A friend’s vegan daughter is visiting Penang. So he asked me about what restaurants to go to. I often eat in a vegan way so here are some of my suggestions:

RUO TEA

Dine in a most Zen-like environment. The delicious food is Taiwanese inspired and served in an artfully Japanese way. You’ll come away feeling full. There is a minimum spend and you should book ahead. Young children are not allowed.

BROWN POODLE

My favourite in the Tanjong Tokong area. A great variety of food, Western and Asian. Love the burgers, pizza and the Monday-speciality ‘Chicken’ Rice. Great selection of cakes too. Small dogs are allowed.

ZEN XIN

I love this place because it serves a variety of dishes to be shared more like a proper Chinese restaurant rather than single dishes per person. Great mutton curry and so much more!

NEKO VEGAN HOUSE

Hidden away off Chulia street this tiny establishment with only 3 to 4 tables is a gem. A very limited menu but so delicious. Ring the door bell to get in.

UNCLE LOKE CURRY ME

They specialise in yummy vegan curry mee / meehoon (called ‘curry laksa’ down south). They’re in a small hawker centre in Tanjung Tokong (not far from Brown Poodle) where you can choose to dine in or order using Grab (but you’ll be paying a bit more). I always cook a few veges at home and add that to my curry mee when it arrives. It opens early and closes after lunch.

JANXDEN GREENLIFE

A simple setting but still delicious. I often pop in here for a bite. The satay is particularly delicious.

VEGAN FALAFEL

Right on Chulia street, this simple outlet adds something different to our usual choices: falafel, humus and other stuff too!

THE LEAF

In Little India this is a great place in this busy part of town for some great vegan food. A few great Indian food choices down the road for vegetarians (sadly not for vegans).

LILY’S

This simple place provides a big variety of hawker vegetarian and vegan food at budget-friendly prices. I love the Wantan mee and Char Kway Teow.

PINXIN VEGAN CUISINE

Last time I went this place was looking a bit dated (hope they’ve updated the interior). Food was still delicious though.

YUN SHAN GE

Just a stone’s throw from Fort Cornwallis, this restaurant in a more traditional setting serves lots of local dishes including Hakka Lei Cha (Tea Rice).

IDEALITE @ MOULMIN

Another great establishment which also serves Hakka Lei Cha. They have a good selection of drinks too. This one is in Pulau Tikus.

PLANT A SEED

Close to the touristy areas of George Town, this outlet has lots of delicous sushi on the menu.

YI KER SHU

You’ll have to go up to Tanjong Bungah for this but I like this pretty little place outside of town.

SINCERE CO

Out in Pulau Tikus this one is in a shopping mall in a more modern setting. The food here is more imaginative, going beyond the standard fare.

There are many other vegan restaurants which I’ve not mentioned. I’ve also not covered many areas in Penang like Bayan Lepas and on the mainland. There are many good Indian vegetarian restaurants too like Annalakshmi, Woodlands, Pure Saiva and Thali-NR Sweets Cafe but these are not vegan as they likely use ghee, yoghurt and other dairy products, so carefully ordering would be required.