Penang in Boston Chinatown is one of the few Malaysian restaurants in the area, and it fills that gap reliably for a cuisine that the city does not have nearly enough of. We walked into a warmly decorated dining room where the staff remained accommodating even during a busy Friday night when the pace naturally slowed a bit. The Hainanese chicken is the dish to build the meal around, earning the most consistent praise for good reason. The chicken came out tender and well seasoned, with a depth of flavor from the poaching process done properly. The rice that accompanied it absorbed enough of the cooking liquid to stand on its own rather than just serving as a base. The curry chicken in particular has a sauce worth working through to the last spoonful, and pairing it with white rice or the coconut rice made the whole bowl feel complete. The roti canai is the starter most people reach for first, and it is worth having alongside the mains, flaky and well made with the curry dipping sauce doing its job. The beef rendang and chow kueh teow rounded out a menu that rewards ordering widely across a table. A few dishes landed on the milder side compared to what a more assertive Malaysian kitchen might deliver, so if you want bolder heat it is worth asking when ordering. The lunch combination sets offer strong value if your schedule allows for a midday visit. For a Malaysian restaurant in Chinatown that delivers on the Hainanese chicken and roti canai, Penang is a solid and much needed option in the neighborhood. read more

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Singapore noodles here are the best i ever had! Service was pretty good and ambiance was chill for a Saturday night. Only thing they should fix is you can smell the cleaning products. read more

Penang - Singapore Rice Noodles - Malaysian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Service was reasonably fast on a Friday night, very convenient location next to where I was staying. First time having Malaysian food in a long time so wanted to try something new. Ordered appetizer + entree to have leftovers to enjoy later. Would go back to try the different types of noodles read more

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Delicious $14 lunch - Shrimp and String Beans with Malaysian hot sauce. It was so good I wanted to lick the plate! Nice service also. read more

Penang - Shrimp and Stringbeans - Malaysian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Review would be a 3.5. Went to Penang before a show at the Opera House. It was pretty quiet around 6 but filled up fast within the hour. Service was quick and friendly, which was great since we were on a schedule. I will say getting our check took a really long time but likely because the restaurant was filling up with people so our server was busy. It was my first time trying Malaysian food, and I enjoyed it. The flavors were bold and different, a bit sweeter than I expected, but still really tasty overall. My favorite dish was the satay bean curd, so flavorful and perfectly cooked. Everything else was good but pretty sweet for my personal liking. read more

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Stopped by for a late night dinner and it was pretty empty, but I think we got lucky because it's always packed when I pass by it. The pad Thai was not great. I'm not sure if they make it non traditionally / not like standard pad Thai or it was just an off day. But the curried chicken over rice was incredible. The meat fell off the bone easily and we could not stop thinking about the dish for the rest of the night. Need to return and try other menu items to review fairly. read more

Penang - Pad Thai, curried chicken over rice - Malaysian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

My fellow South Indian who crave for some vechi porota and Salna - this is the place. Go to Penang, order their Homemade Roti canai- the appetizer is closest to vechi Porota that you get back home! The basil fried rice, nasiroang is something to try out as well! The staffs are very friendly and if you are a group, I recommend making a reservation! read more

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You can do better for Chinatown - no urge to return. Service was good, food left something to be desired.

A classic Boston restaurant in Chinatown specializing in Malaysian cuisine. Very variegated menu with diverse offerings but I wish it was executed with more finesse. The tomyam clay pot was decently flavored but there was sand and hard bits in the clam, and a lot of the shells were broken and got all in the soup. Also salty. The shrimp with lady fingers was actually a fried okra dish, and the cook on the okra was really good, fried and nice and crispy, with the right amount of seasonings. The beef rendang was a bit tough, and should have been stewed at lower heat. The dish was somewhat monolithic. The veggie casserole was good but a bit ordinary in conception. The hokkien char mee was also too salty without enough complexity in flavor. It could have had more diverse ingredients as well. The Penang Asam Laksa was supposed to have fish flakes but I couldn't find any. Also, nothing in the description said that it would have pineapple. This sweetness overpowered the soup. The apps were more successful: the roti telur pancake was crispy and light. The fillings were interesting and delicious. The baby oyster omelette was quite decent, with a fluffy egg and a lot of baby oysters embedded inside. Service was solid, and atmosphere conducive to conversation. read more

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Food is consistently good here. I ordered my usual roti canai, Nasi lemak and Indian mee goreng - all satisfying. Hearty portions, rich in flavor. Service was quick. read more

