8 must-try Malaysian dishes for vegans – and where to find plant-based versions in George Town, Penang
From rendang to nasi kandar and bak kut teh to chendul, all Malaysia’s most famous dishes can now easily be enjoyed in vegan versions – here’s where to find them
George Town is small but bursting with art, culture and cuisine. Several million tourists visit this little bubble in Penang every year to take photos of famous street art and check out its quirky museums.
The vegan food scene in George Town is thriving. With a mix of cultures including Chinese, Malay and Indian, George Town is the perfect place for vegans to indulge themselves.
Bak kut teh
This pork rib soup is a Chinese dish often eaten in Malaysia and Singapore, in the Hokkien- and Teochew-speaking areas. This vegan version from George Town’s Evergreen Vegetarian House uses bean curd, tofu and mushrooms to mimic the traditional meaty texture. The herbal broth in the soup is memorable, and meat eaters can also appreciate its complex flavours.
Curry chee cheong fun
Originally a Cantonese dish from southern China, this famous rice noodle street food was given a Malaysian-style makeover many years ago. One way it’s enjoyed is with shrimp paste, curry, minced meat and pork rind. This spicy vegan version from George Town’s Pinxin Vegan Cuisine, however, has a cashew milk curry soup base with bean curd, asparagus, mushrooms and assorted spices.
Nasi kandar
Considered to be Penang’s most cherished dish, nasi kandar can be eaten at any time of the day. This Malaysian staple consists of steamed rice served with curries, vegetables and meat-based side dishes. Vegans can enjoy a plant-based version with mock meats, potato curry, okra and poppadom that is as good as the real thing – at Lily’s Vegetarian Kitchen in George Town, anyway.