Lipsmacking local cookies | George town local cuisines guide

When talking about Penang's biscuits, the tau sar peah (tambun biscuit) reigns supreme. Available in two varieties, one with green bean filling and another one with gula melaka, these biscuits are suitable for eating anytime of the day. They also make great gifts.

Coming in at a close second at the popularity stakes is the hneoh pneah – a flattish biscuit with a flaky crust and sticky caramel filling. Both biscuits are available from most shops at Chowrasta or direct from the source – Ghee Hiang and Him Heang are famous brands.

Penang tau sar peah, food for the Gods.

Check out Little India for a variety of Indian crunchies like savoury muruku and kacang putih. If you have a craving for sweet and savoury nibbles Malay style, try the pisang manis sira gula, bahulu, pisang abu masin, kerepek ubi masin, kerepek ubi and tempeyek. Available from Chowrasta, the Lorong Kulit flea market and night markets (pasar malam).

The roti man or bread vendor is quite a common sight in Penang. They are usually on their rounds in the mornings and from tea time (about 4pm), plying their stock-in-trade in a road contraption that resembles a hybrid between a motorcycle and a ‘meat safe’.

A popular item sold by the roti man among many others is benggali roti. A loaf of benggali roti costs RM0.70. It is white bread, freshly baked daily and sent out to most coffee shops around George Town.

Our exotic local cuisines for Malay cuisine, Chinese gourmet and Indian Cookery