Hameediyah Restaurant, Penang – Malaysia’s Oldest Nasi Kandar (Est. 1907)
If you’re in Penang and craving authentic nasi kandar, look no further than Hameediyah Restaurant. Established in 1907, Hameediyah is not only a local legend but officially the oldest nasi kandar restaurant in Malaysia. With over a century of culinary tradition, this iconic eatery in George Town delivers rich heritage flavours, time-tested recipes, and an unforgettable Malaysian dining experience.
A Century of Nasi Kandar Legacy
Founded by Kader Mydin in the early 20th century, Hameediyah began as a modest food stall on Campbell Street. Passed down through seven generations, the restaurant has maintained its commitment to authentic Indian-Muslim cuisine. Over 115 years later, it remains a culinary cornerstone of Penang’s food culture.
Location and Contact Information
- Address: 164A & 166, Lebuh Campbell, 10100 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
- Nearby Landmark: Near Chowrasta Market and KOMTAR Tower
- Google Maps: Hameediyah Penang Location
- Phone: +60 4-261 1095
- Facebook: facebook.com/HameediyahRestaurant
- Halal Certified: ✅ Yes
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
Signature Dishes to Try
Hameediyah is revered for its nasi kandar, where rice is topped with a choice of meats and vegetables and flooded with a mix of rich, spicy curries. Top picks include:
Must-Try Menu Items:
- Ayam Bawang (Onion Chicken) – Iconic, spiced chicken with caramelised onions
- Kambing Kurma – Fragrant mutton stew with creamy kurma gravy
- Sotong Kari (Squid Curry) – Spicy, tender squid in a rich sauce
- Beef Rendang – Slow-cooked beef in aromatic coconut-spice blend
- Murtabak – Thick stuffed flatbread with minced beef/chicken, egg, and onion
- Roti Canai, Dalcha & Mixed Vegetables – For a complete meal experience
Don’t forget to ask for “kuah campur” (mixed curry gravy) for the full nasi kandar flavour explosion!
Menu
| Category | Dish | Price (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| Ayam (Chicken) | Ayam Bawang Biasa | 8.00 |
| Ayam Goreng | 8.00 | |
| Ayam Kampung/Bawang | 14.00 | |
| Ayam Kapitan | 8.00 | |
| Ayam Kari | 8.00 | |
| Ayam Kurma | 8.00 | |
| Ayam Madu | 9.00 | |
| Ayam Piru | 30.00-50.00 | |
| Ayam Tandoori | 10.00 | |
| Daging (Meat) | Daging Rendang | 7.00 |
| Hati Lembu | 4.00 | |
| Kelempung | 4.00 | |
| Limpa | 4.00 | |
| Ikan (Fish) | Ikan Goreng | 8.50 |
| Ikan Kari | 6.50 | |
| Kari Kepala Ikan | 50.00-400.00 | |
| Kambing (Mutton) | Kambing Mysore | 15.00 |
| Kambing Kari | 8.00 | |
| Kambing Kurma | 8.00 | |
| Lamb Shank | 135.00-150.00 | |
| Mubarak Set (Kambing) | 35.00-60.00 | |
| Asyi Minyak | 20.00-38.00 | |
| Seafood | Kari Sotong | 8.00-50.00 |
| Kari Udang | 10.00-50.00 | |
| Sotong Goreng | 10.00-50.00 | |
| Udang Goreng | 10.00-50.00 | |
| Ketam | 20.00-50.00 | |
| Sayur (Vegetables) | Bendi Sepinggan | 3.00 |
| Kobis | 2.50 | |
| Kerabu Nenas | 2.50 | |
| Tauger | 2.50 | |
| Peria Goreng | 2.50 | |
| Telur (Egg) | Telur Goreng | 2.00 |
| Telur Dadar | 2.50 | |
| Telur Rebus | 1.20 | |
| Telur Masin | 2.00 | |
| Telur Ikan | 7.00-30.00 | |
| Telur Sotong | 15.00 | |
| Goreng-Goreng (Fried Dishes) | Bihun Goreng | 8.00 |
| Koey Teow Goreng | 6.00 | |
| Mee Goreng | 8.00 | |
| Mee Rebus | 8.00 | |
| Nasi Goreng Biasa | 6.00 | |
| Nasi Goreng Ayam | 11.00 | |
| Nasi Goreng Daging | 11.00 | |
| Rojak | 6.00 | |
| Pasemur | 5.00 | |
| Murtabah | Murtabah Ayam | 7.00 |
| Murtabah Daging | 7.00 | |
| Murtabah Kambing | 10.00 | |
| Murtabah Sayur | 5.00 | |
| Murtabah Udang | 20.00-33.00 | |
| Murtabah Jumbo | 13.00 | |
| Murtabah Campur | 13.00 | |
| Roti (Bread) | Plain Naan | 3.00 |
| Butter Naan | 4.00 | |
| Cheese Naan | 4.50 | |
