you do get a lot of food. I believe I ordered chicken noodle soup with chicken and shrimp--a huge bowl for only $6.00?? Count me in! Also had a watermelon juice--if they had peach I would've ordered that. But anyway, it was the perfect place for our kind of party, and the waiter was very friendly and accommodating. Would definitely consider it as a future go-to for dinner in Chinatown.
(4)
Abhishek Y.

Went here with a friend on a Saturday afternoon after running some errands in Center City, and it was a great decision! I wasn't particularly willing to be half a block away from Banana Leaf and go somewhere other than their delicious place, but I was convinced otherwise, and I'm glad I gave it a shot. The spicy seafood and veggie soup, along with the roti canai, was amazing as expected, and the veggie pad thai was fantastic as well. Service was a tad spotty, as the waters took a bit to be refilled, but that really wasn't that big of a concern for me, considering that the food quality was out of this world. Food came quickly, tasted amazing, and the bill came out to 35 bucks for a solid lunch. Can't really complain at all! Definitely another must-try if you're in the area! Now, the real question is which is better, Banana Leaf or Penang, and that's a doozy of a quandary...
(5)
Ann V.

Craving some Roti Cani, Mee Siam, and Spicy Thai Chicken right about now....
(4)
Gene M.

The food was good...My boy friend loved beef chow fun.... And the mango chicken was also very good!!
(4)
Hamzah K.

Mango chicken and carry roti are the reason why I eat here!
(4)
Jane V.

One of my faaaaaav places in Chinatown. Mango chicken is good, chicken satay, the pancake stuff, and my absolute favorite dish is the beef and flat noodles dish - forgot the name... and of course, the thai iced tea. Although it gets packed on the weekends, the servers get you in and out pretty quickly. You feel a bit rushed...but I don't mind so much since they sat me quickly and brought out the food in record-breaking time.
(4)
Laurel M.

Penang sure is a tasty lil Malaysian spot! We dropped in late on a Friday night & the place was quite busy but we were still able to grab a table. Our food was served fairly promptly & included a variety of rices (coconut rice, chicken rice, fried rice, etc...) all of which were great & a sampling of main dishes such as fatty pork, spare ribs & spicy mango chicken (my fave!). Everything was fresh & nicely prepared. Absolutely no complaints! Try their juices, they were especially tasty! mmm...love fresh juice! The decor was pretty neat as well. It was done up as if you were sitting outside, on level with the rooftops of an Asian town. Nifty. I really enjoyed eating at Penang & would happily return for any occasion!
(4)
C K.

best indian pancakes, great curry, all over yummy food, really good sauteed spinach. I've also heard that their mango curry is delicious.
(5)
H I.

My experience at Penang was horrible. The food was bad. I ordered house special pork with yam and hainanese chicken, it tasted soo badd i couldn't even finish it. I hate wasting food but the taste was so unbearable there was no way I was going to finish it. Sorry if I offended someone, it's just my opinion.
(1)
Christina R.

Upon realizing that I really wasn't going to eat a Phillycheese Steak (after not having eaten meat in over 6months--my own personal experiment)...cheesefries, yes, but beef...not so much...my friend that I was visiting in Philadelphia thoughtfully took me to Penang in Philadelphia's Chinatown (on the way there, he made sure to ensure me that they had plenty of vegetarian options and raved about their tofu dishes). Penang had a cool thing going on with a high ceiling and metal accents in the interior design. I wish I could remember exactly what we ordered to list it here because boy, was it good. The service was a little slow and they brought us an extra appetizer that we hadn't ordered (we wound up just not saying anything--it tasted good--and it showed up on our bill at the end). We went on a Wednesday night and it was pretty "hoppin" (yes, hoppin) and my friend says that it can be very busy on the weekends (it was actually his first time eating in there as usually he and his housemate get take out since it can be busy). Parking was a pain, but that was to be expected. I liked it a lot and servings were big enough to bring some home to be eaten cold out of the box for the next day's breakfast.
(4)
Kaz H.

I've eaten here with colleagues over a dozen times. I've always loved their food! Sometimes the servers aren't too polite, but regardless the food's terrific. It's hard to pick a favorite dish here, but I've always loved the Curried Chicken. One of their appetizers chicken skewers (I forgot the name.. It's the second on the list) is awesome. I also like their cold coffee. It's also open pretty late so can be a good place to get take out food.
(5)
Dong K.

I brought my family down here for dinner. Now my parents being pretty traditional korean only likes certain foods. However, they were a big fan of Penang. I ordered Roti Canai, Pad Thai, Seafood Lo Mein, Mango Chicken, Crispy Squid, and Curry Chicken. For 6 people, everyone was stuffed and the bill only came out to like 80 bucks with tax and tip. As a matter of fact, they liked it sooo much they're coming down and bringing their friends! Food here never disappoints, prices are fairly priced and the atmosphere is conducive to groups and talking and enjoying your meal carefree. I recommend! ps. This place has almost the exact same menu as Banana Leaf. And I used to love their bean soup dessert thingy but they only give you oranges now.
(4)
Lynn P.

Three words......Beef-Chow-Fun. Eat it!
(4)
Emily C.

Really hard to get a table on weekends for dinner, and they don't take reservations. The place is packed to capacity with tables, so when you do finally sit down you don't have much elbow room. But still, the fare is worth the wait. always always always get the roti canai. I can't emphasize this enough. I'd also recommend the Hainan Chicken and salt and pepper squid. Service is a little hasty. I think they try to the turn the tables around as quickly as possible to accommodate all the business. Aside from dim sum, my favorite Philly chinatown place to eat.
(4)
Vicki M.

Seafood Lo Mein Enough said. Okay, so maybe I should say a little more. I have literally been to Penang around 3-4 dozen times in the past year and the food has always been amazing. The Malaysian Buddhist is to die for, as is the Seafood Lo Mein. We used to also always get a giant bowl of Coconut Rice. So good. Satay Tofu and Penang Lobuk (I might have the name wrong) are delicious starters. Bonus: they will sometimes give you a complimentary bowl of bean soup. Okay, so I unfortunately do not know what it is called; we just affectionately dub it the "bean soup." It looks like a dessert made with rice and sweet beans. All I know is that it is yummy and sweet and makes the whole meal worth it.
(5)
Cassie T.

This place is an old favorite of mine in Chinatown! We always used to go here after shows at the Trocodero near by. The decor inside is a neat industrial style type things, but I think they have remodeled a little since the last time I went. Penang has a huge selection of Malaysian food, you can definitely find something for everyone. One of my favorite dishes to get there is the appetizer of naan and curry dipping sauce. Holy hell it's delicious. Otherwise I also like the crispy seafood noodles and their curry dishes! They also give you oranges at the end of your meal (at least they used to, haven't been in some time) ! Go if you're in Chinatown for sure.
(5)
Ashley H.

Penang definitely hits the spot when you want a good rendition of malaysian food. Even though I am half Singaporean, having been raised in Taiwan for most of my life, my taste buds towards Malaysian and Singaporean food are biased and uncultured to the authenticity of the cuisine. (Also, it is rare for us to eat Singaporean/Malaysian food at our home) I come here because the price is very reasonable and the food is tasty. My order usually varies from Roti-Cani, Hainanese Chicken, Poh Piah, Satay, Chow Kueh Teow, Hokkein Char Mee, Indian Mee Goreng, Mee Siam... etc.
(4)
Aaron H.

The food here is amazing that is all i have to say
(4)
Adam H.

Very tasty food but nothing too out of the ordinary. Prices are low-to-moderate.
(4)
Shannon C.

Penang is ridiculously affordable, with a huge menu and great atmosphere. It is usually packed but they are pretty quick to get people seated when it starts lining up. Sitting by the window and people-watching in Chinatown is my favorite. The fried pearl noodles have an amazing texture and there is always enough for leftovers the next day for lunch. The lychee drink is also not to be missed if you like lychee as much as I do. Nommm.
(5)
Sarah B.

Here is the dilemma about Penang: the food is awesome, but the atmosphere is irritating. The menu is so cool, and we could barely order because we wanted to try everything, from the lemongrass coconut curry to the fried tofu stuffed with cucumbers and peanut sauce. And everything we ordered was prepared well and served hot. On the flip side, the dining room is overly bright and crowded, some of the tables are small, and it might actually be easier to get to Malaysia than to get to the bathrooms at the back of Penang.
(3)
Don Q.

This place is just outstanding! We were in town for a few days and decided to try Penang because it looked good and was in the neighborhood. At first, we thought that Penang might just be a gimmick restaurant- another Pan-Asian restaurant like the ones we've seen in other cities. The food at Penang very quickly corrected us. Because we were on vacation, we ordered two appetizers: (1) chicken satay (with the most decadent and rich peanut sauce), and (2) the Indian pancake (or cracker) with another great sauce. Both were absolutely delicious. We couldn't imagine going to Penang without ordering these two appetizers. For the main dish, my husband ordered beef rendang (I think) and I ordered a Malaysian chicken curry. Again, both dishes were delicious. However, the beef was our favorite and I ate half of my husband's dinner because of this. Unlike most curries and stews that I have tasted, the beef was so tender and succulent that it was literally falling apart. It was one of the best dishes that I had ever tasted. We tried other restaurants in town and were very disappointed. In Chinatown, we tried Nanzhou & Yakatori Boy. We regret having visited both of these restaurants and will post our reviews soon. Yakatori boy was mediocre and completely overpriced. If you are ever in Philly, do yourself a favor and have dinner at Penang. If you live in Philly, eat here every week and appreciate how lucky you are to have such a great restaurant in your town. If there were a Penang in DC, were would eat there all of the time.
(5)
Peter G.

Great menu and prices. I highly recommend the Indian pancake. It tasted so good, and as an appetizer, it was sized to share and was relatively inexpensive. The service was pretty good, too, but as for drinks, I really wish there were more beer options.
(4)
Wandering B.

Had the Roti Cania and Fried Rice. Excellent. Got Some penang satay Chicken as well, it wasnt anything to write home about.
(3)
Mai L.

If there were negative stars for rating I'd rate that. I ate there last night with couple friends and the waiter was rude. We didn't even finish eating and he already started cleaning our appetizer dish. Not to mention, when our pad thai dish comes out.. there was a freaking FLY on it. It was disgusting and nasty. We called the waitress/manager out to let them know and they didn't even apologized. All she said was we'll replace this dish okay? I am like, WTF, we should have just left but we were too nice and indeed we stayed there and continue our meal. But of course, after knowing that there's a fly in one of the dish, I was freaked out and started checking the other dishes... It was just a horrible experience in general. I will never go back to FLY PENANG again.. Just NASTY.
(1)
Liz M.

Always a solid bet for eat-in or take out. Love the Poh Piah and the Roti Canai. The Chow Kueh Teow and Masak Beef are fantastic as well. Note: this is not the place for a slow, relaxing dinner--the service is quick, and once they take your order the dishes come out fast and furious. But the food is always delicious and so different from the usual chinatown fare.
(4)
Jason L.

Service was excellent and the food is interesting. They even had chicken feet on the menu so if your the adventurous type I encourage you to try it.
(4)
Brad H.

Well, since they only serve dim sum at Ocean Harbor during the day, my friend and I decided to try Malaysian for the night. Boy was it a good choice. The food was hot, delicious, tangy, and spicy. I let my friend order for me again, and I'd tell you what we got except I don't speak Cantonese. But if I recall correctly, the first was some light tortilla thing with a spicy curry sauce. I'm not a big fan of curry, but it was good. Then we had these beef skewers with a "satay" peanut-kinda sauce, and then two different noodle dishes with all kinds of vegetables in them. Scrumptious. The food arrived quite fast for such a busy night, and service was fine. I'd love to go back! I could still taste...whatever we had, after we left. UPDATE: After going back multiple times, and trying multiple dishes, I can't help but give this place 5 stars. For now, it stands as my favorite place in China town.
(5)
Judy C.

I love this restaurant. I wish I still lived in Philly, so I could go more often. The service is quick and the food is really good. I like that they serve hot tea and water to start. I always get the roti canai, the nasi lemak, and the mee siam. Another good dish is the shrimp and mango. Their prices have gone up since I initially started going to this restaurant over a decade ago, but they are still very reasonable.
(4)
C K.

Awesome melasian food! I went here with a friend of mine who is Melasian... and he helped our whole group order. The indian pancakes were SO SO good! Everything everyone ordered was good except for the pho (or something that looked like pho). I ordered my shrimp lo mein without spices and it was very very good. They weren't the fastest place, but other than that... one of the best places in chinatown for sure! I plan on going back very soon and will add more...
(4)
Ravi K.

Satay Chicken, Roti Telur and Chicken Curry a divine combination
(5)
James G.

Yum yum delicious!!! 5 stars because this was a much better choice than going down to Pats steaks for a cheesesteak! The broken Asian English is fine here. Excellent food. Faxt service. AND they don't accept credit cards. Come prepared!
(5)
Bill M.

While it's an incredible restaurant I don't feel that it's the best in Chinatown. I can't help but agree with what Ting Y. said towards the bottom of her review when it comes to finding the better restaurants inside it. Despite that it is an incredible place to eat, and I can't think of any other restaurants in the city that offer Malaysian cuisine (seriously are there any?). the food can be amazing and the portions are huge! don't get an appetizer unless you plan on sharing with a group. My meal of choice when I come here is the Mango Chicken. It's as spicy as it is sweet and juicy. delicious! While I do recommend coming here, I just don't recommend doing it right away. Since your in Chinatown there are all kinds of restaurants that are worth trying. This is the first one that's going to jump out at you because of its unique decor. but it jumps out at everyone else making it fairly crowded. So find out the wait on a table and walk around for awhile. You will definitely find at least one or two places that will make doing so worth it.
(4)
Tanya T.

I was pretty impressed with Penang...having just moved here a few months ago I heard it was really good. Best thing is that we came here aftter a concert at the Troc and it was one of the restaurants that still had a good amount of people at midnight. it's probably one of the nicer looking restaurants in Chinatown. After looking through the menu we decided to go with the Roti Canaii, under the fried noodle section the Chow Kueh Teow, Penang Kari Ayam (chicken in curry sauce) . Roti Canaii was great...fresh roti better than the other malaysian place down the street for sure. The noodle dish was actually very good and we ordered it spicy! The penang Kari ayam was pretty tasty although the oil that was leftover was pretty disgusting...but overally pretty good with some rice. place is cheap too which is always a plus we had leftovers to bring home for tomorrow :-) yum!
(4)
Sasha C.

Absolutely wonderful food & service! Go there for lunch/dinner with my boyfriend at least once every two weeks. Prices are very much reasonable. Weekends get pretty packed so may have to wait a little bit but that's never an issue for us. Always get the Indian Pancake & the Hainanese Chicken or Curry Chicken. Other dishes are delicious as well. Never get tired of it!
(5)
Suraj P.

I love this chinatown establishment for reliable fair that can push people's chinatown limits, or stay nicely in their comfort zone. The service is always an issue, but the ability to get a table at any time supplants this. Last night headed out here with a friend (and friends of friends). Not knowing the spice/curry preferences of my group, I was hesitant to order too much of the *red star* food that my friend and I wanted. In the end we found a wonderful balance of the dishes that we had loved in past visits... Started with the Roti Canai (which requires no more description on yelp). It was tasty as always. Moving on the White Chick to Brown Guy "Spicy-ness" Scale *patent pending*, we started with Chicken Fried Rice, Penang Pad Thai, Mango Chicken, and Jumbo Prawns with Brown Sauce. Sure there are more risky dishes on the menu (with obvious reward) but on dining some Thai/Malay/Indian rookies, I took the east road... (I can save the whole fish for next time.) One of the surprises of the night was how good something as simple as chicken fried rice could be. All of the food was well received and everyone left stuffed.
(4)
veronica c.

This is one of my favorite places in Chinatown. My favorite dish here is the mango chicken.
(4)
Chef R.

This is my favorite Restaurant in Philadelphia. Perfect Balance quality-price. Their indian pancakes are just amazing and I've never had anything there that I didn't like. The service is also pretty good, they always try to help you to make your choice. The portions are also the perfect size. It would be the perfect restaurant if it was BYOB!
(5)
Brianne C.

In a city filled with good restaurants (and no, Stephen Starr, I am NOT talking about your establishments), Penang stands out as a trendy, classy, innovative dining experience, with the kind of food that makes you want to gush about your Asian travels (your belly's adventure, that is). Penang is also the place to go if you are looking to challenge yourself a bit gastronomically. The beef satay is a rich, spicy celebration of tender meat in your mouth, with a peanut sauce that takes no prisoners. They also serve fabulously spicy seafood soups, a divine roti, and a wonderful chicken dish that is served in a rice noodle meringue bird's nest. Truly, I have never had a dish I did not enjoy. The restaurant is typically busy, with waiters who valiantly try to communicate with you, sometimes with mixed results. Penang only takes cash, so be prepared to sprint a few blocks if you find that your wallet is empty (I have done this before). Believe me, it will be worth it. Highly recommended.
(5)
Jacki G.

Delicious!!!!!!!!! The mango chicken is out of this world!!! It's so flavorful and comes in a very hearty portion size! Their roti is crispy, and always perfectly cooked. Mee Siam is hearty and filling, yet not overly greasy and heavy. There really is nothing else to say about Penang other than to go and eat there!
(5)
Ari P.

Great Malaysian and pan-asian food. Good service and a nice space for the price which can't be beat.
(5)
Herbet P.

I remember the food at Penang being a lot better - but maybe I've just become more demanding. I went here for dinner on a Tuesday evening - there was ample seats. The food here is decent - but it seems more mass produced than authentic. I've realized you know you are enjoying the food when you savor it - and when its just decent you eat quick and don't really pay much attention to the food. I didn't take notes of the exact dishes but here's a summary Appetizer - Roti with a meat/potato dipping sauce - Mmm.. The sauce was really good but didnt have much meat nor potatoes in it. Main dishes: - Sizzling seafood in a brown sauce - shrimp, scallops, and squid with vegetables. It was decent but not the most flavorful. This could have just as well been a chinese american dish. - Mixed Vegetables with Tofu - This was good - brown sauce, might have actually been the same sauce from the seafood. - Coconut rice with Chicken and dried fish - This was actually the best plate. Not the best, but not bad.
(3)
Ramen F.

Ambiance: It is always busy here, not quite sure what the draw is. I think that it is a large space that is nicely decorated and therefore accessible to all types of people. People seem to like to eat at the two tops by the window, but the support beam gets in the way of tucking your legs under the table. Because this place can get pretty packed, it gets LOUD! Service: The waiters are helpful, but nothing especially positive to comment on. Food: The dishes are inconsistent. Some dishes are wonderful with spot on flavor and well priced. Others fall short of their price tag (coconut shrimp). I would be hesitant to have a large group/meal here, because I cannot rely on the flavor always being on point. Which is a shame, high highs and disappointing lows. Overall: I would come back if looking for an upbeat place late at night, but otherwise there are more reliable places to go in Chinatown.
(3)
Daniel Z.

I stumbled upon this place thinking it was just Chinese food, but it's actually Malaysian. It was actually a pleasant surprise because that's one of my new favorite types of cuisine! I devoured the Roti Canai in record time. The people around me looked a little scared, but I couldn't resist! It was delicious. I had some chicken entree that was pretty good, and then I had the fried ice cream for dessert. Oh my goodness, it was amazing. I'm salivating as I type. My waitress was a lovely lady that was very engaging and attentive. And I loved the fact that they give you free tea. It was perfect for a rainy evening. I'll definitely be back here on my next trip to Philly!
(4)
Jean Y.

I would come here again for one dish, the roti canai (indian pancake) with curry. It's an appetizer and pretty darn delicious. I also had some of the tomyam soup, which was tasty and comforting (due to the cold weather at the time). I ordered the chow kueh taow, malaysian stir fried flat rice noodles. The dish was ok, but for some odd reason it tasted incredible the next day. I had a lot leftover and had it for lunch for the next day. I could taste more of the flavors than the night before. My friend ordered the nasi lemak, which is a traditional malaysian dish. It's coconut-flavored rice served with fried anchovies, a hard-boiled egg and curry chicken. I was able to taste it and the chicken was moist and flavorful. The curry chicken and the coconut rice complemented each other.
(4)
Jen C.

Roti Canai is delicious but the portions are a bit small for a voracious eater like me. I always save the extra curry to go with my rice. I'd say most of their dishes run on the saltier side though. Their Japanese tofu sizzling plate is delicious. My family almost always gets their hainan chicken, which is pretty good. Their shrimp base soup noodles are delicious. Everything is pretty flavorful and I always look forward to making a trip to Chinatown for their food!
(4)
Mike M.

One of my fav places to eat at in chinatown. The food is very reasonable priced however I don't like the fact that u have to pay extra for rice. They have about 4 different types of rice, like chicken rice, brown rice, some speciality rice and white rice. But I love eating here and the food is very good just ask the waitress or waiter for some suggestion. Also the have a lot of Chinese courses as well not just malaysian. So if ur here try it out. Trust me I dot think u will complain at all.. Except for the loud talking in the dining room. It's made up of all wood so it gets a little louder than you would like it. But that is only during the dinner rush but other than that it's not that bad. They have an open kitchen so you can kinda see the cooks making some things, but you can definitely look at all the different type of dishes that they make Suggestion try the indian pancake and a sizzling platter.. Or the chicken satay in peanut sauce and beef chow fun
(4)
Karen Y.

ever since moving to philadelphia i wondered: how did i ever live without malaysian food?! the though just seems crazy to me now. my best description of it now that i have been to both banana leaf and penang is that it's a fusion of chinese, thai, indonesian and indian. in short, it means awesome. the pad thai was unexpectedly delicious. while i normally pass on ordering pad thai because i generally prefer wide rice noodles, i am glad i was talked into trying their version. while low on the heat scale, it was full of flavor and the heat wasn't missed. the pork ribs were not so easy to eat with chopsticks and needs a fork and knife. otherwise, the malaysian style pork ribs were also a good choice. as a comparison to banana leaf, i would feel more comfortable leaving my infant/toddler at home when eating here. the service is a bit odd, but friendly enough.
(4)
Tam P.

The Curry pancake and the crab here is what brings me The decor in the summer with the windows open is inspiring to see The service was outstanding to thee I shall bid to the fairest Malay restaurant in Philly adieu Till next time
(4)
Alicia Y.

If I could eat here every day I would! I have never ever been disappointed here (okay maybe once in the prawn mee but the spices were just too much for me). My friend and I crave penang all the time and we always have excellent and fast service and amazing food. Are favorites are the Indian pancake, the CHOW KUEH TEOW, and the GREEN NASI LEMAK.
(5)
Kenyatta D.

One of my very places in Philly. BYOB and you have to try the mango chicken. AMAZING gem in Philly.
(4)
Dinesh P.

Phenomenal food! Must haves are Roti Canai and Nasi Lemak. Crispy squid, beef rendang, are also great. Prices are extremely reasonable. The Managers who look like wins are very pleasant, accommodating and efficient. I always visit this restaurant when in China town.
(5)
Michael E.

I've been hesitant to go back to shady looking Asian places after the whole "Pho 38 Cockroach-gate" scandal - but this place is surprisingly done up and all my worries were assuaged. (note: you would not realize this from the outside) We went here for lunch (around 2:30pm) on a Saturday - the place was pretty bumpin'. We ordered off the 'Yelp Quick Tips' menu which resoundingly recommends the indian pancake and coconut rice. Both lived up to their hype. Also had the Penang Chicken, which is lightly battered and fried, and served with a cold dipping sauce. The sauce is really interesting. It has a sweet heat meets kimchi taste with lots of veggies. Very Tasty! My only gripe is that we asked for the food to be authentically spicy and it wasn't spicy at all. sad face. One last thing: if you're into chicken feet and chinese mushroom casserole (or soup) - they've got you covered.
(3)
Naomi B.

Oh my freakingBatman. I love this place! I ordered the Indian pancake here and couldn't stop eating it. It was quite delicious but sadly, I only ate here once but to remember it that long ago, the food was amazing. The lady that was there though, kept hounding my friend and I out of no where, it was annoying but I guess she meant well. The service was friendly, the area is very populated and I know why. It's delicious.
(5)
Steve S.

After reading all the good reviews I decided to try it. It was ok, nothing special. Mango chicken was pretty awesome, but the fried tofu appetizer was awful. Also the server was very odd and like leaned into my face when speaking. Good place for groups who want to BYOB. It's good, but nothing exceptional.
(3)
Dan C.

I finally got around to writing a review after my fourth or so visit here. The tea that they serve with every meal is probably the best thing about this place. It's piping hot just below scalding, and has a hint of flowers. Delicious. I have gotten a fried noodle dish, which isn't my thing but was tasty, as well as rice dishes which are so-so. Today, I got a steamed red snapper in ginger sauce to share with my friend, and it was fresh and delicious. I would have liked the ginger sauce to have been less potent, but my buddy loved it. I've found that the food here is generally a bit overpriced, but you do get volume, if not the desired quality. The location couldn't be more perfect if you're traveling by train. It's about a 5 minute walk from Market East. If you drive, I recommend parking a little farther north. Consistently best item: Coconut rice!!
(4)
Doriancita H.

It was a Friday night and me and my partner were tired but wanted to try something different and good, didn't want to hassle about parking. So we decided to order something for pick up from Penang. We ordered their Indian pancake Roti Canai. Since it was to go so it probably got a little cold, so it was a little chewy and hard to tear off. None the less the curry sauce was fab. The two dishes we ordered were Bean curd Thai style and Beef Rendang. The vegetable Thai dish was great! It left a good aftertaste of spiciness in my mouth, portions were huge, the sauce was a little unhealthy - but what more can you expect when you eat out. I also really enjoyed their Beef Rendang very much, the beef was tender, a little heavy, but sauce was fantastic, again a little oily. We also ordered a small size of coconut rice, and that was enough for two. Had leftovers from both our dishes for the next day. One thing I do like about this restaurant was that it only took them 15 mins to have our food ready to be picked up on a Friday night. That's a plus! Food was great but leaned more on the expensive side.
(4)
Maria G.

This place is definitely worth the wait. Sometimes there's a line, sometimes you get a table right away, but EVERYtime you get an incredible meal and lite on your wallet. I love Hainanese Chicken and the chicken stock rice it comes with so I have to order this dish every time. For appetizer, you really have to try the satay skewers... I can drink the peanut dipping sauce til' I OD on it. hahaha Then there's the Malaysian style spareribs. It's not for everyone I'd say, but if you're ok with nibbling on small pieces of spareribs, this dish is definitely one to try. It's marinated in a red fermented tofu and that's where it gets the red coloring. Yum! The mango chicken there is also very good if you're not the adventurous type. Too bad I never have any room for desert, but I'm sure it's delicious!
(5)
Judy C.

Went here after a concert late Tuesday night with friends. Ordered the roti canai to share. The dipping sauce was great but nothing extraordinary about the dish. My friend wanted a bowl of soup, but they didn't make just a bowl. Thus, he got a giant family styled bowl of a modified tom yum soup as the soup had noodles, lots of vegetables, and small pieces of seafood. The soup had a VERY fishy taste to it, which I think is not how tom yum soup is supposed to be. The taste of the soup was just not great. Other friends got pad thai and wonton soup, which was good. I got the oyster omelette, and there were a LOT more egg than oyster (a good oyster omelette should have equal amount of egg and oyster). I also got Longan juice. While I miss having drinks like this, it was somewhat mediocre. The service was fast, but we were one of the very few patrons left in the restaurant.
(3)
Ryan R.

Good affordable food. Generous portions. Friendly server. No reason not to go. Roti Canai was banging good. Also ordered the Penang Poh Piah and although it was a bit sloppy, it tasted great. My dinner companion had the Curry mixed vegetable in clay pot. It was a generous serving, but not as flavorful as one might have hoped. Was missing a bit of 'oomph'. I had the Thai basil noodles which were good, but took forever to come out. All in all, pretty solid and enjoyable, but not memorable. I'll definitely come back though as they have some other intriguing menu items.
(3)
Calvin H.

My international student friends from Malaysia insist that this is the best Malaysian food in town. One of them has ancestral roots in Penang. Upon hearing the waitress' accent: "Yep, she's definitely Malaysian." Gotta trust their judgment on this one. Roti canai is a great appetizer. For the rest of the meal, we ordered chow kueh teow, Hainanese chicken, beef rendang, kang kung belacan, shrimp with ladies' fingers, and several other things (we were a small party of fairly big eaters). Everything was clearly very good because pretty much finished it all. We also shared some Malaysian iced coffee, which was very sweet. Penang isn't exactly cheap, but the food is excellent, so it's a justifiable splurge.
(4)
F Z.

What a letdown! Penang served as a reminder as to why I normally shy away from chain restaurants. From a pushy server to mediocre-at-best dishes, Penang was a less than stellar dining experience. To start, the satay chicken and beef were chewy and dry. The peanut sauce was lacking in flavor but generous with grease. The entrees were equally disappointing, but at least the nasi lemak proved better than the rest. Much like the appetizers, the beef rendang were tough and next to impossible to chew. As for the "king pork buff", I think a more appropriate name for the dish would have been "king pork flop." Similar to jing du pork chops in presentation, the bbq sauce simply flopped in the piquant nature of the original dish. Dessert -- ABC shaved ice -- was aesthetically pleasing but disappointingly tasting. In fact, I couldn't find half of the ingredients listed on the menu in the bowl. True, Penang has an atmosphere to boot, but that should augment one's experience there -- not to cover for its kitchen's shortcomings.
(2)
Micah P.

I get mixed feelings about Malaysian food cause I had it in Bethesda (right by DC yelp.com/user_details_reâ€¦ ) and I hated it. Now this leads me to Penang in Philly... my friend recommended it so I figured it had to be good. It took me a little while to register it in my head, but right when I looked at the menu, I realized that it was the same restaurant.. only in Philly! Now that I knew they were the same restaurant, I had the SYCA: "Skeptical Yelp Critic attitude," but I still went with it cause all of my friend's recommendations for the weekend were great up to that point... and her first recommendation was to get the Roti Canai. If you read the last review, I did not like the Roti Canai in Bethesda... however, the Roti Canai in Philly, Omgosh! Delicious!! My whole SYCA was gone! Onto more food: the Beef Chow Fun was amazing!! The flavor of the beef with the noodles was such a spot hitter and the bean sprouts gave it a nice neutral taste.. just delicious!! My bf ordered a curry dish; I kinda forgot the name, but it might have been Kari Rendang or Kari Ayam (I looked at a menu online).. anyway the sauce was thick, but a very curry flavor... which was a good thing! However, we could've taken it a bit more spicy. Overall, both of these dishes were so delicious and definitely part of a memorable meal. Service is not so bad either. The waitresses were very attentive and food came out very fast. No problems there. Oh yea, complimentary hot tea! :)
(4)
John B.

Perhaps we got the wrong dishes. Got roti canai (which was very good), some curry young tofu soup (a little too fishy and salty), and green curry in casserole (not coconut-y enough), and coconut drink (too sugary--they added sugar). Not too bad, but not too good. Banana leaf is better base on the dishes I had.
(3)
pracheta t.

I can't remember why I stopped coming here..maybe it was because I moved slightly further away and got lazy but I re-discovered Penang and fell back in love. Great food, fast service, big place and always always always a good experience. They have a lot of vegetarian options and they know the difference between spicy and SUPER spicy. Yumm you'll find me here more often!
(4)
Cynthia K.

Like the roti chinai!!!
(4)
Scott K.

Yet another recommendation for Chinese in my visit to Philly, located in the heart of Chinatown I was eager to try and am glad I did. I had the Curried Chicken w/ brown rice and found it quite tasty. Either my taste buds have grown somewhat numb or spicy in Philly is not as spicy in Chicago, as again in most spicy dishes I chowed down the spice was nice but not nice enough. The service was average, the table spacing is tight at least where we sat up front by the window, where we got to do some people watching. There was a good crowd for our Saturday afternoon visit which is always a good sign. The highlight for me was eating with the chop sticks for the first time successfully. I don't have it mastered but I think with a little more practice I'll soon be able to a snobbish elite type. I completely for got what my wife had but she enjoyed it though it was to much spice (go figure) or her true enjoyment Penang will definitely be on my list for any return visits to Philly
(4)
Phillip Y.

This place makes up in part with their atmosphere. The dishes themselves are pretty good. I just love the layout of this place. I met up with a friend after the ballgame and it's easy to find.
(4)
Alex Z.

I was really impressed by this place. It is very similar to the nearby Banana Leaf (my review: yelp.com/biz/banana-leafâ€¦ ), which I was equally impressed by. They are so similar in food, price, decor, that it is hard to distinguish them. I will say, I think this place has a very slightly nicer decor. But the decor is very similar--big, dark, and kind of open. This place is a bit brighter, bigger, and more open, but still basically dark. Prices are very reasonable. You can eat for under $10 a person, and the quality is exceptional for this price range. I came here with my dad; he ordered the Hainan Chicken, it was outstanding...very tender (steamed!) chicken on a bed of cucumber with some carrots, rice on the side, and a very flavorful sauce that was spicy, tangy, and had some interesting and novel flavors. I had a fried rice noodle dish with egg, mixed seafood, and bean sprouts. Both dishes were outstanding. Service was good. The menu here is huge, I really would like to come back and check out more of it. The food is vaguely reminiscent in some ways to Thai food, but it has a more mellow flavor, less sweet, less sour, less spicy. The only thing I found slightly lacking about the menu is that many of the dishes are a tad heavy on the carbs and meat, more so than, for instance, Thai food. But they are still fairly balanced. My only other complaint about this place is that I do not think that spiciness ratings correspond at all to the spiciness of the food. My dish was marked spicy and had no noticeable heat or peppers in it, my dad's was not and his came with a sauce that had quite a kick to it. Just so you know. But these are minor caveats. This is a five-star place.
(5)
Cindy C.

So many things to choose from. They have an extensive menu and some of their dishes are interesting, like their salads and rambutan drink, which is refreshing. I also highly recommend their Indian pancake as an appetizer, which is a must in any Malaysian cuisine. Everything is in large. Half an appetizer and an entree can easily satisfy your tummy. It's flavorful and, well, there's nothing to be unsatisfied about. Our waitress was really nice about letting us take our time ordering, and she was quick about bringing them to our table too.
(4)
Andrea m g.

Since I am friends with Malaysians I have had the opportunity to dine on wonderful real Malaysian food and so was disappointed in this chain formula restaurant.Maybe if I hadn't been spoiled by the real deal I wouldn't have been so critical of the rather bland knock offs. First the portions we were served were very skimpy. Why on Earth be cheap with rice one of the cheapest products on earth? You could make the portions seem so much larger if this wasn't the policy. Not Authentic Your fired calamari sure tasted like an Italian grandma was in the back cooking. The Indian food was a poor substitute.If I wanted Indian food I would of went somewhere that did it well. Decor I am impressed by all the natural elements they incorporated to give it a modern industrial meets feng shui look including the clean bathrooms. All in all I doubt I will be back .Parking is a pain and the food isn't worth the trek into the city.
(2)
Stephen C.

Great food, good service! The Roti is awesome! Its a must to order that. Tofu satay is to die for. If you dont like tofu, the satay sauce on it will change your mind. The other satays such as chicken and beef are quite excellent also. You really dont have to order anything else, just the appitizers are enough lol! I usually order the curried beef with rice or mango chicken. The chicken is actually served in a mango shell!!!! I dont like the soups with noodles for the fact I just dont like noodles. But from what Ive tried it is quite tasty. You cant really go wrong with anything in this place. Great food, good service all around!! Give it a try, you wont be disappointed. Happy Eatings!!
(5)
Sarah K.

When I visited from out of town, my date took me here. Overall, we had a good experience. It gets pretty packed and cramped in this joint, but I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner. The laksa dish here was comparable to other superb recipes I have tried. The char kway teow was charred just the way it should be, and they weren't skimpy on their seafod servings! I would definitely hit this place up again if I was in town.
(4)
Caroline S.

Came here after reading all the Yelp reviews. One of the nicer decorated restaurants in Chinatown. We had: Appetizers: The chicken skewers with peanut sauce. Incredibly tender chicken. the Roti Canai. After reading all the raving reviews about this dish my expectations were high. Honestly though, it did not really live up to my expectations. The dish was kind of "bland" IMO. The spring rolls, which were pretty good, but nothing special. For main courses we had: The Manak chicken and some other dish involving curry & coconut . These were both very tasty and the portions were huge (we were three hungry people and we left a substantial amount). All in all, a nice dining experience, but nothing extraordinary.
(4)
Felicia C.

Great food! Mango chicken is sweet and delicious. Roti canai (warm stretchy thin bread with dipping sauce) is unbelievably good. Go there.
(5)
lmno p.

Don't know if it was because we had had such a long day in Philly with the kids but when we sat down at Penang's last night, we really enjoyed our food! The service was very friendly as well. We had lasksa and the shrimp with lady fingers. For the kids, they made a noodle soup with vegetables and tofu and fried rice with egg and vegetables which were not on the menu---really nice. The laksa was delicious with bits of fish and spicy, just like I was craving. The watermelon juice and carrot juice, both freshly squeezed were also yummy. The carrot juice came with a little condensed milk on the side. I had never seen served like that before. It didn't need the extra sweetness but it was nice to try. Atmosphere is also nice with modern wood furnishings. p.s. Everyone else's food also looked delicious.
(4)
Craig N.

Ya really cant go wrong @ Penang. The food is incredibly fresh and made to order and pretty damn cheap and fast. It's totally casual + relaxed, I always try taste something new, they have a broad menu. Watch the spice levels, it can get hot, but they'll gladly tone it down for you by request. I had lunch there on the solo tip the other day, I had Thai Basil Noodle and Malaysian Coffee and the bill came to $12. That's pretty hard to beat. Check this place out as an alternative to your run of the mill Chinese place.
(4)
Aire G.

this place has some cool yuppie loving decor. However, the best thing about this place besides the decor was the watermelon juice. i got the indian roti appetizer after living in st. croix for i was expecting something entirely different from what i got. i wasn't really impressed with it was just some really thin bread with a soupy mixture with very little chicken in it on the side. the side dish was really greasy. then i got the seafod cassarole in a clay pot... and it was so hot i could barely eat it. my friend was done her meal and mine was still steaming. i got rice on the side and that was good. it was spicy, but mediocre at best. it was really greasy though. i should have tried the fish head instead. i thought the place was mediocre until i got home. i went next door to the bakery to get some bubble tea and i couldn't even finish it. the food was so greasy i still feel like crap for eating it. my stomach feels heavy and full, i ate almost 5 hours ago. but i still feel horrible. i barely ate any of it because it was so hot and my eating companion had finished eating, and i think i'll not come back.
(1)
Abhijit G.

Guess I don't know what I could add to what's already been said. Roti Kanai was yummy - could have used more than a tiny piece of chicken though (what do u expect for 3 bucks, right?) The 2 other entrees we had (Mee Siam and Penang Kari Ayam) were good...especially the Mee Siam. The chicken dish (Kari Ayam) I though could have used more of the lemongrass it promised to make the flavors more multi-layered as opposed to the flat peanut flavor we got. All in all - pretty good for the money but I won't be back. Guess I am not a big fan of ethnic food in a bare-bones setting with less than friendly service. But that's just the snob in me--- so feel free to disregard this review altogether :)
(4)
Mike J.

The waiters here need to understand english better. As a large asian group we were treated less then the american folks nearby. They ignored us like we didn't need water, while tending to the "American" folks. They are like a HURRY UP AND ORDER type waiters, drop off the food and ignore. I left $1.52 tip and a note on the check. The food is subpar and designed for "americans" NOT REAL malaysians.
(1)
Ilana D.

One thing I've noticed (and loved) about Penang is the variety of people who dine there. I can't think of another ethnic food restaurant that has such a diverse dining crowd, which I think says a lot for the restaurant. Get the mango chicken (or tofu) you'll thank me :)
(4)
Stephen C.

While the menu is the same as the other Penang in Bethesda, the quality of this one is better.
(4)
Ray V.

Mediocre char kuey teow and kuey teow thong. The food is not that bad but I have a personal gripe with the noodles used for both dishes. They require soft, wide rice noodles but instead came with ones you would use for pad thai. It was ... meh. It's cool that they have an open kitchen door. Be on the look out for the guy making roti canai, you would have thought he's making pizza if I didn't tell you!
(2)
A H.

In town for a few days, and found Penang restaurant with the help of Yelp!!! Who knew that Philadelphia had good Malaysia food!!! We really enjoyed dining at this restaurant, and had a good meal. We had Roti Canai--very good pancakes, plus you watch them being made in the kitchen next to you; good curry sauce with the chunks of chicken. My companion had noodles, and liked them; I had Nasi Lemuk which was very tasty (but different than the nasi lemuk I've had when made by Indonesians)
(4)
Scott S.

I travel into the city often not always to dine but more than any other restaurant downtown, I've been here the most. Whether you are a ' GUI LOH ' willing to try new things but vigilant of the 'out there ' items or gung ho for anything this place is great choice. It had perfect blend of menu items for either; Mango Chicken or clay pot fish stew, Whole red Snapper or beef rendang. No matter what I order every visit has to have Indian Roti, a flaky almost weightless dough you rip in pieces to dip in a curried potato and chicken sauce. They go through so much of this stuff I think it's one of the line cooks' job to do this dish all shift. Prices are comfortable, parking is a challenge but you never wait long once you are here. Side note stay clear of the Penang in Jersey. Definitely not the same experience.
(4)
elle m.

I wanna love Penang, but he just isn't cool enough. He's got the looks, the vibe but when I get down and dirty with him - There is nothing there. The food is not particularly awesome. Now, I don't expect awesome every time, but I do expect glimmers of hope and Penang never really delivers. Everything tastes bland and under seasoned to me. Mango chicken? Cute presentation, but I'm not all about looks. I need some substance and this chicken ain't cuttin it. It's kinda like watching Keeping up with the Kardashians - Fun, but really leaves you feeling hollow inside. Oh the darkness. TL;DR - Skip it. Try one of the 100 better places in Chinatown.
(2)
Jeff M.

Penang, you are and will always be my first love in Philadelphia. Unless you manage to royally screw me in an upcoming visit, then I will scorn you like an incensed mistress. Wait, why am I talking about scorning you? You're fantastic! Every time I come by to see you, you immediately make me feel at home with the hot tea. It's a nice touch, it's like you're telling me to kick back and relax because you're in no hurry, and I shouldn't be either. And then you kind of ruin it by giving me a douchey waiter, but I don't hold it against you, lover because you always know how to keep me coming back. You tantalize me with various things, you satisfy all of my desires, but then after I finish you tell me that you're uncomfortable about using credit cards under some arbitrary number like $14 or something. At that point I think, "What a b*tch! No way are you meeting my parents!" because then I end up having to pay for my friend too. But as soon as I walk out I'm thinking that I want to see you again, and I completely forget about your trifling ways. But enough about my love affair with Penang. Here's my thoughts on some of the food that I have tried thus far: - Chow Kueh Teow: I almost always get this, because it's just really delicious. I feel like the only thing that really varies with each experience is the portion size (depending on time of day I guess), but it's freakin' gold. It has shrimp, squid, and eggs amongst other things. I always tell them to make it extra spicy. This is why they got 5 stars by the way. - Mee Siam: I can't really describe the flavor; well I'll try... It's like Asian fused with... Italian or something, because it's unlike any Asian food I've tasted, but it was pretty delicious. Has tofu and shrimp. Not as good as above though. - Seafood Lo Mein: Pretty yummy, although one time it was a little bland. Includes shrimp (notice a common theme?) and squid amongst other things. Again, not as good as above. - Home made Roti Canai (Indian Pancake): As an Indian, I've had better, but it's yummy. They're really stingy with the curry, and usually there are a lot of bones in there. Skip it, unless you just absolutely love it. - Curried Chicken with Rice (Boneless, unless you want to be the cheap b*stard who has to pick out bones through out your meal): This was my first experience with Penang and I remember thinking that it was pretty good, but it was nothing to call home about, especially since my mother would probably be offended that I was eating Chicken curry, fusion style. It's standard fare, that doesn't go wrong though. - A few of their sizzling platters are pretty good. Read the description for the menu items. When it says things like "steamed chicken served at room temperature", don't be the illiterate jerk who gets pissed off because you didn't get hot fried chicken. Also, don't get any of the room temperature foods; they're meh. Service is lacking occasionally, but often times improves significantly within the same visit because the wait staff are kind of interchangeable. I've noticed that Banana Leaf has the exact same menu/prices, and I've also heard that it tastes the same, so while I don't feel the urge to mess up what I have going right now, if something goes wrong, I'll end my love affair with Penang and move on to Banana Leaf.
(5)
mishel c.

I really like this place, even though it's a chain. It's consistently good + the service is really fast. One of my favourite dishes ever, the satay tofu, is prepared perfectly + the pinnacle of by which I judge any other satay. The menu is extensive enough to please special diets or picky eaters - and it's reasonably priced...and I love that they're open until 1 a.m. I preferred the interior when it had the large "mouse trap" type metal sculptures hanging from the ceiling, but Penang still manages a stylish interior while handling a lot of volume. It's functional but looks sharp, too. They used to be cash only but I'm not sure such is still the case...so if you go, just be prepared.
(4)
Percy N.

