Chulia Street is one of the most famous and vibrant streets in Penang, Malaysia. It is a place where history, culture, and food come together to create a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors.
Whether you are looking for a taste of Penang’s diverse and delicious cuisine, a glimpse of its rich and colourful heritage, or a fun and lively night out, Chulia Street has something for everyone. In this article, we will show you the best things to do, see, eat, and stay at Chulia Street, and why it is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves travel and adventure.
Food
One of the main reasons why people flock to Chulia Street is the food. Chulia Street is a haven for hawker stalls, which are small and informal food outlets that serve a variety of dishes, often cooked on the spot. Hawker stalls are a great way to experience Penang’s food culture, which is influenced by its multicultural and multiethnic population.
You can find Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan cuisines, as well as fusion dishes that combine different flavours and ingredients. Hawker stalls are also very affordable, authentic, and convenient, as you can easily hop from one stall to another and sample different dishes.
Here are some of the most popular and iconic dishes that you should try at Chulia Street:
Wantan mee: This is a noodle dish that consists of thin egg noodles tossed in a dark soy sauce, topped with slices of char siu (barbecued pork), and served with a bowl of soup with wantan (pork dumplings). The noodles are springy and flavourful, and the char siu is tender and sweet. The soup is light and refreshing, and the wantan are juicy and succulent. You can find this dish at the Wantan Mee Stall near the junction of Chulia Street and Carnarvon Street, which has been operating for over 60 years. The price is around RM5 per plate.
Lok lok: This is a skewer dish that consists of various ingredients, such as meat, seafood, vegetables, tofu, and quail eggs, that are dipped in boiling water or broth, and then eaten with different sauces, such as peanut, chili, or sweet and sour. The ingredients are fresh and crunchy, and the sauces are spicy and tangy. You can find this dish at the Lok Lok Stall near the junction of Chulia Street and Lebuh Keng Kwee, which has a wide selection of ingredients and sauces. The price is around RM1 per skewer.
Char kuey teow: This is a stir-fried rice noodle dish that consists of flat rice noodles, bean sprouts, chives, eggs, prawns, cockles, and lap cheong (Chinese sausage), seasoned with soy sauce, chili, and sugar. The noodles are smoky and savoury, and the prawns are plump and juicy. The cockles add a briny and bloody touch, and the lap cheong adds a sweet and smoky flavour. You can find this dish at the Char Kuey Teow Stall near the junction of Chulia Street and Lorong Seck Chuan, which has been operating for over 40 years. The price is around RM7 per plate.
Apom: This is a pancake-like snack that consists of rice flour, coconut milk, eggs, and sugar, cooked in a small clay pot over charcoal fire. The apom are thin and crispy on the edges, and soft and fluffy in the centre. They are usually eaten with banana slices, grated coconut, or brown sugar. You can find this dish at the Apom Stall near the junction of Chulia Street and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, which has been operating for over 30 years. The price is around RM0.50 per piece.
Curry mee: This is a noodle soup dish that consists of yellow noodles, vermicelli, bean sprouts, tofu puffs, cockles, cuttlefish, and pig’s blood cubes, in a spicy and creamy coconut milk-based curry broth. The broth is rich and aromatic, and the ingredients are tender and chewy. You can find this dish at the Curry Mee Stall near the junction of Chulia Street and Lorong Love, which has been operating for over 50 years. The price is around RM5 per bowl.
Roti canai: This is a flatbread dish that consists of dough that is flattened, folded, and tossed in the air, and then cooked on a flat griddle with oil or ghee. The roti canai are flaky and buttery, and usually eaten with dhal (lentil curry), chicken curry, or fish curry. You can also find variations of roti canai, such as roti telur (with egg), roti pisang (with banana), or roti sardin (with sardines). You can find this dish at the Roti Canai Stall near the junction of Chulia Street and Lebuh Pantai, which has been operating for over 20 years. The price is around RM1.50 per piece.
Oyster omelette: This is an omelette dish that consists of eggs, starch, and oysters, fried in a large pan with oil and lard. The omelette is crispy and chewy, and the oysters are fresh and briny. The dish is usually served with a chili sauce that adds a spicy and sour kick. You can find this dish at the Oyster Omelette Stall near the junction of Chulia Street and Lebuh Kimberley, which has been operating for over 30 years. The price is around RM10 per plate.
