Penang is a
state in
Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of
Peninsular Malaysia by the
Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by
Kedah in the north and east, and
Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after
Perlis, and the eighth most populous. It is composed of two parts – Penang Island, where the seat of government is, and
Seberang Perai (formerly, and occasionally
Province Wellesley) on the
Malay Peninsula. Highly urbanised and industrialised Penang is one of the most developed and economically important states in the country, as well as a thriving tourist destination.
[4][5][6] Its heterogeneous population is highly diverse in ethnicity, culture, language, and confessions. A resident of Penang is colloquially known as a Penangite.
Food
Penang, long known as
the food capital of Malaysia, is renowned for its good and varied food.
[134][135][136][137] Penang was recognised as having the Best Street Food in Asia by
Time magazine in 2004, citing that "nowhere else can such great tasting food be so cheap".
[138] Penang's cuisine reflects the
Chinese,
Nyonya,
Malay and
Indian ethnic mix of Malaysia, but also shows some influence of
Thailand. Its especially famous "hawker food", many served al fresco, strongly features noodles, spices, and fresh seafood. The best places to savour Penang's food include
Gurney Drive,
Pulau Tikus, New Lane, New World Park, Penang Road and Chulia Street, as well as Raja Uda and Chai Leng Park over on the mainland. Penang is also famed for its traditional biscuits such as the
tau sar pneah (bean paste biscuit). Aside from that, Penang is also ranked among top ten greatest street food cities in Asia, according to CNN Go.
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