Pretty good Roti Canai, Beef Rendang and my favorite, the hot and spicy crab, which is similar to Singapore Chili crab and the closest thing you will find to it in Philly. Have yet to try the shaved ice drinks/dessert.
(4)
Josh K.

Always quick (sometimes TOO quick/rushed) service, friendly (and at times overwhelmed staff), and a great menu full of Malaysian fusion cuisine. At times, the dining room gets quite loud and bustling as they've tried to pack in as many customers as possible. During dinner rush, it's not a good place for quiet conversation, but it's always a good place for reasonably priced, delicious food. I'd highly recommend the Indian pancake as an appetizer (with a lovely potato curry sauce)!
(4)
Wil R.

LOVE this place, right in Chinatown (also visited the one in NYC). I have been at least 6 times the roti kani (I think) is awesome, its light and a great way to start a meal. typically I head from that into the beef rendang, and wash it all down with a Malaysian iced tea (dunno what they put in that stuff). The peanut sauce served with the satay is amazing, I could eat that alone all day if I wanted. I don't have a ton of experience with Malaysian cuisine, but this place to me is absolutely great.
(5)
Elicia I.

Wowza! Super classy, but not priced as such. Best Thai food I've had in Philly (even though it's a Malaysian place). We got the Tofu Satay and the Basil Thai Noodle, which they made vegetarian for us. I highly recommend those. They automatically give everyone tea and oranges. Very under-priced for the quality. It was only $22 total for a beer, an appetizer, an entree, and rice. Decor is classy. You could bring your snobby yuppie friends or your poor friends here. Servings are generous. But mostly - yum!
(5)
Ky T.

Probably my favorite place in chinatown. Delicious food and its always consistent. Every time I go, I order the roti canai, prawn mee and hainanese chicken with rice. Ever since I tried the prawn mee, I have ordered it every time along with other dishes. The spicy shrimp broth is so flavorful I could eat it every day. The hainanese chicken is served with one of the best hot sauces I've ever had. Spicy and tangy, not vinegary. I tend to to order the chicken/beef satay. Skewers of meat served with a delicious peanut sauce. During my last visit, I tried the house special jumbo prawns. The prawns were huge and delicious. I'm hoping to try more items off the menu but its so hard not to order my usual 3!
(5)
Mike N.

I like their rustic look feel of restaurant. Service was on par. I like the Roti and satay beef. We had family style dinner and the dishes were good. Will return.
(4)
Claire O.

Came here with a craving for Roti after eating it at this place on the LES, and it was delicious! We ordered the Roti Canal and the half hainanese chicken. I'm used to the chicken being served with a trio of dipping sauces (spicy, sweet, and ginger) but this just came with the spicy sauce. I'm sure the other sauces would have been available upon request, though. Gotta try their ABC - a dessert-ish beverage made with shaved ice, jelly, red beans, coconut milk, etc. Very good! Great price for the amount of food we got.
(4)
Timothy D.

We've been to Penang many times and have always enjoyed it. We returned on Friday night and I couldn't find my favorite dish, fried sardines in sweet and sour sauce. The server told me they stopped making it. But luckily it was just that they had re-arranged the menu and moved the dish to another section. Whew! We like everything that the menu warns you against. Go 4 it. Also, nice to see the cooks making the roti fresh in the kitchen. Very cool. Great food, fast service, usually easy to seat a large party, and they don't impose a gratuity on big groups, which I appreciate.
(4)
Lillian L.

It's ok. It kind of went downhill from when it first opened. The dishes were way too salty leaving me feeling bloated, and the drinks were way too sweet. The only thing that remained good was the indian pancake. I thought that was always the best, and never changed. Otherwise I like it because it's opened late and the staff are quick.
(3)
Kin L.

Philadelphia's Chinatown doesn't really have any great restaurants in the grand scheme of things. I grew up for a while in the area and I was never impressed by the food. I'm not a fan of the Dim Sum that's available there either, so when it was up to me to pick a meeting place in Chinatown for me and my cousin, I decided to go the Malaysian route. I went to Penang because I came here a few years ago and the food was pretty good. Maybe my palette wasn't as refined back then, but the food this time around was only so-so. We ordered the Roti Canai, Haianese Chicken,and Beef Rendang. The only dish that was good was the roti canai. As for the other two, the Penang in Cherry Hill, NJ does a far better job. The chicken didn't look appetizing and the beef rendang was...not beefy enough? Yeah, that's the word. What was odd was that when I ordered in Cantonese, the waiter looked at me all weird. I saw confusion in his eyes. Wait, I am in Chinatown aren't I? He responded after I said table for 2 in English. I used to order in Cantonese all the time back in the day...I'm thinking there must have been a change in ownership. C'mon Penang, step up your game!
(2)
Faye S.

I tried their Hainanese chicken and rice and it was pretty good for my first time! Silky chicken is always a good thing. I would have preferred it a little more temperature hot (it's served at room temp) though. Service is good, given how huge and crowded this place gets on a Friday night (or any other time we've been there). Prices are good, and they're open til 1am. Score!
(4)
Christine M.

This place is great a Malaysian restaurant. The ala carte menu, most dinner entrees do not come with rice, includes a wide variety of chicken, beef, pork, and noodle options. It's very hard to choose but beef rendang is dynamite and always a crowd pleaser!! The mango chicken was just ok, bland really. The Penang chicken wings were really well seasoned!!!! Yum. I wasn't sure why they were tied with banana leaves but once unwrapped they were delicious!!!
(4)
Jenn W.

My friend was celebrating her 40+ Birthday, & she wanted Penang. My mom was able to get us reservations, since my parents frequent there alot!! We had 10 people, for 7pm, then ended up being 7:30pm...one person didn't show. Our waiter was quite the character!! He was funny -good guy. Got little difficult since everyone wasn't used to Malaysian cuisine or the heat -in it. But they were willing to try it out. We had our wine, her cake, All in all-GREAT Time & food!!!! Always a pleasure going there, closest thing to my homemade stuff or mom's.
(5)
Jim M.

I went in here Saturday night after work. The restaurant itself is nice, pretty decent decor. The place was packed when I came in, but I was still able to get a table. I ordered the roti canai and penang kariayam. The roti canai was nice and crispy and came with a nice dipping sauce. The Penang Kariayam was unfortunately pretty bland. It sounded like it was going to be pretty flavorful from its description on the menu: White meat chicken cooked over low heat with lemon grass & chili paste then simmered in thick rich coconut curry. I didn't taste any lemon grass or chili. The coconut curry didn't tast of coconut that much either. Service was pretty good, especially considering it was packed and got more packed when I left. I might try something else from here. But I kind of wish I'd tried somewhere else. Oh well.
(2)
Gracie N.

Most def recommend the prawn mee! The wait time for the food wasn't long at all and as soon as you're seated they bring out hot tea: which I loved! The food is very fusion so if you're looking for authentic Chinese this may not be the place for you. My husband wasn't too happy about our server, but I felt as though he was honest and directed the customers to what was the most popular items from his own experience. Would go again!
(4)
Christina S.

If you're not used to eating in Chinatown, it can be a bit overwhelming and intimidating. My friend had been to Penang before, so we decided to give it another try seeing that she had a good experience there previous to this. We started with the home made roti canai, (indian pancake) which was pretty good. It had a good curry flavor without being overhwhelming. Next we had a fried tofu stuffed with veggies and covered with peanut sauce. Both my friend and I thought this was a bit bland. I wouldnt order it again. We both then moved onto soup. I got the salted cabbage soup. The portion was huge, and the soup was delicious. My friend got the seafood with bean curd soup, which she enjoyed as well. For entrees, I got the Sambal shrimp. It was good. The portion was small, and the flavor was good, but I wouldn't order it again. I thought it would be spicier than it was, and was hoping it would come with some veggies other than peppers. All in all, the trip was a good one. There are so many choices in Chinatown that I probably won't go back.
(2)
Yi H.

Almost every weekend when I come back to Philly, I would always go to Penang. Now that I live in the Lehigh Valley area, where it's almost non-existing when it comes to good Asian cuisines, i appreciate Penang even more . I love, LOVE their curry chicken. It's so good, the sauce is full of different spices that makes a great curry and the coconut milk is not overpowering (can't even taste it but it's essential in curry). I've eaten a lot of different kind of curries and by far, Malaysian curry is my favorite. The stir fry noodle selection is very good. I've tried all of them. I really don't have a favorite so it depends on the person's preference. I like the spicier ones a little more.
(5)
M P.

Penang never fails to impress. I have brought visitors from out of town, people that recently moved to Philly and friends passing through here, and everyone loves it. The menu is long, but you could honestly blindfold yourself and just point, and you won't be disappointed. I love the pancake/bread thing with curry sauce (technical term) and the flavored rice dishes in banana leaves, but honestly everything I've had has been great here. Highly recommend it, and will definitely be back again.
(4)
Christine L.

Roti canai, tomyam soup, chicken skewers, singapore-malay style crab. and ABC shaved ice.. Mmmhmm.. I've been coming here for years now, and it still is one of the best Malaysian restaurants that I've been to. I always get roti canai whichever Malay place I go to. Penang does it just right with the right amount of crispiness and thinness. The only thing is the curry could be a bit spicier, but I love the chicken and potato that's in it as well and it isn't runny like other places. When there's leftover, I use it to mix in with my rice. The chicken skewers are delicious with the awesome peanut sauce. Tomyam soup is simple with some vegetables and shrimp and tomyam sauce, but tasty and appetizing as well. We waited patiently for the crabs, which our waiter was very excited to recommend to us. You have to get the Malaysian style special sauce. It's absolutely to die for. It is one giant Alaskan King crab covered in deliciousness! The two of us couldn't even finish it and had to save some for a late-night snack. We also got chicken rice (yellow rice) to accompany it. After all was said and done, ABC shaved ice was much needed to top it all off.
(5)
Jes S.

Pretty good fare. I think it's an example of a place not too affected by being a chain. The inside was nice and not kitschy chainey looking. The singapore rice noodles were really good. The coconut rice is a must to eat with the dishes. Three of us were able to share two dishes and an appetizer and it was plenty. I love duck, but the duck noodle soup didn't win me over. It wasn't horrible but not spectacular. The service is over attentive in a good way (yes, over attentive can be in a bad way too) I'd probably pick somewhere else in chinatown first but if someone invited me I'd go back.
(4)
Horace L.

An old stand by in Philly Chinatown. Consistent quality and great portions. All the stir fried noodles are flavorful, and freshly made. Don't miss out on the roti canai. On a hot day, the shaved ice Chendol dessert really hits the spot. The restaurant is remarkably spacious in Chinatown, and the staff very friendly. I would suggest steering away from the yuca spring rolls, but be sure to try the hainanese chicken (and the accompanying fried rice).
(4)
Halef G.

We came to Penang Malaysian Cuisine Restaurant by accident (originally wanted an Indonesian food; Google Map had wrongly directed us to a nearby location in Chinatown). It was a Wednesday night around 9pm, and the place was still busy (is this a good thing?). I had a big expectation for its food, having eaten some authentic Malaysian dishes in the past, but my dining experience was an OK one. If you're looking for an authentic Malaysian food, Penang is definitely NOT the place to go. It's menu is somewhat hybrid of Malaysian dishes, along with Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, Indian and its somewhat Americanized (Mango Chicken? C'mon!). I have to give a credit to Penang's Roti Cenai, which is amazing (love its chicken and potato curry bowl as a dipping sauce). Again, not so much of a Malaysian dish/appetizer. We also had Mango Chicken, Beef Rendang, and Pork Fried Rice - none of these dish were special, in my opinion. The steamed rice came with our dish was in a very meagerly small bowl (and I'm a big rice eater). Staff was nice, though. Our waitress was helpful and we were taken care for, and our drinking water was keep coming. I was a little shocked by the bill - the three of us spend some 60 bucks, plus tip. Not a typical dining bill you would expect from a typical Chinatown restaurant, but to all fairness, Penang is a higher, more 'upscale' than an average Chinatown restaurant (meaning that they charge more for its food and rationing their food/dish size). Would I go back? Probably not by intentionally, but I wouldn't mind it, either if I had another opportunity.
(2)
Jade H.

I've been coming here for 12 years. Yup. Long time ago, My best Malaysian friend would joyously come here to enjoy the food. It isn't fusion. This is really what Malaysian food is like. Malaysian cuisine draws from China and India and the tropical area that they are from and melds them into a very interesting combination. For 12 years, it hasn't changed in food quality. That is the most important thing about this restaurant: Consistency. I've tried almost every dish on the menu and I can say that it still tastes as good as the first time I've tasted that dish with Janssen. The prices have steadily climbed and climbed. ARG. But I would pay the Yuppie prices just to taste this taste. Unlike the other Penangs, there is less Chinese influence on the dishes. It makes me remember those days with Janssen and Sharon. I didn't have much money back then either. Oh and they are still CASH ONLY! Still not so great in making and keeping reservations for large groups.
(4)
Meghan D.

My husband and I went here with his family for his mothers birthday. We were skeptical going into it, but ended up having a great time here. Everyone really enjoyed their food, and the restaurant was very accomodating to our large party. The atmosphere was also very nice! I recommend the Wonton soup (so much better than traditional greasy wonton) and the Seafood Chow Fun, yummmy!!!
(4)
Aaron C.

Decent food. Indian pancake is awesome, as well as the Green Curry Chicken In Clay Pot there. It is a place worth to go.
(4)
Chris L.

Awesome malaysian food! Definitely gotta get the Roti Canai (the indian pancake with curry). So good! As for entrees, there are a variety you can choose from. My favorite is the mango chicken. Some of their noodle dishes are good too. Also, for dessert, I don't think it's on their menu, but if you order ABC ice, you won't be disappointed (check pictures to see what I'm talking about). And like everyone else mentioned, they only take cash. Make sure you bring plenty of it... the bill adds up!
(5)
Jamison U.

Great spot for Maylasian food in the Chinatown area, I enjoyed the atmosphere and the food very much. It was not over spicy and the menu contained so many choices I needed help! I was really happy that they had many traditional as well as american dishes on the menu. I would return here if I am near Chinatown again.
(4)
Morton F.

I've been to this restaurant a number of times in years past whenever I was in this city for a convention. Penang is part of a chain of restaurants but not all those restaurants have the same food. This one, in particular, has Java Mee, which isn't available at Penang restaurants in New Jersey. Anyway, I've never actually had a bad experience at this restaurant. I've found the food to be okay, although not quite as good as Curry Leaves in Flushing Chinatown in NYC. The dish I'd eat here is Java Mee, although Curry Mee with Young Tofu is not bad either.
(4)
L. H.

Great food, prices, and service, with a nice atmosphere to boot. Too bad I don't live in Philly The four of us had the home made roti (yum!), satay chicken and beef (not my fav, but I'm not a big satay fan either), Indian mee goreng (good, but I think I was trying to order the hokkien char mee), ginger duck noodles (a hit with everyone), and the sizzling seafood combo with black pepper. We also ordered some coconut rice. For drinks we had the rambutan, lychee, ABC, and tea. Can't speak for the rambutan and lychee, but ABC was very good. Need to find a place in LA that serves it because I will definitely be craving it. Overall, everything was good and our bill came out to about $55 after tax. Worth another visit if I'm ever in Philly again.
(5)
M Stephen B.

Simply wonderful, must haves include; number 17 shrimp in thia sauce, shrimp puffs, prawn mee soup! I love this place, I've been here at least 100 times, never a bad meal!!!
(5)
Ginger S.

Expensive, spicy, and salty. I'm no Malaysian but I like me some asian food- I wouldn't go here for anything past the ambience. Maybe it's because I'm not a fan of having my mouth on fire when I ask for mild, but the spiciness and saltiness just did not let me enjoy my meal at all.
(3)
Jessica L.

One of my favorite restaurants! Their menu is huge, vegan/vegetarian friendly, and service is super fast. Family style is definitely the way to go. These are my recommendations: -Roti Canai (A MUST HAVE!) -Satay Chicken Skewers -Oyster Omelette -Fried Squid -Mee Siam -Side of Chicken Rice (Another must have!)
(5)
Gina G.

Typically I enjoy Penang and the menu is lively and exciting (Roti Kanai - so tasty!), along with the bustle of the place and friendly fast service it's an easy, sure-fire dining bet. This last visit however was sadly lacking in all aspects of the experience from the mercenary service, dismissal of our complaint and exceptionally loud din that night. In regards to the menu & service, we ordered the Sizzling Seafood platter which turned out to be a lackluster plate of limp and boring Chinese veggies with bits of seafood swimming in a greyish jellied broth. The waitress wrote nothing down, asked us several times what we wanted while paying half attention and brought out the wrong items. No real concern on our part since patience is a wonderful thing and no one wants to harp on lousy service but when asked if we liked our meals and upon our response of "No" we received a frenzied giggle from her which made us wonder if she even heard us. Perhaps just an awkward response to being confronted with the unpleasant answer, however when asked by a manager if we liked our meals his response was to point out that we ate the seafood out of the meal - not getting that it was THE ONLY BARELY EDIBLE thing on the plate! It's more insulting not to be heard when asked. All in all, not a good night at Penang. Nothing was compensated or offered to make good on. So disappointing that Penang has forgotten how to serve their customers and do good by them.
(1)
Juanita P.

This is, by far, the best Malaysian restaurant I've been to. I LOVE their roti canai. The roti is a crispy style pancake that resembles a crispy flour tortilla and it comes with a brown dipping sauce with curry chicken (with bone) and potatoes. My boyfriend introduced me to the place and I came back with a friend from Malaysia to see if he approved, and he loved! I'm not fond of spring rolls so for those who like them, my boyfriend recommends along with the pad thai. My Malaysian friend recommends the mango shrimp, which is shredded mango cooked with shrimp and spicy sweet & sour sauce in a big mango shell. I recommend the boneless chicken curry. This place has wonderful and quick service, and the prices are cheap for the amount of food they give you. If you go to the D.C. Penang, I am warning you, the quality is not the same. I'd give that one a 2/5.
(5)
Erine K.

I was very impressed with the beef satay, mango chicken and the service. Will definitely return. Make reservations!
(5)
Chrissy R.

I once had an allergic reaction to stealthy hidden carrots when I told the waiter that I didn't want carrots in my food. Other than that, it was yummy, but I think that the food really doesn't match the atmosphere and decoration of the place.
(3)
Luella K.

The one thing I often come back to order is their Clay Pot Noodle dish. Very filling and it's just the thing to order on a cold winter night. Their Roti Canai is relatively good too. It's not the paper thin flaky kind I've had at other Malaysian places. However, I do prefer the Thousand Layer Bread over at Rangoon more. I have also eaten at Banana Leaf once before but I felt their food was nothing special to comment on. The ambiance is also nicer at Penang and the prices are just about the same. They're also one of the few places that are open late, until 1 AM.
(4)
Lauren S.

I wish I could give this a half star. Hands down one of the worst meals I've had in a long time, perhaps ever. Dinner started out promising. My friend and I ordered the Roti Canai as an appetizer, and as many others have mentioned, it was indeed delicious. However, I don't really consider that much of an accomplishment because it's virtually impossible to make fried dough taste bad. To be fair, the 'Indian style' curry dipping sauce was tasty. We also split the Prawn Mee noodle soup--supposedly "Penang's favorite"--which was the beginning of our downfall. The broth tasted like dirty, fishy water... as if fish flakes had been dumped into a generic 'spicy' broth. It wasn't all that spicy. The egg noodles left us wanting rice noodles (really any other kind of noodle), as they were spongy and overcooked. The shrimp was awful, overcooked and tasted like the dirty broth. We also found a rogue piece of chicken nugget in the soup that wasn't listed in the item description. When I asked my friend if she liked the soup, she said that she only kept eating it so that she wouldn't have to taste the nasty aftertaste. She also offered me a piece of gum after we stopped eating the soup, something that I've never had to accept in the middle of a meal before. The Chow Kueh Teow, basically 'Malaysian-style' pad Thai, can be described as inoffensive at best. The noodles were tasteless, the squid only moderately chewy and mostly tasteless as well (probably to our benefit), and as for the shrimp, well, see above. I forgot to mention that the shells were still on the tails of the shrimp-ok for the soup, annoying for the pad Thai. We asked for hot sauce and thankfully were able to basically drown the noodles in sriracha. My friend and I also split the Green Curry Chicken In Clay Pot, and got an order of (very, VERY overcooked) coconut rice to go with it. Really, this rice was halfway to becoming a pudding when it got to us. As for the curry, overall it was one of the least pleasing Thai green curries that I've had, and I've had a hell of a lot of Thai green curries in my day. Not that we were expecting it to be Thai style-this is a "Malaysian" restaurant after all-but at least canned coconut milk has the ability to make any broth taste better. The green beans were really the only thing we ate from this 'casserole', as the chicken was again (now, predictably) overcooked, the carrots (why were there carrots?) too hard, and the eggplant (weirdly julienned... Why do that to eggplant?) did nothing to save the rest of it. I kind of liked the semi-cooked tomato chunks floating around, but my friend didn't, so that's a wash. Of the last two dishes we split, more than half of the food we left on the plate. This never happens. It says something that the orange slices they put out after we got the check were the best part of the meal since our appetizer. Penang: It wasn't the best meal I've ever had, but it WAS the worst... I guess that's something.
(1)
Dama J.

yum yum yumm. I mainly love their pan fried noodles and their roti cani appetizer (this flat thin bread that you dip into this amazing curry that has potatoes, meat and spices in it). I go there just for the roti cani sometimes lol its too good.
(5)
Phyu-Sin T.

I definitely had an amazing Christmas dinner at Penang. They served delicious Malaysian food that will be hard to compare with other places. #1 on the appetizers menu (pancake ish thing with aloo chicken curry sauce) was one of the best, but my favourite was #12 spring roll with spicy sauce. The salted fish fried rice wasn't that special (and I thought the fish was a little too salted in my opinion). The seaweed seafood soup had a little too much ginger but it definitely added to the smell and the taste. Also, another favourite is the Malay Noodles. It was SOOO spicy but SOOO good at the same time. It's one of those dishes that you would keep eating despite the spiciness. The food was definitely a 5 star. The service was okay too. The waitress only stopped once during the meal to make sure everything was fine. Usually there's a long wait at this restaurant but we only had to wait about 10 minutes and the food didn't take long to serve. The atmosphere of the restaurant is like being in an alley way. The decorated textured walls and the tin roofs sets a unique surrounding. It definitely looks like it has been professionally decorated. Unlike may other restaurants in Chinatown, the staff here can speak and understand English. It is definitely worth the money, not too expensive. $32 for 3 people on DINNER!!
(5)
Reem K.

This is absolutely one of my most favorite restaurants in Chinatown. The service is pretty good and the food is to die for! They bring it steaming hot and everything is scrumptious. One of my favorite entrees is the Seafood Chow Fun, so so delicious. They also have a bunch of great appetizers. I have never been to this restaurant and been disappointed.
(5)
Pug P.

Miss this place so much, even though here in SF i have my choice of asian restaurants. Miss the mango chicken, served in a nice big mango, Try the roti too. Great food, great location
(5)
lena n.

Penang is also a very popular place for Malaysian cuisine and it's very good too. I think some of the stuff are a bit pricey, but some isn't and overall though, it's all good food. This is probably the only spot that has Creme Brulee my fave dessert! Yakitori used to have it, and im very dissapointed that it's not there no more, but I would go back to penang just for the creme brulee! This place also has the pancake with curry so it's all good. I haven't been there in over a year, and that was my 2nd time, so I wouldn't know what else to say about it...lol...oh yea weekends are the worst for it though cuz its a long wait...
(4)
Constance H.

Were I on death row (I was set-up!), I would request Green Nasi Lemak, a bottle of Tsing Tao and a complimentary pot of tea for my last meal. Penang is one of those rare, endangered establishments with a practical, competently designed seating area, great food and impeccable staff for almost a fraction of what you'd pay in any other restaurant in Philadelphia. Weekend evenings are packed with 5+ tops and couples but lunch is usually empty and guarantees that not only won't you have to wait for seating, but the high tables near the large front windows will be empty and an always vivid view of Chinatown awaits. This is an ideal place to bring family, friends, dates and children when on a budget. The location and decor changes a chain restaurant into a more urban animal so it never feels like the Malaysian equivalent of an Applebee's. A must dine for sure.
(4)
Trong T.

Food is so-so for specializing in Malaysian cuisine. Service can be rude at times... if you really want Malaysian food try Banana Leaf around the corner and save yourself the agony of tipping on poor service.
(3)
Ma-e M.

it's a good malaysian in philly.
(4)
Jack W.

This is my favorite restaurant in the United States. I eat there every time I go to Philadelphia. The food is unique and delicious. Spring roll, Satay, and Mi Siam is my usual route. I like sitting in the window looking at the goings on in Chinatown, including the little apartments upstairs across the street where the Asian residents hand the laundry out the windows or up in their rooms to dry. A white tablecloth place this isn't. Be careful walking to the bathroom because the floor is usually so greasy it's worse than walking on ice. This place is the real deal.
(5)
John H.

Try out the "roJak" (appetizer on the menu).. Don't miss it out although the waiter might "warn" you at the beginning. Lol.. I was a little bit scare but I like to try new stuff. Finally I ordered it and it is so yummy :) This appetizer is like "salad". A lot of fruits mixed with their special black and brown sauce. It might be a little smelly but it tastes so good when you eat it.
(4)
Hemanth S.

Amazing Food, service could be little better! Food was just amazing hands down! But I felt like I was in a dunkin's during rush hour. Service staff could be a little more patient for patrons!
(4)
Daniel P.

With its metallic, hovering, spiraling decor and atmosphere in a sea of the expected shady Chinatown eateries, you'd expect it to be a fancy affair. You would be wrong, J. Fenimore Cooper. I went with two friends for a Saturday dinner. The place was certainly bustling and looked promising. But the menu had absolutely nothing for me, with my options cut down to two simple vegetarian dishes. I instead decided to get a more intriguing egg noodle and vegetable dish sans the shrimp. Almost everything here is prepared with squid, shrimp, or meats. And while I'm not at all accustomed to Malaysian eats, I thought it odd that even the dishes listed under "Vegetable" had slices of roast pork and beef. We had a table on bar chairs right next to the entrance, so of course a guy's elbow was practically in my food, and the first bad sign was the luke-warm water, which, as described by a friend, tasted "fresh from the garden hose." But the food came reasonably quick, and while none of us were pleased (my "special sauce" turned out to be greasy soy sauce, my friends curry noodle soup had really poor tasting peppers wrapped around tofu cubes, and my other friend's squid was just "okay") everything was plated well, and the staff brought us more rice and "fresh" water often. The bean sprouts, carrots, cabbage, and mushrooms in my dish were fresh, but nothing ordered was spectacular or worthy of a return. I'd recommend one of those shady Chinatown spots with live frogs in a glass case over this any day. Don't believe the hype.
(2)
Harrison L.

Wannabe upscale, trendy "oh look where we're eating" farce. I would never have chosen to eat here on my own - I was coerced by others amidst my own protests. But I wanted a pleasant surprise. I hate being negative about things, but overblown places like this in the city grate at my nerves. They are so much more about appearance than food. They cater to that ego inside of people that makes them feel like they're somehow more special for eating here than a place that looks less fancy but serves better food. I dare say pretentious. The service and the food in this place were anything but spectacular. Not bad by any means - I did enjoy my small portion of mango chicken. But for the price and the time I had to wait, it was beyond disappointing. Especially in light of the fact that I knew Rangoon and Shiao Lan Kung were just around the corner. These are two non-trendy, unassuming establishments that are family owned and operated, serving large portions of truly delicious food. I will never return to Penang. No amount of coercing will change that; nor my opinion of trendy cooler-than-you dumps like this one.
(2)
Scott F.

My go-to date spot. Consistently great food at reasonable prices and great decor inside the restaurant with the clay tiled walls. Even when it's packed I haven't waited for a table and the staff is always very polite. One of those places I will always come back to because there are always new things I haven't tried yet.
(4)
Caroline V.

I used to go here all the time before i discovered an inexpensive equivalent only a block away. They only accept cash so make sure you hit the ATM before you dine. Food is tasty but definitely pricey for chinatown.
(3)
Lily N.

This one is definitely bigger and better than the one in Chinatown, NYC. Their mango chicken is delicious! Came here with about 8 other people for a friend's birthday. My friends loved the food and the decorations (but I think they recently renovated it). Their shrimp and okra is recommended as well.
(4)
Jing G.

Malaysian cuisine isn't something I'm very experienced in. Nice, clean atmosphere with good service and what's here isn't bad at all. A little too strongly salted for my tastes, but perhaps that's just the way it is? Way too much sodium for me, but perhaps I can ask them to go light on the salt next time. The oyster omelet was a little too greasy as well. Extensive menu and vegetarian friendly. Everyone can probably find something they like here.
(3)
Micaela F.

I am Malaysian and I craved Malaysian food and my mom don't like preparing Malaysian tasty vendor dishes like roti canai and satay so I come to Penang to satisfy my craving. I have to say they do a pretty good job and it makes me happy to have their Curry Mee. That is definitely comfort food for me. So, glad that they is a good Malaysian restaurant in Philadelphia.
(5)
Spencer L.

My favorite Asian restaurant in the city. Unique flavors, not the same old Asian. Very hip, great for groups or for a date, and they finally accept credit cards. The prices are so low, that shouldn't be an issue though. The go to place if you're headed to the Trocadero which is around the corner.
(4)
Subhrajit D.

went there with my brother for dinner and had good East Asian food.. ordered roti canai for starter (it was indian style Paratha with chicken curry).. clay pot was kinda bland though.. good interiors and open kitchen given the feel of malaysian street market..
(4)
Christine L.

I came here mainly for the roti canai which I was craving and hadn't eaten for years. I'd been to the Penang's in Boston when I was in college several years ago and remembered it being decent food but nothing great. This visit fell short of my even already low expectations. The roti canai was fine and I gobbled it up. We also had the oyster omelette as an appetizer, and the ratio of egg to oyster was too high. For entrees, we shared the mango chicken, the fried squid, the malaysian buddhist, and the malaysian pork ribs. In Boston, the mango chicken was reliably tasty, but this time, the chicken was dry and stringy. The fried squid we sent back because we were sure they were old pieces of squid double fried in month old oil. It was that bad. The replacement was better, but still, the squid was too tough. The Malaysian buddhist was a vegetable dish that had a way cornstarchy, coagulated consistency, but otherwise the flavor was fine. The pork ribs in flavor and texture were good, but there wasn't much meat on the plate. Our waitress was great, however, and very helpful when we weren't happy with the squid. If I ever come back here, it will only be for the roti canai.
(2)
tom c.

Tantalizing. Order the first appetizer on the menu, curry roti deliciousness. It's not crispy or dry like roti at most indian restaurants, and the curry itself is to die for. Sharing a couple of dishes is great, and don't miss out on their "cassaroles" which are really just curry pots with delicious meats, seafood, or veggies. The sauce in these curries is not too spicy, but just flavorful enough to make you want to drink it out of the bowl. Best Malaysian Restaurant outside of Southeast Asia.
(5)
Jeremy P.

Roti Canai and Chicken Satay are wonderful!! Both include dipping sauces that are perfection. Service was great. Nice location near convention center and worth the short walk for some quality food. Good sized portions for prices.
(5)
Jarrod B.

This place is Asian done the correct way. No" Asian Fusion" here, just good Eastern cuisine the way it's supposed to be. The Malaysian Pancake is a must-have and simply impresses every time (I've been 6 times so far). The ambiance is busy and noisy but in a good way. This would've gotten five stars if it had a full bar.
(4)
CE C.

An oldy but goody. I was back in Philly so I had to stop by one of my favorites, and I even dragged along my mom who is not open to trying new things. We started off with the roti canai, so good, so fresh. It is so rare that we actually find a place in New York that makes their own roti canai fresh! Also had the chow kueh teow, the usual. Its been awhile but we also had the kang kung belecan, which is amazing. It is made with a little shrimp paste to give it a salty flavor, but really in all of philly, Penang has the best stir fried convolus with this dish of theirs. My friend was raving about the penang house special lobster with their amazing sauce so we had to give it a try. You just cant go wrong here in my experience!
(4)
Marsha S.

aahh Penang...everytime I go to Philly I stop in....I always get a great welcome...I feel like Norm in Cheers....what's good???...well, everything is,,,but my faves are .....white meat chicken curry...love all the noodle dishes...and their chicken sate...I know....common dish,,,but theirs is great....also, love the decor...very roomy....and if you are with friends and want to laugh....I'm from n.y.c., and there is a penang there, so I was so excited to find one in Philly.....great place.....great workers
(5)
Joe R.

I have been going here since it opened -- when there were regularly long lines out the door. It was a sensation, for sure. I think the vibe and the quality has come down a notch; not that it isn't much better than most of the fare in Chinatown (except Tai Lake!) I used to work with two guys from Malaysia -- they were really into food. One of the hardest things I ever tried to do is to teach a Chinese Malaysian how I make Marinara! There was something of a culture clash that didn't translate. Anyhoo, I've had many of the dishes mentioned -- I never got into the frogs or other things marked with the "check with server before ordering" implying they were too weird for western tastes. I agree with Jacquelin that the Mango chicken/shrimp is over sauced. I remember it being better.
(4)
Betty M.

I enjoy Malaysian food a lot but of the times I've been I was not impressed with it. They are very concerned with turning tables and tend to screw up orders frequently. Unless you are ordering straight from the menu without modifications you may have a hard time here. There is always Banana Leaf around the block which I enjoy a lot better because they are familiar with what I want and how I want it since it's exactly how it's made and ordered in Malaysia.
(3)
Lisa Z.

I've been here once with my BFF and it was just so crowed! There are really busy days from time to time. We ordered a Hainese? chicken i believe with some kind of special rice. Mhmm mhmm mmhm, delicious! Half proportion for both of us and were were so satisfied! The bill came out to be LESS than 20$! The atmosphere was pretty cool.
(4)
Jon L.

Wow, I just read that Penang was a chain. Could that be right? If so, I never got that impression before; it surprises me since THEY DON'T EVEN ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS! Still, Penang continues to be the favorite restaurant of many, many Asian food fans in Philadelphia. To this day, it remains the only Malaysian restaurant I've been to, so I can't exactly judge it within the context of Malay food. But I haven't tried a dish there that I didn't like. And, I don't know whether I'm right here, but you get the impression that you're eating a somewhat authentic Malay meal, with few menu items that stick out as American appropriations of the real deal. I love the mango chicken. Consequently, it's probably one of the more Western dishes on the menu -- again, I don't really know what real Malay food is, and what isn't -- but the sauce is somewhere between amazing and incredible and the marriage of the sweet mango and the spices... Few things deserve to mentioned in the same breath as sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. Penang's mango chicken is one. Hell, I'd trade the drugs for the chicken, straight up.
(4)
Sana R.

I have never been let down at Penang. Every time I visit I get the same thing: Singapore noodles, extra spicy with chicken and shrimp. It always comes out piping hot and pouring over the sides of my plate. I can see the sliced green chillies beckoning me. Highly recommend the roti canai here as well. Very well priced!
(5)
Kimberly P.

I visited Pennang for the first time when I took my friend out for her birthday. Pennang was her favorite restaurant and she raved about it constantly so I figured that the only way to get her to shut up about it was to take her. It turns out that the food WAS pretty good. I had the mango chicken which was similar to sweet and sour chicken, it was just ok. I found the glaze to be a tad sweet for my liking. I forget what my friend ordered but I do remember that it was some type of pepper dish and I liked it better than mine. The highlight of my trip came when I discovered that they made their fried ice cream dessert with coconut ice-cream (see my review on Roy's). I was in heaven. Pure coconutty heaven. I definitely recommend this place for a special event or just if you feel like being adventurous.
(4)
Qrazy I.

I LOVE this place. The food is great and now they take credit cards! I have been going to this place for 8 years now (I had the pleasure of going for the first time while pregnant) and the staff is really friendly, and my son loves it there as well!
(4)
Susan L.

Penang is just ok for me. The first time I went there I had great experience because I went with someone who has been there and he ordered for me. However the second time I went I took my family, they just picked random items and it just ended up being ok. The service kinda neutral; not friendly but not mean. Food came out fairly quickly though. I would go to Banana Leaf instead.
(3)
K D.

Penang deserves 6 stars out of 5 !! If you are looking for a fusion of indian and chinese flavors, go for this restaurant. It doesnt taste purely indian, purely chinese or purely thai. It is the perfect mix of all three - super !!! Always busy but good service - call ahead.
(5)
Gerry D.

This place is awesome, almost everytime i go to chinatown, im always here. Roti Canai is the most popular appetizer here, but i prefer Shrimp puff for appetizer tho. Shrimp wrapped with mayo on the side. For the entree i mostly gettin Fried Rice with Salted Fish with Clam with black bean sauce or either Golden Fried Squid or Kangkung balacan and Chinese Broccoli, also they have Kweetiaw Seafood which is so gooood. The service so good, and kind. I prefer go here than the neighborhood, Banana Leaf.
(4)
Reena H.

Excellent Malaysian Food! Tastes authentic...comes quite close to what I had in Malaysia. The place is always busy, so be prepared for a wait, but the service is fast! Roti Canai- could keep eating this again and again! Green Curry w/ chicken- the flavors are delicious w/ the right amt of spice Coconut Rice (they have all diff types of rice)- loved it! Great place w/ great prices.....
(4)
Kat J.

Penang used to be my favorite restaurant after I graduated from college. Since then, I guess my taste buds have changed but I still think of it highly and come back once in a while. Being in town for a trade show, I went there today for lunch. I ordered two of my favorites: clay pot noodles and ipoh bean sprouts. The clay pot noodles is a big clay bowl of egg noodles, various veggies, calamari, pork, shrimp and eggs in a yummy sauce - somewhere half way between a broth and a gravy. It arrives still simmering at your table so do not touch the pot!! Today, the noodles seemed somewhat undercooked but overall the dish was pretty good. The bean sprouts though were phenomenal as always - perfectly blanched (not soggy or raw) in the special house sauce (a variation of a soy based sauce). My other old favorites are the mango chicken, which is sweet and somewhat spicy and comes served in the mango shells, and the beef rendang, a curried beef dish where the beef is nice and tender and the sauce is pretty dry. I've also tasted the beef chow fun and it was nice and dry (I don't like gravy gook). My boyfriend loves their cracked pepper crab too... They have several locations, mainly in Manhattan, but this one in Philly has one of the better menus - they vary. I have yet to try the Penang in Boston, but would love to when the chance arises. Once again, they ONLY take CASH and do not speak good English. You also cannot make reservations and the lines can get crazy sometimes - definitely not a place for a quick dinner meal. I mean, they are VERY quick once you sit down and order - in fact, sometimes I feel a bit rushed, but the wait can be daunting... So, overall I like Penang and I'd recommend it for a fun meal - especially as a group so you can try a lot of different things. The two reasons why they lost the 5th star is that they don't take credit cards, the service is often rushed and this one older waiter (who I think is one of the managers/owners cause he's been there since the first time I ate there about 8 years ago) is SO rude and unhappy. If he ends up serving me, I always feel totally unwelcome.
(4)
D L.

despite the fact that it is a chain, this is great food. lots of chices for everyone and dirt cheap
(4)
Samantha L.

Everything is good, until we got the fishhead claypot, it's so fishy, that we couldn't eat any of it.
(2)
Sara C.

This place is packed on the weekends, and it is well-deserved. I would just about say that all the reviews here have hit the high points. The menu is without a doubt overwhelming, but the servers have often made good suggestions. The roti, satay tofu, the soups, noodle dishes - all are absolutely wonderful. This is the perfect place to come with a big group, so everyone can order something different and share.
(4)
Ellen O.

This is by far my favorite restaurant to go to in Chinatown. If you're sick of the standard General Tso's chicken, egg rolls, and lo mein that you can easily grab at any other Chinese food establishment, get your sweet tail over to Penang for dishes like the mango chicken and the me siam. Also, I recommend ordering the roti canai as an appetizer, which is just a big, warm, flat piece of dough rolled up on a plate. You tear off pieces of dough and dip it into their special sauce that they serve it with. On a sidenote for you vegetarians, they do make a vegetarian version of this same sauce. All you have to do is request it!
(5)
maia w.

go. go hungry. read the menu and be entertained by finding beef in the vegetarian section, and seafood in the poultry section. bring CASH as they do not take cards. get the roti appetizer. people watch. it's a great casual date spot, and it's open later than most philly restaurants, so if you need to sober up in the chinatown area...get to penang.
(4)
robert a.

Went on a Saturday evening with 4 adults and 3 kids. Right in the heart of Chinatown next to the arch. They were very busy, but sat us right away. The dining area was loud and busy so the kids could be as noisy as they wanted. The staff was very helpful, as the menu can be overwhelming for the novice Malaysian diner. Food was served quickly and was delicious. The sauces deserve special mention.
(4)
Shan T.

Great spot! Went here on a weeknight and it was packed. The food was fresh and well portioned--the flavors amazing. There were a good variety of choices on the menu. Service was attentive. The restaurant had a really cool decorating vibe...slightly industrial. Very nice!
(5)
kathy t.

I am not a big fan of chain restaurants, but I keep going to Penang b/c several friends have some kind of infatuation with it (and they're Asian). I find the food acceptable if not amazing- the roti canai is always fun, and they do a good job of accommodating vegetarians. Open relatively late- not worth a wait when there are so many other steps-away options. Aesthetically more pleasing than the average zero decor Chinatown restaurant.
(3)
Yahoo B.

One of the best Malaysian cuisine in Philly... The Roti-Canai is simply amazing and so is the chicken fried rice.. don't forget to ask for hot sauce (green chilly in soy sauce) with it... Just the Best...
(5)
veronika p.

I had absolutely no idea that Penang was a chain. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Phila. The food is very affordable and the menu is huge. The peanut sauce that comes with the Chicken Satay is amazing. Penang is undergoing renovations now, and should open within the next week or so, and I bet it's going to be really nice. They do take credit cards now, so don't worry about bringing cash. There never seems to be a wait, which is good when you're looking for a last minute place to get dinner on the weekend. If there's 2 of you, try and grab a seat by the window so you can people watch.
(5)
Brian K.

Just so-so. Food tends to be very fried and not all that tasty. Not to judge, but all the cooks are Mexican so not exactly "authentic" although I know most restaurants have similar composition. Food was just OK and service was about the same. Mostly just staff milling about waiting to clear plates with no personality. I had Tofu Satay which had tasty peanut sauce. Mango Tofu was very forgettable. I asked for it to be "spicy" but not Thai hot, what I got was almost a ketchup paste with little to no flavor. No frills place with food that is not worth the patronage.
(2)
Christina W.

I was fairly disappointed with my experience here. The roti canai is honestly better at Banana Leaf. I ordered the mango chicken based on Yelp reviews and I thought it was pretty sour, possibly because it's out of season but in any case, it was subpar in flavor and overpriced. The Nasi Lemak, coconut rice with some side dishes, was tasty, especially the spicy anchovies. Service was good and very fast--the waiter we had gave very honest recommendations which was helpful. Perhaps if I had asked his opinion on the mango chicken, I wouldn't have ordered it...
(2)
Lianna N.

I take it back. I went again and Won Ton Min WAS ON THE MENU. LOL!! joke's on me. Same great service, and consistency in the food. Great job Penang. I saw a Cherry Hilll location recently. Wonder if it's the same food and service? It didn't quite seem to have the same decor and vibe as the philly one, although I realize it is a chain.
(4)
Ellen T.

I'm a usual here and it's always good. I always start off with the pancake and curry and then spicy Thai chicken which is a lot spicier than you would think. My family usually opts in for a Chinese inspired entree. Try the sizzling platters or the spicy thai chicken. Both are AMAZING!
(4)
Alex X.

I came here for my birthday before. It was delicious. Some of the dishes similar to the food my mom or cousin in law cooks at home. Lucky me! Haha. Exception the ingredients in the food have a higher intensity in flavors and leaning more toward Thai/Malaysian ingredients than Cambodian, but it is still a mesh of both culture's foods. This range of thai, malaysian, cambodian, chinese, and indian all into one restaurant makes for the choices for those who may want familiarity with one culture's food or another. Can not wait to come back. I do miss you Penang- it has been a while! You still look delish!!! My favorite: the open windows dining in the summers evenings. I love that style.
(5)
Kristin W.

I gave the Philly location of this chain a chance for dinner. Service was a little slow (we had a lot of waitstaff milling around us, but no one took care of us unless directly asked), but larger portions were worth waiting for - 3 entrees dishes would have been more than enough for the 4 of us. I tried the Indian Mee Goreng with beef substituted for shrimp and enjoyed the wok-y flavor and the super-tender beef. Get a table near the kitchen to see one guy swing dough around his head endlessly to make the thin, light Roti bread (which is a pretty good appetizer option).
(3)
Nicole L.