Wan tan hor: This is a noodle dish that consists of flat rice noodles, bean sprouts, chives, eggs, prawns, pork slices, and fish cakes, stir-fried in a dark soy sauce, and then topped with a thick gravy with wantan (pork dumplings). The noodles are slippery and glossy, and the gravy is smooth and savoury. The prawns are plump and juicy, and the wantan are juicy and succulent. You can find this dish at the Wan Tan Hor Stall near the junction of Chulia Street and Lebuh Cintra, which has been operating for over 30 years. The price is around RM6 per plate.
Hawker Centres
If you want to enjoy more food and variety at Chulia Street, you can also visit the hawker centres, which are larger and more organized food courts that house multiple hawker stalls under one roof. Hawker centres are a great way to experience the lively and bustling atmosphere of Chulia Street, as well as the diversity and quality of Penang’s food scene. You can find different types of cuisines, such as Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan, as well as fusion dishes that combine different flavours and ingredients. Hawker centres are also very affordable, hygienic, and convenient, as you can easily find a seat and order your food.
Here are some of the best hawker centres to visit at Chulia Street:
Chulia Street Night Hawker Centre: This is the most popular and famous hawker centre at Chulia Street, which opens from 6 pm to 12 am daily. It is located at the junction of Chulia Street and Lebuh Carnarvon, and occupies a large open-air space with tables and chairs. It has over 50 hawker stalls that serve a variety of dishes, such as satay, nasi kandar, assam laksa, rojak, cendol, ice kacang, and more. The hawker centre is always crowded and noisy, but also lively and vibrant. You can enjoy the food and the night view of Chulia Street, as well as the live music and performances that are sometimes held at the hawker centre.
New Lane Street Foodstalls: This is another popular and famous hawker centre at Chulia Street, which opens from 4 pm to 11 pm daily. It is located at Lorong Baru, off Chulia Street, and occupies a long and narrow street with tables and chairs. It has over 40 hawker stalls that serve a variety of dishes, such as chee cheong fun, curry mee, lor bak, popiah, sotong kangkung, and more. The hawker centre is always packed and busy, but also friendly and lively. You can enjoy the food and the street view of Chulia Street, as well as the aroma and smoke that fill the air.
Kimberley Street Food Night Market: This is a relatively new and trendy hawker centre at Chulia Street, which opens from 6 pm to 12 am daily. It is located at Lebuh Kimberley, off Chulia Street, and occupies a wide and spacious street with tables and chairs. It has over 30 hawker stalls that serve a variety of dishes, such as char kuey teow, oyster omelette, wan tan hor, apom, and more. The hawker centre is always lively and vibrant, but also clean and modern. You can enjoy the food and the night view of Chulia Street, as well as the colourful and festive lights that decorate the street.
New World Park Food Court: This is a more upscale and sophisticated hawker centre at Chulia Street, which opens from 10 am to 10 pm daily. It is located at Jalan Burma, off Chulia Street, and occupies a large and modern complex with tables and chairs. It has over 20 hawker stalls that serve a variety of dishes, such as nasi lemak, chicken rice, bak kut teh, dim sum, and more. The hawker centre is always clean and comfortable, but also lively and vibrant. You can enjoy the food and the view of Chulia Street, as well as the entertainment and shopping facilities that are available at the complex.
Street Art
Another reason why Chulia Street is a hotspot for tourists and locals alike is the street art. Chulia Street is home to some of the most impressive and famous street art pieces in Penang, which showcase the creative and artistic flair of the city. Street art is a form of public art that uses walls, buildings, and other surfaces as canvases for paintings, murals, sculptures, and installations. Street art is often expressive, provocative, and humorous, and reflects the social and cultural issues of the community.
