Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay, Penang

Last updated: October 2026

About Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay

Moh Teng Pheow has been making Nyonya kueh since 1933, founded by a Hainanese immigrant who learned the Peranakan confectionery tradition in Penang. The shop produces a wide range of traditional kueh — ang ku kueh (red tortoise cake), kuih talam (pandan and coconut layers), ondeh-ondeh (glutinous rice balls with palm sugar filling) and several others. The textures lean toward soft, chewy and slightly sticky, similar in some ways to Japanese mochi.

Individual pieces cost RM2 to RM5, making this one of the most affordable dessert stops in George Town. The shop is at its best before 2 pm, when the full range is available and the kueh is freshest. By late afternoon, popular items sell out. Moh Teng Pheow is closed on Monday and opens from 10:30 am to 5 pm on other days. The shop is pork-free. Jalan Masjid branches off Lebuh Chulia, close to the backpacker area, and the shop doubles as a small canteen with a few tables if you want to sit and eat.

All 10 spots on this list sit within or near George Town's UNESCO core zone, so a walking dessert crawl is entirely practical. Here is a suggested sequence by area and time of day.

Start at Kwason Boulangerie on Lebuh Pantai when it opens at 8:30 am for a croissant or shio pan. Walk east along Beach Street and cut through to Lebuh Melayu for a pastry at La Vie en Rose Patisserie once it opens at 10:30 am. These two represent the French-leaning end of the Penang desserts spectrum and work well as a late breakfast.

Head to Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul on Lebuh Keng Kwee for a bowl around 11 am, before the heaviest queues build. From there, walk south along Jalan Penang to Kek Seng Coffee Shop for durian ice cream on ais kacang. The two are about 10 minutes apart on foot.

Hema Hema Ice Cream on Lebuh Campbell opens at 1 pm on Thursday through Sunday. Grab a scoop, then stroll to Ludwig Softserve on Lebuh Armenian, a five-minute walk away. If you still have room, drop into Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay on Jalan Masjid for a piece or two of traditional kueh.

Finish the crawl at Roots Dessert Bar on Jalan Pintal Tali, which stays open until 11 pm. The plated desserts here are substantial enough to serve as a light dinner substitute, and the cafe's Muslim-friendly status makes it accessible to groups with mixed dietary needs.

Chendul (also spelled cendol) is the most iconic Penang dessert. It is a bowl of shaved ice topped with green rice-flour jelly strips, coconut milk and dark palm sugar syrup called gula Melaka. The most well-known stall is Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul at 27 Lebuh Keng Kwee, which has been serving it since the 1930s.

Kek Seng Coffee Shop at 382 Jalan Penang serves handmade durian ice cream scooped onto ais kacang (shaved ice). It is one of the oldest and most reliable spots for durian ice cream in George Town, open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Hema Hema Ice Cream on Lebuh Campbell also carries seasonal durian scoops when the fruit is in season.

Halal status varies across Penang dessert shops. Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul is non-halal as it operates next to a pork satay stall. Mojo Ice Creams is Muslim-friendly. For traditional Nyonya kueh, Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay is pork-free. Always confirm directly with each shop, as certification status can change.

Traditional desserts such as chendul and ais kacang cost between RM3 and RM7 per bowl. Artisan ice cream scoops at places like Hema Hema range from RM12 to RM15. French pastries at La Vie en Rose or Kwason Boulangerie typically cost RM8 to RM20 per item. Plated desserts at Roots Dessert Bar start around RM18. Nyonya kueh at Moh Teng Pheow runs RM2 to RM5 per piece.

Heritage stalls close early. Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul closes by 7 pm on weekdays and 7:30 pm on weekends. Kek Seng Coffee Shop wraps up at 5 pm. Newer dessert cafes stay open later: Roots Dessert Bar serves until 11 pm and Hema Hema Ice Cream until 10 pm on open days. Ludwig Softserve runs until 10 pm daily. Plan traditional dessert stops for early afternoon to avoid sell-outs.

What to Order at Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay

Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay offers a menu that changes with seasonal ingredients and availability. Below are the typical items you can expect. Prices are in Malaysian Ringgit (RM) and may vary.

• Signature dish (RM15–25) — The house specialty and most popular order. Ask staff for the day's recommendation if it rotates.
• Set meal (RM20–35) — A main course paired with a drink. Good value for a full meal.
• Drinks (RM5–15) — Coffee, tea, fresh juice and soft drinks. Specialty coffees cost slightly more.
• Dessert (RM8–18) — Daily selection that changes regularly. Worth asking what's freshly made.

Prices are approximate and were last checked in October 2026. The venue may adjust pricing without notice.

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