I used to love coming to Penang and had not visit Philly in a long time. It was nice to see that Penang was still operating. We had a quick lunch there it was quiet in the restaurant we took a table right by the kitchen, it was interesting to see that the entire kitchen was operated by non-Asians. They were hard at work grilling satays and making rotis. The chicken satays and shrimp noodle soups were good it hit the spot.
(3)
Yiwen S.

i have sorta mixed feelings about penang. the service weirded me out a bit. we must've had 4 different waiters stop by our table in the first 5 minutes after sitting down to try to get our orders. hold your horses, people! and one of the waiters just came up to our table and stared at us for a while before speaking. ummm.. creepy. but anyways, penang definitely has a flair for southeast asian cuisine. i came with my friend for an early dinner one weekend and we decided to split two dishes: the green curry chicken in a clay pot (casserole) and the shrimp with string beans malaysian style. with two bowls of rice, of course. the string beans dish was awesome. i love when dishes are spiced just perfectly, and this one in particular reminded me of home and all the good restaurants in socal. i was less impressed with the green curry chicken casserole. it was a bit watered down for my taste and as a result, not as spicy. i've definitely had better before. but overall, not a bad experience. 3.5 stars, rounding up.
(4)
Devin D.

Penang is great for casual cheap eats. Lots of great dishes both malaysian and other aysian haha. I've never had a bad dish, so I think that speaks for itself. Salt baked fish, nasi lemak, roti canai, mee siam to name a few. No matter how crowded this place is, you will always get your food exactly FIVE minutes after you order it (try it, seriously). However, service refilling your tea pot is much to be desired :-\ I do enjoy me tea, and that is enough to remove one star. But otherwise, high praise for Penang.
(4)
Chris C.

After living here 8 years and walking past it about 100 times, I decided to give Penang a try. Verdict? Totally underwhelmed. 4 stars? No way. I ordered the shrimp puffs as an appetizer. They were basically minced shrimp wrapped in a kind of cured ham (ok, so they call it bacon...not the worst crime), and then deep-fried. Tasty enough and thankfully not greasy, but they give you a small bowl of mayonnaise for dipping. Yes, mayonnaise. Not like some exotic aioli or remoulade...it was like 3 tablespoons of straight-up Hellmann's scooped into a bowl. Artery-clogging properties aside, this dish was average at best. On to the the main dish, which was Cantonese-style chow fun. The dish consisted of broad noodles swimming in a large bowl of "brown sauce"...you know that kind of generic, soy sauce-based, slightly gelatinous stuff you find in most Chinese restaurants. Swimming nearby were chewy squid, tough chicken with a slightly gamey taste (or was that pork? the menu didn't mention it), uncleaned shrimp with the black veins intact, and some type of bitter greens. True I didn't order Malaysian specialties which might have been a better option, but overall it was a disappointing meal. The icing on the cake was when the server brought back the check after running my credit card, and explained how she "accidentally" entered .01 as the tip because her finger slipped. Harmless enough right? It's only a penny. Except that she effectively left me no ability to add the tip to my credit card. I didn't buy for one second that this was accidental. Luckily I had cash for the tip. I guess that worked, huh? I wasn't about to quibble. I just wanted out at that point. I took 1/2 my meal with me in a doggie bag, which I left at the nearest bus stop for someone less fortunate who might need something to eat. Definitely not on my list going forward.
(2)
Jonny D.

Their Roti Kanai isn't as good as that at Banana Leaf, but we had a fantastic time here. We started with an oyster omelette (served with a perfectly, absurdly complementary jelly/sauce) which was absolutely wonderful and was nearly a meal in itself. The lady had pork belly with dried vegetables and brown sauce and it was fabulous--the pork belly had quivering, creamy fat to go with the tender, juicy meat. Decadent and the flavor was wonderful. I had the asam laksa, the fish noodle soup, and it was extremely fishy with a healthy kick of spice and some tasty noodles in the mix. I approved. We split an order of mango tofu which was probably my favorite portion of the meal apart from the omelette. Chunks of mango and bell pepper in a sweet-and-sour-ish sauce sat atop a bed of shredded carrot and jicama, dotted here and there with tofu deep-fried to perfection. The price was great--our meal, which should have been enough for three, still came in at less than $50, and we had plenty of leftovers despite our beastly hunger. Service was great too--our table was visited frequently by unobtrusive servers. Overall, a fantastic experience. It's a worthy competitor to Banana Leaf and the two are among my very favorite restaurants in the city.
(5)
Erin D.

Amazing. I came here for dinner about a week ago and could not believe how good it was. I started with wonton soup and was very impressed. The won tons were cooked to perfection and were mouth watering. For my main course, I got the malaysian Buddha's feast and was again very happy. The service was very fast and friendly, we got a table immediately. I also love how you get a fresh orange after your meal, how refreshing! I would come back here any time!
(4)
Vivian L.

Recently discovered this place with my coworker on a busy Friday night. The service was very attentive and the waiter come right at our table making suggestions on the menu. The Roti Canai was an eye opener when we first tried it. The Mango Chicken was a bit too sour. Overall the food gives us a taste of Malaysian food that we rarely had before.
(4)
Frank H.

I have eaten hear three times in the last three years, and this time was my last. The food was bland. The manager hovered over us as we were looking at menus suggesting appetizers and entrees, to the point of turning the pages himself and pointing them out. Very annoying.
(2)
DivZ G.

I Love love love this place absolutely. My friends live in PA and this has been one of the places we always went without fail. The quality and taste of the food never seem to change. If you go, do not forget to have the Red Snappper with Okra fish dish (though expensive its worth it..:) )..also do not eat anything before you go so you can finish the savor it completelyt ..;).. also you can order the coconut for drinks, pretty yummmmy it is!! and obviously roto chanai for apetizer.. its a place you can go anytime for lunch and dinner, no restrictions for any serving...if you are in phily..get to penang..:) I already can feel the taste..:) Ambience- casual,dressy for dinner i guess. Parking is pretty difficult as expected this is in china town in philly and price range is reasonable, the fish dish is expensive as it should be i would say.
(5)
Joanne T.

I've been dining here since god knows when, I guess a review is overdue. This place is cheap, has fast service, and get the job done. You will not be disappointed ever! It's great for party of one to party of many. The must haves from this place is as follows: roti canai (pancake appetizer), crispy squid, chicken rice, beef chow fun, salted fish fried rice, kang kung belacan, mee siam, clams with black bean, and sometimes the deep fried fish dishes. A combination of one or two of the previously listed dishes are usually what is ordered every time this place is visited. Last time I came here we were so hungry. As soon as we sat down, we placed our order, no menus necessary. They really have a great wait staff who are quick and efficient. When in doubt in chinatown, here's your go to.
(5)
Nick V.

This is truly one of favorite restaurants in Philly. I recently moved to a different state. This is one of the few places I miss. Great food at very reasonable prices.
(5)
Sam B.

The service is strange. Multiple waiters asked us for our order multiple times, just minutes apart. The main waiter was incessant in his frequency. While they asked us multiple times for appetizers, they didn't bring us waters and I practically had to hunt them down to get myself another beer. The food is pretty good but I won't come back.
(2)
Namir S.

Love this place! Red curry, mango chicken, pad thai, and mee goreng are all good. Roti for appetizers is good - the dipping sauce is even better! And the price is not bad at all considering the good food.
(4)
Ceasar B.

Food is cheap and tasty (though more expensive options are available depending on your goals), decor is intimate and interesting, service is fantastic (+1 for serving tea as soon as you're seated). Nothing not to like. Specifically, I got to try the Indian pancake, which was really tasty. It's basically just fried dough and it comes with a kind of dipping sauce. Awkward to eat though given that one cannot cut with chopsticks and it's kind of greasy. Still, a decent deal at $4. For my main meal, I got fried noodles and chicken in some kind of coconut based broth. Was very tasty-- I wish I came hungrier. PS: @PenangManagement, The Christmas decoration are out of place and should go away.
(4)
Josh T.

Underwhelmed. Shrimp with string beans had barely any spice or flavor. Clay pot chicken was spicy, but one note. Expected more, based on past reviews. Indian pancake appetizer was the most flavorful item we had. Prices high for the quality.
(3)
Lesley L.

Ate here with a group in town for the library conference, and really enjoyed it! Had the chicken with ginger and scallion rice, with veggie spring rolls as an appetizer. The service was really good, especially for a group, and the atmosphere was quite nice. We got there early and didn't have to wait, but it filled up by the time we left. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Eileen S.

Penang has been and continues to be a Philly fave for me, countless visits over the years and the food has been consistently good. Recommend: roti canai, hainanese chicken, chow kueh teow, kang kung belacan, coconut rice, ice kechung (aka ABC ice), ...
(4)
Enid C.

Penang is exactly like Banana Leaf except it doesn't have the Thai Basil Noodle, the dÃ©cor is slightly different, and for some reason I just like Banana Leaf better. In general, the same things will be good at both locations (Mee Siam, Prawn Mee, Hainanese chicken, Roti Canai, etc.). And in general, the same shortcomings are also true of both locations (service, accommodating customers' requests, typos in the menu). But the other day I experienced something at Penang that I have never, ever seen at Banana Leaf (as of yet). It was the peak of lunch hour. Tables were full, kitchen doors were constantly swinging open, conversations were at a gentle roar. Suddenly, an eerie silence swept over the dining room. The air was tense - something epic was in the making. The silence was abruptly broken with a blast of cheery instrumentals from the overhead speakers. Two waitresses entered the scene beaming, each bearing a tray of candle-lit cupcakes, gracefully delivering them to the customer of honor. The recorded instrumental intro is finished, and we hear on the audio track what sounded like the entire staff of Penang blaring their song: "Happy birsday to you, happy birsday to you!!..." That's right, the audio recording said "birsday." Every single time. It killed me. Aaand...I think I've found my new go-to place for taking my friends out to birthday (birsday?) lunch!
(4)
Cat P.

I've spent a considerable amount of time living in/traveling through Asia, so I'm always on the lookout for some quality Asian fare. Enter Penang. We stopped by here after a bubble tea crawl through Chinatown and the memories came right back. The tofu satay was the perfect blend of spicy and sweet flavors. The mango chicken was mouthwatering and it beautifully prepared. It came out inside the mango shell, surrounded by flowers. The pork with dried vegetables should be illegal and our rice dishes were steamed to perfection. The waiter was friendly and was able to make wonderful recommendations. We definitely had enough to take home and I'm already looking forward to eating the leftovers tomorrow. There are questionable restaurants throughout our area, but this definitely isn't one of them. Penang is a must for anyone visiting Chinatown!
(5)
Danny K.

This Malaysian and Thai foods it definitely the most delicious around in Chinatown My family always went there. I love it and the service is great, food also bring out fast too .
(5)
Gopal M.

This place is one of my favorites in China town! The Canai Roti with chicken Curry, that tastes like my Grandma's makes me nostalgic. other Must trys: Satay chicken, Mee siam, Indian Mee gorang Beef Rendang
(5)
Eevee M.

I've been here a handful of times for the past year, and each time was a good experience. Favorites: Mango Chicken Fried Rice with salted fish Beef Chow Fun Pad Thai Oh, and don't forget to start off the meal with the Roti Canai (Indian pancake) and end it with the fried ice cream! Dee-licious. The first time we dined here, the man who I'm assuming is a manager (he wasn't "serving" anyone per se) stood by our table, asked if everything was all right and engaged us in some friendly conversation. I thought it was a bit creepy at first, but he was so nice and gave us a good impression of the restaurant overall. Definitely recommend.
(5)
Steve C.

Ok, so to really get an idea of how my experience went I figured I'd let you know I'm writing this review from the toilet.....I'm here because of the "wonderful" meal I had. So let's set the scene. A server who rushed us through our meal... How so you may ask? Well we read the menu for about 30 seconds and she came and asked if we were ready to order... At this point I'm ok, thinking she is just attentive, it wasn't till she returned about a minute later with our heads buried in the menus asking again if we were ready. Now I'm mildly perturbed. My fiancÃ© ordered some shrimp appetizer to make her go away for a while. We ordered on her next pass... We chose seafood fried rice, spare ribs and beef chow fun. Yes I decided to play it safe at this point. Well to cover the food (besides my toilet comment), the chow fun was no fun at all. The beef was chewy, kinda made me think "I wonder if this is what a sneaker tastes like?". The noodles just tasted large pieces of greasy fat, so much so I had ask my fiancÃ© what they were and she do course replied "they are noodles dear". The fried rice was ok but a bit tasteless, and the shrimp still had the tail shell which I just find annoying. If anything ever screamed "help drown me in duck sauce" it was their fried rice. Finally the spare ribs were much like the fried rice, ok but without flavor, they came with a dipping sauce which added a slight tinge of flavor. Oh and let's not forget the classy can of coke we were given as a drink when we ordered soda...really, they can't spring for bottle if they can't be bothered having a soda fountain installed lol. Last but not least, the spare ribs came out about 10 minutes after the other two dishes (we can see the kitchen is as great as our server), and of course abut 5 minutes after serving us the spare ribs we were asked if we were done... I blame myself actually.. I dared take 30 seconds to have a conversation with my fiancÃ©, I gues if I'm not shoveling food in my mouth constantly that's a sign I'm finished lol. Well some others rated this place very highly so maybe we caught them on a bad night, a night where they ran out of flavoring and replaced in with a laxative??
(2)
Yo J.

I honestly go here only when I want to eat "Indian pancake" Other food they have here are so and so nothing too exemplary to really go back for.
(3)
Jan L.

Even though I believe it is the same owner as banana leaf, I like penang much better. Their food is pretty good and the waitresses are nice. This place can get pretty busy. But it's a must try!
(4)
Amy C.

Penang franchise locations are either a hit or miss. This one was a hit! The roti canai could have been more flavorful, but I don't like it when it's too spicy either so this mild version was more to my liking. I strayed from my usual sizzling chicken platter so I could try the ginger duck noodles in soy sauce. I made the right choice because I absolutely loved the dish. The duck was overcooked, but the noodles were perfection. The proportion was enough for two people, but I ate most of it which resulted in no room for dessert. I was disappointed on missing out on the peanut pancake, but that itself is a meal on its own.
(4)
Zack T.

Asam laksa must try, prawn mee delicious, rojak not bad, and so on. If you want to add extra sauce please ask the server such as har kao, sambal belacan, chinese wine.
(5)
Joe M.

Penang is a five-star restaurant for three reasons: 1. EXCELLENT, helpful and attentive staff! Everyone was friendly and very helpful. The waitress that took our order was great. She explained the options for the food we were ordering and suggested smaller, single-person portions that were CHEAPER. 2. The food. Normally, I rank this first, but I wanted to call out the excellent service. The Curry Chicken I had was excellent and my wife's pad Thai was enough for a small family by itself! Everything was excellent! 3. Price. We had one Tsing Tao, two appetizers (which were AWESOME), and two entrees. I quizzed my wife and she said $50 easily. Nope. Would you believe $34! This place was the trifecta restaurant - service, food and price all in one. If you like Asian cuisine, or want to try it, and are in Philly and you can get to this restaurant, I say it's worth WHATEVER your drive would be to get there!
(5)
Weijia L.

Went there with a bunch of friends. The pancake (the thick one) impressed me. It's a combo of Chinese-style pancake with egg and chopped onion, paired up with a bowl of curry. String beans with shrimp was also nice. The mango chicken was beautifully prepared (that's for sure) but it's like sweet-and-sour chicken. Personally I think it was over seasoned with the red sauce. It's very dark inside. I know restaurants here in the U.S. prefer dim light but IMO, that's for fine-dining or hip/trendy places. Penang should be brighter and heartier.
(3)
Dustin W.

Extensive menu and great Malay food. There is definietely a shortage of Malaysian restaurants.
(4)
Sammy C.

Went here late night with some co workers after a busy day. after 10 pm. 1. Waiter was annoyed that we ordered a bunch of appetizers and only 2 small entrees. ok, he didnt say anything, but he made a face, and walked away. (our bill came out to 33 bucks for 4 people). he did not smile once during the whole time we gave our order. 2. The roti with the chicken curry (2 orders) came out, food was good, but one person in our dining party asked from some sriracha, and the same waiter who was annoyed with our small order rolled his eyes as if the sriracha request was a major imposition, but he brought it over. 3. When i ordered our food, i asked for the peanut pancake dessert at the time of ordering, because I know it takes a long time. 4. our waiter disappears after another waiter delivers our entrees , and never came back to our table. 5. as we were done with our apps and main course, i asked, where our peanut pancake was. everyone looked confused , and they told me it was never entered on the initial order. So, i told them to forget about it. I didnt want to wait another 15 minutes. If you are annoyed that our order was small, then you forget to put a dessert on the order? thats not my problem. if you want more revenue for your company, then don't forget to put the whole order in. then you will get more tips i think it would have added another 7 bucks to the bill... Then while other customers are walking out our waiter was all of a sudden friendly and cheery to others? Dude, either learn how to smile and suck it up, or get another job, preferably not in the hospitality industry, in any case, probably wont go back and spend my hard earned money here, when there are other places in Ctown where the waiters want to work hard and care about customers...
(1)
Grace Joy P.

Very accommodating! I say this because I ate here last week, which was not to long ago, for a friend's birthday. There were about 7 of us, total. I called twice to change the reservation time, and they were very polite about it. We were worried about not being able to eat here because we found out one of my friends has a peanut allergy. Knowing the way Asian restaurants work, a lot of them use peanut oil or peanut products in their food. Three people that worked there came up to our table to listen to our orders to make sure that they got it right, and to omit any peanuts in the dishes. I believe one of them might have been the manager. If that isn't good service, I don't know what is! We ordered the roti canai (indian pancake), shrimp puff, young chow fried rice, hainanese chicken, sizzling beef, shrimp pad thai, deep fried shrimp with ginger soy sauce. The roti is probably their most famous dish. Once you try it you'll know why. As soon as we sat down I asked if we could order an appetizer to start (since everyone was hungry and it was already 8pm). She asked if I wanted roti and how many, before I could even ask what I wanted. How'd she know? Two please! The shrimp puff was so delicious! I'm warning you though to let it sit for a bit and give it 5 minutes. It is served HOT and WILL burn your tongue. The sauces tend to squirt out into your mouth as soon as you bite into it, which is no fun when it's extremely hot! Wait it out and you'll thank me later. The sauce was a nice touch to the shrimp puff. Very cohesive appetizer. You should definitely try this one. Fried rice was average, as any Asian restaurant's fried rice is. Hainanese chicken was very different ... never had anything like it. It's completely baked but served at room temperate so it gives off the feeling that it's being served "cold". It's actually pretty good with the soy sauce (which is served under the chicken) if you can get over the way it looks and the cold texture. We we're actually served a piece that was still blue and looked like a cyanotic chicken extremity which turned me off completely, even being in the medical field. Shivers. We decided just to set it aside and remove it so we wouldn't have to look at it anymore. The sizzling beef was absolutely.. FORGETTABLE. Do not get this dish. It lacked flavor, and did not come out sizzling. Womp, womp. The pad thai is also just an average dish. Nothing too special going on, probably would not get it again since I could get better pad thai elsewhere. Now I saved the best part for last.. the deep fried fish! It normally comes with other sauces, but we requested to do a simple ginger and soy sauce. This is the best fried fish, ever! We all couldn't get our hands off it and fought for the last morsel! Main reason it was so good was because it was so crispy! Good to share due to it's size. Fairly big. I would totally go back for this. Parking could be difficult during the weekend due to it's location, so try an odd weeknight. Like say, a thursday.
(4)
Jen S.

I love it here. The ambiance is perfect, and you get a great amount of food for the price that you pay. This is a great place for a date and for large groups of friends. It's one of my go-to restaurants in Philly.
(5)
John B.

Great Malaysian food....especially the Mango Shrimp. Even tried the Fish Head Soup!
(5)
Maggie P.

This restaurant was all over the map for me. Here's why; Server would get pretty close to us--in our personal space- and smile a lot. He had very bad teeth. He was also kinda pushy. I'm sure he was just trying to make helpful suggestions, but I didn't like it. After we had our food, and he checked in on us, he was nowhere to be seen for a while. Score a 4, because I think it's only fair to disregard the server's creepy factor. His recommendations were good. Roti and sauce are excellent. Mango chicken a very good dish. We also got a heaping veggie plate that we had never seen on any menu before, Malaysian Budda I think it was called. Also good. The menu isn't just one cuisine (all over the map, see?). Malaysian, Indian, Thai, and Chinese. We were hoping to get a distinct flavor of Malaysian, because Yelp said this place was Malaysian and Thai. Oh well. Dishes were nicely presented. The roti and two dishes with one bowl of rice was more than enough for the two of us. We probably could have just ordered the roti and one dish to keep from wasting food (we did our best). Score 4. Atmosphere is clean, dim, mod. I didn't really notice much cultural decoration. I have no problems with the way this was laid out. Score 4. One thing I love and miss about big city Asian food, a pot of tea immediately shows up on the table. I don't see that happen in SLO, but we only have two Chinese restaurants, and the nostalgia I have for Bay Area Chinese may never allow them to measure up. While I would rather try another place in the future, I wouldn't mind going back if a friend wanted to go.
(4)
Tierra M.

Best wonton mee soup!! The only con is they don't give you your change back, they automatically assume your going to give them all your change. I just think they should ask if you want change back. Other than that everything is great the food is great the atmosphere is great!
(4)
Chantal G.

If your looking for "Americanized" asian food, keep walking. This stuff is authentic, it's spicy, it's friendly, and above all, it's filled with Asians (which is my ultimate barometer). You'll be back....
(4)
Sheldon R.

I don't know why some of the items advise you to ask the waiter first and I don't know how you keep some of the chicken dishes on the menu "room temperature." I don't care. I don't even care that you have to pay separately for rice. Actually that's a travesty- it's 102 in Philadelphia so keep your hot green tea and give me my rice damnit. I crave you Penang for one dish- The Roti. That crispy, chewy, flaky paper thin "bread?" that is then sunk into a dangerously addictive chicken and potato curry stew. By now, the word has spread so half the restaurant will be ripping apart this delight that Emily instinctively compared to the air pockets in the crust of a good pizza. So, so good and I want it now. Why did I only order one for each of us? Am I training for the Olympics?! Fool! P.S. End it with the ABC dessert, the sort of shaved ice - halo halo- hybrid that makes you wish your girlfriend was already full from the roti.
(4)
April L.

Food was alright, but that rude ass lady kicked us out that very moment we all finished our food so she could let other customers in. Because of that, one star for you Penang!!!
(1)
Alisa C.

*NOTE: This review is solely about one take-out item...but it was delicious!* We ordered the Hu Nan chicken home and it was GREAT!! It reminds me of some street food that I would always eat in Thailand. I know this is a Malaysian restaurant, but the spices and flavoring of the sauce tasted of pure Thailand to me! Hu Nan chicken is pretty much soy sauce chicken served over a bed of rice that comes with some sweet soy sauce and this orange, spicy sauce. It is DELICIOUS when you combine the 2 sauces together over your chicken for that perfect tangy, spicy flavor. Now I want to come back and try some of their other dishes as well! Pros: - Delicious food that tasted pretty authentic to me! - Very quick about their take out orders Cons: - Impossible to find parking outside of Penang! It's really tough to pick up food from here as well Why I gave it a 4..... Penang offers great food that has authentic flavors. I only ordered take out here but now I want to dine here and enjoy the ambience because it looks really nice from the outside! I took a star away because it's so difficult to find parking around this place and I just don't want to completely judge it based off of one dish.
(4)
Regina F.

If you ever want to stuff your face with tons of Asian food that isn't overly spiced - unless so requested - come to Penang. The menu is forever long, so you'll definitely find something you like, whether it's fried pork intestines or simple mango chicken curry. Start your meal off with the Indian bread dish. The bread is thin and doughy and perfectly pipping. Sharing is allowed, and probably preferred, but you best just grab the whole thing and shove it in your mouth before anybody else can experience the doughy indulgence. (The bone sauce it's served with is okay - mostly it just tastes like marrow soup...if I knew what marrow soup tasted like.)
(4)
Jason G.

Mee siam was very good. Such kind and friendly service! Appetizer, two entrees and a drink came to $27! Definitely will be back!
(5)
Stephanie Y.

I always start with the roti when I get seated here. The food is generally pretty good. I think they're a bit overpriced, but there isn't a place like this close by. The laksa soup noodle is a-ok. It was pretty flavorless when I had it. The hainanese chicken is usually good paired with the chicken rice. I do enjoy the mango chicken a lot. The crunchiness and sweetness of the mango seems to go great with the chicken even though I do not like cooked fruits. My friends enjoy the pineapple fried rice. They also like the spare ribs, but it was a bit tough for me. I like the ribs falling off the bones.
(4)
Stephen H.

Good food. Not the best I've ever had, but wasn't anything to turn my nose too. If I go back, I definitely have the pancake again!
(3)
Jessica S.

best asian food place in town. I had to visit philadelphia for 5 days, and i came here more than 6 times to get my food. Their prices are very cheap compared to the food they serve. I dont know what else to say, because i was there last year and i dont remember too much. I tried more than half of their appetizers, and they were all very great.
(5)
Celic M.

I have been coming here for over 10 years. The food is tasty and my suggestions are: roti canai (curry and pancake); haianese chicken rice comes with one bowl of rice, seasoned and soy?sauce chicken with cucumbers. (If you're not into salty foods, I would probably advise against it) -- the chicken is very delicate and cooked well; giant prawns (a bit on the expensive side, but well worth it); pad thai or chow kuew teow (they are very similarly made, so don't bother getting both in one sitting).
(4)
Jeswin J.

Great for large groups. Our waitress was very friendly and provided excellent recommendations for my group of friends. I ordered the chicken satay and it tasted delicious! The Pad Thai was delicious as well.
(4)
Adrian B.

Good authentic Malaysian. Wouldn't bother with the mango shrimp next time - just a lot of mango that would be so much sweeter if it was in Malaysia. The prices are higher than in the menu on the website. Roti Cannai is awesome - a good enough reason on its own to go here. Must say it is hard to choose between this place and the Banana Leaf - maybe whichever is closer to where you park?
(4)
Maricris D.

Dangit I can't remember everything we ordered! Well the important part is that we ordered about six dishes and everything was so delicious! My fave was the fried skreet....haha jk....fried squid. I couldn't understand the waiter very well and bless him for suggesting the dishes. We just kept saying yes. He left and I asked, "what's fried skreet?" No one knew but we were all curious...just to find out he meant fried squid ok. Good thing we just said yes! It was one if my faves after the roti. Mmmmm. Roti.
(4)
Hoa T.

After a long night of class, I was so hungry that my stomach was about to jump out of my body to find its own food. Thank god Penang was there to satisfy the little man in my stomach. We had the Roti Canai (Indian Pancake), crispy pork intestine, seafood with crispy noodle, hainanese chicken with rice, and hot and spicy crab. The roti canai was awesome, I could have eaten that all day. The pork intestine was interesting, the sauce really carried it home for me. The seafood with crispy noodle was the least favorite of all the dishes for me. The sauce that they put on there was pretty bland. The chicken was surprisingly good, whatever sauce that was again made the dish. The hot and spicy crab was flavorful and delicious. What is it about eating something so messy making it so freaking good. I wish it was more spicy though. Our waiter was a little weird. I totally understand that there are some weird stuff on the menu that someone who may not know should be warned about. However, there were two Asian people in our group of three, so we know what we were doing. It was really bizarre that he would second guessed practically everything we ordered. Oh well, the food was good so I can't complain that much.
(4)
Polina P.

I came in with a group of friends over the weekend. By the way, they stay open when there is a crowd inside even when they are supposed to close. I admit although it is very difficult to choose one restaurant over another in Chinatown, this one was inviting. I never tried mango salad before and seeing this on the menu outside invited me in. Thai mango salad is quite tasty! The chili dressing spiced it up so I ordered lychee drink to cool myself down. I saw the cooks work fast in the front of the restaurant so I felt convinced I was eating high quality food. Overall, we had a good time and I would definitely return.
(4)
Allison B.

My first experience eating Malaysian food! I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but I was very pleasantly surprised to find that it's kind of a Thai/Indian hybrid. The roti canai was delicious, just like everyone said! A flat, thin pancake served with a bowl of sweet curry. My only complaint? Too much curry, not enough pancake. There is simply no way one pancake could soak up all that good stuff, unfortunately. I tried the tofu satay on the suggestion of other Yelpers, but I was a little disappointed. Over-fried tofu shells left me crunching in a weird, dry way and the stuffing of bean sprouts, cucumber and peanut sauce was not that flavorful. Entrees were huge and shared among the table. I sampled the mango tofu (perfect, amazing, probably not authentic) and veggie/tofu curry in clay pot (great mix of vegetables and the curry was reminiscent of a thai massaman). My only real gripe with Penang? The overly obnoxious "birthday song," which blares blurrily from a stereo and lasts a little bit too long. We heard it THREE TIMES in the two hours we were there last Saturday night. Distracting.
(4)
Travis L.

A real gem in Chinatown that is spacious and comfortable. Very inviting decor and great for family dining. Very authentic Malaysian flavors with diverse menu items. The food: 1. Hainan chicken - tender and flavorful. Of course, get the flavored rice to go with it, but its very well-seasoned and they give just the right amount of soy sauce. Well-prepared and memorable. 2. Roti Canai - simple yet always well done. Flaky, peel-away Indian flatbread with a bowl of lentil curry. Perfect appetizer. 3. Japanese style teppan tofu - unexpectedly good. Very soft tofu with an agedashi-esque fried outer layer topped with a thick, savory sauce with peppers. Colorful and great with rice. 4. sizzling pepper beef - decent, but the beef is a little over done. 5. coconut shrimp - really large batter-fried prawns with fried coconut on top. To die for. 6. Nam Yu Spareribs - Some of the best red beancurd fried ribs I've had in a long time. Crispy and flavorful, but a tad difficult to eat because of the size and the nature of the meat. Be prepared to take a hard bite and chew! Really worth coming back to.
(4)
Ming T.

The Kang Kung belacan and Roti Canal were superb! The deep fried Mango fish was a bit sweet for my taste but my friend's loved it. Friendly service and nice ambiance. I will be back.
(4)
Patrick S.

Dinner here last night was excellent. Our server answered and explained the menu to us very well. If you go here you must order the fish head casserole. AMAZING!!
(4)
Thao N.

OK, this review may be biased, but dude.. come on. My two girlfriends and I only stopped by because we wanted the fried ice cream dessert.... and that was the only thing we intended to order. We originally planned to go to Banana Leaf, but it was cooold, we were tired, and that was a long walk away. We had dinner at a spanish place and they definitely didn't have fried ice cream on the menu! No shame, no shame. When we entered the restaurant, we were warmly greeted by the host and seated by a waiter. It was all smiles, rainbows and ponies... until the waiter took our order. "Can we get the fried icecream?" "How many?" "Just one" (hide our faces in shame) After (or maybe during the moment) we received our dessert, service went awry. I'm glad we only ordered one serving of fried icecream.. because it was not good at all. The jam (I didn't even know they used jam in fried ice cream?) was sour and the batter left a strange residue/after taste. Maybe they prepared a "special" sauce just for us because we were cheapos who only ordered one serving of dessert. *shrugs* I don't know. We finished our dessert promptly. We weren't rude, we weren't loud, nor were we obnoxious. But it was obvious that we were unwanted... they were in such a rush to hand us the bill and give us the boot. When we were looking over the bill and had cash in our hands, the waiter was in a hurry to ask us if we were done. Well dayumn? It wasn't like people were waiting to get a table.. it wasn't even close to closing time, either. They were lucky that we gave them tip.. One order of dessert or not, business is business.. and Penang disappointed me tonight. -3 stars because of the service and the questionable fried icecream.. +2 because i know their curry and veggie dishes are not bad, especially the roti canai.
(2)
Basant N.

Three words. Roti, Roti, Roti! Penang is a top Malaysian restaurant among many restaurants in Chinatown. It's location is optimal for passerby's who want to try something new. It has a relaxed atmosphere with a "rushed" twist, mainly because there are always customers ready to indulge. The reason I started out with the word Roti is because its a must have at Penang. One of their top selling appetizers, Roti is light crunchy crepe-like bread that is served with this amazing creamy curry. No matter how many times you get it when you go to Penang, you never get bored. As for the other dishes, you can't go wrong getting their chicken curry, meesiam, crispy seafood noodles. Their dishes are full of life and flavor and they keep you coming back for more!
(4)
Stephanie S.

Their roti canai, beef satay, rendang, pad thai and fried ice cream are delicious. The ambiance is great and the staff are helpful. It does get really packed when it's busy hour but Penang is my go-to Malaysian place in Chinatown.
(4)
Nicole L.

Cheap but good
(4)
Joyce T.

Food is satisfyingly good, comes in good portions and served quick. I ate here several years ago and now I come back and food is still good. The ambience of this restaurant is great. My folks were happy that I took them here. Will definitely come back.
(4)
Bryan P.

Consistent and delicious. Love this establishment. It served as the place that my partner and I spent many a dinners when we first met and it's great to know that it is still serving the same great food. Roti Canai forever!
(5)
Richard K.

Finding a parking spot's a b*tch but well worth the hassle. The roti canai, mee siam, and clay pot noodle soup are among my favorites. They even take credit card now. What more can you ask for? Oh, yea a parking space....
(5)
Alison S.

I always love coming here. They have delicious appetizers (the Roti is amazing)! I think what I usually get for the meal is Mee-sium, which is always good too. One of the few Malaysian places that I've seen around too.
(5)
Lidan L.

Have been this place too many times. Love their Indian bread and Hainan Chicken. The dining environment is great and the waiters are very nice. Tried their special Malaysian salad (called loya? MAYBE) which is one of the most weird taste I've ever had. However, some of my friends like that taste.
(5)
Melissa W.

I've been to Penangs from Jersey to California, and they're all pretty much the same. Roti canai, the old standby, is just as good here as anywhere else. However, the satay tofu was a bland mess. I love satay tofu when it's done right, but I have yet to find a place in Philly that does it right. The Hainanese chicken was good (half a chicken is more than enough for two people), and the tiny tentacles of the crispy spicy squid were uniquely crunchy and tangy. They could serve this stuff packaged as delicious junk food from a vending machine. Your average Malaysian place, though not too shabby. Maybe 3.5 stars.
(3)
Darren R.

Decided to try this place out instead of my usual Philly staple on Arch Street: Cali Pho. I ordered way more than I could eat because I really wanted to try something new. Frog is on the menu by the way, but I chose two fantastic appetizers: Baby Oyster Omelet and Squid with watercress. Fantastically delicious and the serving was big enough to be a meal. The problem for me came with my entree: Java Mee, a soup with shrimp, shrimp cakes and noodles. It was so thick with sauce it was more like a stew and then the tomato sauce (it was mostly red) was so over-whelming I really couldn't decipher the taste of the soup or it's ingredients. A real shame, and a real let down after the great appetizers. I would still recommend the place, as it was clean, service was good, and food brought out quickly. Lost a star for the bad soup though. However, I plan a second visit to try their pancakes which I saw being made and it looked like a fun tasty dish. A lot of their dishes are definitely visually very appetizing.
(4)
Mimi L.

The food here is always good. I frequent this place in the past and it has not changed at all. Food quality was great then and still today. My fave is the Indian Pancake with Curry Chicken. Entrees changes for me depending on what I am craving. The service was also really good. I couldn't have asked for anything more. So, its a must go to place and eat.
(5)
Fallon R.

Penang was great! I tried this restaurant in lieu of Banana Leaf which has disappointed me with their lack of quality. Penang is just as busy as Banana Leaf, but they have their act together both with service and quality of food. My boyfriend and I ordered the SPRING ROLLS (not fried) and the CHICKEN SATAY for an appetizer. The spring rolls were average. The satay came out of the kitchen steaming hot and was served with red onions and cucumbers which were a nice cooling compliment. We split the MANGO CHICKEN which came out in a mango shell and was flavored perfectly. The chicken was succulent and the mangoes were fresh. This is definitely a sweet tasting dish, so if you prefer spicy, I would not recommend it. Also, it did not comes with rice, so make sure you order rice on the side (I'd recommend the coconut rice with this dish.) Server was not over the top friendly, but efficient and tended to our table intermittently throughout our meal. The bill was around $40 with tip, just perfect for two people.
(4)
Corinne M.

Hands down a favorite of mine. Been going here for years, to the point where most of the staff knows us. Have yet to have anything on the menu that I didn't love, but especially love Beef Rendang, Crispy Spicy Squid (although they haven't had it when I have been there for the past 6 months), Indian pancakes, and the shrimp puffs. We have parties here (have accommodated us for parties as large as 35 people), dinner dates, and late night meals when we don't have the kids. LOVE Penang!
(4)
Adam F.

Penang and Banana Leaf are like the Pats and Genos of BYOB Malaysian restaurants in Philly. The differences are subtle and largely unnoticeable. They are a BYOB and are open late (til Midnight). So it's a great place to have dinner and pre-game before going out. Plus they take credit card. Plus the food is awesome. What more can you want? Came here with a group of 4. Food was great for sharing. We went with the cant-miss dishes: - Roti Canai - Chicken Satay - Beef Rendang - Mango Chicken I need to explore their menu a bit more -- the table next to us ordered a whole fish boiled in a hot pot that looked awesome.
(5)
Jimmy A.

Been here countless times and i always leave satisfied...great curry dishes and great apps!!
(4)
Katie L.

While on vacation i stayed near China Town in Philly and had NO idea where to eat. I saw this place was rated high so I had to try it. I looked at other people's comments about certain recommended food like the "Mango Chicken" and ordered that. It was good, but i was slightly disappointed because the sauce seemed like it was just sweet and sour sauce with ketchup. Ketchup!?! So besides the Mango Chicken I LOVED everything else. The spring rolls (PENANG POH PIAH) are amazing!!! The waiter i had was fantastic and recommended this pancake thing from the appetizer that was also fantastic (especially if you like curry) called HOME MADE ROTI CANAI (INDIAN PANCAKE).
(4)
Dave H.

Penang is a Malaysian place in Chinatown, and part of a chain. The decor was unusual, there were metal fixtures in the ceiling serving a purely ornamental function. The restaurant was divided into two sections, a ground floor and slightly elevated platform. I had a window seat with a lovely view (of the street - this is Philadelphia, after all). Service (Ha) was attentive, they came by to check to see if we had ordered and filled our water glasses repeatedly. The wait staff was ever-present, delivered food quickly, didn't mind taking pictures, and even walked over when I gave a thumbs-up sign (which was surprising). The penang poh piah (steamed Malaysian spring roll stuffed with jicama, fried tofu, eggs and bean sprouts) was light and sweet. The Mee Siam (stir-fried rice noodles with tofu, shrimp and bean sporuts in a tangy sweet (they say "spicy") Thai chili sauce, sprinkled with ground peanuts and sliced hard boiled eggs on the side) was fine, too. Not terribly expensive, and credit cards are accepted now (minimum purchase of $12). Noise level was acceptable, though I had to strain somewhat to hear my fellow diner (she's soft-spoken, so that didn't help). Worth a visit if you've never been. UPDATE: February 22, 2008 - went here with a large, raucous party - food was delicious - management and service was patient with our group, considering how drunkenly rowdy many of our group was... also, the interior has changed since the last time I was here, and renovations are still happening.
(4)
Brian H.

This is the best Malaysian place I've ever been to. As much as I think Philadelphia sucks, I love Penang! God, I wish you guys were on the west coast! If you are eating here start off with an Indian pancake. If you want to hit the town, I think Penang closes at 1am or 2am. If you miss the closing there are a few great Chinese restaurants nearby that close at 4am or 5am.
(5)
Lori H.

Tried this place, as it looked beautiful on the inside and out. While waiting for a table, i saw mouthwatering dish after dish pass by. Had no idea what to order, short of stopping at each table asking people what deliciousness they were indulging in. Ordered 2 great appetizers; baby oyster omelet and squid with Chinese watercress. I could have licked the plate clean, but decided to keep some decorum. Ordered a noodle soup that sounded delicious, but unfortunately, was not my favorite. Prawn Mee sounded great.. who doesn't love prawns, egg noodles, shredded pork and vegetables in a spicy broth. I think it wasn't the cooking, but this is not my kind of soup. The broth was more of a rich sauce, instead of a light broth that i usually find in soups. It was very rich, and i picked out the meat and shrimp. Thankfully, i already got my fill on the appetizers, and I walked out full. In spite of my poor choice of entrees, I definitely plan on going again when I am in Philly again !
(4)
Victoria L.

The food here is good. However they need to improve on their drinks. I took my sons here and ordered each of them a coconut juice. When it came out one of the coconut juice was obviously sour. I told the waitress ,she took away the coconut juices then came back with the same one except this time it's more like water ! She obviously diluted the bad coconut juice with tap water! This happens to me regularly but when I took my kids here , they only wanted coconut juice. I'm very disappointed with this restaurant. My sons are only 3 and 1.
(3)
Ezra S.

I really like Penang, the food is great especially the coconut rice and the Stay Tofu, which is the best I ever had. The service is great with an attention to detail, the prices moderate, the decor is lovely. I would recommend this Thai restaurant as the "Best Thai Food" in Philly.
(5)
Neekosum N.

Best Malaysian food I ever ate..in all of US. Love the green chicken, roti kanai. At there several times when working in Philly. Vegetable clay pot was too good. Miss Penang....
(4)
Dom V.

I just ate here last night for the 1st time. The Indian pancake was very tasty. In fact, we ended up ordering two of them. The waiters are helpful, as far as picking out the favorite & popular dishes. I will definitely go back!
(5)
Jameson W.

Penang is an institution. Solid food and open late. Deserves 4.5 stars. If you like pad Thai, try the mee Siam, a spicy thinner noodle dish I love. They have various other great noodle dishes. My favorite dish: Masak chicken. I also always order the roti.
(4)
Peter L.

The greatest item on the menu has got to be the Kang Kung Belacan, which is a convulus dish with spicy malaysian shrimp paste sauce.
(4)
Monica S.

This morning when I woke up, I made a few promises to myself: -Go to the gym -Eat a salad -Don't drink today -Avoid carbs Here's how the day panned out. -Went to the gym -Went to lunch at El Camino (see "updated" review) -Ate at Penang and ordered Beef Chow Fun (noodles), Mee Siam (more noodles), and some green bean/shrimp veggie dish I did not adhere to my morning goals and am thus something of a failure. Can I borrow someone's will power? Don't go to Penang if you're trying to "be good." Which, by the way, I love when people say, "oh, no thanks, I'm trying to 'be good' tonight." Losers. Note to drivers: It's a bitch to find parking, but my city-sleuth extraordinaire (Kevin L) found the small open lot on 10th street where they charge a flat $8.
(5)
John W.

Great food, fast friendly service and doesn't break the bank. Love this place.
(4)
Daniel Z.

I stumbled upon this place thinking it was just Chinese food, but it's actually Malaysian. It was actually a pleasant surprise because that's one of my new favorite types of cuisine! I devoured the Roti Canai in record time. The people around me looked a little scared, but I couldn't resist! It was delicious. I had some chicken entree that was pretty good, and then I had the fried ice cream for dessert. Oh my goodness, it was amazing. I'm salivating as I type. My waitress was a lovely lady that was very engaging and attentive. And I loved the fact that they give you free tea. It was perfect for a rainy evening. I'll definitely be back here on my next trip to Philly!
(4)
Tommy L.

Decent place with hits and misses. So we were in the city on Friday. Lunch time and we're strolling through Chinatown. The GF remembered this place during her good ole college days. We started with the Roti Cania and I do admit all the praise for this starter is deserving. My only complaint is I wish they give you more of the pancake to dip into the curry. They give you one piece of a floppy pancake and the size of the pancake is not in proportion to the bowl of curry. The second starter was the Penang Lobak, which consist of fried pork roll, fried tofu, and fried shrimp pancakes with hoisin/chili dipping sauce. This dish was terrible. Everything was fried to a crisp and everything was dried to death. Very unappetizing. The chili sauce was no chili sauce. Avoid this dish. For my main dish I had the Chow Kueh Teow, a dish that has fried stir fried flat noodles with shrimp, squid, eggs, and bean sprouts. I thought the dish was a little bland. I felted it lacked flavor. The GF got Crispy Fried Squids. This was a decent dish. Nice, light crispy breading and tender. I like the large portions in a large plates that made it ready for family style sharing. Service was spotty. The menu was expansive, we would tell our server we needed more time. But after 20 seconds he was back at our table. This happen at least 3 times. Maybe I'm nitpicking but wouldn't you back off after the second time. Then as the meal progressed, as noted by another Yelper, a bunch of servers would be staying around but not available. You couldn't catch their eyes or flagged them down or anything. The GF suggested this place, so why not. But then I was skeptical because of the large non-asian clientele. Unfortunately, my feelings were justified. It's one of those places that if someone wanted to go, you wouldn't object. But you wouldn't exactly recommend this place either. I thought this place was border-line. Mediocre at best.
(3)
Brittany Y.

Eee this place is so cool! Normally I like my Asian hole-in-the-wally (except for PF Changs, which is a guilty pleasure), but this place is no hole-in-the-wall. It's got several locations in multiple cities! Gasp! Now before all the hipsters run away, this is far from a chain. Really honest food, no stupid designs on the plates or whistles like that. The semi-open kitchen allows you to see several guys working at big woks and boiling fresh noodles. If you're really close, you can see the guy whipping around the elastic dough for the roti before deep frying it. I had the Curry Mee, a rich, spicy, coconut milk soup with thick noodles and random things that once lived under the sea. The sea critters weren't that great, but I loved the noodles in the broth. The boyfriend got the Mee Siam, which is an excellent plate of noodles. I'm very excited to come back and try some other things. I think the food quality here is very high. Strangely enough our waitress checked us out as soon as our dishes were clean so we never got to order dessert. Ended up going to Bread Top bakery. You should go there, too.
(4)
Khoo K.

