Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul, Penang

Last updated: October 2026

What It Is

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul is a roadside dessert stall on Lebuh Keng Kwee, just off Penang Road (Jalan Penang), that has been serving bowls of chendul since 1936. Founded by Mr Tan Teik Fuang, it is now run by the third generation of the Tan family and is widely regarded as the most well-known chendul stall in Penang — and arguably in all of Malaysia.

The setup is simple: a pushcart-style stall at the front where bowls are assembled at speed, and rows of small tables and stools lining the lane behind it. There is no air conditioning and no fuss. You queue, you order, you eat a bowl of chendul on a plastic stool, and the entire experience takes about ten minutes.

What to Order

The chendul is the only thing on the menu. A standard bowl (from RM3.50) arrives as a mound of finely shaved ice topped with bright green pandan-flavoured rice flour jelly strips, a generous pour of thick coconut milk, and a drizzle of dark gula Melaka (palm sugar syrup). The coconut milk is rich and fresh, the palm sugar is caramelised and smoky, and the pandan jelly has a gentle vegetal sweetness.

You can add red beans or pulut (glutinous rice) for an extra RM1–1.50, which gives the bowl more texture and substance. Most first-timers should start with the plain version to appreciate the balance of the three core components. The stall also serves a bowl of laksa from an adjoining counter — Penang Road Famous Laksa — which makes a savoury-sweet pairing if you want both.

Best Time to Go

Weekday mornings right after opening (10:30 am) are the quietest. By lunchtime on any day, the queue can stretch 20–30 people deep, though it moves quickly because each bowl is assembled in well under a minute. Weekend afternoons and school holidays bring the longest waits. The stall typically closes by 7 pm, but it can sell out earlier on particularly busy days.

How to Get There

The stall is on Lebuh Keng Kwee, a short lane that runs between Jalan Penang (Penang Road) and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. From Komtar, walk north-east along Jalan Penang for about 5 minutes and turn left into Lebuh Keng Kwee. The stall is immediately visible on the right side. There is no dedicated parking; use metered street parking on Jalan Penang or the Komtar multi-storey car park.

Nearby

• Hameediyah — 5-minute walk north to Lebuh Campbell
• Tek Sen Restaurant — 6-minute walk south-east to Lebuh Carnarvon
• Line Clear Nasi Kandar — 5-minute walk north-east on Jalan Penang

Verdict

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul has been doing one thing for 90 years and doing it well. The combination of fresh coconut milk, hand-pressed pandan jelly and smoky gula Melaka over shaved ice is deceptively simple but difficult to replicate at this level. At RM3.50 a bowl, it is one of the cheapest and most satisfying things you can eat in George Town. The queue is part of the experience, and it moves fast. Skip it only if you genuinely dislike coconut milk — otherwise, this is an essential stop on any Penang food trail.

What to Order at Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul 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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