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I haven't been back to Penang in a while so I had to last week. I requested for extra cucumbers and they were able to fulfill my request. No extra charge. The chicken was so fresh. I know sometimes they give you a lot of bones but just know, the chicken is fresh and juicy. Glad I went back because it reminded me how good Penang still is. read more

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Chinese choy sum - pretty standard Seafood pan fried Noodle - tasted fine, good amount bean sprouts (not same color as the noodle oddly), could use more ingredients (fried egg pieces bit meager), small pieces of squid. Decently large dining area, have some round tables good for bigger groups. Table had ordering via QR code sign but didnt work so ordered via waitress. read more

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We got the 3 for $39.99 deal. The food was alright. I dislike the mango shrimp though. It tastes like mango with ketchup. the chicken was great and the beef had a great flavor. Service was alright. read more

Penang - Hainannese Chicken (Half) - Malaysian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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tl;dr decent portion, food is pretty good, don't come here expecting anything special for service came here for Friday night dinner. No wait at all, was a large restaurant with a lot of open seating. food was decent, out of the 3 we got, the roti was ok. the curry was good but the pancake itself was difficult to eat with the curry. service was a bit slow. Restaurant wasn't busy but service staff was just standing around chatting. overall, food was decent enough for me to come back read more

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Disappointment by the food here! It's underwhelming by how the taste missed the mark even when it came to simple dishes or what are known to be signature dishes to Malaysia. The poh piah wasn't even close. Shredded lettuce in poh piah??? Absolutely ridiculous. The worst poh piah in my life even compared to those that I've had in the United States. Please remove it from your menu if you can't even get the right ingredients to the appetizer. It gives the a ppetizer a bad rep and distorts the true reality of what poh piah is. Chicken satay was ok. Lacking in taste since some of the common spices used wasn't added such as coriander. Beef rendang was at most more like curry beef. No rendang taste and the meat was dry. I can make better rendang at home. Chow Kuay teow was the only dish that was close enough though missing what we call the wok hei (the smokiness of the stir fried noodles when cook on high heat). Only thing enjoyable that prevented the one star rating. Won't be coming back unfortunately. read more

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Penang has been a round for a while and I have always loved their roti with chicken curry it is so delicious and packed with flavor. I keep the curry and pour it over pineapple fried rice which is also delicious. The squid, chicken, shrimp noodles is a must as it is presented in a mini silver wok. They also offer mango sticky rice and fried ice cream for dessert. Cute wooden decor with attentive service from all. read more

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Penang is a Chinatown staple and their food is always so affordable and flavorful. For an appetizer, their roti + curry is so delicious. Their Hainanese chicken is usually pretty good, but was a little dry this time. You also can't finish a meal here without getting ABC for dessert (which doesn't always look the prettiest) but tastes amazing. The staff are very helpful & nice too. Overall, love this place and would definitely come back. read more

Penang - Hainanese Chicken, Watercress with Shrimp Paste - Malaysian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Came in on a hot summer night for a quick dinner. Red bean slush came right away and was good, fried rice however lacked some flavor. Portion was huge and I had plenty leftovers for lunch the next day. read more

Penang - Red Bean Shake - Malaysian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Came in on a Sunday afternoon with a party of 7 and was seated right away. They have a few big round tables and smaller tables on the "top of the bridge". Roomy and spacious. Some pros and cons - some of the dishes wasn't what I expected but not bad. I did like the roti canai but wished their curry was thicker, it was too watery for my liking. Hainanese chicken is also okay - I'm used to the soy sauce being on the side as a condiment. The Asam laksa was also lacking a bit. It could be a bit spicier. A big bowl of rice is $9 and can feed a large party so if ordering more than a few bowls, opt for the big bowl to share. Not a bad place to stop in if craving for Malaysian read more

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Bruhhh! Whoever is giving them bad or mid reviews is straight wrong. The appetizers buss! The entrees buss! The dessert buss! We tried like 7 things and all were BUSS. The service is fantastic they stand right by you and at e TV ere for every need. The ambiance is super cute. Love love love love!! read more

Penang - Malaysian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Roti is always amazing here, the rest is good. Spareribs are good flavor but fried a little dry. Basil fried rice was good, a little spicy if you like that and not packed with flavor but because of that it pairs well with other dishes. Hainanese chicken was plain ish with sauce as it is traditionally. Overall good, cool ambiance, great service! read more