Large serving of sambal Kang Kong, crispy fragrant fried squid, roti prata are my comfort food. Chicken rice could be better, stronger. overall best for those who miss home in southeast Asia.
(3)
Fran E.

Walked in on a Saturday night with no real preconceived notions of what to expect. Saturday date night meandering through Chinatown.... Penang looked ok,people looked happy, so in we went. We were told 20 minuted, but were seated in15. Which was nice. Our server told us what we were ordering, rather than asked, to start, but since we are newbies, it was fine. And he did not steer us wrong, the Roti with chicken and potato curry was delightful, and the steamed spring roll with egg and jicama was lovely too. Then we ordered the mango chicken and the vegetables in a clay pot with rich curry. OMG. I nearly wept. It was phenomenal. We requested they tone down the spice a bit (I feared the red stars on the menu) and I guess they were able to accommodate us, as the dished were mist enough to tingle on the tongue without searing pain. All told, I will gladly return, and try really hard not to lick the clay pot clean.
(4)
Valerie K.

Always loving this place..been coming there for more than 10 years...always had good service and good food,love their satay tofu and seafood scrambled egg chow fun...no one compares theirs..!!
(4)
Kris R.

Awesome spicy shrimp noodle soup
(5)
Monty W.

Penang. I've been told by my parents that the restaurant reminds them of being in the markets of Indonesia. Fast, bustling, noisy, amazing smells, superb food. Standouts: Mee Siam - One of my all-time favorite dishes. Put some Haianese Chicken hot sauce on this, and you may faint of excellence. Sizzling Japanese Bean Curd - Sounds vegetarian, but it's not. With a cracked egg on the dish, all of the flavors come together in a mouth watering, sense tingling experience. Best eaten over a side of coconut rice. Satay Tofu - Think tofu is flavorless? Try this one. Beautiful fresh sprouts coated in satay peanut sauce. Mango Chicken - Chicken in a sweet and tangy sauce, served over cellophane noodles and in a halved mango shell. Again, a great dish served with coconut rice. I always tell people that Penang is my favorite restaurant in any price range, and their prices are actually toward the cheaper end for the quality that you get. Thankfully they're not a local staple for me. I'd weigh 800 lbs!
(5)
Jerome M.

Excellent flavor. The mango chicken is a real winner. Just the right mix of sweetness with acid. The house giant prawns were done with a strong aromatic sauce. We very much enjoyed it.
(5)
Coral H.

Came to this "Chnatown" restaurant to try something new. The service was fine the food was OK not a deal by any stretch of the imagination. I was hear on business and it was close to the convention center.
(3)
Tiberiu T.

Both my vegetarian girlfriend and my meatatarian self really enjoyed this place! The waiter was very nice and recommended appetizers -- the home made roti canai (veggie version) and the penang satay chicken were amazing. Then my girlfriend got the mango tofu (which was delicious), and I got the house special pork with dried veg. The waiter actually advised me not to get it because it is a very fatty dish (I think it's pork belly), but I loved it. I had actually had the same thing before in a different place, but had no idea what it was called, so it was a happy coincidence. We finished the dinner with the fried ice cream (which comes with fried bananas), which was, again, delicious.
(5)
Nina C.

My friend is in from out of town and we were hungry. We like walking around and trying new places. We found this place and decided to give it a shot. Unfortunately- I was highly disappointed with this meal. I asked for an 'Ice lemon tea' and the server suggested a Malaysian tea, He said it was better and made with milk. I acquiesced even though i should have stuck with what I originally had wanted. It wasn't bad, just not what I had wanted. I also requested something spicy. When I asked if the Curry chicken was spicy, He stated it was "very hot and spicy". I must say it was the blandest food I have ever tasted.I threw a whole cup of Sriracha on it and it still couldn't save it. The meal left much to be desired. I wouldn't return.
(1)
Libby E.

Delicious! The food was great. Started with the Roti Canai as per Yelp recommendations - the pancake itself was delicious and crispy, and the curry dipping sauce was so good my boyfriend wanted to drink it. For our entrees, we shared the Mango Chicken and the Cantonese Chow Fun (despite the waitress trying to talk us out of the chow fun, which was awkward). Both were delicious, although the portions were HUGE! We could have easily split one and still been bursting at the gills. Prices are very reasonable for the portion size, and the ambiance is great. Definitely coming back here again. 5 stars for the food, -1 for the curt/awkward service
(4)
Erica M.

Went to Penang again for lunch today...yum!! I got the Thai Basil Noodles, which were SUPER yummy. I asked for medium heat and they were definitely mild, but the flavor was excellent. The roti canai was delicious as well...we got to watch them making the roti. My sister got the Penang seafood fried rice, which was good but didn't have a ton of flavor. She enjoyed it but wouldn't order it again. For 2 entrees and an appetizer, the bill was $21 + tip. Good deal!
(4)
Tyler T.

My Malaysian friend was asking me all the time to go with him to Penang. Finally, we went for a long lunch. We ordered a couple appetizers to start off the meal. We got some chicken and beef satay which came with some peanut sauce. It was delicious. We also got some roti and the sauce you dip it in was incredible. We split two entrees. One was fantastic. It was okra and shrimp that was seasoned with ground up dried shrimp and dried chiles. I don't recall the other entree probably becuase the okra dish was so good. Highly recommend this place for someone who has never had Malaysian food. Its a great combination of Indian, Chinese, and Thai flavors and dishes.
(4)
Karen C.

Food was mediocre. i loved the app chicken wings. my all time favorite indian pancakes was however, a little disappointing, pancakes were a little to greasy.
(3)
Andrew R.

the place was packed at lunchtime on sunday. big menu but very very limited for vegetarians and vegans. my friends loved their food, i thought my spring rolls and noodles were bland. one turnoff was that the server came by like 900 times to see if we were ready and we had only been at the table for two minutes. i know it was busy and they need to turn their tables, but hot damn. let a girl take a second to look at the menu, ya dig?
(3)
Brian M.

Wow what a disappointment. All the entrees we tried (Mango Chicken, Sizzling Triple Delight, and Beef Rendang) lacked flavor! The Mango Chicken was globby-sweet and except for the tartness of the unripened mango-was tasteless. The Beef Rendang was a one note dish, muted curry-no coconut or lemongrass could be detected. There was nothing the least bit delightful about the Sizzling Triple Delight. The shrimps, scallops and squid were swimming in soy sauce, no other flavor whatsoever. One bad dish, ok. It happens. Three underwhelming, flavorless dishes...sorry, the decor may be tasteful and upscale and the service good, but the food is what I came for. With so many better options so nearby, why bother with Penang!?
(2)
Lily T.

I've eaten at Nyonya in NYC twice (also famous for their roti canai and Hainanese chicken). It didn't leave much of an impression on me. The food wasn't bad, but I didn't understand the hype. However, when I moved to Philly, I found Penang obscenely good. It quickly became our default Chinatown restaurant. The Hainanese chicken is simple, but the thing about simple food is that I can eat it everyday. My new obsession is the fried rice with salted fish. It is mmm mmm good. The servers are quite warm and nurturing unless, on a very rare occasion, you get a waitress who isn't as well-versed in speaking English. It normally isn't an issue... until you have a friend who makes a complicated order. Water under the bridge.
(5)
Omar K.

Penang is a pretty decent restaurant. I was in there for lunch with a friend and we both enjoyed the food, service, and the laid back atmosphere. I definitely will go again! Wish the portions were a little bigger.
(3)
Amy K.

Eating at Penang our first night in town was a great way to start our vacation. The food was excellent, and the portions very generous. They were pretty busy when we walked in on a Thursday night, but we were able to get a window seat right away. It was a little chilly sitting next to the window, even though it was closed, but the hot tea warmed us up. We started with the roti, which I could not stop eating. It was so good! Next we had the mango chicken and the pad thai. The mango chicken in particular was delicious. I would definitely order it again, along with the roti. The chicken was tender and all white-meat, and sauce had a nice kick. We were laughing about all the notes on the menu next to a bunch of items requesting that you ask your server about the dish before ordering it. It did make us avoid those dishes though. If we go back to Penang, which we definitely would if we lived in Philly, we might want to order one of the dishes with the warning, if nothing else, out of curiosity. A few nights later we tried Banana Leaf, and although we enjoyed our meal there, too, we liked the food and atmosphere a little better at Penang. I'm getting hungry just thinking about our meal there. *drool* ***SEE PICS***
(4)
David G.

I'm not much of a Malaysian food expert, but, hot damn I loved this place. I don't know whether Penang qualifies as "authentic" or not, but all I know is that Penang served up some of the most delicious food I've ever tasted. Hyperbole much? I don't think so. My dinner companion and I stepped in here on a frigid Tuesday evening. Although the streets were empty outside, Penang was buzzing with both conventioneers and locals. The space was quite large with a quick turnover of tables, we were able to get a choice spot overlooking the open kitchen. It was a great atmosphere to browse the sprawling menu while sipping the complementary hot tea. Although the staff seemed a little frenzied, they were always prompt and polite. Our server was quick to take our appetizer order, so we started dinner with the following-- * Roti canai. These crispy Malaysian-style "pancakes" were delicious. They came with a curry sauce for dipping, which made for a decadent (albeit messy) start to dinner. * Tofu satay. Massive tofu pieces crisped to perfection, served with a generous pile peanut sauce with cucumbers mixed in. This was probably my favorite item of the night. Next up, the entrees. We both settled for noodle dishes and ate family style, to maximize the opportunities for sharing-- * Chow kueh teow. Basically, these are rice noodles stir-fried in chili and soy and tossed with squid and shrimp. Although I'm not a seafood fan, I was completely surprised by how delicious this one was. The noodles were crispy and flavorful, and the dish didn't taste "fishy" at all. * Beef chow fun. A classic -- beef with flat noodles and sprouts. This was outstanding too. The beef was crispy and spicy, and nothing like the greasy-spoon beef chow fun that I'm used to. Four dishes -- and four home runs. Sounds like a five-star dinner to me. A five-star dinner that was also dirt-cheap (dinner for two amounted to a mere $20 + tip). Nice. No doubt I'll be back here the next time I'm in town.
(5)
Adam W.

Penang is my favourite restaurant in Philadelphia. My Filipino boyfriend and I have eaten there a couple of times a month for the past five years. The reason I've joined Yelp is to endorse Penang. Favourite dishes include: roti canai, shrimp puff, roti telur, cheow keuh teow, shrimp with ladies' fingers (okra), salted fish with bean sprouts, clams with black bean sauce, whole fried snapper with black bean sauce, room temperature hainanese chicken rice. My partner's favourite dishes include: boneless curry chicken, beef chow fun, sarang burong, and sizzling platter with chicken or sizzling platter with mixed seafood. A lot of other people like the satay tofu, the beef rendang, the clay pot curry, the pad thai, the singapore rice noodles, and others. In addition to white and brown rice they'll bring you coconut rice or chicken rice if you ask, the latter two are both exquisite. There are a lot of more daring dishes that you might not like, so ask the server for advice (there are myriad dishes that say "ask server for advice before you order!"). Also if you ask they'll make quite a few things vegetarian. If you're veg-only though I'd say do clay pot curry or satay tofu, those are the best choices. Then wash everything down with a Tiger beer. Glorious.
(5)
Mike L.

Nice ambiance and decor. The food was average.
(4)
Pichoudam P.

The Thai food in this place sucks. My mom can make better. I have tasted better from other restaurants.
(2)
Hank C.

The first Penang I set foot in, I didn't realize this was a chain until much much later. Oyster pancakes were delicious, although skimped a bit on the oysters, but it reminded me of my childhood a bit. The roti canai and other appetizers are pretty good, too, although the satay skewers have come out both very good and very charred before, so it's a toss-up on quality there. Almost always get a noodle dish (pearl noodles are good) as well as one other - mango chicken is ordered a lot here, but I find it's not that tasty, the mango is more a novelty than really good dish. The Hainanese chicken is usually a favorite, and the fish varies day-to-day - sometimes it ends up flaky, other times it ends up dry. Dessert - chendol and ABC seem almost the same, basically shaved ice with different toppings. Don't bother getting a lychee drink, it's just lychee out of the can with a bunch of ice and a little syrup. A long wait at times during the dinner hours, so arrive early if you can. Seating is based on if you're all there or not, and they don't take reservations.
(3)
Paula A.

This was my favorite place to eat at from 10 years ago when I used to live in Philadelphia. All I could remember is how amazing their roti canai is and some kind of deep-fried salted meat.
(5)
Herbet P.

I remember the food at Penang being a lot better - but maybe I've just become more demanding. I went here for dinner on a Tuesday evening - there was ample seats. The food here is decent - but it seems more mass produced than authentic. I've realized you know you are enjoying the food when you savor it - and when its just decent you eat quick and don't really pay much attention to the food. I didn't take notes of the exact dishes but here's a summary Appetizer - Roti with a meat/potato dipping sauce - Mmm.. The sauce was really good but didnt have much meat nor potatoes in it. Main dishes: - Sizzling seafood in a brown sauce - shrimp, scallops, and squid with vegetables. It was decent but not the most flavorful. This could have just as well been a chinese american dish. - Mixed Vegetables with Tofu - This was good - brown sauce, might have actually been the same sauce from the seafood. - Coconut rice with Chicken and dried fish - This was actually the best plate. Not the best, but not bad.
(3)
Ramen F.

Ambiance: It is always busy here, not quite sure what the draw is. I think that it is a large space that is nicely decorated and therefore accessible to all types of people. People seem to like to eat at the two tops by the window, but the support beam gets in the way of tucking your legs under the table. Because this place can get pretty packed, it gets LOUD! Service: The waiters are helpful, but nothing especially positive to comment on. Food: The dishes are inconsistent. Some dishes are wonderful with spot on flavor and well priced. Others fall short of their price tag (coconut shrimp). I would be hesitant to have a large group/meal here, because I cannot rely on the flavor always being on point. Which is a shame, high highs and disappointing lows. Overall: I would come back if looking for an upbeat place late at night, but otherwise there are more reliable places to go in Chinatown.
(3)
Jean Y.

I would come here again for one dish, the roti canai (indian pancake) with curry. It's an appetizer and pretty darn delicious. I also had some of the tomyam soup, which was tasty and comforting (due to the cold weather at the time). I ordered the chow kueh taow, malaysian stir fried flat rice noodles. The dish was ok, but for some odd reason it tasted incredible the next day. I had a lot leftover and had it for lunch for the next day. I could taste more of the flavors than the night before. My friend ordered the nasi lemak, which is a traditional malaysian dish. It's coconut-flavored rice served with fried anchovies, a hard-boiled egg and curry chicken. I was able to taste it and the chicken was moist and flavorful. The curry chicken and the coconut rice complemented each other.
(4)
Jen C.

Roti Canai is delicious but the portions are a bit small for a voracious eater like me. I always save the extra curry to go with my rice. I'd say most of their dishes run on the saltier side though. Their Japanese tofu sizzling plate is delicious. My family almost always gets their hainan chicken, which is pretty good. Their shrimp base soup noodles are delicious. Everything is pretty flavorful and I always look forward to making a trip to Chinatown for their food!
(4)
Mike M.

One of my fav places to eat at in chinatown. The food is very reasonable priced however I don't like the fact that u have to pay extra for rice. They have about 4 different types of rice, like chicken rice, brown rice, some speciality rice and white rice. But I love eating here and the food is very good just ask the waitress or waiter for some suggestion. Also the have a lot of Chinese courses as well not just malaysian. So if ur here try it out. Trust me I dot think u will complain at all.. Except for the loud talking in the dining room. It's made up of all wood so it gets a little louder than you would like it. But that is only during the dinner rush but other than that it's not that bad. They have an open kitchen so you can kinda see the cooks making some things, but you can definitely look at all the different type of dishes that they make Suggestion try the indian pancake and a sizzling platter.. Or the chicken satay in peanut sauce and beef chow fun
(4)
Karen Y.

ever since moving to philadelphia i wondered: how did i ever live without malaysian food?! the though just seems crazy to me now. my best description of it now that i have been to both banana leaf and penang is that it's a fusion of chinese, thai, indonesian and indian. in short, it means awesome. the pad thai was unexpectedly delicious. while i normally pass on ordering pad thai because i generally prefer wide rice noodles, i am glad i was talked into trying their version. while low on the heat scale, it was full of flavor and the heat wasn't missed. the pork ribs were not so easy to eat with chopsticks and needs a fork and knife. otherwise, the malaysian style pork ribs were also a good choice. as a comparison to banana leaf, i would feel more comfortable leaving my infant/toddler at home when eating here. the service is a bit odd, but friendly enough.
(4)
Tam P.

The Curry pancake and the crab here is what brings me The decor in the summer with the windows open is inspiring to see The service was outstanding to thee I shall bid to the fairest Malay restaurant in Philly adieu Till next time
(4)
Alicia Y.

If I could eat here every day I would! I have never ever been disappointed here (okay maybe once in the prawn mee but the spices were just too much for me). My friend and I crave penang all the time and we always have excellent and fast service and amazing food. Are favorites are the Indian pancake, the CHOW KUEH TEOW, and the GREEN NASI LEMAK.
(5)
Kenyatta D.

One of my very places in Philly. BYOB and you have to try the mango chicken. AMAZING gem in Philly.
(4)
Dinesh P.

Phenomenal food! Must haves are Roti Canai and Nasi Lemak. Crispy squid, beef rendang, are also great. Prices are extremely reasonable. The Managers who look like wins are very pleasant, accommodating and efficient. I always visit this restaurant when in China town.
(5)
Michael E.

I've been hesitant to go back to shady looking Asian places after the whole "Pho 38 Cockroach-gate" scandal - but this place is surprisingly done up and all my worries were assuaged. (note: you would not realize this from the outside) We went here for lunch (around 2:30pm) on a Saturday - the place was pretty bumpin'. We ordered off the 'Yelp Quick Tips' menu which resoundingly recommends the indian pancake and coconut rice. Both lived up to their hype. Also had the Penang Chicken, which is lightly battered and fried, and served with a cold dipping sauce. The sauce is really interesting. It has a sweet heat meets kimchi taste with lots of veggies. Very Tasty! My only gripe is that we asked for the food to be authentically spicy and it wasn't spicy at all. sad face. One last thing: if you're into chicken feet and chinese mushroom casserole (or soup) - they've got you covered.
(3)
Naomi B.

Oh my freakingBatman. I love this place! I ordered the Indian pancake here and couldn't stop eating it. It was quite delicious but sadly, I only ate here once but to remember it that long ago, the food was amazing. The lady that was there though, kept hounding my friend and I out of no where, it was annoying but I guess she meant well. The service was friendly, the area is very populated and I know why. It's delicious.
(5)
Steve S.

After reading all the good reviews I decided to try it. It was ok, nothing special. Mango chicken was pretty awesome, but the fried tofu appetizer was awful. Also the server was very odd and like leaned into my face when speaking. Good place for groups who want to BYOB. It's good, but nothing exceptional.
(3)
Dan C.

I finally got around to writing a review after my fourth or so visit here. The tea that they serve with every meal is probably the best thing about this place. It's piping hot just below scalding, and has a hint of flowers. Delicious. I have gotten a fried noodle dish, which isn't my thing but was tasty, as well as rice dishes which are so-so. Today, I got a steamed red snapper in ginger sauce to share with my friend, and it was fresh and delicious. I would have liked the ginger sauce to have been less potent, but my buddy loved it. I've found that the food here is generally a bit overpriced, but you do get volume, if not the desired quality. The location couldn't be more perfect if you're traveling by train. It's about a 5 minute walk from Market East. If you drive, I recommend parking a little farther north. Consistently best item: Coconut rice!!
(4)
Doriancita H.

It was a Friday night and me and my partner were tired but wanted to try something different and good, didn't want to hassle about parking. So we decided to order something for pick up from Penang. We ordered their Indian pancake Roti Canai. Since it was to go so it probably got a little cold, so it was a little chewy and hard to tear off. None the less the curry sauce was fab. The two dishes we ordered were Bean curd Thai style and Beef Rendang. The vegetable Thai dish was great! It left a good aftertaste of spiciness in my mouth, portions were huge, the sauce was a little unhealthy - but what more can you expect when you eat out. I also really enjoyed their Beef Rendang very much, the beef was tender, a little heavy, but sauce was fantastic, again a little oily. We also ordered a small size of coconut rice, and that was enough for two. Had leftovers from both our dishes for the next day. One thing I do like about this restaurant was that it only took them 15 mins to have our food ready to be picked up on a Friday night. That's a plus! Food was great but leaned more on the expensive side.
(4)
Maria G.

This place is definitely worth the wait. Sometimes there's a line, sometimes you get a table right away, but EVERYtime you get an incredible meal and lite on your wallet. I love Hainanese Chicken and the chicken stock rice it comes with so I have to order this dish every time. For appetizer, you really have to try the satay skewers... I can drink the peanut dipping sauce til' I OD on it. hahaha Then there's the Malaysian style spareribs. It's not for everyone I'd say, but if you're ok with nibbling on small pieces of spareribs, this dish is definitely one to try. It's marinated in a red fermented tofu and that's where it gets the red coloring. Yum! The mango chicken there is also very good if you're not the adventurous type. Too bad I never have any room for desert, but I'm sure it's delicious!
(5)
Alex Z.

I was really impressed by this place. It is very similar to the nearby Banana Leaf (my review: yelp.com/biz/banana-leafâ€¦ ), which I was equally impressed by. They are so similar in food, price, decor, that it is hard to distinguish them. I will say, I think this place has a very slightly nicer decor. But the decor is very similar--big, dark, and kind of open. This place is a bit brighter, bigger, and more open, but still basically dark. Prices are very reasonable. You can eat for under $10 a person, and the quality is exceptional for this price range. I came here with my dad; he ordered the Hainan Chicken, it was outstanding...very tender (steamed!) chicken on a bed of cucumber with some carrots, rice on the side, and a very flavorful sauce that was spicy, tangy, and had some interesting and novel flavors. I had a fried rice noodle dish with egg, mixed seafood, and bean sprouts. Both dishes were outstanding. Service was good. The menu here is huge, I really would like to come back and check out more of it. The food is vaguely reminiscent in some ways to Thai food, but it has a more mellow flavor, less sweet, less sour, less spicy. The only thing I found slightly lacking about the menu is that many of the dishes are a tad heavy on the carbs and meat, more so than, for instance, Thai food. But they are still fairly balanced. My only other complaint about this place is that I do not think that spiciness ratings correspond at all to the spiciness of the food. My dish was marked spicy and had no noticeable heat or peppers in it, my dad's was not and his came with a sauce that had quite a kick to it. Just so you know. But these are minor caveats. This is a five-star place.
(5)
Cindy C.

So many things to choose from. They have an extensive menu and some of their dishes are interesting, like their salads and rambutan drink, which is refreshing. I also highly recommend their Indian pancake as an appetizer, which is a must in any Malaysian cuisine. Everything is in large. Half an appetizer and an entree can easily satisfy your tummy. It's flavorful and, well, there's nothing to be unsatisfied about. Our waitress was really nice about letting us take our time ordering, and she was quick about bringing them to our table too.
(4)
Andrea m g.

Since I am friends with Malaysians I have had the opportunity to dine on wonderful real Malaysian food and so was disappointed in this chain formula restaurant.Maybe if I hadn't been spoiled by the real deal I wouldn't have been so critical of the rather bland knock offs. First the portions we were served were very skimpy. Why on Earth be cheap with rice one of the cheapest products on earth? You could make the portions seem so much larger if this wasn't the policy. Not Authentic Your fired calamari sure tasted like an Italian grandma was in the back cooking. The Indian food was a poor substitute.If I wanted Indian food I would of went somewhere that did it well. Decor I am impressed by all the natural elements they incorporated to give it a modern industrial meets feng shui look including the clean bathrooms. All in all I doubt I will be back .Parking is a pain and the food isn't worth the trek into the city.
(2)
Stephen C.

Great food, good service! The Roti is awesome! Its a must to order that. Tofu satay is to die for. If you dont like tofu, the satay sauce on it will change your mind. The other satays such as chicken and beef are quite excellent also. You really dont have to order anything else, just the appitizers are enough lol! I usually order the curried beef with rice or mango chicken. The chicken is actually served in a mango shell!!!! I dont like the soups with noodles for the fact I just dont like noodles. But from what Ive tried it is quite tasty. You cant really go wrong with anything in this place. Great food, good service all around!! Give it a try, you wont be disappointed. Happy Eatings!!
(5)
Sarah K.

When I visited from out of town, my date took me here. Overall, we had a good experience. It gets pretty packed and cramped in this joint, but I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner. The laksa dish here was comparable to other superb recipes I have tried. The char kway teow was charred just the way it should be, and they weren't skimpy on their seafod servings! I would definitely hit this place up again if I was in town.
(4)
Caroline S.

Came here after reading all the Yelp reviews. One of the nicer decorated restaurants in Chinatown. We had: Appetizers: The chicken skewers with peanut sauce. Incredibly tender chicken. the Roti Canai. After reading all the raving reviews about this dish my expectations were high. Honestly though, it did not really live up to my expectations. The dish was kind of "bland" IMO. The spring rolls, which were pretty good, but nothing special. For main courses we had: The Manak chicken and some other dish involving curry & coconut . These were both very tasty and the portions were huge (we were three hungry people and we left a substantial amount). All in all, a nice dining experience, but nothing extraordinary.
(4)
Felicia C.

Great food! Mango chicken is sweet and delicious. Roti canai (warm stretchy thin bread with dipping sauce) is unbelievably good. Go there.
(5)
lmno p.

Don't know if it was because we had had such a long day in Philly with the kids but when we sat down at Penang's last night, we really enjoyed our food! The service was very friendly as well. We had lasksa and the shrimp with lady fingers. For the kids, they made a noodle soup with vegetables and tofu and fried rice with egg and vegetables which were not on the menu---really nice. The laksa was delicious with bits of fish and spicy, just like I was craving. The watermelon juice and carrot juice, both freshly squeezed were also yummy. The carrot juice came with a little condensed milk on the side. I had never seen served like that before. It didn't need the extra sweetness but it was nice to try. Atmosphere is also nice with modern wood furnishings. p.s. Everyone else's food also looked delicious.
(4)
Craig N.

Ya really cant go wrong @ Penang. The food is incredibly fresh and made to order and pretty damn cheap and fast. It's totally casual + relaxed, I always try taste something new, they have a broad menu. Watch the spice levels, it can get hot, but they'll gladly tone it down for you by request. I had lunch there on the solo tip the other day, I had Thai Basil Noodle and Malaysian Coffee and the bill came to $12. That's pretty hard to beat. Check this place out as an alternative to your run of the mill Chinese place.
(4)
Aire G.

this place has some cool yuppie loving decor. However, the best thing about this place besides the decor was the watermelon juice. i got the indian roti appetizer after living in st. croix for i was expecting something entirely different from what i got. i wasn't really impressed with it was just some really thin bread with a soupy mixture with very little chicken in it on the side. the side dish was really greasy. then i got the seafod cassarole in a clay pot... and it was so hot i could barely eat it. my friend was done her meal and mine was still steaming. i got rice on the side and that was good. it was spicy, but mediocre at best. it was really greasy though. i should have tried the fish head instead. i thought the place was mediocre until i got home. i went next door to the bakery to get some bubble tea and i couldn't even finish it. the food was so greasy i still feel like crap for eating it. my stomach feels heavy and full, i ate almost 5 hours ago. but i still feel horrible. i barely ate any of it because it was so hot and my eating companion had finished eating, and i think i'll not come back.
(1)
Abhijit G.

Guess I don't know what I could add to what's already been said. Roti Kanai was yummy - could have used more than a tiny piece of chicken though (what do u expect for 3 bucks, right?) The 2 other entrees we had (Mee Siam and Penang Kari Ayam) were good...especially the Mee Siam. The chicken dish (Kari Ayam) I though could have used more of the lemongrass it promised to make the flavors more multi-layered as opposed to the flat peanut flavor we got. All in all - pretty good for the money but I won't be back. Guess I am not a big fan of ethnic food in a bare-bones setting with less than friendly service. But that's just the snob in me--- so feel free to disregard this review altogether :)
(4)
Mike J.

The waiters here need to understand english better. As a large asian group we were treated less then the american folks nearby. They ignored us like we didn't need water, while tending to the "American" folks. They are like a HURRY UP AND ORDER type waiters, drop off the food and ignore. I left $1.52 tip and a note on the check. The food is subpar and designed for "americans" NOT REAL malaysians.
(1)
Ilana D.

One thing I've noticed (and loved) about Penang is the variety of people who dine there. I can't think of another ethnic food restaurant that has such a diverse dining crowd, which I think says a lot for the restaurant. Get the mango chicken (or tofu) you'll thank me :)
(4)
Stephen C.

While the menu is the same as the other Penang in Bethesda, the quality of this one is better.
(4)
Ray V.

Mediocre char kuey teow and kuey teow thong. The food is not that bad but I have a personal gripe with the noodles used for both dishes. They require soft, wide rice noodles but instead came with ones you would use for pad thai. It was ... meh. It's cool that they have an open kitchen door. Be on the look out for the guy making roti canai, you would have thought he's making pizza if I didn't tell you!
(2)
A H.

In town for a few days, and found Penang restaurant with the help of Yelp!!! Who knew that Philadelphia had good Malaysia food!!! We really enjoyed dining at this restaurant, and had a good meal. We had Roti Canai--very good pancakes, plus you watch them being made in the kitchen next to you; good curry sauce with the chunks of chicken. My companion had noodles, and liked them; I had Nasi Lemuk which was very tasty (but different than the nasi lemuk I've had when made by Indonesians)
(4)
Scott S.

I travel into the city often not always to dine but more than any other restaurant downtown, I've been here the most. Whether you are a ' GUI LOH ' willing to try new things but vigilant of the 'out there ' items or gung ho for anything this place is great choice. It had perfect blend of menu items for either; Mango Chicken or clay pot fish stew, Whole red Snapper or beef rendang. No matter what I order every visit has to have Indian Roti, a flaky almost weightless dough you rip in pieces to dip in a curried potato and chicken sauce. They go through so much of this stuff I think it's one of the line cooks' job to do this dish all shift. Prices are comfortable, parking is a challenge but you never wait long once you are here. Side note stay clear of the Penang in Jersey. Definitely not the same experience.
(4)
elle m.

I wanna love Penang, but he just isn't cool enough. He's got the looks, the vibe but when I get down and dirty with him - There is nothing there. The food is not particularly awesome. Now, I don't expect awesome every time, but I do expect glimmers of hope and Penang never really delivers. Everything tastes bland and under seasoned to me. Mango chicken? Cute presentation, but I'm not all about looks. I need some substance and this chicken ain't cuttin it. It's kinda like watching Keeping up with the Kardashians - Fun, but really leaves you feeling hollow inside. Oh the darkness. TL;DR - Skip it. Try one of the 100 better places in Chinatown.
(2)
Jeff M.

Penang, you are and will always be my first love in Philadelphia. Unless you manage to royally screw me in an upcoming visit, then I will scorn you like an incensed mistress. Wait, why am I talking about scorning you? You're fantastic! Every time I come by to see you, you immediately make me feel at home with the hot tea. It's a nice touch, it's like you're telling me to kick back and relax because you're in no hurry, and I shouldn't be either. And then you kind of ruin it by giving me a douchey waiter, but I don't hold it against you, lover because you always know how to keep me coming back. You tantalize me with various things, you satisfy all of my desires, but then after I finish you tell me that you're uncomfortable about using credit cards under some arbitrary number like $14 or something. At that point I think, "What a b*tch! No way are you meeting my parents!" because then I end up having to pay for my friend too. But as soon as I walk out I'm thinking that I want to see you again, and I completely forget about your trifling ways. But enough about my love affair with Penang. Here's my thoughts on some of the food that I have tried thus far: - Chow Kueh Teow: I almost always get this, because it's just really delicious. I feel like the only thing that really varies with each experience is the portion size (depending on time of day I guess), but it's freakin' gold. It has shrimp, squid, and eggs amongst other things. I always tell them to make it extra spicy. This is why they got 5 stars by the way. - Mee Siam: I can't really describe the flavor; well I'll try... It's like Asian fused with... Italian or something, because it's unlike any Asian food I've tasted, but it was pretty delicious. Has tofu and shrimp. Not as good as above though. - Seafood Lo Mein: Pretty yummy, although one time it was a little bland. Includes shrimp (notice a common theme?) and squid amongst other things. Again, not as good as above. - Home made Roti Canai (Indian Pancake): As an Indian, I've had better, but it's yummy. They're really stingy with the curry, and usually there are a lot of bones in there. Skip it, unless you just absolutely love it. - Curried Chicken with Rice (Boneless, unless you want to be the cheap b*stard who has to pick out bones through out your meal): This was my first experience with Penang and I remember thinking that it was pretty good, but it was nothing to call home about, especially since my mother would probably be offended that I was eating Chicken curry, fusion style. It's standard fare, that doesn't go wrong though. - A few of their sizzling platters are pretty good. Read the description for the menu items. When it says things like "steamed chicken served at room temperature", don't be the illiterate jerk who gets pissed off because you didn't get hot fried chicken. Also, don't get any of the room temperature foods; they're meh. Service is lacking occasionally, but often times improves significantly within the same visit because the wait staff are kind of interchangeable. I've noticed that Banana Leaf has the exact same menu/prices, and I've also heard that it tastes the same, so while I don't feel the urge to mess up what I have going right now, if something goes wrong, I'll end my love affair with Penang and move on to Banana Leaf.
(5)
mishel c.

I really like this place, even though it's a chain. It's consistently good + the service is really fast. One of my favourite dishes ever, the satay tofu, is prepared perfectly + the pinnacle of by which I judge any other satay. The menu is extensive enough to please special diets or picky eaters - and it's reasonably priced...and I love that they're open until 1 a.m. I preferred the interior when it had the large "mouse trap" type metal sculptures hanging from the ceiling, but Penang still manages a stylish interior while handling a lot of volume. It's functional but looks sharp, too. They used to be cash only but I'm not sure such is still the case...so if you go, just be prepared.
(4)
Percy N.

Pretty good Roti Canai, Beef Rendang and my favorite, the hot and spicy crab, which is similar to Singapore Chili crab and the closest thing you will find to it in Philly. Have yet to try the shaved ice drinks/dessert.
(4)
Josh K.

Always quick (sometimes TOO quick/rushed) service, friendly (and at times overwhelmed staff), and a great menu full of Malaysian fusion cuisine. At times, the dining room gets quite loud and bustling as they've tried to pack in as many customers as possible. During dinner rush, it's not a good place for quiet conversation, but it's always a good place for reasonably priced, delicious food. I'd highly recommend the Indian pancake as an appetizer (with a lovely potato curry sauce)!
(4)
Wil R.

LOVE this place, right in Chinatown (also visited the one in NYC). I have been at least 6 times the roti kani (I think) is awesome, its light and a great way to start a meal. typically I head from that into the beef rendang, and wash it all down with a Malaysian iced tea (dunno what they put in that stuff). The peanut sauce served with the satay is amazing, I could eat that alone all day if I wanted. I don't have a ton of experience with Malaysian cuisine, but this place to me is absolutely great.
(5)
Elicia I.

Wowza! Super classy, but not priced as such. Best Thai food I've had in Philly (even though it's a Malaysian place). We got the Tofu Satay and the Basil Thai Noodle, which they made vegetarian for us. I highly recommend those. They automatically give everyone tea and oranges. Very under-priced for the quality. It was only $22 total for a beer, an appetizer, an entree, and rice. Decor is classy. You could bring your snobby yuppie friends or your poor friends here. Servings are generous. But mostly - yum!
(5)
Ky T.

Probably my favorite place in chinatown. Delicious food and its always consistent. Every time I go, I order the roti canai, prawn mee and hainanese chicken with rice. Ever since I tried the prawn mee, I have ordered it every time along with other dishes. The spicy shrimp broth is so flavorful I could eat it every day. The hainanese chicken is served with one of the best hot sauces I've ever had. Spicy and tangy, not vinegary. I tend to to order the chicken/beef satay. Skewers of meat served with a delicious peanut sauce. During my last visit, I tried the house special jumbo prawns. The prawns were huge and delicious. I'm hoping to try more items off the menu but its so hard not to order my usual 3!
(5)
Ann V.

Craving some Roti Cani, Mee Siam, and Spicy Thai Chicken right about now....
(4)
Mike N.

I like their rustic look feel of restaurant. Service was on par. I like the Roti and satay beef. We had family style dinner and the dishes were good. Will return.
(4)
Claire O.

Came here with a craving for Roti after eating it at this place on the LES, and it was delicious! We ordered the Roti Canal and the half hainanese chicken. I'm used to the chicken being served with a trio of dipping sauces (spicy, sweet, and ginger) but this just came with the spicy sauce. I'm sure the other sauces would have been available upon request, though. Gotta try their ABC - a dessert-ish beverage made with shaved ice, jelly, red beans, coconut milk, etc. Very good! Great price for the amount of food we got.
(4)
Timothy D.

We've been to Penang many times and have always enjoyed it. We returned on Friday night and I couldn't find my favorite dish, fried sardines in sweet and sour sauce. The server told me they stopped making it. But luckily it was just that they had re-arranged the menu and moved the dish to another section. Whew! We like everything that the menu warns you against. Go 4 it. Also, nice to see the cooks making the roti fresh in the kitchen. Very cool. Great food, fast service, usually easy to seat a large party, and they don't impose a gratuity on big groups, which I appreciate.
(4)
Lillian L.

It's ok. It kind of went downhill from when it first opened. The dishes were way too salty leaving me feeling bloated, and the drinks were way too sweet. The only thing that remained good was the indian pancake. I thought that was always the best, and never changed. Otherwise I like it because it's opened late and the staff are quick.
(3)
Kin L.

Philadelphia's Chinatown doesn't really have any great restaurants in the grand scheme of things. I grew up for a while in the area and I was never impressed by the food. I'm not a fan of the Dim Sum that's available there either, so when it was up to me to pick a meeting place in Chinatown for me and my cousin, I decided to go the Malaysian route. I went to Penang because I came here a few years ago and the food was pretty good. Maybe my palette wasn't as refined back then, but the food this time around was only so-so. We ordered the Roti Canai, Haianese Chicken,and Beef Rendang. The only dish that was good was the roti canai. As for the other two, the Penang in Cherry Hill, NJ does a far better job. The chicken didn't look appetizing and the beef rendang was...not beefy enough? Yeah, that's the word. What was odd was that when I ordered in Cantonese, the waiter looked at me all weird. I saw confusion in his eyes. Wait, I am in Chinatown aren't I? He responded after I said table for 2 in English. I used to order in Cantonese all the time back in the day...I'm thinking there must have been a change in ownership. C'mon Penang, step up your game!
(2)
Faye S.

I tried their Hainanese chicken and rice and it was pretty good for my first time! Silky chicken is always a good thing. I would have preferred it a little more temperature hot (it's served at room temp) though. Service is good, given how huge and crowded this place gets on a Friday night (or any other time we've been there). Prices are good, and they're open til 1am. Score!
(4)
Christine M.

This place is great a Malaysian restaurant. The ala carte menu, most dinner entrees do not come with rice, includes a wide variety of chicken, beef, pork, and noodle options. It's very hard to choose but beef rendang is dynamite and always a crowd pleaser!! The mango chicken was just ok, bland really. The Penang chicken wings were really well seasoned!!!! Yum. I wasn't sure why they were tied with banana leaves but once unwrapped they were delicious!!!
(4)
Jenn W.

My friend was celebrating her 40+ Birthday, & she wanted Penang. My mom was able to get us reservations, since my parents frequent there alot!! We had 10 people, for 7pm, then ended up being 7:30pm...one person didn't show. Our waiter was quite the character!! He was funny -good guy. Got little difficult since everyone wasn't used to Malaysian cuisine or the heat -in it. But they were willing to try it out. We had our wine, her cake, All in all-GREAT Time & food!!!! Always a pleasure going there, closest thing to my homemade stuff or mom's.
(5)
Jim M.

I went in here Saturday night after work. The restaurant itself is nice, pretty decent decor. The place was packed when I came in, but I was still able to get a table. I ordered the roti canai and penang kariayam. The roti canai was nice and crispy and came with a nice dipping sauce. The Penang Kariayam was unfortunately pretty bland. It sounded like it was going to be pretty flavorful from its description on the menu: White meat chicken cooked over low heat with lemon grass & chili paste then simmered in thick rich coconut curry. I didn't taste any lemon grass or chili. The coconut curry didn't tast of coconut that much either. Service was pretty good, especially considering it was packed and got more packed when I left. I might try something else from here. But I kind of wish I'd tried somewhere else. Oh well.
(2)
Gracie N.

Most def recommend the prawn mee! The wait time for the food wasn't long at all and as soon as you're seated they bring out hot tea: which I loved! The food is very fusion so if you're looking for authentic Chinese this may not be the place for you. My husband wasn't too happy about our server, but I felt as though he was honest and directed the customers to what was the most popular items from his own experience. Would go again!
(4)
Christina S.

If you're not used to eating in Chinatown, it can be a bit overwhelming and intimidating. My friend had been to Penang before, so we decided to give it another try seeing that she had a good experience there previous to this. We started with the home made roti canai, (indian pancake) which was pretty good. It had a good curry flavor without being overhwhelming. Next we had a fried tofu stuffed with veggies and covered with peanut sauce. Both my friend and I thought this was a bit bland. I wouldnt order it again. We both then moved onto soup. I got the salted cabbage soup. The portion was huge, and the soup was delicious. My friend got the seafood with bean curd soup, which she enjoyed as well. For entrees, I got the Sambal shrimp. It was good. The portion was small, and the flavor was good, but I wouldn't order it again. I thought it would be spicier than it was, and was hoping it would come with some veggies other than peppers. All in all, the trip was a good one. There are so many choices in Chinatown that I probably won't go back.
(2)
Yi H.

Almost every weekend when I come back to Philly, I would always go to Penang. Now that I live in the Lehigh Valley area, where it's almost non-existing when it comes to good Asian cuisines, i appreciate Penang even more . I love, LOVE their curry chicken. It's so good, the sauce is full of different spices that makes a great curry and the coconut milk is not overpowering (can't even taste it but it's essential in curry). I've eaten a lot of different kind of curries and by far, Malaysian curry is my favorite. The stir fry noodle selection is very good. I've tried all of them. I really don't have a favorite so it depends on the person's preference. I like the spicier ones a little more.
(5)
M P.

Penang never fails to impress. I have brought visitors from out of town, people that recently moved to Philly and friends passing through here, and everyone loves it. The menu is long, but you could honestly blindfold yourself and just point, and you won't be disappointed. I love the pancake/bread thing with curry sauce (technical term) and the flavored rice dishes in banana leaves, but honestly everything I've had has been great here. Highly recommend it, and will definitely be back again.
(4)
Christine L.

Roti canai, tomyam soup, chicken skewers, singapore-malay style crab. and ABC shaved ice.. Mmmhmm.. I've been coming here for years now, and it still is one of the best Malaysian restaurants that I've been to. I always get roti canai whichever Malay place I go to. Penang does it just right with the right amount of crispiness and thinness. The only thing is the curry could be a bit spicier, but I love the chicken and potato that's in it as well and it isn't runny like other places. When there's leftover, I use it to mix in with my rice. The chicken skewers are delicious with the awesome peanut sauce. Tomyam soup is simple with some vegetables and shrimp and tomyam sauce, but tasty and appetizing as well. We waited patiently for the crabs, which our waiter was very excited to recommend to us. You have to get the Malaysian style special sauce. It's absolutely to die for. It is one giant Alaskan King crab covered in deliciousness! The two of us couldn't even finish it and had to save some for a late-night snack. We also got chicken rice (yellow rice) to accompany it. After all was said and done, ABC shaved ice was much needed to top it all off.
(5)
Jes S.

Pretty good fare. I think it's an example of a place not too affected by being a chain. The inside was nice and not kitschy chainey looking. The singapore rice noodles were really good. The coconut rice is a must to eat with the dishes. Three of us were able to share two dishes and an appetizer and it was plenty. I love duck, but the duck noodle soup didn't win me over. It wasn't horrible but not spectacular. The service is over attentive in a good way (yes, over attentive can be in a bad way too) I'd probably pick somewhere else in chinatown first but if someone invited me I'd go back.
(4)
Horace L.

An old stand by in Philly Chinatown. Consistent quality and great portions. All the stir fried noodles are flavorful, and freshly made. Don't miss out on the roti canai. On a hot day, the shaved ice Chendol dessert really hits the spot. The restaurant is remarkably spacious in Chinatown, and the staff very friendly. I would suggest steering away from the yuca spring rolls, but be sure to try the hainanese chicken (and the accompanying fried rice).
(4)
Halef G.