Here are some of the most impressive and famous street art pieces that you should see at Chulia Street:
Children on a Bicycle:
This is a mural that depicts two children, a boy and a girl, riding a bicycle on a wall. The mural is painted in a realistic and detailed style, and the bicycle is a real one that is attached to the wall. The mural is located at the junction of Chulia Street and Lebuh Armenian, and was created by Ernest Zacharevic, a Lithuanian artist who is known for his interactive and playful street art in Penang. The mural is one of the most iconic and popular street art pieces in Penang, and symbolizes the joy and innocence of childhood.
Boy on a Bike:
This is another mural that depicts a boy riding a bike on a wall. The mural is painted in a simple and cartoonish style, and the bike is a real one that is attached to the wall. The mural is located at the junction of Chulia Street and Lebuh Ah Quee, and was also created by Ernest Zacharevic. The mural is similar to the Children on a Bicycle mural, but has a more dynamic and adventurous feel, as the boy is leaning forward and smiling.
Bruce Lee Mural:
This is a mural that depicts Bruce Lee, the legendary martial arts actor and icon, in a fighting pose on a wall. The mural is painted in a realistic and detailed style, and shows Bruce Lee’s muscular and athletic physique, as well as his signature yellow jumpsuit. The mural is located at the junction of Chulia Street and Lebuh Muntri, and was created by ASA, Artists for Stray Animals, a group of artists who use their art to raise awareness and funds for stray animals in Penang. The mural is a tribute to Bruce Lee, who was born in San Francisco but had ancestral roots in Penang.
Indian Boatman:
This is a mural that depicts an Indian boatman rowing a boat on a wall. The mural is painted in a realistic and detailed style, and the boat is a real one that is attached to the wall. The mural is located at the junction of Chulia Street and Lebuh Pasar, and was created by Julia Volchkova, a Russian artist who is known for her portraits of local people in Penang. The mural is a homage to the Indian community in Penang, who have contributed to the maritime and trading history of the city.
Heritage Buildings
Another reason why Chulia Street is a treasure trove for tourists and locals alike is the heritage buildings. Chulia Street is home to some of the most remarkable and historic heritage buildings in Penang, which reflect the colonial and religious legacy of the city. Heritage buildings are a form of architectural art that use bricks, stones, wood, and metal as materials for constructing and decorating structures. Heritage buildings are often elegant, majestic, and ornate, and represent the style and influence of different eras and cultures.
Here are some of the most remarkable and historic heritage buildings that you should see at Chulia Street:
Kapitan Keling Mosque:
This is the oldest and largest mosque in Penang, which was built in 1801 by the Indian Muslim community, led by Cauder Mohideen, the first Kapitan Keling (leader of the South Indian Muslims) in Penang. The mosque is a stunning example of Indo-Moorish architecture, which combines elements of Islamic, Indian, and Persian styles. The mosque has a white and yellow facade, a large dome, a minaret, and several arches and columns. The mosque is located at the junction of Chulia Street and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, and is open to visitors, except during prayer times. The mosque is a symbol of the religious and cultural diversity of Penang, and a place of worship and harmony for the Muslim community.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple:
This is the oldest and most ornate Hindu temple in Penang, which was built in 1833 by the Tamil Hindu community, led by Thaivanayagam Chitty, a prominent merchant and philanthropist in Penang. The temple is a splendid example of South Indian architecture, which features a colourful and intricate gopuram (tower), a mandapam (hall), and a garbhagriha (sanctum). The temple is dedicated to the goddess Mahamariamman, the patron deity of the Tamils, and also houses statues of other Hindu gods and goddesses. The temple is located at the junction of Chulia Street and Lebuh Queen, and is open to visitors, except during religious ceremonies. The temple is a symbol of the spiritual and artistic heritage of Penang, and a place of devotion and celebration for the Hindu community.
St. George’s Church:
This is the oldest and most elegant Anglican church in Southeast Asia, which was built in 1818 by the British colonial administration, led by Colonel James Scott, the first Resident Councillor of Penang. The church is a fine example of Georgian architecture, which features a white and grey facade, a tall spire, a portico, and a pediment. The church is dedicated to St. George, the patron saint of England, and also contains a memorial to Francis Light, the founder of Penang. The church is located at the junction of Chulia Street and Lebuh Farquhar, and is open to visitors, except during services. The church is a symbol of the colonial and historical legacy of Penang, and a place of worship and reverence for the Anglican community.
