Line Clear Nasi Kandar, Penang
Last updated: October 2026
| Address | 177 Jalan Penang (corner of Lebuh Campbell), George Town, 10000 Penang |
|---|---|
| Hours | 24 hours, daily |
| Closed | Never — open every day including public holidays |
| Price range | RM8–15 per plate |
| Payment | Cash preferred; some card payment available |
| Halal status | Halal |
| Nearest transit | Rapid Penang bus 101/103/104 along Jalan Penang. Street parking metered; Komtar car park 5 minutes on foot. |
| Take me here | |
| Established | 1947 |
| Verified | Verified October 2026 |
What It Is
Line Clear is a 24-hour nasi kandar operation on Jalan Penang that has been feeding George Town since 1947. The setup is classic open-air hawker style: a long counter lined with steel trays of curries and fried meats, plastic tables and stools spilling onto the pavement, and a queue that never fully disappears. It sits in the five-foot way of a shophouse row, right at the junction with Lebuh Campbell.
The name "Line Clear" reportedly comes from an old telegraph term, though the exact origin is debated. What is not debated is its position in the Penang nasi kandar hierarchy — alongside Hameediyah, it is one of the two most talked-about nasi kandar spots in the city.
What to Order
Ordering at Line Clear follows the standard nasi kandar ritual. You grab a plate of steamed white rice and point at the curries you want from behind the glass. The chicken curry is the star — thick, deeply spiced and slightly sweet. Pair it with dhal, a piece of fried chicken (ayam goreng) or fried squid (sotong goreng), and ask for kuah campur — mixed curry gravy ladled over everything.
A typical plate with rice, two curries and one protein costs RM8–15. Side dishes like vegetables and eggs add RM2–4 each. Wash it down with a teh tarik (pulled milk tea) for RM2–3, available from the drinks counter next to the main stall.
Best Time to Go
Line Clear peaks between 8 pm and midnight, when the late-night crowd fills every available seat. If you prefer a shorter wait, visit between 3 pm and 5 pm or during the early hours after 2 am, when the pavement is quieter and the curry trays have just been refreshed. Lunchtime (12 pm – 1:30 pm) is busy but moves quickly since turnover is fast.
How to Get There
Line Clear occupies the ground level of a shophouse at 177 Jalan Penang, near the corner with Lebuh Campbell. From Komtar, walk north along Jalan Penang for about 5 minutes. Rapid Penang buses 101, 103 and 104 stop within walking distance. Street parking on Jalan Penang is metered and fills up in the evening; the Komtar multi-storey car park is the nearest reliable option.
Nearby
- Hameediyah — 3-minute walk west on Lebuh Campbell
- Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul — 5-minute walk south-west to Lebuh Keng Kwee
- The Pokok All Day Bar — 10-minute walk south to Chulia Street
Verdict
Line Clear is the nasi kandar experience in its most unfiltered form — no air conditioning, no tablecloths, just exceptional curry served around the clock. The 24-hour schedule makes it one of the few places in George Town where you can get a full meal at 3 am. It is not a comfortable dining experience in the Western sense, but that is beside the point. Come for the curry, eat fast, and join the long line of people who have been doing exactly that since 1947.
What to Order at Line Clear Nasi Kandar
Line Clear Nasi Kandar 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.
Location
Photos
Visitor Reviews
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★★★★★September 2026
Came at 11 pm after a flight into Penang and Line Clear was fully buzzing. The chicken curry was thick, deeply spiced and slightly sweet. Pointed at the fried chicken (ayam goreng) and squid (sotong goreng) behind the glass, asked for kuah campur on top, and the whole plate cost RM12. Washed it down with a RM2.50 teh tarik. This is why you come to Penang.
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★★★★★August 2026
The fish head curry here is extraordinary — rich, tangy and packed with flavour. We ordered rice with dhal, chicken curry and a fried egg, and the mixed curry gravy ladled over everything brought the plate to life. Generous portions for under RM10. Open 24 hours on Jalan Penang, so it is the best late-night option in George Town.
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★★★★☆July 2026
The curries are genuinely good but the peak-hour queue between 8 pm and midnight is brutal — we waited 30 minutes just for a table. No air conditioning, plastic stools on the pavement, but the chicken curry and dhal make up for the lack of comfort. Ask for kuah pedas if you want it spicier. Operating since 1947 and the recipes are clearly well-guarded.
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★★★★★June 2026
Best nasi kandar experience in Penang for the atmosphere alone. The pavement-stall setup with steel trays of curries behind glass, the fast turnover, the midnight crowd — it is raw and real. The fried squid was crispy outside and tender inside. Plate with three curries and ayam goreng came to RM13. Halal and open every day including holidays.
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★★★★☆April 2026
Solid nasi kandar with fresh curries and tender chicken. Came at 3 am — barely any queue and the curry trays had just been refreshed. The dhal was creamy and the mixed gravy (kuah campur) over white rice was flavourful without being too heavy. Cheaper and more chaotic than Hameediyah, which is three minutes away on Lebuh Campbell.
Reviews sourced from Google Maps
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Line Clear Nasi Kandar really open 24 hours?
Yes. Line Clear operates around the clock, seven days a week. The busiest hours are between 8 pm and midnight, when the post-dinner crowd arrives. Early mornings from 3 am to 6 am are the quietest.
Is Line Clear Nasi Kandar halal?
Yes. Line Clear serves halal Indian-Muslim cuisine. It has been a halal establishment since it first opened in 1947 and is run by a Muslim family.
What is the best thing to order at Line Clear?
The nasi kandar with a mix of curries is the standard order. Most regulars go for chicken curry, dhal and a fried item like ayam goreng (fried chicken) or sotong goreng (fried squid). Point at the trays behind the glass and the server will plate it for you. Ask for extra kuah campur (mixed curry) on top.
How much does a meal at Line Clear cost?
A plate of nasi kandar with two to three curries and a piece of meat typically costs between RM8 and RM15. Prices depend on which proteins and curries you choose. Drinks such as teh tarik cost RM2 to RM3.