We came to Penang Malaysian Cuisine Restaurant by accident (originally wanted an Indonesian food; Google Map had wrongly directed us to a nearby location in Chinatown). It was a Wednesday night around 9pm, and the place was still busy (is this a good thing?). I had a big expectation for its food, having eaten some authentic Malaysian dishes in the past, but my dining experience was an OK one. If you're looking for an authentic Malaysian food, Penang is definitely NOT the place to go. It's menu is somewhat hybrid of Malaysian dishes, along with Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, Indian and its somewhat Americanized (Mango Chicken? C'mon!). I have to give a credit to Penang's Roti Cenai, which is amazing (love its chicken and potato curry bowl as a dipping sauce). Again, not so much of a Malaysian dish/appetizer. We also had Mango Chicken, Beef Rendang, and Pork Fried Rice - none of these dish were special, in my opinion. The steamed rice came with our dish was in a very meagerly small bowl (and I'm a big rice eater). Staff was nice, though. Our waitress was helpful and we were taken care for, and our drinking water was keep coming. I was a little shocked by the bill - the three of us spend some 60 bucks, plus tip. Not a typical dining bill you would expect from a typical Chinatown restaurant, but to all fairness, Penang is a higher, more 'upscale' than an average Chinatown restaurant (meaning that they charge more for its food and rationing their food/dish size). Would I go back? Probably not by intentionally, but I wouldn't mind it, either if I had another opportunity.
(2)
Jade H.

I've been coming here for 12 years. Yup. Long time ago, My best Malaysian friend would joyously come here to enjoy the food. It isn't fusion. This is really what Malaysian food is like. Malaysian cuisine draws from China and India and the tropical area that they are from and melds them into a very interesting combination. For 12 years, it hasn't changed in food quality. That is the most important thing about this restaurant: Consistency. I've tried almost every dish on the menu and I can say that it still tastes as good as the first time I've tasted that dish with Janssen. The prices have steadily climbed and climbed. ARG. But I would pay the Yuppie prices just to taste this taste. Unlike the other Penangs, there is less Chinese influence on the dishes. It makes me remember those days with Janssen and Sharon. I didn't have much money back then either. Oh and they are still CASH ONLY! Still not so great in making and keeping reservations for large groups.
(4)
Meghan D.

My husband and I went here with his family for his mothers birthday. We were skeptical going into it, but ended up having a great time here. Everyone really enjoyed their food, and the restaurant was very accomodating to our large party. The atmosphere was also very nice! I recommend the Wonton soup (so much better than traditional greasy wonton) and the Seafood Chow Fun, yummmy!!!
(4)
Aaron C.

Decent food. Indian pancake is awesome, as well as the Green Curry Chicken In Clay Pot there. It is a place worth to go.
(4)
Chris L.

Awesome malaysian food! Definitely gotta get the Roti Canai (the indian pancake with curry). So good! As for entrees, there are a variety you can choose from. My favorite is the mango chicken. Some of their noodle dishes are good too. Also, for dessert, I don't think it's on their menu, but if you order ABC ice, you won't be disappointed (check pictures to see what I'm talking about). And like everyone else mentioned, they only take cash. Make sure you bring plenty of it... the bill adds up!
(5)
Jamison U.

Great spot for Maylasian food in the Chinatown area, I enjoyed the atmosphere and the food very much. It was not over spicy and the menu contained so many choices I needed help! I was really happy that they had many traditional as well as american dishes on the menu. I would return here if I am near Chinatown again.
(4)
Morton F.

I've been to this restaurant a number of times in years past whenever I was in this city for a convention. Penang is part of a chain of restaurants but not all those restaurants have the same food. This one, in particular, has Java Mee, which isn't available at Penang restaurants in New Jersey. Anyway, I've never actually had a bad experience at this restaurant. I've found the food to be okay, although not quite as good as Curry Leaves in Flushing Chinatown in NYC. The dish I'd eat here is Java Mee, although Curry Mee with Young Tofu is not bad either.
(4)
L. H.

Great food, prices, and service, with a nice atmosphere to boot. Too bad I don't live in Philly The four of us had the home made roti (yum!), satay chicken and beef (not my fav, but I'm not a big satay fan either), Indian mee goreng (good, but I think I was trying to order the hokkien char mee), ginger duck noodles (a hit with everyone), and the sizzling seafood combo with black pepper. We also ordered some coconut rice. For drinks we had the rambutan, lychee, ABC, and tea. Can't speak for the rambutan and lychee, but ABC was very good. Need to find a place in LA that serves it because I will definitely be craving it. Overall, everything was good and our bill came out to about $55 after tax. Worth another visit if I'm ever in Philly again.
(5)
M Stephen B.

Simply wonderful, must haves include; number 17 shrimp in thia sauce, shrimp puffs, prawn mee soup! I love this place, I've been here at least 100 times, never a bad meal!!!
(5)
Judy C.

Went here after a concert late Tuesday night with friends. Ordered the roti canai to share. The dipping sauce was great but nothing extraordinary about the dish. My friend wanted a bowl of soup, but they didn't make just a bowl. Thus, he got a giant family styled bowl of a modified tom yum soup as the soup had noodles, lots of vegetables, and small pieces of seafood. The soup had a VERY fishy taste to it, which I think is not how tom yum soup is supposed to be. The taste of the soup was just not great. Other friends got pad thai and wonton soup, which was good. I got the oyster omelette, and there were a LOT more egg than oyster (a good oyster omelette should have equal amount of egg and oyster). I also got Longan juice. While I miss having drinks like this, it was somewhat mediocre. The service was fast, but we were one of the very few patrons left in the restaurant.
(3)
Ryan R.

Good affordable food. Generous portions. Friendly server. No reason not to go. Roti Canai was banging good. Also ordered the Penang Poh Piah and although it was a bit sloppy, it tasted great. My dinner companion had the Curry mixed vegetable in clay pot. It was a generous serving, but not as flavorful as one might have hoped. Was missing a bit of 'oomph'. I had the Thai basil noodles which were good, but took forever to come out. All in all, pretty solid and enjoyable, but not memorable. I'll definitely come back though as they have some other intriguing menu items.
(3)
Calvin H.

My international student friends from Malaysia insist that this is the best Malaysian food in town. One of them has ancestral roots in Penang. Upon hearing the waitress' accent: "Yep, she's definitely Malaysian." Gotta trust their judgment on this one. Roti canai is a great appetizer. For the rest of the meal, we ordered chow kueh teow, Hainanese chicken, beef rendang, kang kung belacan, shrimp with ladies' fingers, and several other things (we were a small party of fairly big eaters). Everything was clearly very good because pretty much finished it all. We also shared some Malaysian iced coffee, which was very sweet. Penang isn't exactly cheap, but the food is excellent, so it's a justifiable splurge.
(4)
F Z.

What a letdown! Penang served as a reminder as to why I normally shy away from chain restaurants. From a pushy server to mediocre-at-best dishes, Penang was a less than stellar dining experience. To start, the satay chicken and beef were chewy and dry. The peanut sauce was lacking in flavor but generous with grease. The entrees were equally disappointing, but at least the nasi lemak proved better than the rest. Much like the appetizers, the beef rendang were tough and next to impossible to chew. As for the "king pork buff", I think a more appropriate name for the dish would have been "king pork flop." Similar to jing du pork chops in presentation, the bbq sauce simply flopped in the piquant nature of the original dish. Dessert -- ABC shaved ice -- was aesthetically pleasing but disappointingly tasting. In fact, I couldn't find half of the ingredients listed on the menu in the bowl. True, Penang has an atmosphere to boot, but that should augment one's experience there -- not to cover for its kitchen's shortcomings.
(2)
Phillip Y.

This place makes up in part with their atmosphere. The dishes themselves are pretty good. I just love the layout of this place. I met up with a friend after the ballgame and it's easy to find.
(4)
Pug P.

Miss this place so much, even though here in SF i have my choice of asian restaurants. Miss the mango chicken, served in a nice big mango, Try the roti too. Great food, great location
(5)
lena n.

Penang is also a very popular place for Malaysian cuisine and it's very good too. I think some of the stuff are a bit pricey, but some isn't and overall though, it's all good food. This is probably the only spot that has Creme Brulee my fave dessert! Yakitori used to have it, and im very dissapointed that it's not there no more, but I would go back to penang just for the creme brulee! This place also has the pancake with curry so it's all good. I haven't been there in over a year, and that was my 2nd time, so I wouldn't know what else to say about it...lol...oh yea weekends are the worst for it though cuz its a long wait...
(4)
Micah P.

I get mixed feelings about Malaysian food cause I had it in Bethesda (right by DC yelp.com/user_details_reâ€¦ ) and I hated it. Now this leads me to Penang in Philly... my friend recommended it so I figured it had to be good. It took me a little while to register it in my head, but right when I looked at the menu, I realized that it was the same restaurant.. only in Philly! Now that I knew they were the same restaurant, I had the SYCA: "Skeptical Yelp Critic attitude," but I still went with it cause all of my friend's recommendations for the weekend were great up to that point... and her first recommendation was to get the Roti Canai. If you read the last review, I did not like the Roti Canai in Bethesda... however, the Roti Canai in Philly, Omgosh! Delicious!! My whole SYCA was gone! Onto more food: the Beef Chow Fun was amazing!! The flavor of the beef with the noodles was such a spot hitter and the bean sprouts gave it a nice neutral taste.. just delicious!! My bf ordered a curry dish; I kinda forgot the name, but it might have been Kari Rendang or Kari Ayam (I looked at a menu online).. anyway the sauce was thick, but a very curry flavor... which was a good thing! However, we could've taken it a bit more spicy. Overall, both of these dishes were so delicious and definitely part of a memorable meal. Service is not so bad either. The waitresses were very attentive and food came out very fast. No problems there. Oh yea, complimentary hot tea! :)
(4)
John B.

Perhaps we got the wrong dishes. Got roti canai (which was very good), some curry young tofu soup (a little too fishy and salty), and green curry in casserole (not coconut-y enough), and coconut drink (too sugary--they added sugar). Not too bad, but not too good. Banana leaf is better base on the dishes I had.
(3)
pracheta t.

I can't remember why I stopped coming here..maybe it was because I moved slightly further away and got lazy but I re-discovered Penang and fell back in love. Great food, fast service, big place and always always always a good experience. They have a lot of vegetarian options and they know the difference between spicy and SUPER spicy. Yumm you'll find me here more often!
(4)
Cynthia K.

Like the roti chinai!!!
(4)
Scott K.

Yet another recommendation for Chinese in my visit to Philly, located in the heart of Chinatown I was eager to try and am glad I did. I had the Curried Chicken w/ brown rice and found it quite tasty. Either my taste buds have grown somewhat numb or spicy in Philly is not as spicy in Chicago, as again in most spicy dishes I chowed down the spice was nice but not nice enough. The service was average, the table spacing is tight at least where we sat up front by the window, where we got to do some people watching. There was a good crowd for our Saturday afternoon visit which is always a good sign. The highlight for me was eating with the chop sticks for the first time successfully. I don't have it mastered but I think with a little more practice I'll soon be able to a snobbish elite type. I completely for got what my wife had but she enjoyed it though it was to much spice (go figure) or her true enjoyment Penang will definitely be on my list for any return visits to Philly
(4)
Gene M.

The food was good...My boy friend loved beef chow fun.... And the mango chicken was also very good!!
(4)
Hamzah K.

Mango chicken and carry roti are the reason why I eat here!
(4)
Jane V.

One of my faaaaaav places in Chinatown. Mango chicken is good, chicken satay, the pancake stuff, and my absolute favorite dish is the beef and flat noodles dish - forgot the name... and of course, the thai iced tea. Although it gets packed on the weekends, the servers get you in and out pretty quickly. You feel a bit rushed...but I don't mind so much since they sat me quickly and brought out the food in record-breaking time.
(4)
Laurel M.

Penang sure is a tasty lil Malaysian spot! We dropped in late on a Friday night & the place was quite busy but we were still able to grab a table. Our food was served fairly promptly & included a variety of rices (coconut rice, chicken rice, fried rice, etc...) all of which were great & a sampling of main dishes such as fatty pork, spare ribs & spicy mango chicken (my fave!). Everything was fresh & nicely prepared. Absolutely no complaints! Try their juices, they were especially tasty! mmm...love fresh juice! The decor was pretty neat as well. It was done up as if you were sitting outside, on level with the rooftops of an Asian town. Nifty. I really enjoyed eating at Penang & would happily return for any occasion!
(4)
C K.

best indian pancakes, great curry, all over yummy food, really good sauteed spinach. I've also heard that their mango curry is delicious.
(5)
H I.

My experience at Penang was horrible. The food was bad. I ordered house special pork with yam and hainanese chicken, it tasted soo badd i couldn't even finish it. I hate wasting food but the taste was so unbearable there was no way I was going to finish it. Sorry if I offended someone, it's just my opinion.
(1)
Dana B.

First time at Penang was for a friend's birthday celebration. They have quite a menu, with the selections ranging from super cheap to relatively pricey--however, for what you pay, you do get a lot of food. I believe I ordered chicken noodle soup with chicken and shrimp--a huge bowl for only $6.00?? Count me in! Also had a watermelon juice--if they had peach I would've ordered that. But anyway, it was the perfect place for our kind of party, and the waiter was very friendly and accommodating. Would definitely consider it as a future go-to for dinner in Chinatown.
(4)
Sarah B.

Here is the dilemma about Penang: the food is awesome, but the atmosphere is irritating. The menu is so cool, and we could barely order because we wanted to try everything, from the lemongrass coconut curry to the fried tofu stuffed with cucumbers and peanut sauce. And everything we ordered was prepared well and served hot. On the flip side, the dining room is overly bright and crowded, some of the tables are small, and it might actually be easier to get to Malaysia than to get to the bathrooms at the back of Penang.
(3)
Ma-e M.

it's a good malaysian in philly.
(4)
Christina R.

Upon realizing that I really wasn't going to eat a Phillycheese Steak (after not having eaten meat in over 6months--my own personal experiment)...cheesefries, yes, but beef...not so much...my friend that I was visiting in Philadelphia thoughtfully took me to Penang in Philadelphia's Chinatown (on the way there, he made sure to ensure me that they had plenty of vegetarian options and raved about their tofu dishes). Penang had a cool thing going on with a high ceiling and metal accents in the interior design. I wish I could remember exactly what we ordered to list it here because boy, was it good. The service was a little slow and they brought us an extra appetizer that we hadn't ordered (we wound up just not saying anything--it tasted good--and it showed up on our bill at the end). We went on a Wednesday night and it was pretty "hoppin" (yes, hoppin) and my friend says that it can be very busy on the weekends (it was actually his first time eating in there as usually he and his housemate get take out since it can be busy). Parking was a pain, but that was to be expected. I liked it a lot and servings were big enough to bring some home to be eaten cold out of the box for the next day's breakfast.
(4)
Kaz H.

I've eaten here with colleagues over a dozen times. I've always loved their food! Sometimes the servers aren't too polite, but regardless the food's terrific. It's hard to pick a favorite dish here, but I've always loved the Curried Chicken. One of their appetizers chicken skewers (I forgot the name.. It's the second on the list) is awesome. I also like their cold coffee. It's also open pretty late so can be a good place to get take out food.
(5)
Dong K.

I brought my family down here for dinner. Now my parents being pretty traditional korean only likes certain foods. However, they were a big fan of Penang. I ordered Roti Canai, Pad Thai, Seafood Lo Mein, Mango Chicken, Crispy Squid, and Curry Chicken. For 6 people, everyone was stuffed and the bill only came out to like 80 bucks with tax and tip. As a matter of fact, they liked it sooo much they're coming down and bringing their friends! Food here never disappoints, prices are fairly priced and the atmosphere is conducive to groups and talking and enjoying your meal carefree. I recommend! ps. This place has almost the exact same menu as Banana Leaf. And I used to love their bean soup dessert thingy but they only give you oranges now.
(4)
Lynn P.

Three words......Beef-Chow-Fun. Eat it!
(4)
Emily C.

Really hard to get a table on weekends for dinner, and they don't take reservations. The place is packed to capacity with tables, so when you do finally sit down you don't have much elbow room. But still, the fare is worth the wait. always always always get the roti canai. I can't emphasize this enough. I'd also recommend the Hainan Chicken and salt and pepper squid. Service is a little hasty. I think they try to the turn the tables around as quickly as possible to accommodate all the business. Aside from dim sum, my favorite Philly chinatown place to eat.
(4)
Vicki M.

Seafood Lo Mein Enough said. Okay, so maybe I should say a little more. I have literally been to Penang around 3-4 dozen times in the past year and the food has always been amazing. The Malaysian Buddhist is to die for, as is the Seafood Lo Mein. We used to also always get a giant bowl of Coconut Rice. So good. Satay Tofu and Penang Lobuk (I might have the name wrong) are delicious starters. Bonus: they will sometimes give you a complimentary bowl of bean soup. Okay, so I unfortunately do not know what it is called; we just affectionately dub it the "bean soup." It looks like a dessert made with rice and sweet beans. All I know is that it is yummy and sweet and makes the whole meal worth it.
(5)
Cassie T.

This place is an old favorite of mine in Chinatown! We always used to go here after shows at the Trocodero near by. The decor inside is a neat industrial style type things, but I think they have remodeled a little since the last time I went. Penang has a huge selection of Malaysian food, you can definitely find something for everyone. One of my favorite dishes to get there is the appetizer of naan and curry dipping sauce. Holy hell it's delicious. Otherwise I also like the crispy seafood noodles and their curry dishes! They also give you oranges at the end of your meal (at least they used to, haven't been in some time) ! Go if you're in Chinatown for sure.
(5)
Ashley H.

Penang definitely hits the spot when you want a good rendition of malaysian food. Even though I am half Singaporean, having been raised in Taiwan for most of my life, my taste buds towards Malaysian and Singaporean food are biased and uncultured to the authenticity of the cuisine. (Also, it is rare for us to eat Singaporean/Malaysian food at our home) I come here because the price is very reasonable and the food is tasty. My order usually varies from Roti-Cani, Hainanese Chicken, Poh Piah, Satay, Chow Kueh Teow, Hokkein Char Mee, Indian Mee Goreng, Mee Siam... etc.
(4)
Aaron H.

The food here is amazing that is all i have to say
(4)
Adam H.

Very tasty food but nothing too out of the ordinary. Prices are low-to-moderate.
(4)
Shannon C.

Penang is ridiculously affordable, with a huge menu and great atmosphere. It is usually packed but they are pretty quick to get people seated when it starts lining up. Sitting by the window and people-watching in Chinatown is my favorite. The fried pearl noodles have an amazing texture and there is always enough for leftovers the next day for lunch. The lychee drink is also not to be missed if you like lychee as much as I do. Nommm.
(5)
Jack W.

This is my favorite restaurant in the United States. I eat there every time I go to Philadelphia. The food is unique and delicious. Spring roll, Satay, and Mi Siam is my usual route. I like sitting in the window looking at the goings on in Chinatown, including the little apartments upstairs across the street where the Asian residents hand the laundry out the windows or up in their rooms to dry. A white tablecloth place this isn't. Be careful walking to the bathroom because the floor is usually so greasy it's worse than walking on ice. This place is the real deal.
(5)
Don Q.

This place is just outstanding! We were in town for a few days and decided to try Penang because it looked good and was in the neighborhood. At first, we thought that Penang might just be a gimmick restaurant- another Pan-Asian restaurant like the ones we've seen in other cities. The food at Penang very quickly corrected us. Because we were on vacation, we ordered two appetizers: (1) chicken satay (with the most decadent and rich peanut sauce), and (2) the Indian pancake (or cracker) with another great sauce. Both were absolutely delicious. We couldn't imagine going to Penang without ordering these two appetizers. For the main dish, my husband ordered beef rendang (I think) and I ordered a Malaysian chicken curry. Again, both dishes were delicious. However, the beef was our favorite and I ate half of my husband's dinner because of this. Unlike most curries and stews that I have tasted, the beef was so tender and succulent that it was literally falling apart. It was one of the best dishes that I had ever tasted. We tried other restaurants in town and were very disappointed. In Chinatown, we tried Nanzhou & Yakatori Boy. We regret having visited both of these restaurants and will post our reviews soon. Yakatori boy was mediocre and completely overpriced. If you are ever in Philly, do yourself a favor and have dinner at Penang. If you live in Philly, eat here every week and appreciate how lucky you are to have such a great restaurant in your town. If there were a Penang in DC, were would eat there all of the time.
(5)
Peter G.

Great menu and prices. I highly recommend the Indian pancake. It tasted so good, and as an appetizer, it was sized to share and was relatively inexpensive. The service was pretty good, too, but as for drinks, I really wish there were more beer options.
(4)
Wandering B.

Had the Roti Cania and Fried Rice. Excellent. Got Some penang satay Chicken as well, it wasnt anything to write home about.
(3)
Mai L.

If there were negative stars for rating I'd rate that. I ate there last night with couple friends and the waiter was rude. We didn't even finish eating and he already started cleaning our appetizer dish. Not to mention, when our pad thai dish comes out.. there was a freaking FLY on it. It was disgusting and nasty. We called the waitress/manager out to let them know and they didn't even apologized. All she said was we'll replace this dish okay? I am like, WTF, we should have just left but we were too nice and indeed we stayed there and continue our meal. But of course, after knowing that there's a fly in one of the dish, I was freaked out and started checking the other dishes... It was just a horrible experience in general. I will never go back to FLY PENANG again.. Just NASTY.
(1)
Liz M.

Always a solid bet for eat-in or take out. Love the Poh Piah and the Roti Canai. The Chow Kueh Teow and Masak Beef are fantastic as well. Note: this is not the place for a slow, relaxing dinner--the service is quick, and once they take your order the dishes come out fast and furious. But the food is always delicious and so different from the usual chinatown fare.
(4)
Jason L.

Service was excellent and the food is interesting. They even had chicken feet on the menu so if your the adventurous type I encourage you to try it.
(4)
Brad H.

Well, since they only serve dim sum at Ocean Harbor during the day, my friend and I decided to try Malaysian for the night. Boy was it a good choice. The food was hot, delicious, tangy, and spicy. I let my friend order for me again, and I'd tell you what we got except I don't speak Cantonese. But if I recall correctly, the first was some light tortilla thing with a spicy curry sauce. I'm not a big fan of curry, but it was good. Then we had these beef skewers with a "satay" peanut-kinda sauce, and then two different noodle dishes with all kinds of vegetables in them. Scrumptious. The food arrived quite fast for such a busy night, and service was fine. I'd love to go back! I could still taste...whatever we had, after we left. UPDATE: After going back multiple times, and trying multiple dishes, I can't help but give this place 5 stars. For now, it stands as my favorite place in China town.
(5)
Judy C.

I love this restaurant. I wish I still lived in Philly, so I could go more often. The service is quick and the food is really good. I like that they serve hot tea and water to start. I always get the roti canai, the nasi lemak, and the mee siam. Another good dish is the shrimp and mango. Their prices have gone up since I initially started going to this restaurant over a decade ago, but they are still very reasonable.
(4)
C K.

Awesome melasian food! I went here with a friend of mine who is Melasian... and he helped our whole group order. The indian pancakes were SO SO good! Everything everyone ordered was good except for the pho (or something that looked like pho). I ordered my shrimp lo mein without spices and it was very very good. They weren't the fastest place, but other than that... one of the best places in chinatown for sure! I plan on going back very soon and will add more...
(4)
Ravi K.

Satay Chicken, Roti Telur and Chicken Curry a divine combination
(5)
James G.

Yum yum delicious!!! 5 stars because this was a much better choice than going down to Pats steaks for a cheesesteak! The broken Asian English is fine here. Excellent food. Faxt service. AND they don't accept credit cards. Come prepared!
(5)
Bill M.

While it's an incredible restaurant I don't feel that it's the best in Chinatown. I can't help but agree with what Ting Y. said towards the bottom of her review when it comes to finding the better restaurants inside it. Despite that it is an incredible place to eat, and I can't think of any other restaurants in the city that offer Malaysian cuisine (seriously are there any?). the food can be amazing and the portions are huge! don't get an appetizer unless you plan on sharing with a group. My meal of choice when I come here is the Mango Chicken. It's as spicy as it is sweet and juicy. delicious! While I do recommend coming here, I just don't recommend doing it right away. Since your in Chinatown there are all kinds of restaurants that are worth trying. This is the first one that's going to jump out at you because of its unique decor. but it jumps out at everyone else making it fairly crowded. So find out the wait on a table and walk around for awhile. You will definitely find at least one or two places that will make doing so worth it.
(4)
Tanya T.

I was pretty impressed with Penang...having just moved here a few months ago I heard it was really good. Best thing is that we came here aftter a concert at the Troc and it was one of the restaurants that still had a good amount of people at midnight. it's probably one of the nicer looking restaurants in Chinatown. After looking through the menu we decided to go with the Roti Canaii, under the fried noodle section the Chow Kueh Teow, Penang Kari Ayam (chicken in curry sauce) . Roti Canaii was great...fresh roti better than the other malaysian place down the street for sure. The noodle dish was actually very good and we ordered it spicy! The penang Kari ayam was pretty tasty although the oil that was leftover was pretty disgusting...but overally pretty good with some rice. place is cheap too which is always a plus we had leftovers to bring home for tomorrow :-) yum!
(4)
Sasha C.

Absolutely wonderful food & service! Go there for lunch/dinner with my boyfriend at least once every two weeks. Prices are very much reasonable. Weekends get pretty packed so may have to wait a little bit but that's never an issue for us. Always get the Indian Pancake & the Hainanese Chicken or Curry Chicken. Other dishes are delicious as well. Never get tired of it!
(5)
Suraj P.

I love this chinatown establishment for reliable fair that can push people's chinatown limits, or stay nicely in their comfort zone. The service is always an issue, but the ability to get a table at any time supplants this. Last night headed out here with a friend (and friends of friends). Not knowing the spice/curry preferences of my group, I was hesitant to order too much of the *red star* food that my friend and I wanted. In the end we found a wonderful balance of the dishes that we had loved in past visits... Started with the Roti Canai (which requires no more description on yelp). It was tasty as always. Moving on the White Chick to Brown Guy "Spicy-ness" Scale *patent pending*, we started with Chicken Fried Rice, Penang Pad Thai, Mango Chicken, and Jumbo Prawns with Brown Sauce. Sure there are more risky dishes on the menu (with obvious reward) but on dining some Thai/Malay/Indian rookies, I took the east road... (I can save the whole fish for next time.) One of the surprises of the night was how good something as simple as chicken fried rice could be. All of the food was well received and everyone left stuffed.
(4)
veronica c.

This is one of my favorite places in Chinatown. My favorite dish here is the mango chicken.
(4)
Chef R.

This is my favorite Restaurant in Philadelphia. Perfect Balance quality-price. Their indian pancakes are just amazing and I've never had anything there that I didn't like. The service is also pretty good, they always try to help you to make your choice. The portions are also the perfect size. It would be the perfect restaurant if it was BYOB!
(5)
Brianne C.

In a city filled with good restaurants (and no, Stephen Starr, I am NOT talking about your establishments), Penang stands out as a trendy, classy, innovative dining experience, with the kind of food that makes you want to gush about your Asian travels (your belly's adventure, that is). Penang is also the place to go if you are looking to challenge yourself a bit gastronomically. The beef satay is a rich, spicy celebration of tender meat in your mouth, with a peanut sauce that takes no prisoners. They also serve fabulously spicy seafood soups, a divine roti, and a wonderful chicken dish that is served in a rice noodle meringue bird's nest. Truly, I have never had a dish I did not enjoy. The restaurant is typically busy, with waiters who valiantly try to communicate with you, sometimes with mixed results. Penang only takes cash, so be prepared to sprint a few blocks if you find that your wallet is empty (I have done this before). Believe me, it will be worth it. Highly recommended.
(5)
Jacki G.

Delicious!!!!!!!!! The mango chicken is out of this world!!! It's so flavorful and comes in a very hearty portion size! Their roti is crispy, and always perfectly cooked. Mee Siam is hearty and filling, yet not overly greasy and heavy. There really is nothing else to say about Penang other than to go and eat there!
(5)
Ari P.

Great Malaysian and pan-asian food. Good service and a nice space for the price which can't be beat.
(5)
Ginger S.

Expensive, spicy, and salty. I'm no Malaysian but I like me some asian food- I wouldn't go here for anything past the ambience. Maybe it's because I'm not a fan of having my mouth on fire when I ask for mild, but the spiciness and saltiness just did not let me enjoy my meal at all.
(3)
Jessica L.

One of my favorite restaurants! Their menu is huge, vegan/vegetarian friendly, and service is super fast. Family style is definitely the way to go. These are my recommendations: -Roti Canai (A MUST HAVE!) -Satay Chicken Skewers -Oyster Omelette -Fried Squid -Mee Siam -Side of Chicken Rice (Another must have!)
(5)
Lily N.

This one is definitely bigger and better than the one in Chinatown, NYC. Their mango chicken is delicious! Came here with about 8 other people for a friend's birthday. My friends loved the food and the decorations (but I think they recently renovated it). Their shrimp and okra is recommended as well.
(4)
Jing G.

Malaysian cuisine isn't something I'm very experienced in. Nice, clean atmosphere with good service and what's here isn't bad at all. A little too strongly salted for my tastes, but perhaps that's just the way it is? Way too much sodium for me, but perhaps I can ask them to go light on the salt next time. The oyster omelet was a little too greasy as well. Extensive menu and vegetarian friendly. Everyone can probably find something they like here.
(3)
Gina G.

Typically I enjoy Penang and the menu is lively and exciting (Roti Kanai - so tasty!), along with the bustle of the place and friendly fast service it's an easy, sure-fire dining bet. This last visit however was sadly lacking in all aspects of the experience from the mercenary service, dismissal of our complaint and exceptionally loud din that night. In regards to the menu & service, we ordered the Sizzling Seafood platter which turned out to be a lackluster plate of limp and boring Chinese veggies with bits of seafood swimming in a greyish jellied broth. The waitress wrote nothing down, asked us several times what we wanted while paying half attention and brought out the wrong items. No real concern on our part since patience is a wonderful thing and no one wants to harp on lousy service but when asked if we liked our meals and upon our response of "No" we received a frenzied giggle from her which made us wonder if she even heard us. Perhaps just an awkward response to being confronted with the unpleasant answer, however when asked by a manager if we liked our meals his response was to point out that we ate the seafood out of the meal - not getting that it was THE ONLY BARELY EDIBLE thing on the plate! It's more insulting not to be heard when asked. All in all, not a good night at Penang. Nothing was compensated or offered to make good on. So disappointing that Penang has forgotten how to serve their customers and do good by them.
(1)
Juanita P.

This is, by far, the best Malaysian restaurant I've been to. I LOVE their roti canai. The roti is a crispy style pancake that resembles a crispy flour tortilla and it comes with a brown dipping sauce with curry chicken (with bone) and potatoes. My boyfriend introduced me to the place and I came back with a friend from Malaysia to see if he approved, and he loved! I'm not fond of spring rolls so for those who like them, my boyfriend recommends along with the pad thai. My Malaysian friend recommends the mango shrimp, which is shredded mango cooked with shrimp and spicy sweet & sour sauce in a big mango shell. I recommend the boneless chicken curry. This place has wonderful and quick service, and the prices are cheap for the amount of food they give you. If you go to the D.C. Penang, I am warning you, the quality is not the same. I'd give that one a 2/5.
(5)
Erine K.

I was very impressed with the beef satay, mango chicken and the service. Will definitely return. Make reservations!
(5)
Chrissy R.

I once had an allergic reaction to stealthy hidden carrots when I told the waiter that I didn't want carrots in my food. Other than that, it was yummy, but I think that the food really doesn't match the atmosphere and decoration of the place.
(3)
John H.

Try out the "roJak" (appetizer on the menu).. Don't miss it out although the waiter might "warn" you at the beginning. Lol.. I was a little bit scare but I like to try new stuff. Finally I ordered it and it is so yummy :) This appetizer is like "salad". A lot of fruits mixed with their special black and brown sauce. It might be a little smelly but it tastes so good when you eat it.
(4)
Hemanth S.

Amazing Food, service could be little better! Food was just amazing hands down! But I felt like I was in a dunkin's during rush hour. Service staff could be a little more patient for patrons!
(4)
Lauren S.

I wish I could give this a half star. Hands down one of the worst meals I've had in a long time, perhaps ever. Dinner started out promising. My friend and I ordered the Roti Canai as an appetizer, and as many others have mentioned, it was indeed delicious. However, I don't really consider that much of an accomplishment because it's virtually impossible to make fried dough taste bad. To be fair, the 'Indian style' curry dipping sauce was tasty. We also split the Prawn Mee noodle soup--supposedly "Penang's favorite"--which was the beginning of our downfall. The broth tasted like dirty, fishy water... as if fish flakes had been dumped into a generic 'spicy' broth. It wasn't all that spicy. The egg noodles left us wanting rice noodles (really any other kind of noodle), as they were spongy and overcooked. The shrimp was awful, overcooked and tasted like the dirty broth. We also found a rogue piece of chicken nugget in the soup that wasn't listed in the item description. When I asked my friend if she liked the soup, she said that she only kept eating it so that she wouldn't have to taste the nasty aftertaste. She also offered me a piece of gum after we stopped eating the soup, something that I've never had to accept in the middle of a meal before. The Chow Kueh Teow, basically 'Malaysian-style' pad Thai, can be described as inoffensive at best. The noodles were tasteless, the squid only moderately chewy and mostly tasteless as well (probably to our benefit), and as for the shrimp, well, see above. I forgot to mention that the shells were still on the tails of the shrimp-ok for the soup, annoying for the pad Thai. We asked for hot sauce and thankfully were able to basically drown the noodles in sriracha. My friend and I also split the Green Curry Chicken In Clay Pot, and got an order of (very, VERY overcooked) coconut rice to go with it. Really, this rice was halfway to becoming a pudding when it got to us. As for the curry, overall it was one of the least pleasing Thai green curries that I've had, and I've had a hell of a lot of Thai green curries in my day. Not that we were expecting it to be Thai style-this is a "Malaysian" restaurant after all-but at least canned coconut milk has the ability to make any broth taste better. The green beans were really the only thing we ate from this 'casserole', as the chicken was again (now, predictably) overcooked, the carrots (why were there carrots?) too hard, and the eggplant (weirdly julienned... Why do that to eggplant?) did nothing to save the rest of it. I kind of liked the semi-cooked tomato chunks floating around, but my friend didn't, so that's a wash. Of the last two dishes we split, more than half of the food we left on the plate. This never happens. It says something that the orange slices they put out after we got the check were the best part of the meal since our appetizer. Penang: It wasn't the best meal I've ever had, but it WAS the worst... I guess that's something.
(1)
Dama J.

yum yum yumm. I mainly love their pan fried noodles and their roti cani appetizer (this flat thin bread that you dip into this amazing curry that has potatoes, meat and spices in it). I go there just for the roti cani sometimes lol its too good.
(5)
Phyu-Sin T.

I definitely had an amazing Christmas dinner at Penang. They served delicious Malaysian food that will be hard to compare with other places. #1 on the appetizers menu (pancake ish thing with aloo chicken curry sauce) was one of the best, but my favourite was #12 spring roll with spicy sauce. The salted fish fried rice wasn't that special (and I thought the fish was a little too salted in my opinion). The seaweed seafood soup had a little too much ginger but it definitely added to the smell and the taste. Also, another favourite is the Malay Noodles. It was SOOO spicy but SOOO good at the same time. It's one of those dishes that you would keep eating despite the spiciness. The food was definitely a 5 star. The service was okay too. The waitress only stopped once during the meal to make sure everything was fine. Usually there's a long wait at this restaurant but we only had to wait about 10 minutes and the food didn't take long to serve. The atmosphere of the restaurant is like being in an alley way. The decorated textured walls and the tin roofs sets a unique surrounding. It definitely looks like it has been professionally decorated. Unlike may other restaurants in Chinatown, the staff here can speak and understand English. It is definitely worth the money, not too expensive. $32 for 3 people on DINNER!!
(5)
Reem K.

This is absolutely one of my most favorite restaurants in Chinatown. The service is pretty good and the food is to die for! They bring it steaming hot and everything is scrumptious. One of my favorite entrees is the Seafood Chow Fun, so so delicious. They also have a bunch of great appetizers. I have never been to this restaurant and been disappointed.
(5)
Constance H.

Were I on death row (I was set-up!), I would request Green Nasi Lemak, a bottle of Tsing Tao and a complimentary pot of tea for my last meal. Penang is one of those rare, endangered establishments with a practical, competently designed seating area, great food and impeccable staff for almost a fraction of what you'd pay in any other restaurant in Philadelphia. Weekend evenings are packed with 5+ tops and couples but lunch is usually empty and guarantees that not only won't you have to wait for seating, but the high tables near the large front windows will be empty and an always vivid view of Chinatown awaits. This is an ideal place to bring family, friends, dates and children when on a budget. The location and decor changes a chain restaurant into a more urban animal so it never feels like the Malaysian equivalent of an Applebee's. A must dine for sure.
(4)
Luella K.

The one thing I often come back to order is their Clay Pot Noodle dish. Very filling and it's just the thing to order on a cold winter night. Their Roti Canai is relatively good too. It's not the paper thin flaky kind I've had at other Malaysian places. However, I do prefer the Thousand Layer Bread over at Rangoon more. I have also eaten at Banana Leaf once before but I felt their food was nothing special to comment on. The ambiance is also nicer at Penang and the prices are just about the same. They're also one of the few places that are open late, until 1 AM.
(4)
Trong T.

Food is so-so for specializing in Malaysian cuisine. Service can be rude at times... if you really want Malaysian food try Banana Leaf around the corner and save yourself the agony of tipping on poor service.
(3)
Daniel P.

With its metallic, hovering, spiraling decor and atmosphere in a sea of the expected shady Chinatown eateries, you'd expect it to be a fancy affair. You would be wrong, J. Fenimore Cooper. I went with two friends for a Saturday dinner. The place was certainly bustling and looked promising. But the menu had absolutely nothing for me, with my options cut down to two simple vegetarian dishes. I instead decided to get a more intriguing egg noodle and vegetable dish sans the shrimp. Almost everything here is prepared with squid, shrimp, or meats. And while I'm not at all accustomed to Malaysian eats, I thought it odd that even the dishes listed under "Vegetable" had slices of roast pork and beef. We had a table on bar chairs right next to the entrance, so of course a guy's elbow was practically in my food, and the first bad sign was the luke-warm water, which, as described by a friend, tasted "fresh from the garden hose." But the food came reasonably quick, and while none of us were pleased (my "special sauce" turned out to be greasy soy sauce, my friends curry noodle soup had really poor tasting peppers wrapped around tofu cubes, and my other friend's squid was just "okay") everything was plated well, and the staff brought us more rice and "fresh" water often. The bean sprouts, carrots, cabbage, and mushrooms in my dish were fresh, but nothing ordered was spectacular or worthy of a return. I'd recommend one of those shady Chinatown spots with live frogs in a glass case over this any day. Don't believe the hype.
(2)
Harrison L.

Wannabe upscale, trendy "oh look where we're eating" farce. I would never have chosen to eat here on my own - I was coerced by others amidst my own protests. But I wanted a pleasant surprise. I hate being negative about things, but overblown places like this in the city grate at my nerves. They are so much more about appearance than food. They cater to that ego inside of people that makes them feel like they're somehow more special for eating here than a place that looks less fancy but serves better food. I dare say pretentious. The service and the food in this place were anything but spectacular. Not bad by any means - I did enjoy my small portion of mango chicken. But for the price and the time I had to wait, it was beyond disappointing. Especially in light of the fact that I knew Rangoon and Shiao Lan Kung were just around the corner. These are two non-trendy, unassuming establishments that are family owned and operated, serving large portions of truly delicious food. I will never return to Penang. No amount of coercing will change that; nor my opinion of trendy cooler-than-you dumps like this one.
(2)
Scott F.

My go-to date spot. Consistently great food at reasonable prices and great decor inside the restaurant with the clay tiled walls. Even when it's packed I haven't waited for a table and the staff is always very polite. One of those places I will always come back to because there are always new things I haven't tried yet.
(4)
Caroline V.

I used to go here all the time before i discovered an inexpensive equivalent only a block away. They only accept cash so make sure you hit the ATM before you dine. Food is tasty but definitely pricey for chinatown.
(3)
Micaela F.

I am Malaysian and I craved Malaysian food and my mom don't like preparing Malaysian tasty vendor dishes like roti canai and satay so I come to Penang to satisfy my craving. I have to say they do a pretty good job and it makes me happy to have their Curry Mee. That is definitely comfort food for me. So, glad that they is a good Malaysian restaurant in Philadelphia.
(5)
Spencer L.

My favorite Asian restaurant in the city. Unique flavors, not the same old Asian. Very hip, great for groups or for a date, and they finally accept credit cards. The prices are so low, that shouldn't be an issue though. The go to place if you're headed to the Trocadero which is around the corner.
(4)
Subhrajit D.

went there with my brother for dinner and had good East Asian food.. ordered roti canai for starter (it was indian style Paratha with chicken curry).. clay pot was kinda bland though.. good interiors and open kitchen given the feel of malaysian street market..
(4)
Christine L.

I came here mainly for the roti canai which I was craving and hadn't eaten for years. I'd been to the Penang's in Boston when I was in college several years ago and remembered it being decent food but nothing great. This visit fell short of my even already low expectations. The roti canai was fine and I gobbled it up. We also had the oyster omelette as an appetizer, and the ratio of egg to oyster was too high. For entrees, we shared the mango chicken, the fried squid, the malaysian buddhist, and the malaysian pork ribs. In Boston, the mango chicken was reliably tasty, but this time, the chicken was dry and stringy. The fried squid we sent back because we were sure they were old pieces of squid double fried in month old oil. It was that bad. The replacement was better, but still, the squid was too tough. The Malaysian buddhist was a vegetable dish that had a way cornstarchy, coagulated consistency, but otherwise the flavor was fine. The pork ribs in flavor and texture were good, but there wasn't much meat on the plate. Our waitress was great, however, and very helpful when we weren't happy with the squid. If I ever come back here, it will only be for the roti canai.
(2)
tom c.

Tantalizing. Order the first appetizer on the menu, curry roti deliciousness. It's not crispy or dry like roti at most indian restaurants, and the curry itself is to die for. Sharing a couple of dishes is great, and don't miss out on their "cassaroles" which are really just curry pots with delicious meats, seafood, or veggies. The sauce in these curries is not too spicy, but just flavorful enough to make you want to drink it out of the bowl. Best Malaysian Restaurant outside of Southeast Asia.
(5)
Jeremy P.

Roti Canai and Chicken Satay are wonderful!! Both include dipping sauces that are perfection. Service was great. Nice location near convention center and worth the short walk for some quality food. Good sized portions for prices.
(5)
Jarrod B.

This place is Asian done the correct way. No" Asian Fusion" here, just good Eastern cuisine the way it's supposed to be. The Malaysian Pancake is a must-have and simply impresses every time (I've been 6 times so far). The ambiance is busy and noisy but in a good way. This would've gotten five stars if it had a full bar.
(4)
CE C.

An oldy but goody. I was back in Philly so I had to stop by one of my favorites, and I even dragged along my mom who is not open to trying new things. We started off with the roti canai, so good, so fresh. It is so rare that we actually find a place in New York that makes their own roti canai fresh! Also had the chow kueh teow, the usual. Its been awhile but we also had the kang kung belecan, which is amazing. It is made with a little shrimp paste to give it a salty flavor, but really in all of philly, Penang has the best stir fried convolus with this dish of theirs. My friend was raving about the penang house special lobster with their amazing sauce so we had to give it a try. You just cant go wrong here in my experience!
(4)
Marsha S.

aahh Penang...everytime I go to Philly I stop in....I always get a great welcome...I feel like Norm in Cheers....what's good???...well, everything is,,,but my faves are .....white meat chicken curry...love all the noodle dishes...and their chicken sate...I know....common dish,,,but theirs is great....also, love the decor...very roomy....and if you are with friends and want to laugh....I'm from n.y.c., and there is a penang there, so I was so excited to find one in Philly.....great place.....great workers
(5)
Joe R.

I have been going here since it opened -- when there were regularly long lines out the door. It was a sensation, for sure. I think the vibe and the quality has come down a notch; not that it isn't much better than most of the fare in Chinatown (except Tai Lake!) I used to work with two guys from Malaysia -- they were really into food. One of the hardest things I ever tried to do is to teach a Chinese Malaysian how I make Marinara! There was something of a culture clash that didn't translate. Anyhoo, I've had many of the dishes mentioned -- I never got into the frogs or other things marked with the "check with server before ordering" implying they were too weird for western tastes. I agree with Jacquelin that the Mango chicken/shrimp is over sauced. I remember it being better.
(4)
Betty M.

I enjoy Malaysian food a lot but of the times I've been I was not impressed with it. They are very concerned with turning tables and tend to screw up orders frequently. Unless you are ordering straight from the menu without modifications you may have a hard time here. There is always Banana Leaf around the block which I enjoy a lot better because they are familiar with what I want and how I want it since it's exactly how it's made and ordered in Malaysia.
(3)
Lisa Z.

