The food tastes great and feels authentic to me, reminiscent of how I was treated to similar cuisine by a friend in KL. The ambiance of the place is also very pleasant.
Malaysian restaurant
Penang noodles - Malaysian restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City
+8
The Story
About This Place
Penang Noodles occupies a plain, high-ceilinged room on a small lane off Lương Định Của in District 2, with big tables, an open kitchen facing the street, and a menu that runs to fifteen-plus noodle preparations. The char kway teow with cockles is the dish that drives repeat visits — soft rice noodles stir-fried at the front cooking station with blood clams, shrimp, Chinese sausage, fish cake, and bean sprouts, with a measurable wok hei that most Vietnamese renditions of this dish skip. A few reviewers note the cockle portions could be more generous; the freshness of everything else compensates.
The wonton noodles are the other anchor of the menu. Small, soft, and slippery in the Malaysian style, served with char siu and a clean broth, they read as authentic to people who have eaten similar food in Penang or Kuala Lumpur. The lor mee — a thicker, braised noodle dish closer to the Penang original than most versions found outside Malaysia — also has a following. Singaporean-style mixed noodle combos, Hokkien stir-fries, fish ball soups, and pan-fried hor fun fill out the rest of the menu for a range that is unusual to find under one roof in this neighborhood.
Kaya butter toast and teh tarik round out the hawker-stall experience for those eating beyond just noodles. Prices are affordable, service is quick, and the split daily hours — 7:30 AM to 2 PM, then 4 to 8:30 PM — make it viable for both a fast lunch and a considered dinner. In a stretch of District 2 dominated by Western brunch spots and international fusion, this is one of the few places in Thao Dien running credible Southeast Asian hawker cooking with a consistent track record across 139 reviews.
char kway teow with cockleswonton noodles (wantan mee)lor meekaya butter toastteh tarik
casualno-frillsfast-pacedspaciousopen-kitchen
Menu Highlights
What to order at Penang noodles
Stir-Fried Noodle with Cockles - Char Kway Teow With Cockles
120k VND
Soft stir-fried noodles with blood clams, shrimp, sausage, fish cake, bean sprouts, and chives. Normally, the dish is sp
Kway Teow Fish Ball + Shrimp Soup
115k VND
Soft and thin noodle soup served with fish balls, fish cakes, meatballs, shrimp, lettuce, and bean sprouts.
Shrimp Wonton Noodles
105k VND
2 servings of fresh noodles, served with char siu, wontons, shrimp, and vegetables.
Stir-Fried Penang Char Kway Teow with Duck Eggs
85k VND
Penang-style Stir-fried Noodles - Penang Char Kway Teow
80k VND
Soft stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp, Chinese sausage, fish cake, bean sprouts, and chives. This dish is usually spi
Full menu below · prices in VND.
Reviews
4.5(146)
Good option for those craving for Penang-style Malaysian food. The winner is the Char Kway Teow - a classic Penang favorite. Service is fast. Food is freshly cooked at the front of the store. PRO TIP: For a more authentic meal, order a cup of Tea Terak (milk tea).
The place looks smaller than I thought. Char Kway Teow got wok hei taste but the cockles are small. The prawn mee are way off authentic. I can say they have adjusted the taste to the locals rather than keep to Penang taste. But still if you are craving for MY food, this place is ok.
My husband lived in Penang for 10 years amd he enjoyed the food here! Glad to have found a Penang restaurant. The noodles are nice and soothing.
The noodle (Lor Mee) was delicious. It will be closer to Penang version if they added pig skin and chicken leg. The Char Koay Teow is very close to Penang. Just a little too sweet, otherwise very delicious and perfect.
Visit Tips
Visiting Penang noodles
- ✓
Open late: Doors stay open past 0 AM on at least one day — handy for after-work dinners.
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Breakfast available: Opens by 7 AM — a viable breakfast stop in Saigon.
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Menu starts from: 20k VND, based on 48 priced items on the public menu.
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Reservations: Call +84 866 112 613 to book — recommended for weekend dining.
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Best for: quick lunch, weekday dinner, family meal, malaysian food cravings.
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Delivery: Listed on GrabFood.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked
- What is the best dish at Penang Noodles?
- The char kway teow with cockles is the standout — reviewers describe it as 'a classic Penang favorite' with genuine wok hei, stir-fried with blood clams, shrimp, Chinese sausage, and bean sprouts.
- Is Penang Noodles open for breakfast?
- Penang Noodles opens at 7:30 AM daily, then runs a split-hour schedule closing at 2 PM before reopening from 4 to 8:30 PM.
- Is Penang Noodles good for groups?
- The dining room has big tables and a spacious layout. One reviewer notes 'tables are limited in quantity' despite the large space, so arriving early is advisable.
- What is the best dish at Penang Noodles for an authentic Malaysian experience?
- Reviewers single out the wanton mee as 'truly authentic Malaysian style — small, soft, slippery and tasty,' and recommend pairing any noodle dish with teh tarik for a full hawker-stall experience.
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