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I enjoyed my meal at Penang. There were so many options to choose from on the menu, and the noodles that I ended up ordering were good - they weren't exceptional, but I did enjoy them. I do have to say though that the service here is amazing. I wanted chicken stir fried noodles, but this wasn't available on the menu, so I requested it from my server and she made it specially for me! And the food came out very quick. The food is also reasonably priced and the portions are huge. As for the ambience, the place is really pretty and has a nice atmosphere. The wooden decor makes it seem very authentic and traditional, and it creates a comforting feel. Overall, a good experience! read more

I stopped here for dinner with some friends. I think we were drawn in by the interior decor because it looks like you're transported to Malaysia. We ended up trying the following: - Roti Canai: Below average. I found it tough and very chewy. - Chow Kueh Teow: Good. The best dish of the night. - Watercress: Poor. Very fibrous and chewy. - Bubor Chacha: OK. Very basic. Service was friendly. Overall, it looked better than it actually was. Given my limited time in Boston, I wish I had gone somewhere else because the food was on average subpar. read more

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We came here pretty late on a Friday night and the first thing that I enjoyed was the interior design. The inside has a cabin-type look, with wood lining the walls. We were seated immediately, and given menus. The menu was pretty long, and I had trouble deciding what I wanted. The service was quick, I did feel a bit rushed with them bringing the check as we were still eating. Drinks/apps: we both got thai iced teas, and I was surprised when they brought them out in plastic cups. I have never had a sit down restaurant serve me drinks in plastic cups... We also ordered some dumplings, which I enjoyed. The spring rolls we ordered pretty much fell apart as soon as I took a bite. Entrees: I got the Wonton mee which was a nice hot soup! I enjoyed the noodles and broth, it was filling and the wontons tasted yummy! They did fall apart as well after being in the soup for a while. My bf got the asparagus chicken in lemongrass sauce, which was good. The portion was a bit small, but my soup was a good size. TL;DR: The food was good, but I was not overly impressed with any of the dishes. The interior was very nice and felt cozy, the restrooms were also very spacious and clean. The dishes were all pretty pricey for the amount, so I think there are some better places in chinatown to explore if you're looking for something to eat. read more

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I feel I haven't really found much Southeast Asian food in Boston so this was a nice find! Our group shared a bunch - my favorites were the migoreng and the shaved ice dessert. The food was well priced, portions were big enough for sharing with 4-6 people, and the interior was surprisingly nice (you can't tell from the outside). They only take reservations for groups of 8 and larger. read more

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Friends that are locals visit this lovely restaurant in Chinatown regularly, so we met them at Penang for a wonderful dinner. They made reservations for eight of us and they had the perfectly sized round table to accommodate our large group. Thankfully, it wasn't extremely busy because we were there for quite a long time. There was no pressure to push us out the door and everyone really enjoyed their food. I had the mango shrimp which was very reminiscent of sweet and sour. It was very sweet, and I was hoping for a little bit more of a spicy kick as it was described in the menu. The chicken satay was delicious and I tasted the chow Fun-which was just like I had when I was a kid. The watermelon (non alcoholic) drink that I ordered was delicious. I specifically asked for no additional sugar and it was light and refreshing. Next time I really want to try the red bean shake! read more

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Stopped by for a quick lunch and tried the Malaysian noodles-- a bit different from what I'm used to, but absolutely packed with flavor! I asked for extra spice, and they brought me some chili oil on the side, which was a nice touch. The restaurant is spacious with plenty of seating, making it a great spot for groups. I'll definitely be back if I'm in the area! read more

Penang - Chow Kueh Teow noodles - Malaysian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

If I can give no stars, I would. As a kid, I used to love this spot but after this time I'm no longer returning. Brought home leftovers of the Singapore noodles and my mom was eating it today. Come to find out, she found a PIECE OF METAL in the food. read more

Penang - Singapore Rice Noodles Metal found in the dish - Malaysian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

A great find in Chinatown and much less packed than the other restaurants in the area on a Thursday night. It was very spacious. I also thought the service was quick and our server was very nice. My friends and I did family style and overall enjoyed the food. The food was very flavorful, but everything felt over-salted. I ended up chugging water after I went home. I would do it again though. read more

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I'm a big fan of Malaysian cuisine, particularly the roti and curry combo. The combo was absolutely delicious. The squid dish was flavorful, but the lettuce wrap at the bottom wasn't necessary. The refreshing Singha beer complemented the meal perfectly. The restaurant had a casual, fast-food atmosphere and could be a bit noisy. read more