| Garlic Naan | 4.00 | |
| Roti Telur (2 Telur) | 4.00 | |
| Biryani | Biryani Ayam | 15.00 |
| Biryani Ayam Kampung | 15.00 | |
| Biryani Ayam Piru | 25.00-40.00 | |
| Biryani Kambing Rempah | 15.00 | |
| Biryani Kambing Tandoori | 15.00 | |
| Biryani Daging | 15.00 | |
| Biryani Kambing | 15.00 | |
| Biryani Tik | 20.00-40.00 | |
| Biryani Udang | 20.00-50.00 | |
| Biryani Kosong | 6.00 | |
| Biryani Ayam Madu | 17.00 | |
| Biryani Ayam Kapitan | 15.50 | |
| Lain-Lain (Others) | Burung Puyuh | 10.00 |
| Burung Merpati | 15.00 | |
| Nasi Putih | 3.00 | |
| Papadam Kecil | 3.00 | |
| Papadam Besar | 4.00 | |
| Hati Ayam | 2.50 | |
| Atik | – | |
| Angsa (ikut size) | – | |
| Jus Segar (Fresh Juice) | Oren | 1.70 |
| Apple | 2.10 | |
| Tembikai | 3.00 | |
| Carrot | 2.10 | |
| Mangga | 5.00 | |
| Laici Ais | 5.00 | |
| Limau | 1.70 | |
| Limau Kasturi | 2.10 | |
| Limau Ais | 2.10 | |
| Limau Ayam Boi | 3.50 | |
| Kopi (Coffee) | Kopi ‘O’ | 1.30 |
| Kopi ‘O’ Ais | 2.00 | |
| Kopi Panas | 2.00 | |
| Kopi Ais | 2.50 | |
| Lassi | Manggo Lassi | 7.00 |
| Fruit Lassi | 7.00 | |
| Sweet Lassi | 5.50 | |
| Salty Lassi | 5.50 | |
| Milo | Milo Panas | 2.80 |
| Milo ‘O’ | 2.30 | |
| Milo ‘O’ Ais | 2.80 | |
| Neslo | 3.50 | |
| Minuman Ringan (Soft Drinks) | Mineral Water | 2.00 |
| Coke (Tin) | 3.00 | |
| Fanta (Tin) | 3.00 | |
| Sprite (Tin) | 3.00 | |
| Pulpy Oren | 4.30 | |
| Heaven & Earth | 3.00 | |
| Coke (Botol) | 2.70 | |
| Fanta (Botol) | 2.80 | |
| Sprite (Botol) | 2.50 | |
| Nescafe | N. Panas | 2.70 |
| N. Ais | 2.90 | |
| N. ‘O’ Ais | 2.90 | |
| N. ‘O’ Panas | 2.30 | |
| Dessert | Cake Jagung | – |
| Cheese Brownies | – | |
| Moist Choc | – | |
| Dadiah | – | |
| Kek Pandan | – | |
| Oren Pannacota | – | |
| Cheese Lava | – | |
| Teh (Tea) | T. Tarik | 1.90 |
| T. ‘O’ Panas | 1.80 | |
| T. Ais | 2.10 | |
| T. ‘O’ Ais | 2.00 | |
| T. ‘O’ Ais Laici | 4.00 | |
| Ais Lemon | Ais Lemon | 3.50 |
Price Range
| Item | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Nasi Kandar (with meat) | RM15–RM30 |
| Murtabak (beef/chicken) | RM10–RM15 |
| Side dishes & vegetables | RM3–RM10 |
| Drinks (Teh Tarik, Bandung) | RM2–RM5 |
Excellent value for portion sizes and authentic taste
Dining Experience
- Located in a colonial-era shophouse with over 100 years of history
- Downstairs: Casual street-style dining
- Upstairs: Air-conditioned, ideal for families and tourists
- Expect long queues during lunch hours – a sign of how beloved it is!
Hameediyah Restaurant Malaysia Photos
- Crowd queuing outside during peak lunch
- Iconic ayam bawang nasi kandar plate
- Vintage interior of upstairs dining area
- Freshly prepared murtabak with dhal
- Early 1900s black-and-white photo of the founder
(Optimise for ALT tags with keywords like “nasi kandar Penang”, “Hameediyah restaurant interior”, “Penang food heritage”)
Why Visit Hameediyah?
- Heritage-certified spot in Penang’s UNESCO-listed George Town
- Oldest nasi kandar restaurant in Malaysia
- Consistently ranked among top eateries in Penang
- Authentic, bold flavours from time-honoured recipes
- Cultural experience that’s more than just a meal
⭐ Overall Rating: 4.7 / 5
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Taste | ★★★★★ |
| Value for Money | ★★★★★ |
| Ambience | ★★★★☆ |
| Service | ★★★★☆ |
Final Thoughts
Dining at Hameediyah Restaurant is like tasting a piece of Malaysian culinary history. Every plate is a tribute to over a century of passion, tradition, and uncompromising flavour. Whether you’re a local regular or visiting Penang for the first time, Hameediyah is a must-visit food landmark. From the famed ayam bawang to the flavour-packed murtabak, it’s a place where old-world charm meets timeless taste.
