Penang
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: (617) 451-6373
Fax: (617) 451-6300
- Price:
- $
- Cross Street:
- Kneeland Street
- Hours:
- Sun-Thu 11:30am-11:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-12am
Editorial Review for Penang – by Citysearch Staff
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.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoOrder a soothing noodle dish such as beef chow fun as respite from the chili-spiced hot dishes.
User Reviews for Penang
04/12/2008 Posted by freewilly7
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. :) :)
Pros: good food, inexpensive, T accessible (orange and green)
Cons: parking, crowded at times
03/12/2008 Posted by yliu01
I am a regular at Penang, until a few days ago, I order 2 take out. When I got home I started to eat and soon found a short hair in my rice...eww but thats not it...Then, my father was eating the veggies and pulled out a long hair from his mouth from the other take out box!!! Erk! Be careful and watch your food. I love the taste but not the hair.