Cheah Kongsi:
This is the oldest and most majestic clan house in Penang, which was built in 1873 by the Cheah clan, one of the oldest and wealthiest Hokkien clans in Penang. The clan house is a magnificent example of Chinese architecture, which features a red and gold facade, a curved roof, a courtyard, and a hall. The clan house is decorated with carvings, paintings, and lanterns, and showcases the ancestral tablets and relics of the Cheah clan. The clan house is located at the junction of Chulia Street and Lebuh Armenian, and is open to visitors, except during clan events. The clan house is a symbol of the familial and social bond of Penang, and a place of pride and honour for the Cheah clan.
Yap Kongsi:
This is another old and impressive clan house in Penang, which was built in 1924 by the Yap clan, one of the smaller and newer Hokkien clans in Penang. The clan house is a beautiful example of Chinese architecture, which features a green and yellow facade, a pagoda-like roof, a garden, and a temple. The clan house is dedicated to the Jade Emperor, the supreme deity of Taoism, and also displays the ancestral tablets and artifacts of the Yap clan. The clan house is located at the junction of Chulia Street and Lebuh Armenian, and is open to visitors, except during clan events. The clan house is a symbol of the religious and cultural identity of Penang, and a place of worship and gratitude for the Yap clan.
Hotels
If you want to stay at Chulia Street and enjoy its charm and convenience, you can also find a range of hotels that suit different budgets and preferences. Chulia Street is a popular choice for accommodation, as it offers easy access to the attractions and highlights of the street, as well as the rest of Penang. You can find hotels that are budget-friendly, backpacker-friendly, guesthouse-style, or hostel-style, as well as hotels that are more luxurious, boutique-style, or lodge-style. You can also find hotels that have different themes, such as heritage, modern, or artistic. Here are some of the best hotels to stay at Chulia Street:
Chulia Heritage Hotel:
This is a budget-friendly and heritage-themed hotel, which was converted from a row of pre-war shophouses. The hotel has a white and blue facade, a lobby, and a cafe. The hotel offers 45 rooms that are simple and comfortable, with air-conditioning, TV, and Wi-Fi. The hotel is located at the junction of Chulia Street and Lebuh Chulia, and is close to the hawker stalls, the street art, and the heritage buildings. The price is around RM80 per night.
Chulia Mansion:
This is a more upscale and boutique-style hotel, which was built in 2014. The hotel has a grey and brown facade, a rooftop, and a restaurant. The hotel offers 49 rooms that are spacious and stylish, with air-conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, and minibar. The hotel is located at the junction of Chulia Street and Lorong Love, and is close to the hawker centres, the street art, and the heritage buildings. The price is around RM150 per night.
Ryokan Muntri Boutique Hostel:
This is a backpacker-friendly and modern-themed hostel, which was inspired by the Japanese ryokan (inn). The hostel has a black and white facade, a lounge, and a kitchen. The hostel offers 68 beds that are cozy and clean, with air-conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, and lockers. The hostel is located at the junction of Chulia Street and Lebuh Muntri, and is close to the hawker stalls, the street art, and the heritage buildings. The price is around RM30 per night.
Rope Walk Guesthouse:
This is a guesthouse-style and artistic-themed hotel, which was renovated from a colonial-era building. The hotel has a red and yellow facade, a garden, and a gallery. The hotel offers 23 rooms that are quirky and colourful, with air-conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, and artworks. The hotel is located at the junction of Chulia Street and Jalan Pintal Tali, and is close to the hawker centres, the street art, and the heritage buildings. The price is around RM100 per night.
Chulia Street is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves travel and adventure. It is a place where you can enjoy the best of Penang’s food, culture, and heritage, as well as the fun and lively atmosphere of the street. You can find a variety of things to do, see, eat, and stay at Chulia Street, and experience the unique and diverse appeal of the street.
Whether you are looking for a taste of Penang’s diverse and delicious cuisine, a glimpse of its rich and colourful heritage, or a fun and lively night out, Chulia Street has something for everyone.
So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip to Chulia Street today, and discover the charm and beauty of Penang’s heritage and hawker paradise.