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I've come here quite a few times over the years and honestly it's never disappointed, however it's never my first choice out of all the Chinatown options. The food is decent and service isn't too bad - portions are honestly a bit on the smaller side so things felt a bit overpriced. I personally am a big fan of their flavored rice and have ordered it every single time I've come since it's the most unique thing on the menu that I remember. The space is quite large so I've never had a problem getting a seat; it's ambiance is quite unique with the decorations as well. Overall, I don't think it's amazing food, however it gets the job done in terms of feeding large parties in a reasonable time and okay price. read more

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I was craving some beef rendang and remembered that I used to really enjoy it at Penang. I was almost right. The sauces here are amazing. Roti canai - delicious. 5 stars. The curry sauce such a good opening taste for the rest of the meal. Beef satay - 2 stars. The beef was tough though it as a good medium for the flavorful dipping sauce. Singaporean rice noodle - 5 stars. This was the winning entree. Nice flavors. Not many shrimp but each was well cooked. Beef rendang - 3 star. This was disappointing. The sauce was great, but the beef was tough. Seemed like it needed to be cooked for another hour. Chicken curry - 4 stars. Again, great sauce! The chicken didn't suffer from the toughness of the beef but the small shards of bone made it more challenging to eat. Deep fried fish fillet - 3 stars. The flavor was there. But the fish was tough and hard to chew through. Was the fish fresh? The service was kind and fast. I was I could just buy their various sauces as that was clearly the best part. read more

Penang - Deep Fried Fish Fillet - Malaysian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Penang is still good, but seems to have lost some of its inspired cooking from previous years. At a recent lunch, the roti canal Indian pancake seemed less flavorful than before, while the laksa seemed more sour (but possibly more authentic!) and less appealing than it used to be. read more

Great place for a pre- theater meal. I enjoyed my pineapple fried rice- Shrimp With Shredded Pineapple, Vegetable, Basil & Egg In Fried Rice. It didn't have a lot of pineapple or shrimp but I enjoyed the taste. Service was good and the menu was diverse. My dining partner had another shrimp dish that she enjoyed. Prices were reasonable and there was plenty of seating. read more

Penang - Malaysian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Service was great! Food was delicious! Tried murtabak and was delighted. The pad thai was the best I've ever had. read more

Penang - Pineapple Fried Rice, Mango Chicken - Malaysian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Growing up, I definitely ate here A LOT! I always had great memories eating here & remembered Penang being the place that served pineapple fried rice, in an actually pineapple lol. I feel like their dishes are hit or miss but here's what I like to order: -hainanese chicken -roti canai -Penang curry fish fillet clay pot -shaved ice All these dishes always have great flavor and great representation of Malaysian food! I mean, of course, not as good as you'd find in Malaysia, but to be honest, even the Chinese food in Chinatown is nothing compared to food from China lol. Very good, given that there still aren't really any other Malaysian spots in Boston... Penang is really it, even 20 years later. ALSO, Penang is the only place in Chinatown that offers shaved ice! Malaysia shaved ice aka "ABC"/air batu campur is a little different from Korean Bingsu or Chinese baobing, in which corn is a common topping, and palm seeds! I really like their shaved ice, highly recommend! Sometimes I just come here for their shaved ice haha. Parking: very tricky. It's Chinatown so depending on the time and the day you go, it can either be easy to find or incredibly difficult & you might just wanna go home because of how terrible the parking situation is. Many parking garages and lots around though. read more

Met hubby's cousin her so was a fail on pictures, but had to write a review for the food. It was quite delicious and reasonably priced. Service was friendly, but a little rushed. When we got there it wasn't very busy l, but by the time we left it was hoping. They were getting ready for the rush, lol. The restaurant is decently sized with nice decor accents. read more

The best pad thai I have tried! The steak salad was amazing as well. Someone in our party got a curry and loved it. Can't go wrong!

Really great southeast Asian spot! Great Malaysian and adjacent food. Highlight for me was the Roti Telur, an egg bread appetizer. The menu is huge! So so much to try here. Quick service and a nice unpretentious interior. Definitely excited to come back here!! read more

Penang - Indian Mee Goreng - Malaysian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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good service and food! especially loved the roti telur it was sooo good I would definitely come back just for that read more

Penang - Hainannese Chicken (Half) & Roti Telur - Malaysian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts