Penang
(617) 451-6373
685-691 Washington St
Boston,
MA
02111
42.3512
-71.0629
Neighborhoods: Central, Downtown, Chinatown
What People Are Saying About Penang
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Bamboo poles and exposed brick may clash architecturally, but it's an honest try at recreating tropical Malaysia in untropical Boston. Diners range from theatergoers taking advantage of quick service to big groups staking down a table for 10.
The Food
Malay is the South Pacific's mother cuisine, and Penang offers a reasonable facsimile, complete with Chinese overtones. Be forewarned that Malaysian cooking uses ingredients that some westerners find startling (whole fish and chicken feet), so heed the English menu advice about consulting your server. But even the squeamish can have a great meal. Just order most plates from "chef's specialities." Jumbo prawns--maximum flavor if heads and shells are left on--in a seaweed-based brown sauce are rich and crunchy. For a Chinese-like, hot stir-fry dish, opt for masak lemak: a choice of meat with sweet peppers, onions and carrots in a chili sauce.
User Reviews
Anonymous
February 02, 2009
The service is fast without feeling rushed, the tea is nice, and the mango chicken is amazing. They have things you'd expect in any Asian restaurant but keep in mind that this is Chinatown so chicken fingers actually are chicken fingers (as in feet). Be adventurous!
read full reviewAnonymous
August 22, 2008
We were so anxious to try things that we ordered way too much food to share. The staff were very friendly and they gladly moved our table when we said we were cold. Then they moved us again because we ordered so many dishes they would not fit on the table we were at!
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freewilly7
April 12, 2008
love their skewers (chicken or beef) w/peanut sauce, roti (thin crispy pancake w/dipping curry sauce), hoinan chicken rice (make sure you get the rice cooked w/chicken oil), indian meen goreng (sp?). the sizzling beef dish (the spicy one--they have two versions) is good too, albeit spicy. i used to love a dish--not sure if it's called "buddha's delight"--but i love the "nest" that holds the food coz it's made with mashed taro that's shaped as a bowl and deep fried. some places do it right but theirs is a bit off on quality. it doesn't have the taste of taro and it's too starchy; either they mash with too much corn starch to cut down cost or they haven't figured out how to maintain the right consistency. bak kut teh (must have if you ever go to southeast asia)... had better. should go heavier on the herbs, but i understand sometimes food and taste need to localized to suit different people's stomaches. red bean shake is good too. ...wait, is this a place where i had a fried ice-cream? if i had it wasn't bad either. :) :)
read full reviewThe Details on Penang
Know Before You Go:
Order a soothing noodle dish such as beef chow fun as respite from the chili-spiced hot dishes.
Category:
Payment Methods:
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Late Night Dining, Theater District Dining, People Watching, Family Style Dining, Lunch Spot, Date Spot, Group Dining, Cheap Eats
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
No