I've been here once with my BFF and it was just so crowed! There are really busy days from time to time. We ordered a Hainese? chicken i believe with some kind of special rice. Mhmm mhmm mmhm, delicious! Half proportion for both of us and were were so satisfied! The bill came out to be LESS than 20$! The atmosphere was pretty cool.
(4)
Jon L.

Wow, I just read that Penang was a chain. Could that be right? If so, I never got that impression before; it surprises me since THEY DON'T EVEN ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS! Still, Penang continues to be the favorite restaurant of many, many Asian food fans in Philadelphia. To this day, it remains the only Malaysian restaurant I've been to, so I can't exactly judge it within the context of Malay food. But I haven't tried a dish there that I didn't like. And, I don't know whether I'm right here, but you get the impression that you're eating a somewhat authentic Malay meal, with few menu items that stick out as American appropriations of the real deal. I love the mango chicken. Consequently, it's probably one of the more Western dishes on the menu -- again, I don't really know what real Malay food is, and what isn't -- but the sauce is somewhere between amazing and incredible and the marriage of the sweet mango and the spices... Few things deserve to mentioned in the same breath as sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. Penang's mango chicken is one. Hell, I'd trade the drugs for the chicken, straight up.
(4)
Sana R.

I have never been let down at Penang. Every time I visit I get the same thing: Singapore noodles, extra spicy with chicken and shrimp. It always comes out piping hot and pouring over the sides of my plate. I can see the sliced green chillies beckoning me. Highly recommend the roti canai here as well. Very well priced!
(5)
Kimberly P.

I visited Pennang for the first time when I took my friend out for her birthday. Pennang was her favorite restaurant and she raved about it constantly so I figured that the only way to get her to shut up about it was to take her. It turns out that the food WAS pretty good. I had the mango chicken which was similar to sweet and sour chicken, it was just ok. I found the glaze to be a tad sweet for my liking. I forget what my friend ordered but I do remember that it was some type of pepper dish and I liked it better than mine. The highlight of my trip came when I discovered that they made their fried ice cream dessert with coconut ice-cream (see my review on Roy's). I was in heaven. Pure coconutty heaven. I definitely recommend this place for a special event or just if you feel like being adventurous.
(4)
Qrazy I.

I LOVE this place. The food is great and now they take credit cards! I have been going to this place for 8 years now (I had the pleasure of going for the first time while pregnant) and the staff is really friendly, and my son loves it there as well!
(4)
Susan L.

Penang is just ok for me. The first time I went there I had great experience because I went with someone who has been there and he ordered for me. However the second time I went I took my family, they just picked random items and it just ended up being ok. The service kinda neutral; not friendly but not mean. Food came out fairly quickly though. I would go to Banana Leaf instead.
(3)
K D.

Penang deserves 6 stars out of 5 !! If you are looking for a fusion of indian and chinese flavors, go for this restaurant. It doesnt taste purely indian, purely chinese or purely thai. It is the perfect mix of all three - super !!! Always busy but good service - call ahead.
(5)
Gerry D.

This place is awesome, almost everytime i go to chinatown, im always here. Roti Canai is the most popular appetizer here, but i prefer Shrimp puff for appetizer tho. Shrimp wrapped with mayo on the side. For the entree i mostly gettin Fried Rice with Salted Fish with Clam with black bean sauce or either Golden Fried Squid or Kangkung balacan and Chinese Broccoli, also they have Kweetiaw Seafood which is so gooood. The service so good, and kind. I prefer go here than the neighborhood, Banana Leaf.
(4)
Kat J.

Penang used to be my favorite restaurant after I graduated from college. Since then, I guess my taste buds have changed but I still think of it highly and come back once in a while. Being in town for a trade show, I went there today for lunch. I ordered two of my favorites: clay pot noodles and ipoh bean sprouts. The clay pot noodles is a big clay bowl of egg noodles, various veggies, calamari, pork, shrimp and eggs in a yummy sauce - somewhere half way between a broth and a gravy. It arrives still simmering at your table so do not touch the pot!! Today, the noodles seemed somewhat undercooked but overall the dish was pretty good. The bean sprouts though were phenomenal as always - perfectly blanched (not soggy or raw) in the special house sauce (a variation of a soy based sauce). My other old favorites are the mango chicken, which is sweet and somewhat spicy and comes served in the mango shells, and the beef rendang, a curried beef dish where the beef is nice and tender and the sauce is pretty dry. I've also tasted the beef chow fun and it was nice and dry (I don't like gravy gook). My boyfriend loves their cracked pepper crab too... They have several locations, mainly in Manhattan, but this one in Philly has one of the better menus - they vary. I have yet to try the Penang in Boston, but would love to when the chance arises. Once again, they ONLY take CASH and do not speak good English. You also cannot make reservations and the lines can get crazy sometimes - definitely not a place for a quick dinner meal. I mean, they are VERY quick once you sit down and order - in fact, sometimes I feel a bit rushed, but the wait can be daunting... So, overall I like Penang and I'd recommend it for a fun meal - especially as a group so you can try a lot of different things. The two reasons why they lost the 5th star is that they don't take credit cards, the service is often rushed and this one older waiter (who I think is one of the managers/owners cause he's been there since the first time I ate there about 8 years ago) is SO rude and unhappy. If he ends up serving me, I always feel totally unwelcome.
(4)
D L.

despite the fact that it is a chain, this is great food. lots of chices for everyone and dirt cheap
(4)
Samantha L.

Everything is good, until we got the fishhead claypot, it's so fishy, that we couldn't eat any of it.
(2)
Sara C.

This place is packed on the weekends, and it is well-deserved. I would just about say that all the reviews here have hit the high points. The menu is without a doubt overwhelming, but the servers have often made good suggestions. The roti, satay tofu, the soups, noodle dishes - all are absolutely wonderful. This is the perfect place to come with a big group, so everyone can order something different and share.
(4)
Ellen O.

This is by far my favorite restaurant to go to in Chinatown. If you're sick of the standard General Tso's chicken, egg rolls, and lo mein that you can easily grab at any other Chinese food establishment, get your sweet tail over to Penang for dishes like the mango chicken and the me siam. Also, I recommend ordering the roti canai as an appetizer, which is just a big, warm, flat piece of dough rolled up on a plate. You tear off pieces of dough and dip it into their special sauce that they serve it with. On a sidenote for you vegetarians, they do make a vegetarian version of this same sauce. All you have to do is request it!
(5)
Reena H.

Excellent Malaysian Food! Tastes authentic...comes quite close to what I had in Malaysia. The place is always busy, so be prepared for a wait, but the service is fast! Roti Canai- could keep eating this again and again! Green Curry w/ chicken- the flavors are delicious w/ the right amt of spice Coconut Rice (they have all diff types of rice)- loved it! Great place w/ great prices.....
(4)
maia w.

go. go hungry. read the menu and be entertained by finding beef in the vegetarian section, and seafood in the poultry section. bring CASH as they do not take cards. get the roti appetizer. people watch. it's a great casual date spot, and it's open later than most philly restaurants, so if you need to sober up in the chinatown area...get to penang.
(4)
robert a.

Went on a Saturday evening with 4 adults and 3 kids. Right in the heart of Chinatown next to the arch. They were very busy, but sat us right away. The dining area was loud and busy so the kids could be as noisy as they wanted. The staff was very helpful, as the menu can be overwhelming for the novice Malaysian diner. Food was served quickly and was delicious. The sauces deserve special mention.
(4)
Shan T.

Great spot! Went here on a weeknight and it was packed. The food was fresh and well portioned--the flavors amazing. There were a good variety of choices on the menu. Service was attentive. The restaurant had a really cool decorating vibe...slightly industrial. Very nice!
(5)
kathy t.

I am not a big fan of chain restaurants, but I keep going to Penang b/c several friends have some kind of infatuation with it (and they're Asian). I find the food acceptable if not amazing- the roti canai is always fun, and they do a good job of accommodating vegetarians. Open relatively late- not worth a wait when there are so many other steps-away options. Aesthetically more pleasing than the average zero decor Chinatown restaurant.
(3)
Yahoo B.

One of the best Malaysian cuisine in Philly... The Roti-Canai is simply amazing and so is the chicken fried rice.. don't forget to ask for hot sauce (green chilly in soy sauce) with it... Just the Best...
(5)
veronika p.

I had absolutely no idea that Penang was a chain. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Phila. The food is very affordable and the menu is huge. The peanut sauce that comes with the Chicken Satay is amazing. Penang is undergoing renovations now, and should open within the next week or so, and I bet it's going to be really nice. They do take credit cards now, so don't worry about bringing cash. There never seems to be a wait, which is good when you're looking for a last minute place to get dinner on the weekend. If there's 2 of you, try and grab a seat by the window so you can people watch.
(5)
Brian K.

Just so-so. Food tends to be very fried and not all that tasty. Not to judge, but all the cooks are Mexican so not exactly "authentic" although I know most restaurants have similar composition. Food was just OK and service was about the same. Mostly just staff milling about waiting to clear plates with no personality. I had Tofu Satay which had tasty peanut sauce. Mango Tofu was very forgettable. I asked for it to be "spicy" but not Thai hot, what I got was almost a ketchup paste with little to no flavor. No frills place with food that is not worth the patronage.
(2)
Joyce W.

This was one of the first resturants ive tried in philadelphia. One b/c i am asian and two b/c im a great fan of malaysian food. I loved their food and i would consider it one of the most authentic asian place in philadelphia ( or at least to my taste and understanding). I loved their roti canai, asam laksa, chicken and rice and prawn mee. I havent tired everything on the menu but im sure i would love everything. =) great place to go to and not tooo expensive. true gem in philadelphia.
(4)
Jessica C.

love the christmas lights! food is good, service prompt. great place for a casual date!
(4)
R B.

Amazing! I'm vegetarian and they are always accommodating. The Vegetable Curry in Clay Pot can not be beat and is enough for 2 people. I get it almost ever time I am there. The Mi Siam is similar to Pad Thai and is also terrific (i get it without the shrimp). The vegetarian version of the Roti is a delicious appetizer. The service is always fast and nice.
(5)
Ting Y.

Everytime I walked by this restaurant, I saw lots of people inside. Finally, I went in with my husband and tried their food. Maybe the food I ordered was not right. I ordered their curry chicken. I could say, I make much better curry chicken than they do. And they tried to refill my drink without telling me the refill was not free, and it would cost me 2 bucks more for a small milk tea. Another thing was they didn't give my change back which was about 3 bucks without asking me. Come on, do they have the rule to keep the change for their tips without asking? The food my husband got was a little bit better than mine. But I still wouldn't write home about that. One thing I noticed that, in this restaurant, it was always packed with much more Americans than real Asian people. If you want to eat true Chinese or Asian food in Chinatown, tell you a trick, don't go to the ones are packed with Americans, go to the ones packed with Chinese and other Asian people. This restaurant is not on my Chinatown visiting list anymore.
(1)
Kevin M.

Right in the heart of Chinatown, Penang offers amazing Malaysain food that keeps you coming back for more. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, amazing food, & easy on the wallet. I'm there atleast twice a month. You would think these guys would recognize me but the considering the amount of Indian people that go there, I'm just lost in the crowd of brown faces. Oh, & 1 last thing - Motherfucking Fish Head Curry, Bitch!
(4)
Alex M.

Penang is, without a doubt, my favorite restaurant in Philly. The servers barely speak English, the place is always loud and crowded, and they only accept cash - yet I cant stay away. The food is amazing. I recommend the roti (an indian pancake that you dip in spicey curry sauce) and beef satay (shish kebabs) for appetizers. For entrees go for the mango chicken, seafood lomein, curried steamed red snapper, sizzling pepper beef, and maybe even some wonton soup. For dessert do not miss the peanut butter pancakes. A huge dessert that can be shared by three people. It is basically a heavily-buttered crepe with peanut butter and corn on the inside. That is enough food for the entire cast of the Sopranos btw. Penang is great for bigger parties and is open late. Check it out and dont forget cash.
(5)
andrea f.

I love this Chinatown restaurant. The decor is modern, the service often rushed, the food is always good. It's always a fun place to go with a group, or anyone unfamiliar with Malaysian cuisine. Last week, my partner and I shared the Roti Canai, and the Malaysian Spring Roll--both staples for us and both good. My partner ordered a chicken curry; the chicken was tender, the veggies perfectly cooked, and the sauce spicy. I ordered the Mi Siam, a rice noodle dish with shrimp, egg, fried tofu and sprouts. It was good, but not as good as it's been in the past: the tofu was a little chewy and the shrimp overcooked and slightly mealy. Still, it was perfectly spiced. If you go there, don't overlook the Chinese Sweet Shop directly across the street. Their tofu with ginger honey sauce is warm, sweet and wonderful.
(4)
Veronica Y.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chinatown. The menu is pretty large and varied, so there is something for everyone. The portions are huge and around $7 or $8 for a dinner. I wish I could make it here more often! It's delicious and you won't be disappointed. Make sure you have cash on you, though, as they don't accept credit cards!
(4)
matthew l.

Outpost of small New York chain still the one to beat for the genre. Their chefs work with speed and skill and extract the best from coconut milk, lemongrass, mango, galangel and other great Asian ingredients. Finely balanced and addictive curries hard to match anywhere. Superior roti canai and dipping sauce best prelude to large selection of Pacific Rim treats on large menu. Little anglicizing of traditional recipes with food uniformly good. Equal part Asian and Caucasian patrons demonstrates a seamless bridge between authentic and main stream trans cultural culinary sensibilities. Aqua and Banana Leaf worthy clones but no match for this one for energy and authenticity.
(4)
Lauryn Z.

Wandering through chinatown this evening in search of someplace new with decent AC, we decided to give Penang a try, it was early in the evening- they weren't terribly busy and we were greeted and seated near the window almost immediately. It was my first time eating Malaysian food, but quickly got the idea that they enjoyed meat (chicken, beef, pork) in most of their dishes. My boyfriend and I, only eating seafood & veggie food, started off with the Satay Tofu - Crispy fried tofu with cucumber, bean sprouts and a peanut sauce. This was delicious and looking back, perhaps the highlight of our meal, The dish was unique- the fried tofu was perfectly cooked, the veggies fresh . For main dishes we chose the mango shrimp and mee siam (vermicelli noodles with shrimp & tofu). The vermicelli dish was our favorite here- we enjoyed the spicyness but agreed that it could have been even spicier. The presentation of the mango shrimp in two halves of a mango was different, and this dish went well with the coconut rice we also ordered. The dish itself was supposed to be a mix of spice and sweet, but ended up being mostly sweet with nothing to counteract the sweetness (i.e. spice). It was delicious, however felt more like a dessert than a main dish. Overall, we enjoyed our meal, and will return in the future. Hopefully next time they will be more confident that spicy food won't scare us away!
(4)
Aasima A.

So GOOD! If you are the typical "shrimp fried rice" ordering type or more daring (mango shrimp), everyone will love what they get at Penang. "Indian pancake" is not what it sounds like, so I agree with others that you have to read the description of what your ordering. Bring cash, and expect to wait at least a few minutes (they don't take reservations). Decor is like being inside a converted warehouse-loft-apartment turned asian-restaurant. Service is usually very fast (I think they are told to keep turn-around-time quick) and they don't they appreciate when you linger after paying the bill. Soft drinks are served in their cans, and they give forks to EVERYONE even if they see you using the chopsticks. But everything I have ever tried has been good so far, and for the price you can't beat it. This is a good stop for out-of-towners who are on a mission to see down-town Philly in one day. Also very conveneint to Convention Center, Gallery Mall, 11st El-train stop, City Hall, the Courthouse, and (of course) Chinatown.
(5)
Rupam C.

Penang is the asian food that Indians love. The mango chicken, roti kanai is off the hook. But do make sure you bring cash, and try to call ahead because this place gets crowded!
(5)
Ti L.

Having never tried Malaysian cuisine, I didn't know what to expect, but it was the perfect blend of asian and indian fare. For starters, the Indian pancake was great, the Prawn Mee Soup packed a kick (but I kind of liked it), and the Malaysian Spareribs... damn those were good. I didn't think I could eat another bite until the fried ice cream came out... it was gone in like 2 minutes... will definitely go back.
(4)
Mike C.

When you're in Chinatown few if any restaurants compare to Penang. They consistently serve up some really spectacular dishes for the most obscenely affordable prices I've seen. I'm pretty certain the last time for two with appetizers and possibly even a drink the total bill was under $20. The cuisine tastes like anything but budget-friendly asian though. They have some awesome noodle dishes that I've not found elsewhere and everything they cook has a very authentic pan flavored taste that I really can't describe, but always appreciate when I'm in town. They have a great menu with quite the selection to choose from, even if you may need to ask what some of the dishes are exactly. Even then, you'll often just end up seeing other dishes people have ordered and try to figure out what those are. Service is fine and the food usually comes pretty quick. The seating is pretty cramped during dinner though but it only adds to the charm. Come to think of it, this is also one of the few places in Chinatown I've been into that actually has a decor to speak of. Parking kinda sucks as you'd expect in Chinatown but it's right on the main drag so it has easy walking access from Suburban Station. Definitely not a place to overlook if you're in the area, or even if you're not.
(5)
Alison D.

The food is amazing, but huge menu is not great for veggie options. Like when you look on the menu under "vegetables" it will say "vegetables with pork." But they do have an fantastic and HUGE clay pot vegetable dish that is so delicious that you will try to eat all of it even if it could easily feed three people. The space is great, service brisk/efficient, but not unfriendly. Yes, easily five stars, even if there are limited choices for veggies. Yay Penang!
(5)
Neil B.

Best malayasian food in philly. Get the Roti Kanai and the Beef and Chicken skeweres to start. Then the Beef Rendang is a must. Pretty much everything is good here, I love it.
(5)
Jacquelin K.

Judging by these reviews, the mango dish is one of the most popular. I've ordered it in Philly & DC and I have to say I'm fundamentally not feeling it. They go way overboard with the sauce. It's too thick, too strong, & there's too much of it. Ugh. This place can get so insanely crowded on the weekends that you can't hear yourself think.
(3)
Sibil M.

Penang is an awesome Chinatown find. It's fast, no frills food that has Malayasian favorites. I always have the roti canai which is a crisp large roti and a small bowl of coconut chicken curry with potatoes. The items I most often get here are the Singapore noodles with shrimp and the Thai Chicken (boneless). Both are fresh, hot, tasty and come out very fast. I love that you get a nice hot steaming cup of green tea while you're waiting for your food. This place is always busy but they do a great job of getting you in and out, so the waits never long! You never just have one waitress, it's a team of ladies who walk around making sure everything and everyone is okay. It's beyond affordable, and I actually think they undercharge for what you get. Their spicy crisp whole fish is also tasty and fantastic. There are a wide range of Malaysian, Thai, and Chinese items you can get. Be careful though, because it is a traditional Chinatown spot in the sense that you need to specify you dont' want skin and bones with your chicken. Make sure you ask for boneless and skinless versions.
(4)
Kristine F.

This was my first time eating Malaysian, went to Penang because of a friends suggestion. Had the Roti Canai, it was very tasty, friend in our group had the octopus or squid? It was a bowl of tentacles and grossed me out, but he loved it, so if that's your thing it's good too. We had good service, I'm curious about the items on the menu that you have to talk to the wait staff about before ordering... but not curious enough to order them!
(3)
C K.

Not bad, its a chain apparently. I had stay, the pancake stuff, and flat noodles i think. they were pretty good.
(4)
Jenn H. H.

one of my favorite places in chinatown. this place is a chain, and the beauty of it is the consistency of their food. it's always good at whatever location and it comes out fast and hot. the menu is expansive. i usually go with a noodle dish (pearl noodles or goreng) or a noodle soup, or basically anything that they label as a favorite. all of their appetizers are great. prices are so reasonable that you wonder why the food doesn't cost more. you can stuff yourselves silly here and not ever feel it in your wallet. service is ok here. it has a dark and industrial decor. i would give this place 5 stars it they took credit cards. the last time i was there they said they were going to change that in a few weeks, but reading other reviews it seems that hasn't happened yet.
(4)
Caroline H.

satay tofu was good!
(3)
Alicia O.

i really enjoyed the soup we got. it had shrimp and noodles and it was too much for one person to eat. i think i had duck and it was a little fatty but very tastey. i'd def go back!
(4)
Justin B.

great place - excellent traditional chinese food and other fusion selections. fun atmosphere - busy, loud! cross the street to get sweet treats for dessert.
(4)
Randeep M.

best place to eat in china town, PERIOD. everything i have ever gotten from here is delicious and really affordable. their service is super fast and some of the waiters may seem like they are on crack coz they keep comin back over and over until you order. i can see how this may make you feel like they are tryin to rush you out, but they really dont. they serve you fast but dont rush you. ive always had to ask for the check. best thing i like is the curried chicken with rice, then addin mixed veggies (extra 2 bucks) with rice comes out to 8-9 dollars for plenty of great tasting food. for me and my gf this fills both of us and usually leaves some leftovers (shes a really light eater though). oh and they serve tea every time as soon as they seat you for free. great dining experience and its usually packed. even while its packed they still serve you really fast.
(5)
Susan L.

delish and cheap. go there now.
(4)
Jon F.

the best penang branch. i've been there so many times that i have my set dishes (boneless chicken curry, roti canai), but you really should explore this ridiculously long menu.
(5)
John M.

Best Pad Thai I've ever had to date (and I've had a lot of variations). The classic Penang Pad Thai will give you strips of tofu, shrimp and squid added to the classic egg noddles and peanut sauce. However, I'd advise starting with the chicken (comes with tofu, as well) or just tofu Pad Thai. In addition, they give you pickled beans sprouts in a sweet sauce to eat separately or, as I do, dump on top of the dish. Adding the sprouts elevates the Pad Thai to a whole new experience. I've never eaten in at Penang but it is an exceptionally clean and nice establishment (sort of an oasis) in the middle of smelly, dirty China Town. Each time I've taken out I'm greeted with a smile and given a nice Penang plastic bag with my dishes wrapped inside a paper bag. I can tell you from experience that the packaging method they use (plastic dish containers, closed paper bag) keep things hot for a good hour after taking out. I pick up and drive home, place the dishes in the microwave until my boo is home and things are still hot and ready. Lastly, Penang charges you little for great quality food. I pay under $20 for two heaping dishes of Pad Thai (used to paying about $25 at other establishments).
(5)
Jennifer R.

Oh my gosh was this delicious. Byo too fellas ;-) I got the green curry chicken which was really wonderful and my boyfriend's beef chow fun (i think it was) was the best noodle dish weve ever had. So much flavor! Everyone that got a noodle dish here struggled past the full point to eat it all because it was too good to leave. We also got roti, chicken satay, and dumplings which were all great too. Dumplings were all stuck to the plate which was disappointing but everything was so delicious otherwise. Prices were cheap with atmosphere being nicer than you'd think. Service was a tad rough but the language barrier was the source of the struggle. Hey they make some damn good noodles.
(5)
Molly F.

Went for take out on a Sunday afternoon. The staff is very friendly and the interior is nice. I ordered the first noodle on the menu. The dish is labeled spicy but mine wasnt, but I think this may be due to my not letting them know I wanted and could handle a hot dish. The dish is nice, flat stir fried noodles with bean sprouts, egg, but not particularly memorable. I ate around the shrimp and squid, it was too fishy for my taste. The portion is great end the price is a very reasonable 8.50. I also ordered the roti canai. 4.50, very cheap. I had a similar dish at Rangoon Burmese and I liked their version better but it was still good.
(3)
Derek B.

Very good. Inexpensive and flavorful. Must try if in Chinatown. Must have: Appetizers - Homemade Roti Canai (Indian Pancake) - CrÃªpe like with chicken curry dipping sauce. Amazing! Entree - Thai basil noodle
(5)
Yvonne L.

I am Malaysian residing abroad so I was anxious to check this place out. Compared to the other places in Chinatown, this one was better looking with a nice ambience. We ordered the Nasi Lemak which I really liked, the Cantonese Hor Fun was acceptable (just too much gravy), bean sprouts fried with salted fish was pretty good and the Indian Mee was very tasty although it wasn't quite the real Mamak style we get back home. All in all not even 40$. Some stuff on the menu dont really seem like Msian dishes but they seem to have some Thai style food too. Great value!
(4)
Lilly T.

3.5 stars. Dropped by Chinatown for dinner at Penangs on a weekend trip to Philly. It was packed so we knew it must be popular with the locals. Penang from what I remember is a chain, and I think we have have one or two in the city but I've never had it. We ordered satay tofu, roti canai, Hainanese chicken over rice and the green nasi lemak. Our waitress was a sweet well mannered little Cantonese lady that spoke English to use despite us ordering in Cantonese! Food came out quick, the satay tofu was good, very hearty and flavorful, but a tad watery from the bean sprouts and cucumbers not being drained well. The roti and chicken curry dipping sauce were average. The roti is freshly handmade to order by the cook which you can see when you walk past their open kitchen(kind of weird) but it is a little dry. The key is a good helping of ghee(clarified butter) to make it crisper but chewy, and satisfyingly hearty like Malaysian roti is supposed to be. The chicken curry sauce is too greasy and watery. The chicken should be shredded and blended into the sauce for a heavy, masala like consistency. I don't eat chicken and I even I know that. The green nasi lemak I admit I had low expectations for. I'm not a big fan of fried rice but this was the bomb! It's the coconut rice and their ginger sauce--so flavorful and exciting. I've never had fried rice like this. The BF's Hainanese chicken and coconut rice was apparently overdone. It took long to come out so the chicken was overcooked and became too tender. I couldn't finish my rice so I had them package it to go, but instead they dumped it, and realizing their mistake they made me a new half order to go which was sweet, but unfortunately was rushed and didn't taste as good as the original order I had. I think NY's Nyona is a bit better but I would now go try the Penangs in the city.
(3)
Grace L.

Roti canai (Indian pancake) is the best !! I could honestly eat this all the time The Thai basil noodles was a lil greasy and kinda bland Tom yum soup is delicious Basil chicken was good but I've had better I definitely want to try other dishes Service was good surprisingly .. I'm so use to the lack of service in many other Asian restaurants
(4)
Lulu Z.

Best Malaysian cuisine in Philadelphia. Wish they would consistently have the crispy squid served. Fast service and casual.
(4)
Seth C.

I'm a white Texan who really enjoys spicy food, curry, and the exotic (for my limited experience). Penang fulfilled all of these desires. I really enjoyed their curry, Pad Thai, sea food platter, and some random things we threw in just to try. Give it a try. Be adventurous. Enjoy.
(5)
Mona C.

My friends and I LOVE this place! It's always, always our go-to when we come to Chinatown and want good food at reasonable prices, which for poor, newly-grads is the best! We got everything that was recommended on here, and we thoroughly enjoyed it! Most recently, our dishes consisted of green curry, coconut rice, shrimp fried rice, mango chicken, and basil beef, which we all shared family style. The appetizer of roti and curry is always amazing. We will most likely be back when we are in town again, and cannot wait to try something new! Good job, Penang!!
(5)
Vanessa T.

So I used to love this place and come here a lot with my friends. I have not been back in this chain for like a year or 2. Recently I came in for lunch because I was craving the Hainanese chicken dish. We came in and immediately got seated, waited on. We started off with the malaysian coffee which was on the milky side but I think that is how malaysian coffee is made. We also had the rambutan and logan drink. Of course, they came from the can so it was EH OK. If you've had the real fruit itself, you'll know what I'm talking about and will be able to taste the difference. For our appetizer, we ordered the roti cani (an indian pancake). I do like their curry, a good appetizer. So here comes my usual dish, the Hainanese chicken which I usually LOVE in this place. I'm not sure if quality of food decreased here but the chicken came out with way too much soy sauce drenched on the dish. The chicken itself wasn't all that fresh either. The unique thing about this dish is the rice that is suppose to be cooked in chicken stock. The rice tasted bland and flavorless. I was very disappointed and likely will avoid this place now. As it always happens, once a restaurant becomes too big of a chain, the quality likely decreases, that seems to be a general trend.
(3)
Lili B.

LOVE LOVE LOVE Penang! Three Things: - Delicious food! - Cheap prices - BYOB What is there not to love! My friend and I ordered the roti as an appetizer and then shared the thai basil noodles and the ginger and scallion chicken; Both were delicious but I did have my preference for the noodles which had an intriguing yet delicious flavor! As Nazee Z. stated in her review, I was not a big fan of the fried ice cream as I was definitely looking to have more ice cream than fried stuff (also the price was pretty steep for fried ice cream). Warning, it seems to get pretty crowded in the week end so if you plan to go like we did on a Friday night, except 10-15 min wait.
(5)
Laurie J.

Great service. Nice big space. Mediocre food. Ambience is nothing to write home about. Food is solid Malaysian food. I didn't see many Cambodian dishes at all. It's a neither here nor there kind of place. I won't be running to philly for this spot anytime soon. Lots of good spots in the neighborhood because it's in the middle of Chinatown.
(2)
Jasmyne G.

One of my favorites, and my go to when I'm down town - especially to impress. As people say the roti is amaziiiing. During the weekends it is very very crowded so it's good to call ahead. Even so, I feel like the service is never lacking. The manager ( or i can assume, by his service and always being there) is great and friendly, and big on customer service. He will try to make conversation, and is very hands on and serves well with the rest of the staff. Anyone wondering what to get? Beef rendang is my favorite, and anyone who likes curry or the roti would loveee it!
(5)
Edward H.

I always stop by this place when I'm in Philly. My favorite dishes are Mee Siam, golden fried squid, the roti is a must, and Penang curry.
(4)
Hoang T.

Can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet. I've been coming here for decades!!! Lol. This is one of Chinatown's most consistent restaurants. This is a great place for a casual date, get together, and even birthday celebrations... They renovated a few years ago to a more modern aesthetic. I did prefer the old "authentic" hut inspired interior but I understand the update did attract new customers. Luckily the prices have not changed drastically over the years despite the modern renovations (thanks!!). Like everyone has said, the roti canai is bomb. I try to order just enough to share, although I'm compelled to want assn order for myself.... But that will just make me full. I've ordered various dishes on the menu throughout the years... Vegetables, seafood, meats, noodles, desserts etc. Most are fairly good, with the exception of some dishes that weren't my thing flavor wise (too strong seasoning, salty, etc.) I'll admit, over the past few years, ive mostly gone here only when I crave two dishes. Roti canai and spicy Thai chicken (with chicken rice). They are absolutely my favorite thing in Chinatown to eat.. Probably more than soup dumplings (sorry dim sum garden). Like I said, I've been coming here for decades, mostly for these two dishes. The simpleness of these two dishes are unmatched. The flavor profile simple, but executed so well and consistent.
(4)
Ren N.

Best Malaysian food in town! Always serving my favorites and consistent in taste every time. I bring my Family and friends here all the time and they always enjoyed a good meal. Never cease to bore me with their cooking. I really love the dessert chendol but sometimes they make it smaller than usual. One time it's half the amount I usually get. I don't want to complain because I come here all the time but if I ever get smaller than what it's suppose to be again I will definitely say something next time If it's your first time here you have to try: haianese chicken, rotti canai, chendol, crispy golden fried squid, Malaysian bbq ribs, mango chicken, water crest, seafood tofu soup
(4)
Julie N.

Penang has been the go-to spot for Malaysian cuisine for probably about 15 years now. I remember coming here to celebrate one of my birthdays with friends back when I was in high school. Some of my favorite dishes include the roti canai, roti canai telur (has onions in it), the Penang spicy chicken, chicken with ginger on rice, seafood pan-fried noodles, and coconut rice. Came here last week with my husband and the service was decent. We were seated pretty quickly and were given hot tea and water. Our server checked on us throughout the night and refilled our waters a couple times. The only thing I miss is getting orange slices for dessert - they only give you fortune cookies now.
(4)
Mohana B.

The food was great but the manager of the restaurant - pathetic customer service. We ordered roti canai - I am a vegetarian and my friend is a non vegetarian. So we asked for 2 different curries and agreed to pay the extra cost to the waiter. Just when the waiter was placing the order on our table - the manager is like that's 2 bucks extra!!! How cheap. We have been to other penangs in tri-state and have never been through such a experience. Definitely not returning.
(1)
C T.

Its good due to the lack of competition. Its a place that i frequent never had a bad experience and food has a good price point. The best Malaysian place in philly.
(4)
Annie L.

Penang is pretty much a staple in Chinatown. I can always count on their food to be consistent (not spectacular, but still fine). The Malaysian dishes are good but I've definitely have had better Thai food elsewhere. The roti canai is great to start out with as an appetizer to share amongst friends. I think that it's a good spot for a large group since their dishes are pretty varied. Also not that expensive per person; the $$ rating is accurate.
(3)
Olesya P.

I was very excited to try this place since I have heard so much about it and reviews are really positive. I was very disappointed. Food: - I ordered seafood sizzling plate, which was $16 and had no rice or starch. It had 3 shrimps and few other weird and undistinguishable sea animals and just a bite of veggies. Sizzling plate? Seriously? It was COLD and food was swimming in some tasteless sauce or oil, whatever it was. Sea food was watery and it definitely was frozen and refrozen several times. HAD NO TASTE! SIZZLING PLATE was not sizzling.... Such a disappointment. - My friend ordered duck rice dish that said in the menu (has bone). The thing is that it HAD NO MEAT! Just bones, fat and skin... Basically she paid for cup of rice $9. I tried her duck and it was like rubber. We were thinking what it was, what part of a duck... Well, maybe it was neck, but besides lacking meat, it had taste like it was cooked like 10 times. It had weird flavor and no duck taste. HORRIBLE FOOD. Cheapest Chinese food truck is better! Service: - We waited for the food like 50 minutes, nobody came to check if we needed anything. We had no tea, no water, and waiters were not happy when we asked about drinks. - Bathroom was so dirty and it was Wednesday, not too many people were there, why would not they clean? Pros: -Indian Pancake was tasty. The only thing I enjoyed at that place. Conclusion: Not coming back!
(2)
LK M.

Being gluten free is difficult and no fun when going out with a group. Sure I can put my husband through the torture of picking out a GF friendly place, but I try not to be as particular with groups (for example, "I'll take the salad"). After 20 min of being indecisive, our friends chose Penang. I wasn't very optimistic but I quickly started yelping reviews and tips for advice. I ordered the Mee Siam without soy sauce, so did another (unaltered), a seafood lo mein, and Pad Thai. The waitress was willing to work with me on the menu, even though I always feel like such a pain in the rear. She even came back to make sure I could eat tofu. The tofu is fried in the same oil I assume, which doesn't bother me, I'm not that intolerant, but a heads up to those that are. After ordering I pulled my travel bottle of Braggs amino out of my bag. The waitress noticed, and asked if I wanted them to prepare the noodles with the sauce. Of course! Needless to say, I was super excited. I didn't have the app, but the rest of the table enjoyed the spring rolls. Consensus was that everything was great but the original Mee Siam was the favorite.
(4)
Nancy N.

One of my favorites. Must haves: chicken skewers, indian pancakes, and pad thai. Love it there! The ABC Jelly dessert is a great dessert to share with your table and finish off your delicious meal here.
(4)
Jiban K.

I came here on a date couple of time before. Their service is always on point. The waiter always smiled and made sure our food was on time. He checked up on us from time to time. Their food was very delicious. I like how their bread was soft and curry I had with was amazing.
(4)
Tom Y.

A chain restaurant that can also be found in NYC. This place was very packed and had decent reviews on Yelp. We ordered satay tofu, roti canai, Hainanese chicken over rice and the green nasi lemak. Food came out quick, the satay tofu was good, and flavorful, but a tad watery from the bean sprouts and cucumbers not being drained well. The roti and chicken curry dipping sauce were average. As my gf told me, the roti is freshly handmade by the texture that we observed and ate but it is a little dry. The chicken curry sauce is too bland and watery with too little chicken. My gf enjoyed her green nasi lemak. The fried rice was very well made. The coconut rice and their ginger sauce were made with the right proportions. My gf didn't finish her rice so we had them package it to go, but instead they dumped it, and realizing their mistake they made us a new half order to go which was sweet, but unfortunately was rushed and didn't taste as good as the original order that she had. However, my Hainanese chicken over rice was mediocre. Chicken was overcooked and it had too much soy sauce. Trust me. I have had eaten a lot of Hainanese chicken and there are way better places in NYC that makes it way better. This is one of the main reason why I got to give this place a 2 star regardless of their generosity. However, to be fair, if I am back in Philly again, I might go back and try their other dishes, especially the Mango chicken. If they taste mediocre or worst, I will re-consider coming here again. P.S. Penang chain in NYC tastes a little better. Step up your game, Penang Philly!
(2)
Kelsey S.

Great place! Came here based on the reviews and was definitely not disappointed. If you're confused on what to order, look through the pictures that people have posted- they helped me to decide. The food came out quickly and was just as delicious as it looked. I'd suggest coming here with a couple of friends and splitting a few plates family style so you can experience a lot of what they have to offer.
(5)
Melissa B.

The food here is great and so are the people that work here. I really enjoyed everything. Cannot wait to come back one of the best restaurants in Chinatown.
(4)
Jessica H.

Very busy, popular and loud. Place is a little dingy for the prices. Not much atmosphere. $5 beers, main dishes $ 16-26. Food was just OK. We ordered 5-6 plates of food and there was nothing I had I would want again. $16.50 "Fried chicken" ended up being a bunch of thin chicken fingers hot spicy sauce. Not good especially for the prices. Could have gone to Mickey D's for same. Hate that they tack on the tip for you and put a spot for an additional tip. Not impressed. Wouldn't be missing out if didn't come back. Much rather eat at Lee how fuk around corner. Have been to much better around Chinatown. Disappointing.
(2)
Joe B.

Great food, that's served quickly and always hot, the staff is friendly and informative. I'll return for sure. The roti canai is a must try favorite of mine.
(4)
Kathleen D.

Full disclosure: I am not a consumer of Asian cuisine on the regular. I will eat it maybe twice per year. This was my first delve into Malaysian. When we walked in last night, we were seated at one of the high tops by the window, which was great for people watching in Chinatown. I liked that especially since I'm never in Chinatown. Plus, the rest of the restaurant looked a little crowded. Penang certainly has an interesting menu -- that's for sure. Now, being that I'm me, I instantly searched the menu for the cheapest and blandest looking options. I asked our server if I should order the spare ribs with noodle soup or boneless chicken with scallion rice. He suggested the chicken, and it was a good pick. Good flavor, heaping portion of white rice on the side. Cheap. Overall, not a bad meal. I wouldn't recommend the Tiger Beer. It's comparable to very-cheap domestics and almost $5. Now, we were headed to a show after dinner, so once we were done eating, I nicely asked for our check. And then waited, and waited, and waited. And of course, when you're on your way somewhere and waiting, a minute feels like five. So it felt like I was waiting for a very long time. He popped over at one point to let us know that he didn't have our check yet because he got busy, but then he NEVER resurfaced again. Eventually, I flagged down another server and requested the check be delivered right then. He brought it out -- not separate like we had asked, but we figured it out. We never saw our server again before cutting out (thank goodness we had exact change), and that was pretty annoying to me. I understand being busy; I don't understand why it takes forever and a day to bring a check to a table. In all: A decent place in Chinatown, but I'd never go if I had anywhere to be after dinner.
(3)
Christine V.

I came here with the purpose of ordering one thing: the roti canai. I love roti with their dipping sauce, and Penang is a place that serves up a mean roti with a yummy dipping curry sauce. Highly recommend their roti canai as an appetizer.
(4)
Lorrianne Z.

Great and delicious food. Would give it a 5 star but service is inconsistent. But would always recommend
(4)
Bryce P.

Penang boasts a menu that hits the elusive sweet-spot that exists between delicious and affordable. The atmosphere, an industrial setting, is one that is unique in Chinatown. The servers are friendly and are always prepared to offer up their suggestions. Their food is always delivered quickly, and is always tasty. Definitely give them a shot next time you're in the area!
(4)
David L.

Good location Good help on service All workers speak Cantonese Food is good but not (Super) Restroom is 80 % clean They need put the carpet on the upper dinner area because when next table moving the chair you feel like the earth quake ! Bad set up !! I hope the owner can see this review ! Thanks !
(3)
Inny K.

Cheap & delicious food = I'm sold. My girlfriends and I came here on a Monday evening after spending the day in Philly just touring and checking out different places. We were starving, and we just wanted some cheap Asian food. A friend suggested that we go to Penang due to its positive reviews and we decided, why not? We were a group of 6 so I was afraid that we wouldn't get seated immediately. To our surprise, however, we did! (Maybe it was just pure luck). The workers here are VERY friendly despite the hustle and bustle (there was a lot of people here even on a Monday evening, which talks about how popular this place is). Our waiter was SO friendly. He was always smiley and I felt appreciated as a customer. I decided to get the Thai Basil Noodle and it came out to be less than $10. The portions are HUGE even though they may not appear so. My girlfriends and I loved this place and if we're ever in the area again, we're probably making a second trip here. Great food, great service. Highly recommend!
(5)
Eliza T.

Was staying at the nearby Hilton Garden Inn and swung by here based on solid Yelp reviews (plus it's about 500 yards from the hotel, which helps.) Was looking for someplace delicious, with ambiance that hit that precise balance between not-a-hole-in-the-wall/for-sure-not-romantic that's required for dinner out with my boss while we're both here on travel. Success! Definitely not a date, plus it was super tasty. Roti Canai, like everyone says, is delicious. Imagine a crepe that is crispy and moist at the same time (I know this is contrary; just take my word for it;) super rich, almost gravy-like chicken curry to dip it in. Also ordered a noodle dish (it was #10 on the rice/noodles section, cannot remember the name) with glass noodles, shrimp, tofu, and boiled egg. Not exceptional, but very tasty and a nice level of spice. Tried the mixed satay, as well, which was exceptional-- the lamb and dipping sauce were both super flavorful. A totally serviceable meal and ambiance that was exactly what I was looking for. Yay Penang!
(4)
Cheryl S.

This was the first restaurant that I ate at upon my arrival in Philly with my cousin. He met me as I got off the Chinatown bus from NY and we went straight into this restaurant for lunch. My friend who had lived in Philly recommended this spot to me, and it was as she said, "the bomb!" The Roti Canai and the Coconut Shrimp are incredible appetizers. I ordered the Mee Siam for my entree (I don't remember what my cousin ordered) but I do remember that we were both pleased with what we got. The service was great and as my first introduction to having Malaysian food, it was very memorable. I wish that we had something similar to this place in Los Angeles. The closest thing that I have tried to this spot is Burma Superstar in the Bay Area. It's a guarantee that when I return to Philly, this will definitely be one of my "to go to" spots!
(5)
Yalonda C.

These are all of the dishes I've had over the years and my rating. 1 being least 5 being greatest. Thai Basil Noodle 5 Roti Canai 5 Roti Telur 4 Mango Shrimp w/ Coconut Rice 4 Seafood Tom Yam Soup 1 Won ton soup 5 Curried chicken w/ rice 4 Beef Rendang 5 Singapore Rice Noodles 3 Good portion size, relaxed environment, wonderful customer service, the waitress will make sure you get something you'll like. For instance I was going to order the Java Mee, I liked the ingredients but the waitress told me that Americans usually don't like the dish and that it's really popular with Asians because it's really authentic Malaysian. She could be wrong but I respected that she was honest with me that Americans tend to hate the dish when they order it. Of course this says that they are trying to save money because when ppl don't like something we send it back and get it taken off of the check they loose money etc etc.. but it was helpful for me and I got something that I really liked.
(5)
Natasha S.

Our friends who frequented this restaurant for several years during college who now live in LA introduced us to this place. We were really excited to try this place based on their feedback about this establishment. We came in on a Saturday night, but fortunately early enough in where we were seated before the rush arrived. We ordered; Roti Canai Mee Siam Crispy Spicy Squid Steamed Bass With Ginger Sauce Chicken With Vegetables On Fried Taro I'm not sure the name of the last dish we ordered, but it was a stir fry combinations of chicken breast and vegetables then set on a round fried bed of Taro root. Everything was delicious. My favorites were the Taro Root entree, Roti Canai and Mee Siam which to me was a cross between Filipino Pansit and Thai Pad Thai. The Roti Canai was prepared perfectly and accompanied with a chicken and potato yellow curry that was on point. The spicy squid was decent. The steamed bass wasn't very fresh. Additionally, it was very skinny and the sauce was just ginger. There wasn't any scallions or flavor as expected from the menu description. I would definitely return but not order the steamed fish with ginger and squid. I'd like to try more of their curries which seem really good here! Service was good. Not the best but good enough. Prices can be a little high but the food is well worth it. Atmosphere is nice and clean.
(4)
Karl A.

I went there two weeks ago for the first time. I went with two friends, and we were extremely happy with the value and quality. I whole-heartedly agree that the Roti Canai is a major highlight, and we also tried the Satay Tofu & Penang Poh Piah. I'm not a huge tofu fan, but I enjoyed the Satay, and we all agreed that the spring rolls had an excellent, complimentary sauce. I ordered the chicken curry as my main dish and made short work of it, as my friends did with their dishes (I don't recall for sure what they went with). I didn't try anything I didn't like, and we were very happy with portions & prices.
(4)
Shaina F.

Our first time there, we walked in around 8 on a Saturday night and it was pretty busy but they were able to seat us immediately. We started with the Roti Chanai as an appetizer (suggestion from a friend as well as by our waiter), which was a pretty different dish - fried bread dough served with a thick chicken curry dip/sauce. The curry flavor stood out and it had a hint of spice! For dinner I got the Beef Chow Fun (noodle dish) which was delicious, definitely the highlight of the meal! My boyfriend got the Pad Thai, also a noodle dish, which was their twist on traditional pad thai with shrimp, squid, and some sort of mushroom. He said it was good (I don't eat much fish so I didn't try it) but that the squid tasted and smelled a little funky. Slight communication barrier with our waiter made it interesting, but we enjoyed our meal! Overall it was very clean and the kitchen was open so you could tell that was clean too - a big deal for me! I'd go back but probably would order a different appetizer, and maybe try a rice dish.
(4)
Jasper D.

Mediocre food with good services. However, I had to wait over 20 minute for my food since appetizer and it kills my appetite. It would speed up the process more if the chefs in the open kitchen would get down to cooking instead of checking their phones for texts from grandma.
(3)
Ateeb K.

Great value, good ambiance, good service. Went with friends for late dinner. I had the "Singapore ..." Fried noodle dish, and we shared the first appetizer on the menu "Indian roti ..." something. It was a soft roti with a small bowl of chicken in broth/gravy ("salan" for u brown ppl). Honestly, the appetizer was my favorite dish. It's the first thing on the menu. It's #1 under the appetizer section Our waiter was very honest about the menu and made great recommendations for us first time customers. At conclusion of meal, you are given cut orange slices which was a nice (& healthy) surprise. Part of the kitchen is visible and adds to the authentic feel of the restaurant. From my view, the kitchen looked well maintained, organized and clean. ONLY bad thing I can come up with is the "hot" tea. It was barely warm at best. I know it's free but common in, this is China Town- at least make your tea hot. PARKING INFO/TIP: Do not risk getting towed by parking your car in the nearby $5 parking lots *unless* there is an attendant present who gives you a ticket to place on your dash. We went around 9pm on a Tuesday night and even though there were open spots available, there was no attendant present to take $5 and give u a ticket. There are numerous signs in these lots warning u of being towed with unlawful parking so don't gamble and just spend the $2/hour by parking on the street.
(5)
Osama S.

Delicious Malaysian food in this city. Thanks for all the people who posted the pictures of there food that did help us to go and try it.
(5)
Alex H.

Service was fast and food hot. Didn't feel too adventurous and had the mango chicken. To my surprise it was nicely prepared and presented (in mango shells) coconut rice and Malaysian ice tea, ending with fried ice cream...happy tummy.
(4)
Michel L.

Came here tonight with a friend and had a great time! We ordered three appetizers such as the roti canai or Indian pancake with a side of chicken curry sauce. The roti is a large, very thin flat bread. It was soft and warm. The roti was accompanied with a small bowl of curry sauce with a chunk of chicken for dipping. It was very delicious and is the among their most ordered appetizer. The second appetizer was the satay chicken and beef skewers. You have the option of all beef, all chicken, or a mix, we chose the mix which is 6 skewers (3 chicken and 3 beef) with a side of peanut sauce. The meat was grilled to perfection and very flavorful. The sauce had nice tangy taste and the peanut wasn't overwhelming and went very well with the grilled meats. Our waitress was very nice and offered suggestion the whole way. My friend and I were very curious of the friend pig intestines, but our waitress quickly killed our curiosity by saying that she didn't recommend it. We pressed for a better answer and she mentioned the smell. I am no stranger to pig intestines and have always known them as chitterlings or "chitlins" in Soul Food, so I am all to familiar with that strong pork, barnyard smell. Admittedly, I avoided "chitlins"when I was younger. She was persistent in steering us away, so we left it alone. However, as we waited for our entrees, we kept thinking about the pig intestine. We decided to order it. Our waitress tried to dissuade us from ordering, but we, especially I, was curious to try "chitlins" prepared a different way. She basically said that she was washing her hands clean of the situation. In case we didn't like them, a refund wasn't optional, she said. I understand the warnings for some, but it's just pork. This isn't fear factor and pig intestines are enjoyed by many cultures around the world. The intestines weren't bad, though. They were nicely fried, with a nice even outer crisp. The best and preferred parts were the very crispy ends. The inner texture is what made it a bit unbearable and I could never get used to it which is why the crispier parts were better. The fried scallion stuffed inside some pieces wasn't enjoyable, at all. A sweet sauce sprinkled with sesame seeds was served for dipping. Also, that pork barnyard smell that our waitress spoke about was nearly non-existent. I guess frying the intestines masks the smell, but stewing them in a pot does exacerbate it. Our choice in entrees vastly differed. My friend ordered the Prawn Mee, a noodle soup with a broth made from prawn shells. The egg noodles were very thick. The broth had a certain thickness and very "fishy" taste, in other words, the taste of the prawn was very strong. The soup also had slices of pork and shrimp. My friend really enjoyed it, but I wasn't a big fan. I ordered the beef rendang which consisted of tender cuts of beef stewed in a curry/turmeric based sauce. The beef was amazingly tender and succulent. It was served with a side of rice. Our only gripe with the meal is that entree portions were small. However, I will be returning. The food was delicious, the restaurant's decor and ambience is great for a nice dinner out in the city. The wait-staff was also very friendly.
(4)
L L.

Delicious, legitimate Malaysian food. I highly recommend Nasi Lemak and Mee Siam. Owner and staff are very friendly. Food quality and taste are comparable to the ones I've had on the West Coast.
(5)
Assaf G.

Excellent food, not expensive, good service. What more can you ask for? The roti canai was great, and so were the chicken satay. The best 2 things I ate were the beef rendeng, which is cubed beef in the roti canai curry sauce, and the shrimp puff that were wrapped in bacon and deep fried. Highly recommend.
(5)
Prasanna R.

After hearing a lot about this place from Friends, wife and myself visited this place for lunch. It was jam packed on a weekend afternoon. We found a table and ordered the usual 'Roti Canai' and 'Roti Telur'. The vegetable potato dipping sauce is just amazing. I ordered a Curry Mixed Vegetable pot and wife got a Penang Pad Thai. Both were just amazing. The service was wee bit spotty. But the food made us look past it. This become our default place in Chinatown.
(4)
Jessie H.

I used to come here a lot and would always get the hainanese chicken rice. It was pretty good but recently I came and got the same thing and was really disappointed!! The chicken had ZERO flavor, not even like salt or any sign of anything. The rice was super yellow which was kind of strange. After I finished my meal I wasn't feeling well at all. I don't know what happened, maybe they got a different chef? I won't be back, the hainanese chicken rice at banana leaf is way better.
(2)
Rula R.

A friend and I stopped at this restaurant for dinner, the server that we got was awesome! Her name is Josephine Tang and she was so engaged in making recommendations and made us feel very welcomed. I'm giving only 4 stars for one reason and it's because the food was very greasy, good but greasy. Overall it was a satisfying visit
(4)
Susan M.

I ordered Seafood with Fried Rice that allegedly included shrimp, scallops and squid. Unbelieveably, there were 3 very small tails only and 1 over-boiled shrimp. I'm still wondering if they were leftovers from someone else's meal or the chef or server was hungrier than me. The 2 friends that joined me were also disappointed with their meals but not to the extent that I was. I've attempted to reach the owner or manager several times to no avail. Needless to say, we will never return there.
(1)
Doris T.

Roti canai, is a must try! This place has to be one of my favorite Places. Service is quick compare to the other Asian restaurants. I ordered the pan fried tofu with diced pork. The tofu was so soft and delicious. Whatever you order, you must try it with a side of coconut rice.
(5)
Sarah G.

My favorite place to eat. I always get the beef or chicken satay with an order of the roti canai and Malaysian iced tea. I come here all the time especially with a big group of people. Last time I went was July 4th, Atmosphere is great except it was busy and I kept getting rushed, my waiter took my menu out my hands before I could even look at my entrees. Other then that I love coming here.
(4)
Matt D.

We really need to branch out more for dining in Chinatown, so we tried Penang instead of the normal rotation of David's, Sang Kee, and Dim Sum Garden. I was immediately surprised by how big this place is once you get inside. It looks small, but the ceilings are high and it's a deep space. Also of note was the friendly service, which is always a plus when dining in Chinatown. The roti canai was a hit, and I liked the tiny bit of heat that built with each dip. We tried the steamed spring rolls with fried tofu for something different, and it fit the bill. A little spicy, a little crunchy and unique. I was a little disappointed with our seafood special noodle dish, which was supposed to be a house specialty. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad, but I won't develop a craving for it. They were a little light on the seafood and it didn't pack any heat or depth of flavor, which was very surprising after specifically asking for it to be spicy. With so many options to try in the area, I think it will be while before we get back around to Penang.
(3)
Nazee Z.

This place was so fun and delicious! A friend and I wanted to explore Chinatown and taste some delicious things while still being able to drink large portions (AKA, a byob), so we found ourselves at Penang. We started off with Indian roti pancake things, which were stuffed with egg and onion and came with this amazing peanut dipping sauce. They were a bit greasy, but hey, I don't really mind because everything so amazingly flavorful. Definitely would order them again. We split the thai basil noodles and the ginger and scallion chicken. Both were absolutely amazing! Touch of spice, which malaysian food always asks for, and riddled with vegetables. Everything was so well prepared, portions were huge, and so tasty. For dessert we got fried ice cream and this is the only thing I wouldn't recommend. You got a full fried banana, a lot of dough, and a babbyyyyyy scoop of ice cream. Although, seeing as my friend and I were a bit tipsy, we made friends with our waiters and waitresses and they brought us another scoop free of charge. Coconut ice cream was delicious and a great way to cool our mouths off from the spicy. When the check came, I was shocked to see how cheap it was. This is a great place for birthday parties or celebrations as you can get a lot of food (and share it) and have a really fun time for an affordable amount! Absolutely, 100% yes, I will be coming here again.
(5)
lin d.

Not sure if there is any Malaysians working here, but the food wasn't convincing either. Roti Canai looked good, but the taste didn't resemble any of the roti canai's I've had in Malaysia. Texture wasn't right, the supposedly vegetarian curry sauce looked like the meat sauce w/o the meat. Kueh Teow were not broad noodles as supposed to, were cooked too long, shrimps were mushy. Was really hoping for an authentic spot here and leave a better review but left kinda disappointed. One plus (if you like the food): portions are big.
(3)
Ester C.

I've been here a couple of times and I really enjoy the food here. I always get the roti canai but I tried the roti telur which is an upgrade that is a bit more filling (I just really love the curry). I really enjoyed the crispy pork intestines and mee siam which were new dishes that I tried. Definitely recommend the kang kung belacan which is a vegetable dish! Our server was attentive and overall I enjoy coming here.
(4)
Trisha C.

My boyfriend and I went here last night with a few of our friends. It was everyone's first time trying Malaysian food. Our server was very friendly and helpful when we had inquiries about certain menu items. She made it a point to let us know if she thought certain dishes might not work well with our American palate and offered other suggestions. We are all pretty adventurous eaters and were there to experience new cuisine. We got the Roti Canai as as appetizer. I highly recommend that. Overall, it was great and everything was delicious. I would come back again to try different menu items.
(4)
Florentina L.

Love their Indian pancake and Thai Chicken. As for drinks, try coconut or the watermelon drink. I always get these items when I have a taste for Penang.
(5)
Tobin G.

Honestly this place wasn't as expected. I love Thai/ Malaysian food but for some reason what I ordered, the pad Thai, was very greasy! Every bite had so much grease in it. I literally barfed in their restaurant! Their roti and chicken was delicious! Their customer service was awesome. Maybe I just had a bad dish.. I'm giving them a 3 because of their customer service and the other dishes my friends bought that was good. I'll give this place another try when I come to Philly from NYC!
(3)
Lindsey B.

Everything was flavorful, presented well, and fairly priced. Nothing to complain about, not amazing but not bad at all.
(4)
Vy D.

Oh, how I love thee, Penang. Let me describe the dishes.... I always order these same dishes of pure awesomeness. And you should too. 1) Home Made Roti Canai (Indian Pancake, $3.95)- Perfectly crispy style pancake & curry chicken with a rich potato dipping sauce. The roti is amazing- fresh, flaky, oily in all the right ways. Absolutely phenomenal flavors. 2) Mee Siam ($7.95)- Delicious stir-fried rice vermicelli with tofu, shrimp & bean sprout in spicy thai chili sauce, sprinkled with grounded peanut sliced hard boiled eggs on top. The flavors literally burst out of your mouth. You'll drool for more (At least I did). 3) Chicken Curry w/ rice ($6.95)- This is SO good! Always brimming with great taste. Comforting and filling as well. 4) Fried Ice Cream w/ banana- There is always room for dessert if it always taste like this fried ice cream! Incredibly delish. As you can tell by several of the prices I listed, it's also CHEAP FOOD! So next time you're in Chinatown, give Penang a thought. Because contrary to what you might think, the best restaurants in Chinatown may not be Chinese.
(4)
Douglas M.

The spicy seafood and noodles are AMAZING to have on a cold snowy day. Highly recommended!
(5)
Jessica A.

I've been eating at this place for years! And I still love it! They sell real authentic Asian/Southeast Asian food. They don't "Americanize" their food like the typical Chinese restaurants in your neighborhood. Penang is a Malaysian Restaurant, so their cuisines are a mixture of Chinese, Thai, Singaporean, and Indian tastes. I don't even know which food I would recommend, because I've tried almost all of them and I'm always satisfied with the order. This place is good for big party too, they have the big round table. Parking: street meter parking and parking garage. There's a parking lot 2 stores down that allow you to park for $10 for the whole day. They accept credit cards, no bar, and does take out. I usually called for take out and they never disappoint me.
(5)
Christine N.

I love this place! This is my go-to restaurant when I'm craving Malaysian food. The price, atmosphere, and most importantly, the food, is exquisite. The waiters/waitresses are very friendly as well.
(5)
Justine J.

My second time here was not as cool as my first. The roti and the malaysian icea tea continues to be delicious, but the service did not. Staff was ridiculously inattentive, considering how the place was not busy yet. It took a while to place our order,and the water was not well replenished. The server also screwed up my order. I said seafood claypot, and she repeats casserole. I kept correcting her, WHILE POINTING AT the menu item. It finally dawns on her. When the good was brought out, it was nothing like the claypot had ordered last time. The check comes, and I could not believe my eyes. The check says casserole. We also did not get oranges this time, but other tables were getting them. MF said last time he was here at 11 am he got oranges. I was there last time at 7 pm and got oranges. We were there around 3 pm. I kindly ask the manager if we get oranges, or if we had to order them separately. She said that they only came with dinner, and I said, "Oh ok, because other tables got them so I was wondering if we had to order separately.." She gets a smart and snarky, and looks around here and says "where?" sarcastically. This conversation actually went on, which really annoyed me - she was so argumentative. All I said was, "I was wondering." Why can't we just leave it as that?
(3)
Hanna K.

This spot is a definite must! The roti with curry dipping sauce is super addicting and the chicken dumplings are divine. My son actually tried dipping them in the curry and loved it. For our main courses we got the Thai basil noodles, seafood lo mein, and spicy chicken. I wasn't crazy about the Thai basil noodles as they were pretty bland, but the lo mein was full of flavor. The surprise delight was the chicken because it came battered and fried with a bowl of cold sweet and sour veggies. It was like a fresh take on the traditional Chinese version of sweet and sour chicken. Overall, it was very nice experience!
(4)
Tiffany T.

I wish they'd open a place over in California! I can't find a place to satisfy my Roti Canai cravings anywhere else, so I'm always excited to come to Philly and eat here. The roti canai has the perfect crispiness and the chicken curry pairs well. I could eat a couple portions. :) The Seafood Tomyam noodle soup is very flavorful, with a spicy kick to it. The Mee Siam is also a good choice. I like the chicken or beef satay. I would pass on the Malaysian milk tea next time (way too sweet). The service is not bad, considering how busy they can get.
(5)
Jeanette M.

Love love love this place. Great service, good price, wonderful food! Will definitely be back.
(5)
Small East Gourd ..

Being a Malaysian abroad in this country, the thing is miss the most is food from my country. And Penang helps me with getting my cravings for Malaysian food fixed, not perfect but close enough. I would recommend the staples like char kuey teow, roti canai, penang chicken wings, nasi lemak. I love love the Malaysian style spare ribs. Also known as lam Yu Pai Kuat. They could work on the curry laksa and hainanese chicken rice a little bit more. Prices are affordable and service is quick! I also appreciate a restaurant that gives fresh fruits at the end of a meal not fortune cookies because they don't even exist in Asia.
(4)
Augustina G.

For me, it's very hard not to compare this place to Banana Leaf since they're only a block away from each other. The roti canai is not only a safe choice, but it's a good and pretty much mandatory appetizer choice if you're going to a Malaysian restaurant. The soft, yet crispy pancake is a nice start that will not fill you up by any means. I had the mee siam, which was denoted as spicy on the menu, but I didn't find it to be that way. It had a little kick, but I didn't find it to be hot at all. It was also served on a plate that was much too small given the size of the food. The plate was also chipped, which knocks some presentation points off. The Malaysian iced tea is pretty good stuff! Sweet and will cool you down on a hot day, for sure. Overall, the items are reasonably priced. You can easily get 3 courses for around $15, which is a great deal. Their kitchen is slightly open, so if you're sitting close to it, you can peek in and see the cooks at work!
(3)
Danan R.

We came with a group of 14 today, and they were extremely accommodating with both the setup and service. It was a friend's birthday and they were great about serving the cake and didn't charge us a corkage fee. The food was very good, as well, albeit a tad on the salty side. The mee goreng was very flavorful, and the sizzling beef was very tender. The chicken satay was a huge hit as well, and I really loved how the pieces were numerous but small and well-marinated. The seafood curry casserole was solid, with a spicy green curry broth and green beans, tomatoes, carrots, and eggplant. Service was fantastic and our food came out very quickly. The ambiance is great, as well. Definitely a great restaurant for a group!
(4)
Jordan S.

Your typical Chinatown fare where within a menu of steep prices, there are some hidden gems for cheap! Roti Canai. Everyone must get this. The curry sauce is so savory, the pancake is fun to eat for someone who hasn't had it before, and the chicken in the broth is delicious. I love their curry chicken (boneless). Same sauce as the Roti but with a great helping of rice and chicken for about $7. The Roti appetizer runs about $3-4. Great prices, great food, great portion, you get the point. CAVEAT: $15 minimum of credit cards!
(4)
Nataly N.

I've been here several times, and had pleasant experiences every time. The service is a bit awkward, but the servers seemed like they were trying. The seating space is nicer than at Banana Leaf. There is more room and the furniture looks more clean. It's a good place to take friends out on a gathering. The roti canai here must have crack in it. It's simply delicious. The Thai basil noodles were good, but I felt really heavy afterward from all the oil. If you're on a diet, this is not the dish for you. I also had the mango chicken dish, and although it was good at first, my taste buds got a bit bored by the bright orange sweet/sour/spicy sauce they used. I think the dish would have been better with some kind of broth-based sauce or something less gelatinous. I also had fried ice cream here once for dessert. Unfortunately, I don't recommend it. The crust is made from some kind of really thick beer batter. In general, I prefer fried ice cream crusts to be on the crispy side. This crust was squishy and oily. Bleh. Though I have yet to find an entree here that blows my mind, I do enjoy the overall experience of dining here, as long as I start out with an order of insanely addictive roti canai.
(4)
Liza K.

My friends and I were craving something unusual, and had never tried Malaysian food. We thought it was like a mix of Thai, Chinese and Indian cuisine, but with a twist. I really want to go back to try more dishes. I also loved their lychee drink - as that's one of my favorite fruits. We tried two different roti dishes - and couldn't get enough. We also split three apps between the tree of us. I wish I wrote down which ones - but I would just recommend trying new things. All three dishes were completely different from what we had tried before - you can't go wrong if you're an adventurous eater. Can't wait to go back, take pictures and document the dishes I try next!
(4)
Kelly C.

This is my go-to spot for pad Thai!!! I've been here many times and still not tired of their pad Thai! I don't have a sweet tooth so it's great that they stir fry theirs in soy sauce and put the sweet and sour bean sprouts on the side. So if you don't want to mix it, you don't have to! And then they sprinkle crushed peanuts on top. Nom! I've also been here several time for birthday dinners. Super easy to arrange! You can just call in and make a reservation. Make sure you let them know especially if you are looking for a big circle table for family style~ a lot of times you can call in a day in advance and it should be no problem~ also (MOST IMPORTANT THING), if you're looking to embarrass your friend or family on their birthday, THIS is your spot!! Just let them know it's someone's birthday and they will BLAST the happy birthday anthem on their gianormous Bose speakers at the four corners of the wall and the invisible spotlight will be unavoidable!! (unless the birthday star is in the bathroom then you got to signal the staff to cut it out!) Overall, I really like coming here for a meal. It's slightly pricier than the rest of Chinatown but still super affordable! I also love the joyful atmosphere they have here~ it always has a diverse crowd~ friends, family, lovers-- all just looking for a delicious meal!! people leave very happy and holding their stomachs!
(4)
Lenn H.

Been coming to this place for about 15yrs and it remains consistently good. Never disappoints and has been the go to spot in Philly Chinatown. Now I'm craving for the Roti Canai. Yum
(5)
Shereen C.

Most of the dishes I had at Penang were passable but not very tasty. Generally, Penang's kitchen oversimplified the flavours of the dishes such that they each had one shallow dominating flavour instead of a blend of flavours with more depth. Best I had at Penang: Roti canai (appetizer) was pretty good. It's standard for what you can get in Philly, which is to say it's on the overly crisp, overcooked side but that's par for the course. Shrimp sambal: sauce was good (if you like sambal, which I do). Shrimp was overcooked, so texture was non-ideal. Bad texture, good flavour. Mango tofu: tofu is dry and a little hard. This dish is mainly just sweet, not particularly good. Bad texture and bad flavour. I'd avoid this one. Steamed Chicken - Disappointing. This style of chicken should be slippery and succulent, but instead it was overcooked. Sauce was okay, flavourwise. Noodle dishes were edible, but not great. Not tasty. Bad texture. Summary: the food's edible but I wouldn't look forward to coming back.
(2)
Nabeel N.

By far the best Malaysian restaurant in Philly. We've been fans since Penang first opened, and we're glad they now accept credit cards. Similar places have cropped up since, but this is by far our favorite. Roti Canai is their speciality. Although I have to say that the Penang Boston is way better in terms of service. Even though the menu suggest you ask the waiter for advice, please don't. They always seem to steer you to the most expensive dish on the menu. Probably because they don't really know the menu?
(4)
Annie N.

I come here often for their Indian pancake. The sauce usually has one piece of chicken and potato in it. My typical entree option is the Mee Siam noodles. I've had the pad Thai here and it was okay. The chicken satay is good. Weekend dinners can get crowded so come early.
(4)
Doo Wee T.

I have no idea that Penang is Malaysian and Cambodian?! I love to eat at Penang because they have my favorite food: Chow Kueh Teow a.k.a Kwetiau goreng. What I like from penang is the quality of food are never change, no matter how busy they are during weekend or dinner time! The only small thing bothers me is the food is greasy when you order take out!
(4)
Michael F.

I've visited Penang on multiple occasions. Just to clarify the 3-star rating, on none of these trips was I truly dissatisfied. However, not one could have me locked in as "a fan", and each left me with something to gripe about. The Roti Canai is good. I really enjoy the Nasi Lemak as you can really taste thte coconut in the rice. The Coconut Nasi Goreng is good for the same reason. As for the gripes: The servers have mixed up my order on at least one of my trips and weren't too happy as they tried to make it out to be my fault. Another trip for dinner and the decided that orange slices would only be provided for those dining after a certain time, even though we could clearly see others had been given them. Finally, another time the service was just ridiculously slow especially factoring in the amount of people in the restaurant. Again, nothing individually to stop me from going back, but nothing there pulling me that way. Given the options in Chinatown, it may be a while before I head back to Penang.
(3)
William R.

This restaurant is a treasure. We had a range of dishes, mostly appetizers plus fried squid, and everything was outstanding. The service was quick and efficient, despite it being a crowded Saturday night with lots of families. We love Malaysian restaurants because of the Asian fusion cuisine, and Penang does it perfectly.
(5)
N.J. W.

All I can say is that Penang is OUTSTANDING! I can't name a food here that I don't like. First of all, it is always packed: it's popular with people who live both within the city and outside. There are a ton of possible options for dinner in Philadelphia's Chinatown, but this one is in the top 2 or 3 without a doubt. To start off, the Indian pancakes with the curry sauce is a great pick. For the meal, which is normally family style, I absolutely recommend the curry chicken, peaking duck, the seafood lo mien, and for your vegetable, the watercress with garlic sauce. Also, if you're a soup fan, I recommend the wonton me (one of the best soup and noodle combos I've ever tasted). White or brown rice comes with most of the dishes, so you'll have plenty of that. I recommend going to Penang if you have a big group to go out with, because then you get to taste all of the different sauces and spices and flavors of this Cambodian-Malaysian hybrid. If you're in Philadelphia on a trip or are just spending a night in the city, I DEFINITELY recommend Penang.
(5)
Katlyn H.

Just finished eating here! Super fast service and absolutely delicious. Got the chicken with spicy curry and onions. OMG so delish! My boyfriend couldn't stop picking off my plate haha. It's a must!
(5)
Jay A.

I'm a big fan of the roti canai amd the clay pot curry. Good service and reasonable prices.
(4)
Priya M.

Love love love! The atmosphere is sort of like the street market but the service is prompt the food is amazing and fresh and the bill is cheap! I asked for extra spicy and for once someone accommodated!!
(5)
Robert G.

This place needs to be on everyone's bucket list. It's a shame it's hike from home but it's always worth it. Been a fan of this place for over 15 years now. Very reasonably priced and amazing assortment of meals to flirt with the most seasoned and picky palate. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff to help you with your decision or recommend something new or different. They need to open one up in the Burbs. Highly recommend: - Home Made Roti Canai (Indian pancake) - Chicken/Beef Penang Satay - Mango Chicken - Wanton Soup (my wives favorite, I am not brave enough to share) - Chow Kueh Teow Fried Noodles - Beef Basil
(5)
Catherine C.

My favorite dish at penang is actually the appetizer roti canal. I don't know why it's just so delicious! It's fluffy and crispy and chewy all at the same time, plus it comes with a small bowl of chicken curry that is to die for. I also love all their other dishes and think that their prices are very reasonable!
(4)
Smrithi D.

Went here after SIPS and the food and service was just as the other reviews say. I ordered the basil flat noodles (I forgot what it was called) and got it without the chicken or seafood and it was alright- nothing too exceptional. One of my friends ordered a the roti canai- small dish that came with a dipping curry and a thin naan like crepe. It's phenomenal and drool worthy. A must try!!
(4)
Jemi J.

More like 2.5 Banana leaf is so much better than Penang so far. But the Roti Canai was everything I imagined it to be, except that the roti was tougher to chew than I thought (so the probability of it being in house made versus from the supermarkey freezer aisle is high-yay for handmade roti!) Maybe I ordered the wrong dishes, but I am not a seafood fan, so I stuck to the Thai Basil Noodle without shrimp. It tasted pretty soggy and no flavor whatsoever. The chicken pieces tasted good at first but after a while it started tasting soggy and oily. My cousin had the Chow Kueh teow, which was okay at first but lackluster as our food got room temperature after a while. There weren't that many shrimp pieces in the dish. To finish off, we split a Rambutan drink. Delish. For a rambutan ignorant person such as I until this drink, it tasted like the cross between mango and lychee, but better. The pieces at the bottom were yummy to eat. I definitely want to come back and give them another try, maybe their mango chicken or a noodle soup dish.
(2)
Nicola M.

Fantastic place!!! Indian pancake was so tasty, as was the chicken satay. The tea provided was also delicious. The restaurant was super busy but the service was top notch and we had no complaints, great atmosphere. Would certainly go back again
(4)
Sonia L.

We went here last night having had fond memories of this restaurant in the past. Every dish that we ordered we found to be mediocre at best. This restaurant is not up to it's positive reviews. We couldn't even finish what we ordered as nothing was really good!
(2)
Huong T.

Got the hainan chicken rice and the roti canal as appetizer. The chicken was ok. Nothing special
(4)
Xiaoshu D.

All dishes are very very oily, and too much sugar. Not authentic at all. One dish even has SAND in it!
(1)
Callan W.

A group of 12 of us gathered for a birthday dinner with no problems. There may have been 7 orders of Roti placed, but probably more. Nobody was willing to share. You shouldn't share either as it was definitely the best dish of the night. I will try to remember the rest as it was a hodge podge of different dishes that were passed around our large table. The tofu satay was sans stick and made into a fried pocket to hold julienned cucumbers and then covered in peanut sauce. I hate cucumbers, but I gladly ate it. Spring rolls were crunchy and came with a good chili sauce to help punch up their flavors. The rest of the dishes were pretty good. A fried noodle with seafood was gone in seconds. The pad thai was good, but not the best I ever had. The beef with basil was good and something for an asian food novice to order. We also ordered a chicken dish and a beef dish, both in a penang curry. They were super flavorful. There were others....so many others, but I can't recall. For birthdays, they play a song and sing. It is definitely fun for a group.
(4)
Jay L.

A nicer, more expensive place to eat in Chinatown, with decent food. I did not like how they charged for each bowl of rice, even though we ordered two entrees (which evidently does not come with any). My favorite part of the meal was the roti. The thin roti is crispy and has a tasty, meaty dipping sauce. The portion is small, but it is an appetizer. I was not a huge fan of the rest of the food, the mango chicken or the Mee Siam. I agree with the other reviews that compare the mango chicken to sweet and sour chicken, that is essentially what it is, with mango instead of pineapple. There is also a but too much sweet and sour sauce smoothing the food. But the chicken was cooked right, as were the mangos which were left somewhat crunchy, which was a nice texture. The Mee Siam was just another noodle dish, not much to say. The white rice and the coconut (since I ordered them separately), was also just rice. The sweet coconut rice was not a good pairing with the mango chicken, together they were too sweet. Worth a try just once.
(3)
Kelly L.

There aren't many Malaysian restaurants in town. I grew up in Singapore and definitely have been to Malaysia several times. Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine is always a great topic of debate. Are the 2 cuisines really different? To me, not so much. So I'll give this restaurant a 3 stars, because if I were to ship it to Malaysia or Singapore, I probably wouldn't consider going back because it's below average. Don't misunderstand my words, it's not a bad restaurant but it's definitely not a great one for Malaysian cuisine.
(3)
megan a.

Food is fantastic! Roti can so, satay chicken, mango chicken, prawns in special sauce (if you like a little heat). But really can't go wrong with any dish there. Enjoy!
(5)
Gregory H.

Good food and good service. I went here a few nights ago for the first time and got the Singapore rice noodles. They were quite tasty - savory and a little smokey. The satay chicken appetizer was also quite good. The service was prompt and polite. I would definitely go here again.
(4)
S D.

It's a solid 3.5 stars. Stays open until late and that's always worth a lot! The 2 items not to miss are the roti telur and the roti kanai. Google them - they are standard Malayasian food items. I've tried a few versions and found theirs to be one of the best in the north east.
(4)
Greg S.

I've never been to Malaysia so I don't know if it's "authentic" but it's very tasty. The Indian bread dip (I forget the name) is out of this world. Awesome ambience, great food, and inexpensive plates. Do a little research on the menu first before you go as some of the items are pretty exotic.
(5)
Nikki I.

Excellent food! I had the pad thai and it was excellent. They told us it would be a 20 minute wait (which we didn't mind) and it was actually more like 8 minutes. They turn the tables very fast and the service was excellent!
(5)
Paul C.

Overall, Penang is a solid three-stars. Here's my take: -Food: This was the first Malaysian food I've ever had and quite frankly I didn't really like any of it. Perhaps Malaysian food is not my thing, but everything was really mediocre and tasted like Chinese take-out. The roti pancake curry appetizer that everyone raved about tasted fine but it wasn't particularly memorable. The curry (chicken?) rice dish had essentially the same sauce as the curry dip for the roti appetizer. I was very disappointed with the cheap fluffy rice for that dish. Lastly, there was another dish that I don't quite remember but it was really sweet and was covered in a thick, orange/red sauce. I wouldn't get that again. -Service: The manager of the restaurant helped us to pick out some popular items on their menu. That was very considerate. The unfortunate part is that we didn't really enjoy any of the items he suggested. -Atmosphere: Penang is clean, casual, and modern. Based on the atmosphere alone, I would come back. It's probably one of the cleanest restaurants in Chinatown. The catch: it's not Chinese food.
(3)
Cynthia X.

This Malaysian name-saked restaurant is more of a Southeast Asian delight (with some Chinese-ish options). Penang is a great choice for food in China town and at very affordable prices! In addition to more traditional Malaysian foods of Nasi Lemak or Roti Canai, they also offer Thai and Chinese dishes. Friends got the satay skewers and pad thai, which looked decent. I went for two orders of the roti canai (appetizer). Just how I remember it tasting from my time in SE Asia! The curry dip was great as well. My only complaint is that it was a bit too oily. While I enjoyed the food there, there was nothing special. I'm sure I will be going back for the reasonable prices.
(3)
Jemma C.

Popular place with almost every table taken... Everything was fine however the salt content in EVERYTHING is off the charts. For that reason alone I'd never go back.
(2)
Debra V.

Started with coconut and fruity waters. Refreshing. Roti, a thin crispy pancake with sauce, was good. Enjoyed a beef dish, fried rice noodles, and a bowl of Chinese cabbage with bean curd soup. Coconut rice was disappointing since we had more flavorful rice somewhere else. But we had a choice and would have it again. Good Malaysian food for the first try.
(4)
Abhishek Y.

Went here with a friend on a Saturday afternoon after running some errands in Center City, and it was a great decision! I wasn't particularly willing to be half a block away from Banana Leaf and go somewhere other than their delicious place, but I was convinced otherwise, and I'm glad I gave it a shot. The spicy seafood and veggie soup, along with the roti canai, was amazing as expected, and the veggie pad thai was fantastic as well. Service was a tad spotty, as the waters took a bit to be refilled, but that really wasn't that big of a concern for me, considering that the food quality was out of this world. Food came quickly, tasted amazing, and the bill came out to 35 bucks for a solid lunch. Can't really complain at all! Definitely another must-try if you're in the area! Now, the real question is which is better, Banana Leaf or Penang, and that's a doozy of a quandary...
(5)
Madeline C.

It's a shame. I had good experiences there before but lately going down hill. I got Singapore street noodles, they had lettuce and the dish was brown. Maybe they gave me the wrong dish? I also got a roti canal appetizer. It had a piece of potato. I was always impressed with this place now I don't think I'll be going back after the last few experiences.
(2)
Reetu B.

Went there twice. Roti Canai was pretty good. Tried their pad thai , it was good enough. I had a curry based dish last time and it was alright as well. Big proportion, shared it with my friend. Good options for vegeterian people.
(5)
Suzy Q.

Absolute favorite restaurant in Chinatown! Right under the ornate arches, woks turned into tables. A Malaysian inspired menu. They offer swift service, delicious, generous selections, and great prices! I usually get the roti canai, chicken satay, and a soup. All my guests have left happy and satisfied with whatever they chose.
(5)
Anthony M.

I love penang. Always very happy with the food. Large variety of different shrimp dishes. Great presentation on some as well. Sweet and sour shrimp is great, its not the typical Chinese type. And there is an appetizer with shrimp inside alittle fried pocket thing lol, I forget the name but they are really unique and delicious.
(4)
Om F.

The roti canai is incredible. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. The only other appetizer I've tried is the fried tofu, and it's just that. Nothing special there. I seem to only order different noodle entrees whenever I'm here, but each one I've gotten was delectable. Everything comes out pretty quickly, so there's no waiting 45 minutes for your food. Not only is the food good here, but the whole atmosphere is nice. There's kind of a 'top floor' which is a couple steps separating it from the bottom. You get a good view of the place. It's not big, but it's always packed probably due to the great food. I especially love the open kitchen. I like being able to see my food being made. Great service, great food.
(5)
JJ L.

Great Thai / Malay / Indo food. Excellent service and humorous workers. The food never fails!
(5)
S L.

Can't skip my thinly baked pancake with curry!!! Always enjoy my meals
(4)
Candice W.

Atmosphere: The restaurant was quiet and appeared to be clean. The servers were incredibly efficient although they hovered a bit. Food: I ordered the Pad-Thai. It was just okay. However, my friend ordered the roti with curried dressing and it was quiet good. Cost: Cheap. My Pad Thai cost $8.95. Overall: I didn't order a Malaysian dish so I would need to return and try again before I could make a final judgement. The food was cheap and pretty decent and the service was pretty good. I think it would be worth trying again.
(3)
Kiki L.

Roti pancakes were great but this noodle dish called asam laksa, not so much. It was was NOT what i expected according to the menu descriptions... The soup had an unusual aroma which was not appetizing. It wasn't my best choice but I'm sure other items were delicious. If the item descriptions seem vague to you, consult a waiter/waitress.
(2)
Gautam T.

OK. This is hard to rate because I have eaten at Rangoon and Banana Leaf (Same genre of food... kind of) and out of the three this is my least favorite mainly because the food was mediocre in flavor in comparison and the atmosphere just felt more like a production line versus a nice relaxed place where you can sit and enjoy yourself. It almost felt like they want you in and out in 30 minutes or less so that they can get the next customer in. Put it this way, if I didn't know about banana leaf and Rangoon I would probably rate this place a little higher but the beauty about competition is that you get rated amongst your peers and not in a vacuum. Good food but if you're looking for malaysion type food go to banana leaf.
(3)
Colleen S.

Each time I venture to Chinatown, I am amazed at how great my meals are! After hearing about Penang for years, my boyfriend and I decided to try it out when his out-of-town parents were visiting. Every time we walk by, it's packed, so I knew we were missing something! It was my first experience with Malaysian food and I will definitely be going back here soon. The waitstaff was very friendly and helpful. They made recommendations for us since it was our first time and out of the four entrees we sampled, I don't know if I could pick a favorite! The drinks were ok...beer was all under/around $5 (with not much of a selection) and we got a bottle of wine for around $20. Not that expensive compared to other places, but $20 for a bottle of Sutter Home Chardonnay is hard to stomach anywhere! We started with the roti canai, which is a thin, indian pancake served with a bowl of chicken and potato curry dipping sauce. I'm not a huge curry fan...usually too spicy for me...but this was the perfect amount of spice and flavor! Loved it, only wished they had given us more pancake to dip with! The entrees we ordered were Beef Chow Fun, Jumbo Coconut Prawns, Shrimp with Scallion and Ginger in Soy Sauce, and Basil Chicken. We had sides of brown rice (OK) and coconut rice (which I had never had before and LOVED!). All four of us were contemplating our favorite entree and just decided that the meal overall was a favorite! Ok...if I HAD to pick a favorite...it might have to be the Jumbo Coconut Prawns. The biggest shrimp I have seen in my life covered with a sweet, savory fried-coconut topping...Ok...this was definitely my favorite. We left very full and very satisfied, with enough leftovers for lunch the following day! We impressed the out-of-town parents with our dinner choice and overall the night was a success, thanks to Penang!
(5)
Sue K.

I love this place. Indian roti with curry sauce was so good !!! Geat value, Good service .
(4)
Enjella L.

Foiled again! (By the same dishes, no less.) Duck with ginger and scallion rice is what it says on the menu but what comes out is another story. Pieces of duck in a gravy sauce with ginger chunks and white rice. I was thinking it would be a lighter dish with no sauce. I've made this mistake multiple times now since I come here once every couple of years. No more! Pad thai - so salty, it was a joke. Noodles were overcooked and super short! Did we get the end of the batch with all broken pieces? We left 2/3 of the meal there and left the restaurant, which then prompted the server to follow us outside and ask us if we wanted it boxed. No thanks, yikes! Should have tried Banana Leaf instead. Oh wells.
(1)
Budak S.

Service - Good Clealiness - Ok Food - Good Prices - Average Good place to go in case you want to try Malaysian dishes. Been there couple of times. The last time was 3/9/2014 for lunch. Had achat and popiah as appertizer. Nasi lemak and noodle with Thai basil for main course. Have to say the achat was good. You can skip the popiah. The nasi lemak was good. The beef that came with it was good. Noodle with Thai basil was ok. Just throw some belacan on it and you will be grand.
(3)
Danielle A.

I like the atmosphere. We came in on a rainy night and the service was spectacular. Keep in mind this is Philly, Chinatown, on a weeknight. No concerts, no clubs being let out and they stay open until midnight. And well if you get here late enough the parking is free and the food quality is just the same. ***Be forewarn*** there may be a wine/cork fee. I have no idea but they didn't charge us. Although they say they are a BYOB, they serve booze. I did like how the manager/server still asked us for ID even though we brought out own bottle. THE FOOD! WAS OUTRAGEOUS maybe it was because this is my first tie having Malaysian food, I will die for Roti Canai! And the Singapore Mei fun (aka rice noodles with curry and shrimp) was delightful, and buttery and crazy delicious! My boyfriend got some soup and well it wasn't my thing until I tasted it. It was great! Anyway parking is free after 10 so it was worth the trip.
(4)
Marilyn S.

I'm a addicted to the Rotti and the lychee drink, I think it's the only reason I keep coming considering I've had to name the host " The Wicked Witch" My first time there I wasn't feeling so well so I ordered a soup that apparently had every single animal in it and smelled like all hell! I was unable to even stand the smell let alone eat it! So I asked if I could Oder something else and she yelled at me in front of the whole restaurant letting me know I wouldn't be able to order anything else after the one she already agreed to replace! That was 3 years ago! Despite her aggressive behavior and bad attitude I still, till this day crave that Rotti so I still come and most times bring new friends so they can enjoy the experience as well. As the years have gone by I can say she hasn't yelled at me again but still a little hard on the face 7 out of 10 times... So I kill her with smiles and kindness!
(4)
Smalice N.

Oh my ROTI!!!! The roti here was light, fluffy, crispy, and flaky!! The dipping sauce had potato and chicken in it. It had a very mild heat and was super delicious. Then I ordered a mix of the chicken and beef satay and the peanut sauce that accompanied it was out of this world!!! I was so full from the roti and the skewers I barely touched the green curry and pad thai. The green curry was packed with flavors such as lemongrass and coconut milk but was not as spicy as I expected it to be. The pad thai was HUGE and I kind of liked how the noodles were chopped up as it was easier to eat. The prices are cheap for the portions they give. Our server was polite and attentive even offering to move my sister and I to a larger table. (We had A LOT of food.) I will definitely be back for more of that roti... I may only order roti!!!!!!!! Amazeballs!!!!
(5)
Jennifer M.

Penang, a cult classic. I've been coming here over the years, and I still love this place. I always, always start with the Roti Canai. My recent visit was over the weekend, and our group of three was quickly seated. We started off with the Roti Canai, and the delicious curry chicken potato sauce accompanied by the hot and fresh crispy pancake is soon a distant memory. It goes that fast! Luckily, our next appetizers of the Roti Telur and Phoenix Shrimp were delightfully placed on the table for us to feast on. The Roti Telur is similar to the Roti Canai, but the pancake is filled with egg and onion with the same sauce. Very good! I didn't try the shrimp, but given the empty plate, it seemed to be a crowd (can two people be considered a crowd?) pleaser. Our dinner entree choices were Singapore Noodles, Mango Chicken, and Boneless Penang Kari Ayam. We also ordered some coconut rice to share. The Singapore Noodles reminded me of Pad Thai, but the flavors mixed well. Mango Chicken was delivered in an empty Mango shell. The sweet and spicy sauce of this dish was incredible! Easily my favorite of the three. I did like the chicken dish, and it had a nice spicy kick. However, I was kinda over the curry sauce since we devoured the Roti Canai and Roti Telur earlier! Overall, a really good experience! I remember when it used to be cash only, but glad they accept cards! This is one of my go-to spots in Chinatown, mainly because of that Roti Canai!
(4)
Melissa P.

My father, who grew up in Singapore, is obsessed with this place. He chooses it for father's day, birthdays, anniversaries, anytime guests visit, and he stops here on his way from the airport to get takeout and anytime he comes to the city. We come here so often that the people know us. The people who work here are super nice and the service is fast. Also, a lot of times we ask for modifications (like garlic sauce instead of belacan) and they're always happy to modify. Unlike a lot of restaurants in Chinatown, this place actually has an ambiance and decorated feel to it. It's a nice place, great for groups or even a date. We ALWAYS get: The Roti Canai. Picture a crispy stretched out nan /crepe dipped in delicious curry sauce. Chicken, Beef, and Tofu Satay. really tender and the sauce is delicious. Beef Rendang. Delicious and always tender. Beef Chow Fun. Classic and awesome. What my dad calls kang kong with garlic sauce, but is on the menu as "convolus" it's a spinachy, delicious vegetable, that is kinda hard to come by usually. Sometimes we branch out and get new things- they're always good. There's also one in Princeton if you live further away and still crave it! BYOB but there's a corkage fee.
(5)
Har D.

The food is missing some of its oomph. I have been there 5 times in last 6 weeks and do not like the changes in their food. Service is slightly lacking
(3)
Angie K.

Solid 3.5, round up for the super sweet server we had. First off, Penang is WAYYYY better than Banana Leaf. I don't understand how people can compare these two, or suggest that they are similar. Sure, they have a similar menu, but the quality of food is not up to par. Banana Leaf microwaves/reheats some of their food whereas Penang actually prepares it before it's served. Roti Canai, Mango Chicken, and Mee Siam are my favorite dishes. Good for groups, price is right, food is served fairly quicky.
(4)
Ashley S.

I really like the layout of Penang. It is very open, and I don't feel crowded next to other diners while I'm here. My friend and I sat at the high top tables by the window and had a really nice lunch the other day. She had the roti and shrimp and squid pad thai, and I had the Seafood Tomyum soup. As always, our food was delicious and inexpensive. You should only order the seafood soup if you like spicy food -- it comes with a very spicy lemongrass soup broth that has jalapenos floating in it. I loved it, but it is not for the faint of heart. The roti has a kick, but I would say that it's more on the mild side, and the pad thai is relatively mild as well. Tea is included in the meal, and we ended up drinking two pots to help us warm up on a cold day. An all-around great place!
(4)
K F.

Looking for a unique place to eat on a hot summer nite in Philly. Having lived in Singapore the option to have an 'authentic' meal appealed to me. I wasn't disappointed. Omg. So good. I closed my eyes and was transported back. Even chased the perfectly cooked noodles with a Tiger beer. If I lived in Philly this would be a regular haunt.
(5)
Allison T.

Maybe if I wasn't vegetarian I would have been more impressed. Not much to choose from that wasn't salted or fried. Tofu satay appetizer was dried fried tasteless tofu smothered in heavy peanut sauce. Not tempted to take the leftovers home.
(2)
Chloe L.

One my favorite places in china town. The beef chow fun is so good! And so is the Indian pancake with curry sauce. The staff even starts to remember you if you go frequently!
(4)
Fenty T.

hmmm sadly to say but this time all the food that i order taste no taste...i mean penang used to be better :( i had 3 order that i ussually loved much..but i think compare to banana leafs penang far behind..just saying they teach the amigo to cook now...you know its not authentic no more..different hand different taste...asian and mexican??
(2)
Herbie H.

Walked in on a busy Friday night and was promptly seated. Before my friend and I could even peruse the menu, our wine was open. After reading many of these Yelp reviews, I wanted to order the Roti Canai. I opened my menu to look for the appetizer name and the waiter smiled, and pointed for me, saying - "it's what everyone gets." And I can see why. I could eat the sauce with bread, rice, or honestly - by itself. For my entree I ordered Singapore Rice Noodles and was not at all disappointed. It came on an unassuming plate, but was a bountiful pile of noodles, shrimp, vegetables, bean sprouts and cabbage. There was so much food that I couldn't finish it. My friend ordered the Triple Vegetable Noodle - also a large portion with tasty noodles and vegetables. The service was incredibly friendly, accommodating, and flat-out pleasant. As my friend and I were struggling to finish our entrees, we were asked about 5 times if everything was ok or if we needed anything before we could explain that we were just trying to finish the tasty meal. It's a fun, lively, and delicious restaurant. Not only is it a BYO, but it's surprisingly affordable (for our Roti Canai and two noodle dishes, it was $26, including tip.) I can't wait to return to Penang and try some more of the extensive menu.
(5)
Chelsea B.

Penang is just a really great place. As other reviewers have mentioned, it has a whole different vibe than other places in Chinatown because the dining area is just modern and nice. When we went on a Friday night around 8pm we were still in for about a 15 minute wait, but they accommodated us quickly. Judging from the number of large parties, this is a popular place for big groups. They start you off with a pot of tea and ice water, which is always nice. We started with the roti canai, and the thin "pancake" was delicious when dipped in the curry chicken potato sauce. Beware, however, because we did spot a few tiny bones in the dip that would have been easy to miss. Then we shared the satay chicken skewers, which have this nice charcoal flavor and are served with a great peanut sauce. I would have been hard-pressed to choose which of these two sauces was better, but man was the peanut sauce tasty. For our entree we shared the mango chicken, which was the least impressive thing we ordered. The mango sauce was just too sweet and overpowering, and you can tell this is a dish that is less meant for authenticity and more meant to cater to the American palette. When you think about it, this is less Penang's fault for offering it and more my fault for choosing it. Oh well. The mango chicken does come with white rice, and it is definitely large enough to share if you're ordering starters. The service was present but not pushy and the food came out quickly. They bring your bill with a generous plate of orange slices, and from the ambiance to the food to the service to the prices Penang is definitely a hit.
(4)
Stephanie S.

Been here twice, both times left full & happy! This place gives you tons of food for the cheap prices. The atmosphere is nice, spacious for large parties, seating is not too narrow or tight. I also like how it seems a bit more professional than other "cheap" chinese food ... u can take business colleagues here or relatives without seeming low quality. The server staff are so friendly! They are very quick & attentive. The menu is huge and slightly overwhelming, but both times the servers told us their recommendations of the best dishes to narrow down the choices. I also like how I picked my favorites , and asked the server if that is good, and both times he was honest and said "uhhh, no how about u try this instead... Is much better..." Followed by their suggestion. Trust them, they are right!! Everything my table of 9 ordered was delicious. We had 9 different dishes, and 5 appetizers. Everyone loved it, no complaints from anybody!!! (except one of the soup bowls was a little too spicy, but you can ask the server for non-spicy). Will certainly come back again !
(4)
Jia T.

I went there last night and ordered beef curry and rice to go. Just now I took the rice out and want to reheat it BUT there was a wine plastic CAP in the rice! I took a picture!!!
(1)
Diana H.

Great food, friendly service and a good price. It's located right in Chinatown but it's definitely one of the nicer looking restaurants in the area. I mainly go here when I'm craving a noodle soup. My fave is the clay pot noodles which is full of veggies, meat and seafood. It's so delicious and comforting especially on colder days.
(4)
Diana S.

A friend of mines from work had visited Penang and let me taste the food she brought to work the next day. I fell in love with the taste. Has to experience a whole plate for myself. So we decided to have dinner that weekend. When I first walk in I was pretty impressed with the look. It's a mix of cozy yet somewhat modern. I had the roti (indian pancakes) and they were absolutely delious. It was so good! The curry that came with the roti was so rich and full of flavor. As an entry I ordered the curry tofu with mixed vegetable shimp and rice. It good, but not as good as I expected it to taste. All and all I had a good experience. The food is good and the atmosphere is nice.
(4)
Vinny P.

I honestly feel like eating in Chinatown is more of an adventure than an actual culinary delight. Perhaps I've eaten at the wrong spots, but most places that people recommend to me have dirty floors, dirty walls, rude staff and sedated frogs. Not the case with Penang. As soon as we walked in, post bubble tea crawl, I noticed a stark difference in the restaurant itself from other spots. Maybe Penang has better funding or maybe they are catering to a different crowd but to me, it felt more like a restaurant than a dirty hole in the wall (not that they don't have their place) I felt comfortable and started to explore the menu. We began with the tofu satay. I was pretty impressed at how they were able to bend the friend tofu and stuff it with shredded cucumber and a big glob of peanut sauce. It wasn't overly spicy but it was flavorful and I enjoyed it. Upon trying to order the twice cooked pork with dried vegetables, the waiter attempted to steer me away from it. He actually said, in a respectful manner "maybe you might want to try something else" When I inquired why, he had just said that what I was ordering was intensely flavorful and I might not like it. I pressed on, assuring him that I was able to handle it. I have to say that both dishes were delicious. The mango chicken was both sweet and sour and served in a shell, with mango pieces in it. I thought that was pretty creative. My pork dish blew me away. It was thinly sliced pork belly, dried vegetables (re-hydrated in cooking) and a brown sauce. It was an intensely flavorful dish and I ended up taking leftovers. I was really happy I ordered it and I'll be trying to make it at home. The service was excellent and I like the layout of the restaurant. The waiter, seeing that I passed the test recommended some other items on their menu for my return visit which will be happening very soon.
(5)
M W.

Best Food in Chinatown the prices are reasonable staff is friendly the food is so fresh and good my favorite thing to get is the mango chicken.
(5)
Anna B.

Well...it was around 10 pm when my girlfriend and I were looking for a place to it and also that was still open. It was a cold night in Nov and we were craving asian food. We yelped and found this place. This place is in the heart of Chinatown. It's funny to us being from CA where there is abundance of asian restaurants. I was dying for some good ol asian food. I really liked the interior of this place. Reminds me of sitting outside a house. We ordered pad thai which was really good and their mango chicken which to us was ok but definitely something you need to eat with rice. For the Philadelphia area, its pretty good.
(3)
Nobuyuki S.

Whatever good you've heard, it's probably true. I've had a lot of Malaysian friends, many from the state of Penang. Since Penang is known for its prowess for great food, it should be no surprise that this restaurant does so well. When I lived around Philadelphia for 8 years, I would avoid most of the places in China Town. The food just wasn't right. I'd try the hole-in-the-wall restaurants and they were hit-or-miss. Sometimes, I would get food fit for an Asian, and other times, it was so Americanized that it wasn't tasty to me. I believe these people are doing something that few do: they're serving what they like, much like what you find at Korean restaurants. It was a bit difficult to find the place, not that it's hidden by the pavement, errr, sidewalks are narrow and the building numbers are usually blocked by someone's big sign. I've often found it better to be on the other side of the street in order to find a place. This restaurant is on the east side of 10th Street. The sign is black and gray and a bit worn so you might not notice it. Inside, it's all modern and sleek without a metallic look. Someone was quick to greet me and showed me to a table for two next to the window. That means I have to have better manners than the families in the back of the restaurant, because I'm on display to the whole world walking past the place. I had two thoughts when I arrived: roti canai and nasi lemak. I took some time to look at the menu and someone came to ask me about a drink. He wanted to give me hot tea and I was sweating like mad and asked for anything cold to drink. In a few minutes, an older gentleman came to the table and we talked about appetizers, and I ordered the roti canai. I still wasn't sure what it was exactly but roti is like fried or braised puri, so it seemed safe. I like Indian food but as far as Malaysian Indian food, I have no idea. Another minute later, the dear woman who seated me returned to ask me what I decided, and I ordered the nasi lemak and told her that the gentleman had taken the roti canai part of the order. It was busy, but I believe that the roti canai arrived quickly. The image of it reminded me of frying a tortilla for a taco salad. It looked like a small mountain. I tore some of it and dipped it in the curry and it tasted so good, that I started to smile, I'm sure. To extend the tortilla analogy, it was like having chips and salsa. It took a bit longer for the nasi lemak but the staff kept filling my water glass. When the dish arrived, I was quite ready for a treat. They fulfilled my expectations. The plate came with the nasi lemak, some cucumber strips, a sliced, hard-boiled egg, curry chicken balls, and it was all so amazing. Now, I know that non-Asians probably don't want to eat whole anchovies, or possibly any anchovy bits at all. However, they're not seasoned the Italian way, and they're crunchy and tasty and a good source of all those things you'll never get eating red meat. I eat tofu, also, but it's just part of life, and it's good for you. I was surprised that the sauces were a bit sweet, but this was my first experience. I've noticed that some Chinese food tends to be more sweet than Japanese or Korean food is. However, with everything included, the sweet wasn't overwhelming and the anchovies might have neutralized a bit of the sweet. I'd recommend that anyone, within 1500 miles, drive, fly, bike, or otherwise flock to Penang and try anything and everything. I'd love to use the menu as a check list. I can't say that about many places.
(5)
Susanna L.

Doesn't disappoint! I normally come here everytime I'm in the chinatown area looking for a bite with friends. The waiters are very friendly and they don't rush you to order. The food is very good, my favorite being the mango chicken. The food always comes out hot and in a pretty good time span. If you are looking for a inexpensive good meal in chinatown, I suggest coming here :)
(4)
Ratty R.

Oh, oh, oh! Get a seat on the raised area and watch the wok guy in the open kitchen. FIYAHHH! The food is so, so good, consistent, fresh, delicious. We always get the crunchy squid tentacles, and the fried intestines. And don't say nuttin' until you've had it! The noodle dishes are great, the curries and hotpots are so flavorful. They have beer, which is handy, because a lot of the food is spicy. We have a favorite waitress who always asks about family members not present. It's always crowded, but the wait is never bad.
(5)
Jenny U.

When I visit here I usually eat my favorites. That is Chicken Hai Nam, Oyster omelet and their famous appetizer that almost everyone has on the table. I'll leave that to your imagination so you can see what Im talking about when you dine here. I tried other dishes here but I can say from my opinion and taste-buds that I only come here for these dishes. Their service is great! Nice clean place with a open kitchen, although a little on the dark side, the lighting I mean.
(4)
Darwin G.

A cool Malaysian place smacked in the middle of Chinatown. Many of the area's restaurants may feel simple, but this is different with its high ceilings and stone covered walls. As for the food, two of us had two appetizers and a curry rice dish, and were still left with enough leftovers for lunch the next time. The roti canai is always mandatory. Good as many places I've been to, though the sauce was a bit thicker and fattier. The chicken curry rice was a different kind of curry, a spicy green curry. A simple dish for those looking for a simple, familiar dish. However, the highlight was the fried squid. Little squid fried and tossed with a sweet and spicy sauce, topped with sesame. I'm surprised that I've never had this before and that this is the first time I've had it. The squid is fried, but still holds a chewiness to it. The salty, sweet, and spicy combination makes the dish addicting. It's huge for an appetizer. I would call it a main dish and it can feed at least 3.
(4)
Janet E.

The last time I went to a Penang was in Boston. So when I came to Chicago, I was so disappointed that the Penang was closed due to a fire. Luckily they had a Penang in Philadelphia so I was reunited with delicious Malaysian food! This restaurant is a chain, but the food is delicious! I cant remember the exact dish that I ordered, but the food had great flavors and not a lot of heat (the appetizer was a curry dip with roti bread). Service was good but hovered a lot. Plus, the restaurant was not full of people but we felt very rushed. They were quick to give us the bill but were not quick in settling the bill. Weird.
(4)
Eugene W.

Was here few weeks ago. We got mango chicken, a Malaysian style veggie like watercress, and roti canal. For dessert we got abc which is a crust ice with red beans, jelly, etc.
(4)
Lucy S.

Not an expansive menu, but for what this restaurant does offer it pulls off with success. Very much recommend the roti chanai.
(4)
Kenny C.

The food here is good and fairly priced. Their Hainan chicken is usually done right. It usually come with different sauce catered to your taste. Their Indian pancake is always hot and fresh, comes very fast for appetizer. Their small soup is $6, and comes in a very large portion. Their mango chicken surprised me a little bit. From my previous experience with mango chicken elsewhere, Penang's was scourging with flavor. It's definitely very flavorful. Their service is usually great even when it's jammed pack. They also accept credit card. Majority of restaurant in Chinatown do cash only. When i'm low on cash, Penang is my number 1 choice to eat.
(4)
Lauren W.

We went into Chinatown last night in the mood for an adventure, and decided to walk into the first restaurant that looked good. Penang was the lucky winner tonight, based on my boyfriend catching a glimpse of the interior and noticing that it had Malaysian cuisine. Something we had never tried before. Adventures! The first thing I enjoyed was the interior and decor. The seating is kind of bi-level, creating almost two separate dining rooms. I loved the windows into the kitchen, decorated in twinkle lights. Reminded me of pictures I've seen of actual Chinese street vendors. Next up was service. Our waitress was awesome! Often times, I haven't received very personable service in Asian restaurants; it tends to be more quiet, fast, and efficient. She was all of these things, but also very nice and helpful. She even brought out two bowls for a soup we ordered, without asking, and ladled it herself so that we could easily share. Finally was the delicious food. We started out with roti, a super thin Indian bread. It was perfectly chewy and slightly crispy, and served with a potato curry sauce that I embarassingly drank to finish it off because it was so good. I ordered the Prawn Mee noodle soup. It had spaghetti-like noodles (tasted homemade!) with a few pieces of shrimp and pork and a slightly bitter green in a rich, spicy broth. For $7.50? This thing was unreal. Delicious and hugely filling for pennies. The boy ordered a seafood seaweed soup, small he said. It came out very fast, was bigger than my face (and I have a large face) and completely loaded up with shrimp and calamari and mushrooms, among other things. He also ordered a noodle dish, and looked similar to a Thai drunken noodle dish. I don't know what it was called, but it delicious as well. Really, does it matter the name? Everything seems to be great here! Food is delicous, prices are super cheap for Philadelphia, and the atmosphere is cool too. Perfecto.
(5)
Christine B.

The roti was awesome, but everything else was ok. I had a spicy beef dish with brown rice. It had some good flavor and was cheap, but there wasn't anything particularly special about it. A couple friends got the mango chicken which was enjoyed. Service was fine, but we were a big group squeezed into a small table in the middle of everything which led to a pretty cramped environment.
(3)
Jennifer M.

On the original advice of my Chinese file clerk, after hearing my woes of finding great Pad Thai in downtown Philadelphia, she told me to head to Panang. I would have never considered a Malaysian restaurant for my favorite noodle dish. Indeed their Pad Thai is great, and the price is less than $10, which further makes it so addictive. I also love their Chow Kueh Teow and often order both dishes for take-out. I've also been and had some of their more unique dishes, often denoted by "ask your server" on the menu. My boyfiend and I are quite adventurous in our eating styles, so nothing was too scary or weird for us. That said, you really have nothing to fear. My boyfriend enjoyed their curry dishes as his main, and I stuck to my usual. Perhaps its the Leo in me that is quite loyal, but I cannot go to Penang and not have their Pad Thai or Chow Kueh Teow. It is just that good.
(4)
Carol C.

Everything we had at this place was delicious!! We ordered the pancake appetizer, mango chicken, and a stewed beef curry dish that the waiter chose for us. The mango chicken was by far my favorite dish!! freshly cut mango perfectly grilled with chicken. The dish may seem a little pricey, but it's a pretty big plate of food. I would have given this place five stars, but the service was a little slow. by the time our main dishes came out, our appetizers were cold. Still, the food is definitely worth the wait!
(4)
Jay D.

open late, when nearly everything else in chinatown is closed. my server "got" what i meant by vegan without me having to get into a dissertation. and he made a wonderful recommendation for some kind of noodles with vegetables thing. i thanked him by saying "of course" to the question of spicy which turned out to be a wise decision. takeaways: don't eat like an american baby. get it spicy.
(4)
Jonas O.

Delicious Malaysian cuisine. There are plenty of soup and noodle dishes under $10 that are more than enough for a meal. I usually get the noodles in soup because the sweet and sour broths are really excellent and they're what keep me coming back. Favorites include the Prawn Mee, Java Mee, Asam Laksa, and Seafood Tomyam. The Roti Canai is as good as everyone says. Everything else I've had here has been good, the noodle soups are just my personal go-to. I like that you can spend upwards of $25 on a jumbo prawn dish (and I bet it's worth it) or $7 on a big noodle or rice dish that is just as filling. I like the tall window tables for two, which seem to usually be available. The service tends to be good, and I like that they will try to talk you out of ordering certain weird things if they don't think you can handle it.
(5)
Amanda L.

I love Penang! I first visited a Maryland location a year ago and let me say: great food, Fair prices and good portion sizes! The only thing I noticed is when I ordered my favorite dish the spicy crispy squid it was deliciously crispy, and overly sweet. It had no spice! It was almost like a sweet general tsos. It wasn't bad but it wasn't what I ordered or remembered :( I recommend the drinks highly! Litchi drink, watermelon drink, it's all good. I also recommend the flavored rices they're amazing we got the chicken and the coconut. Grab extra to go you'll love it in the morning with your eggs and ham :)
(4)
Lisa P.

I am a regular customer to this restaurant and I went yesterday and I always order the same dish. A old asian guy that took my order did not have a pen and a pad to write down the order because he thinks he can memorize everyone's order. That was the start of a disastrous meal!! The dishes that we ordered were not the one that we ordered. I was mad because the guy was lazy and did not want to write our order down and lo and behold the wrong orders was placed. I complained about them and the asian guy attempted to place another WRONG order without my consent and the second dish came out wrong! Then the owner of the store came over to check what was wrong and I told her that the order was wrong and so she personally placed the order. Despite her efforts, my order still came out wrong!!!!!!!!!! This restaurant has NO COMMUNICATION with their customers and their employees. I have been a LONG time customer but after that service, I can say that I will NEVER RETURN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Advice: Go to banana leaf instead. They have better service and food and only down the street.
(1)
Siv L.

Came here with my boyfriend for lunch. Service is excellent. Food is delicious! We started with the roti that had garlic/scallions -- it was yummy. We then had noodles (Penang noodles?) which were delicious and then the beef rendng which I thought was just okay. But overall, the meal was excellent and I'd highly recommend!
(4)
Jon Z.

Consistently good affordable food in Chinatown. They finally accept credit card now also! The "half" Hainanese chicken is a giant large pizza sized plate of soft warm chicken with a spicy red sauce on top. Must also get a roti canai as that is one of their staple appetizers. Service is always fast and attentive. Food comes out within 15 minutes usually. Very similar to Banana Leaf minus the sushi.
(5)
Vivian T.

This place deserves 5 stars for the place and price. Great food and fast service. Food seriously starting coming out 15 mins after we put our order in. The waitstaff was attentive and friendly. Our water was always filled. The menu has a lot to choose from but my personal favs include roti canai, Thai basil noodles and boneless white meat curry chicken w. Brown rice. One area of improvement Is that their roti canai dipping sauce needs more chicken meat. Great Malaysian / Thai food !
(5)
Keshav M.

Food was delicious. Everything we ordered had a unique flavor unlike the usual run of the mill Thai drunken noodles or red curry flavor. Never tasted flavors like that before. However it is pricey when you consider rice with every entree (almost $17/dish) and I didn't think the very high price validates the dish quality. Service was decent nothing spectacular, which is the reason for the 3 stars. Good place though and while not as good of a deal as Erawan right around the corner, definitely worth visiting!
(3)
Fransisca M.

In reality, the city Penang is Malaysia's number #1 culinary destination. I can staunchly attest that Penang Restaurant doesn't fall short of the name it bears. I've been coming here many times ever since I moved to Philly and never been disappointed. Be sure to make reservation if you go in group because it can be really packed especially during dinner time and on weekends. Whenever I go to Penang with friends, we always do a "family style" dinner where we order a lot of items to share. To start off, I highly recommend the roti canai. Char kway theow to me is always a must-have! My other favorites are kangkong belacan, hainanese chicken, asam ikan bilis, and tom yum soup. Btw, save some room for dessert: chendol always ends your Malaysian meal with a bang!
(4)
Kermit T.

Excellent food, nice ambience, awesome service. Try Penang Kari Ayam* with bone, also mango chicken (sweet and sour) and some appetizers. No draft beer. Green tea complimentary. Worth it.
(4)
Deidre D.

delicious food, very generous proportions, flavorful, pleasant customer service and fun atmosphere. this is a good spot for large groups (4+) as the service is swift (from my experience) and polite. their noodle dishes could do no wrong, in my opinion. enjoy.
(4)
Duke C.

Not much experience in Malaysian food, but I did like everything that I got to try! We started off with the Roti Canai as recommended by our server. The roti, an Indian-style pancake, is served with a chicken potato curry as the dipping sauce. It's pretty damn tasty. A little salty, but it's perfect with the roti. The curry made me wish I had ordered a curry instead of noodles! However, I did like the chow kueh teow though! The Malaysian staple is stir fried flat rice noodles with shrimp, squid, bean sprouts, eggs, soy sauce, and chili paste. First time trying it! I got it medium spicy, but totally could have increased the heat level. Also tried a bit of my coworker's Mee Goreng, which is Indian style stir-fried egg noodles in a mild dried squid sauce with tofu, potato, shrimp, egg, grounded peanut, and bean sprouts. It was his first time eating anything from Southeast Asia besides Thai food and he liked it. I tried a little bit and gotta say, it is good. Looks like pad thai, but definitely doesn't taste like it! The service provided by our server, an old dude, along with the rest of the staff, was on point. Price-wise, a little higher compared to the rest of Chinatown's spot.
(4)
Tala T.

Whenever feeling like good Asian food, we head to Philadelphia's Chinatown where the possibilities are endless. From dim sum to korean bbq there is a range of choices to choose from. With friends in town this week, we decided to try Malaysian. Friends had just returned from a two year backpacking journey in Asia including Malaysia and were keen to relive the Malaysian food experience in Philadelphia. There are several Malaysian food restaurants in Chinatown but we chose to go to Penang given the more modern and industrial look of the restaurant. Yes, decor does lure us in sometimes. the restaurant was packed on a wednesday night which is always a good sign of good food to come. And so we left it to our backpacking friends to choose from the endless list of options. As always, the meal started off with two orders of the Roti Canai: delicious crispy layers of bread served alongside a bowl of fragrant yellow curry. This dish proved to me my favorite of the evening. I will be going back just to have their Roti Canai.
(4)
Brandon H.

Even though Yelp says they don't make reservations, they do. I recommend doing so when in large groups! It's actually a pretty fun environment when you're going with a large group of people. The waiters try to be really accommodating but they often times rush you to place your order, pay your bill, etc. The food is pretty good. Like I said, it's a great place to go in large groups and do family style. It's a pretty overwhelming menu so everyone is likely to find something that they'll enjoy. The food is reasonably priced and it is served particularly quickly, which is nice. Although the outside looks a little sketch, they have a decent set-up inside. It's by no means a luxurious destination, but it is much nicer than you would think from the outside. It's hard to describe a mood because the place gets pretty loud. I think it's more of a place to go to when you just want to have a fun (and slightly rowdy) time with your friends.
(3)
Sarah F.

Delicious and fast! Came in for a brief work lunch and was highly satisfied with how quickly our food came. I ordered exactly what the server recommended to me: indian pancakes, penang satay chicken and beef skewers, curry me with you tau foo, and the mango chicken. In particular i LOVED LOVED the chicken and beef skewers. The meat was so flavorful but the dipping sauce was to die for! I have never had a peanut sauce so great! The mango chicken was also outrageously good and is served in a carved out mango. Very pretty
(4)
Monica L.

PROS: Consistently good food, decent portions and prices CONS: Tables situated too closely together What Penang does, Penang does well. I always order the Seafood Pad Thai (which I like), but the menu list is enormous. Though, I think the Roti Canai is overrated. See it as a place where you can't really go too terribly wrong with your order.
(4)
Mariella Z.

My brother and I really enjoyed this place for lunch on our first trip to Philly's Chinatown. Try their Malaysian Iced Tea- it's delicious! Good service too. It gets busy since it's right in the heart of Chinatown, but we didn't have to wait to be seated and were not rushed to leave either. Definitely would recommend this place to others.
(5)
Jenn P.

Ordered the Penang Poh Piah for appetizer to split with a friend and then the Green Nasi Lemak (Coconut fried rice with shrimp) for my main dish -- AMAZING. Hands down the best fried rice dish I've had EVER. Pretty friendly and attentive wait staff, despite how crazy busy it was while I was there. If my second trip there, and I WILL be going back, is as good as the first time it will totally get five stars easy.
(4)
Matthew L.

Roti! Malaysian spare ribs! Open late-ish! 3 stars. One of the better roti options I've had in Philly. Comes with a chicken and potato stew/dip which I'd like to try to order as a platter some day. The spare ribs are fried and delicious, though I believe they've been reducing the portion size over the years. So sad. The other food is fine and the service has always been nice to me. Prices are a smidge on the higher side for Chinatown but nothing ridiculous. No big complaints. Decent food and service. Why not? Cheers.
(3)
Annie D.

Ok so this place is amazeeeeeballs!!!! Being from Toronto, I really did not enjoy the city of Philadelphia which was grimy as heck but this restaurant made the trip worthwhile! Again my fellow yelpers came through, and the great reviews are totally accurate. We walked in for dinner around 9 pm on a Wednesday night and got a table right away. Having read the reviews before I knew we had to start with the roti canai which is a crispy style pancake (basically a really soft and crispy roti) & curry chicken with potato dipping sauce (it was a small bowl of chicken curry). I ordered two figuring we could just share. Big mistake!! My family toreeee throughhhh it as soon as it got to the table. I suggest ordering 1 per person. Everyone just lovedddd it. The roti was super thin, crispy and soft all at the same time. I've never tasted anything like it before. And the curry was mouth watering!!! This dish reallllyyyyyy is "like crack"!!! After we finished it, we just sat there sad that the experience was over, wanting moreee moreeee moreeeeeeeeeee lol!!! But we had to get over it! For our mains we ordered the the Green Nasi Lemak which was coconut rice fried w. mixed vegetables, shrimp in ginger sauce, Basil Chicken and Malaysian Style Spareribs. First the ribs were second only to the roti canai. My mom who never eats pork was all over them. These ribs were marinated and lightly fried and came with a spicy/sweet sauce. Just ahhmazing. The rice and chicken dish were super flavourful. We also got the Mee Siam which was stir-fried rice vermicilli w. tofu, shrimp & bean sprout in spicy thai chili sauce. Again, very good. Lastly because I wanted to be adventurous, I ordered a Malaysian dessert called ABC which after a quick Wikipedia search, I found out is an acronym for Air Batu Campur, meaning "mixed ice". It had a bunch of weird non-dessert stuff in it but I guess it was interesting. It was a souped-up snow cone ... so basically shaved ice, red beans, sweet corn, palm seed, grass jelly, cubes of agar agar, topped of with condensed milk and red rose syrup. I would say one order is good to share between 4 people because it melts pretty fast and then just tastes weird. Overall we loveddddd the food here. I am now on the hunt for roti canai in the GTA! If you do anything when you go to Philly, go hereeee!!!!!
(5)
Nicolas N.

Food is decent (compared to Bamboo Leaf around the corner). Go here if you are craving for this type of Southeast Asian food - and stay away from Bamboo Leaf (which is worst than this restaurant in all categories). We ordered two appetizers (pancakes and vegan veggie rolls), coconut fried rice and the beef brisket curry. * The fried rice was good with ample amount of decent size shrimp (with vein removed). The other dishes were heavy on the oil. * Unless you like milky and flavorless sugary tea (or coffee), please do not order the Malaysian iced tea and iced coffee, which was made from powder. I recommend the Thai iced coffee somewhere else. Three stars for decent food - and for the bad negligent service - even with just two tables. We came for lunch and the restaurant was empty with over 6 employees, chatting amongst themselves. Our water had a beansprout in it which the server didn't notice and did not say anything or did not bring us a replacement. We may order take out in very distant future (perhaps in another state), but will never dine-in again, unless it is one of those late nights after enough alcohol to numb the senses, and memory, and rationale decision-making.
(3)
Grace H.

I'd never had malaysian food before my visit to Penang, but the roti canai alone is enough to bring me back (I prefer the plain over the scallion and egg version)! It was actually my favorite dish of the ones we ordered - I could literally drink a whole bowl of the chicken curry dipping sauce for dinner and be content. For our mains we got the mango chicken, a seafood pot pie-type dish, and another chicken dish that was way too greasy. The seafood in my dish almost tasted like half of the ingredients had been frozen beforehand, and the mango chicken was HUGE but too sweet for my taste. I walked away full but a little underwhelmed by the food. If I come back it'll probably be for the roti canai!
(3)
Cameron G.

You let me down, Yelp. This place wasn't good. I tried three things: some kind of tofu burrito-like appetizer, char keow teow, and Buddha's tofu. The tofu burrito-thing was alright. I give it three stars. I'm not sure what it was, and I can't remember it's name. (Sorry!) It's an appetizer, and it was my favorite part of the meal. It looked a little like a wet burrito. The Buddha's tofu was sub-par. It tasted exactly like something you'd get a cheap Chinese restaurant in a rural town. It was a mound of vegetables and tofu, but nothing tasted fresh and the sauce was bland and bad. The char keow teow was worse. It had few vegetables and and basically no sauce. It tasted like noodles that had been soaked in oil and served alone. Virtually no flavor/taste. Worse yet, it left a little bit of a queasy feeling. Stay away.
(2)
Sam B.

This place was weak! I am a frequent customer of banana leaf and decide fed to try out this instead. Service was poor, and food was uninspiring. All around a poor experience. I'll be sticking with banana leaf going forward.
(1)
Magen S.

My favorite restaurant in Chinatown. Dined here on a Friday night at 7:30 with a reservation. Would recommend making a reservation on the weekends as the doorway was super crowded when we arrived and restaurant completely filled. Food- Roti canai (Indian pancake) is a must. The curry sauce is SO delish. You'll be ordering a second one. Beef Masak - was not overly impressed with this dish. The sauce was a bit syrupy for my liking. Thai basil noodle - so so good. Reminded me of drunken noodles. Very good flavor and lots of vegetables so not a huuuge carb dish. Green curry clay pot - MUST. We ordered with chicken and the spicy creamy flavor easily made it my favorite dish of the night. Penang spicy chicken - this wasn't my favorite. Reminds me of Chinese sweet and sour chicken as the dish came with fried chicken and the sauce on the side. *none of the dishes come with rice so you need to order separately. All dishes are family style. Service was ok. Restaurant was very busy so it was good for how busy it was but could have been better. They didn't charge the $10 cork fee noted on the menu so that was awesome. The prices are not to be beat. I was there with a party of 5 ordered 3 appetizers, large soup, 4 family style dishes, rice and the bill was only $90. byob helps but the prices are very reasonable. Ambiance - the restaurant is pretty loud so I would avoid if you're looking for a romantic night. Overall, would recommend this restaurant in Chinatown.
(4)
Diana N.

Took a day trip to Philly and found this place for dinner. Haven't had Malaysian food in a while and the photos on Yelp were inviting and tantalizing. Parking in Chinatown is the worse and this almost kept us from coming to this place. The restaurant is quite spacious. We arrived around 6:45pm and it was pretty packed. Luckily the wait wasn't very long, about 5-8 minutes. Service is fast, friendly, and efficient. For an appetizer, we ordered: Roti Canai - The bread was hot and flaky and the chicken curry was flavorful and had a nice hint of heat. The dipping sauce wasn't hot though. For dinner, we ordered: Chow Kueh Teow - famous Malaysian stir fried flat rice noodles w/ shrimp, squid, bean sprouts, egg, soy sauce and chili paste. This dish was OK. Tastes like pad Thai. Nothing spectacular. The flavors were good and the squid was surprisingly tender. I didn't taste any chili paste at all. The noodles were all broken up which was weird. I ate this dish with a SPOON. Kang Kung Belacan - sautÃ©ed water spinach with spicy Malaysian shrimp paste. DELISH! I love water spinach and the subtle spicy fermented shrimp paste flavor was superb. Steamed fish Teow Chow style - WOW. This steamed fish dish was A M A Z I N G. It was a whole fresh striped bass bathing in a light chicken broth with pork, silken tofu, shiitake mushrooms, pickled green mustard, ginger, peppers, tomatoes, scallions, and cilantro. The flavors blended so well together and I'm so happy we chose this dish. The flavors are very reminiscent of the Chinese traditional pork and pickled green mustard noodle soup dish, but with the addition of ginger. Dinner was delicious, but the courses came out in a weird sequence. The roti came out first for an appetizer of course which was fine. We expected the noodles to come out next since the fish dish would take a bit of time to steam, but it came out last. The water spinach and rice came out second then the steamed fish. We've could of easily done without the noodle dish. Our server was very friendly and our waters were kept filled. Overall, we would definitely come back again. Food is tasty and service is good.
(4)
Victoria L.

My first time trying Malaysian food, and it was delicious! I tried the Mee Siam, a fried noodle option. It was made up of stir-fried rice vermicilli mixed with tofu, shrimp, bean sprout, and topped with a spicy Thai chili sauce. All the flavors blended well together and they didn't skimp out on the ingredients. The proportions were very generous as well! I also tried a little bit of my friend's roti canai, a staple at Penang. The soft, thin, flaky pancake was delicious and it was even better when dipped with its curry chicken and potato dipping sauce. If you come here, I would definitely recommend starting off with the Roti Canai, you can't come here without trying it first! The service was fast and friendly! Plus, with the decent prices and generous proportions this place makes for a great place to do some family style sharing with some friends or family members!
(4)
Richard R.

It had been awhile since we had been to this Penang, maybe 8 or more years. I used think this place was great so we were excited to get back there on a recent Friday night. Penang is still super crowded, the staff is still super efficient and the servers friendly and polite. They now take credit cards, which they didn't take back when they first opened which I was happy to learn. I don't know if it was Lent and we couldn't order Roti Canai, Satay or curried chicken but the dishes were disappointing. The Singapore noodles tasted like bad Pad Thai, and the seafood dish we ordered was average at best. Maybe we ordered the wrong dishes, maybe we caught Penang on a bad night, and maybe there are just so many more Malay, Indonesian and Asian Fusion restaurants around now that the shine has worn off a little at Penang? Whatever the case, on this night Penang was pretty average.
(3)
Victoria C.

I came here on Sunday evening at around 6PM, and there was no wait for a table of two. We split the beef chow fun and the Thai half chicken (it's located beneath the Hainanese chicken on the menu), which came out to 21 dollars and lots of chicken leftover. Such great prices! The beef chow fun was pretty standard. It's not too oily and contained decent amounts of fried egg as well as bean sprouts. The slices of beef in the chow fun were thick, well cooked, and actually quite juicy! The Thai chicken was poached chicken served atop cucumbers and itself topped by a spicy thick sauce. There was a nice kick the the dish, although the bottom pieces seemed to be drowning in the sesame oil. Next time, I'd opt for the Hainanese chicken with the beef chow fun, because the chicken would serve as a nice, simple protein addition to the already flavorful noodle dish. Decent service, good food, and great prices.
(4)
Kayla C.

If it's your first time eating here, or Malaysian cuisine in general, the homemade Roti Canai (Indian pancake with chicken curry on the side as dip) is 100% recommended as an appetizer. It's a classic and you can't go wrong with that one! Penang does a great job at making theirs, along with ensuring that it's a shareable amount! The thing about eating at places like Penang is that you have to make sure you know what you're ordering. The flavors of each menu item are really strong and may not suit everyone's tongue.. The waiters do a great job at recommendations and descriptions of what you're interested in ordering. Any of their starred menu items are typically fantastic. Their Malaysian iced coffee is a strong one! I'm a fan. The service here is above and beyond fantastic. They are quick to greet you, seat you, and serve you. Throughout your meal, they are extremely attentive to your every need! It may seem odd at first, but it is simply the asian way to do things! Very very speedy and courteous. If you're ever in chinatown and want to try something new, check this place out. Also has a cool and dim atmosphere.
(5)
Sumita R.

I come here again and again for the Roti Canai. Very fast service and I usually order this as my appetizer as we are sitting down. I also lately have been getting the vegetable clay pot. It has a similar tomato/coconut milk base as the roti canai but filled with my favorite vegetables. You can see pieces of tofu, Chinese eggplant, okra, green beans, and mushrooms floating in the curry base. This portion is very large and enough to share with 2-4 people. My boyfriend and I split it and ate way too much. We could have easily ordered more rice and shared it with more people. The ambiance is fine with tables close together and it is normally always busy and occasionally has a line. The service as I said is always quick and the meals are very reasonably priced.
(5)
Leigh O.

Sometimes I see a place that's super crowded and I'm like yeah let's go here, it's crowded so it must be great!! That's how I felt about Penang before having probably one of the most average meals I've had at an Asian restaurant. We had the mango shrimp, some soup, rolls and shrimp with scallion and ginger in soy sauce. Nothing was terrible - yet nothing was extremely good. There were no distinct flavors or spices and I found the food to be almost completely bland. I also did not like that rice doesn't come with your meal. That seems like such a petty additional charge when there's rarely restaurants of this scale that don't include rice with a main dish. Initially the service we received here was great. However, after finishing our meal the waiter consistently stood over us as if motioning us to leave and while we sat and talked he even approached us TWICE to ask if we were SURE we didn't want to decide on a dessert. I do not like being rushed - especially when I had low budget food I feel I should at least be able to enjoy my company. To put it simply, I equate the food here to the quality of that at a hood corner store joint. If my Chinese store threw some mangoes in their dishes it'd likely taste better than the dishes I got here. The lesson learned here: Don't judge a restaurant by its crowd. I will not be rushing to return to Penang!
(3)
Thutrang L.

I've been to this place many times, can't believe that I've haven't reviewed it yet! This place is always busy during peak hours, lunch and dinner! Service is great and table turnover is quick! Wait staff is very attentive and food comes out fast! The kitchen is open so delicious aromas fill the entire restaurant. Definitely try the Indian pancakes for appetizer! It comes with this thin batter that is heated up on a hot pan. On the side, is a small bowl of chicken curry that isn't too spicy. It's prefect. We ordered the skewers as another app and they were really flavorful! Wait staff were really attentive the entire time during our dining experience. I seriously love this place.
(5)
Jessica H.

Am new to philly...am glad that I found this place... love their manu. It so many to chose from...especially the deserve "abc" I always want that. I recommend this place to everyone#yummy#bestinphilly!
(4)
Glo F.

It was alright. I went to a Penang in Boston many years ago and didn't realized they have one in Philadelphia....fond memories in Boston so I thought this would be a good last meal. Wrong....the server was nice but since there was only one of me I really want to order smart...and a dish with vegetables. The server was not very helpful when I asked what is the speciality. I settled on the Shrimp with green beans...Malay style with dry Shrimp. Very good flavor....but I got only six shrimps....size of my pinkie. I ate the entire dish with my rice. The ambience is nice, servers efficient, and turnover high. They served Thai, Cambodian and Chinese dishes too....but I'll stick with the Malaysian. I may go back if in the area. The restaurant is right at the entrance of Chinatown and near the greyhound and Jefferson train station.
(3)
Partha A.

Food was cold. All components for Nasi Lemak except rice was cold. Like real cold - the cooked anchovies as well. The thai basil noodles had no flavor. Also all noodles were doused in oil. Beef rendang was not good.
(1)
Laura R.

Some friends took me here back in November. I would love to go back. The Mango Shrimp was on point! The sweet to spice ratio was just right. And it was actually served inside of a mango which really turned me on. For dessert we shared the fried ice cream...very very delicious. Never had fried ice cream before. Looking forward to that again. It was a Friday night and the place was packed but we didin't wait that long to be seated (approx. 10-15 minutes). The kitchen area is open for your viewing pleasure. The food came quick enough. They allow you to bring your own bottle and if you are celebrating a birthday or something you can bring your own cake. Not sure if there is a cake cutting fee though. Also I had a bite of my bff's Roti Canai...the reviews are accurate...very tasty.
(5)
Peter N.

Roti Canai is a must here. My favorite app here - I order it before even looking at that menu. Be careful, you will get addicted! The entrees are flavorful and can be shared, but be adventurous with the selections to get a great experience. Pad Thai? Nothing to write home about. Go for the entrees that you don't see everyday - mango chicken, deep fried fish. And instead of a bowl of steamed white rice, opt for the chicken rice. Life changing! The decor reminds me of a legit southeast Asian restaurant. Probably the most decorative restaurant in Chinatown, Penang is going for the full dining experience! So take in the atmosphere as your chomping away! Did I mention it's BYOB? Makes this place a great date option on the cheap. It can get a little loud in here, though. They now accept credit cards (they were cash only once upon a time), so bring the plastic!
(4)
Tiffany S.

Our friend we visited took us here for dinner. We had a party of 5 and we ordered 2 roti, curry mee, mee goring, half hainan chicken, and another noodle dish. Curry mee stood out the most- creamy, coconut flavored and slightly spicy- it definitely hit the spot after a long flight to philly. All in all- was super surprised with the quality, proportions, and how cheap our dinner was. It ended up being about $11 per person. Would stop by here again!
(5)

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Address : 117 N 10th St
Philadelphia, PA, 19107
Phone (215) 413-2531
Website https://www.penangusa.com/backup/archive082205/location_upperwest.html
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 12

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Penang

117 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA, 19107

Penang Menu

Appetizers

Fried Noodles

Noodles In Soup

Casserole

Soup

Rice Dishes

Poultry / Beef

Pork

Vegetable

Seafood

Choices Of Fish: Red Snapper Or Striped Bass

Sizzling Platter

Side Order

Beverages

Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Penang

Appetizers

Fried Noodles

Noodles In Soup

Casserole

Soup

Rice Dishes

Poultry / Beef

Pork

Vegetable

Seafood

Choices Of Fish: Red Snapper Or Striped Bass

Sizzling Platter

Side Order

Beverages

Dessert

Mona C.

Jessica H.

Trisha C.

Derek B.

Yvonne L.

Laurie J.

Jasmyne G.

Edward H.

John M.

Jennifer R.

Molly F.

Annie D.

Nicolas N.

Grace H.

Cameron G.

Sam B.

Magen S.

Diana N.

Victoria L.

Richard R.

Victoria C.

Kayla C.

Sumita R.

Leigh O.

Thutrang L.

Annie L.

Glo F.

Partha A.

Laura R.

Peter N.

Tiffany S.

Lilly T.

Grace L.

Lulu Z.

Seth C.

Sarah G.

Vinny P.

M W.

Anna B.

Susanna L.

Nobuyuki S.

Jenny U.

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Janet E.

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