Private Tour
Penang Cooking Class:Dive into Malaysian Cuisine with PenangChiak
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience Penang, a historical island that captivates travelers with its vibrant culture, year-round festivities, and status as Malaysia's culinary haven.
Step into the heart of local life with our Morning Market Tour. Experience the hustle and bustle of the market, where merchants enthusiastically engage with customers. Be enticed by the irresistible aroma of street food, lovingly prepared by local vendors, and the visually stunning, vibrant Kueh, pastries, and desserts that are a feast for the senses.
We, at Penang Chiak, offer more than just a taste of local cuisine. We unveil the secrets behind the ingredients and the cooking process, giving participants a chance to delve deeper, learn exclusive techniques, and understand the art of spice handling.
Join our 4 to 5-hour session at Penang Chiak, featuring a Market Tour, Breakfast, and Coaching Classes. Schedules are subject to booking requests or private reservations. Embark on this culinary journey in Penang!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Discover the culinary wonders of Malaysia in the heart of Penang, an island steeped in history and renowned for its vibrant culture and yearly festivities. Known as the food capital of Malaysia, Penang offers a gastronomic adventure that will captivate any traveler. Join us at Penang Chiak for a unique Morning Market Tour where you can immerse yourself in the local morning routine. Listen to the lively chatter of merchants haggling and offering their best deals. Be enticed by the aroma of street food prepared by local vendors, and the sight of colorful Kueh, pastries, and desserts that are simply too tempting to resist. At Penang Chiak, we go beyond just tasting the food. We reveal the secrets behind the ingredients used in our cooking process. Participants will have the opportunity to explore and learn secret techniques rarely shared with the public. Remember, handling spices is not just cooking, it's an art! Our 4 to 5-hour sessions, featuring the Morning Market Tour, Breakfast, and Coaching Classes, are tailored to your booking requests or private reservations. Embark on this gastronomic journey with us and discover the authentic tastes of Penang!
Sample Menu
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Nyonya Kuih Pai Tee
Join our class and master Kueh Pie Tee, a popular Peranakan dish. A crispy tart filled with veggies and prawns, perfect for tea parties!
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Char Koay Teow
Experience the joy of cooking Char Kway Teow, a stir-fried rice noodle dish, in our class. Dive into the flavors of Hokkien and Teochew cuisine.
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Choon Piah
Master the art of making Choon Pheah, a Hainanese crab meat spring roll, in our cooking class. Embark on a culinary journey into Asian cuisine.
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Roti Canai
Discover the art of making Roti Canai, a beloved Southeast Asian flatbread, in our cooking class. Embark on a culinary exploration of Asian cuisine.
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Banana Leaves Indian Set
Learn to prepare Indian curries and vegetarian condiments on banana leaves in our class. Experience the fusion of India and Malaysia in your palate!
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Masala Chicken
Master the art of Chicken Masala, an Indian dish combining chicken, spices, herbs, onions, and tomatoes. Experience the flavors of India in Malaysia!
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Dosai set
Experience the art of making Dosa, a thin South Indian pancake made from fermented black lentils and rice batter, in our engaging cooking class.
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Penang Hokkien Mee
Dive into the art of making Penang Hokkien Mee, a popular prawn noodle soup from Penang, Malaysia. A taste of Malaysia awaits you!
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Fish Head Curry
Discover the art of preparing a red snapper fish head stewed in curry with assorted vegetables like okra and eggplants in our cooking class.
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Chicken Rice
Uncover the secrets of making Hainanese Chicken Rice, a dish of poached chicken and seasoned rice, served with chili sauce and cucumber garnishes.
What‘s Included
Morning Market Tour: for morning classes at 8:00AM only
Morning Food Tour For Morning Classes ONLY
All ingredients and kitchen utensils are provided for you. You simply need to bring a spirit of learning and an open heart.
Souvenir (Subject to Availability)
Pickup points
JEN Penang Georgetown by Shangri-La
Magazine Road George Town Malaysia
Cititel Penang
66 Jalan Penang, George Town Malaysia
Eastern & Oriental Hotel
10, Lebuh Farquhar, George Town Malaysia
Campbell House
106 Lebuh Campbell George Town Malaysia
Options
Chinese Hawker Food Cooking
Local Market Tour & Breakfast: included for morning 8:00AM session only Street Food Cooking class: Satay and Peanut Sauce, Char Koay Teow, Curry Noodle, Hokkien (Prawn Noodles). NOTE: Consultation with instructors for menu. Duration: 5 hours: Note: Afternoon class at 1:30 PM is 4 hours without the market tour.
Indian Cooking Class
Morning Indian Cooking Class: Local Market Tour and Breakfast included. Duration: 5 hours: Note: Afternoon class at 1:30 PM is 4 hours without the market tour.
Nyonya Chinese Cooking Classes
Morning Nyonya Chinese Classes: Local Market Tour and Breakfast Included. Duration: 5 hours: Note: Afternoon class at 1:30 PM is 4 hours without the market tour.
Malay Culinary Experience
Market Tour and Cooking Class Breakfast Pickup included
Reviews
174 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
If you are enthusiastic...
Amit W,May 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00If you are enthusiastic to learn about Malaysia, in particular Nyonya cooking...this is probably a great entree into that learning
Such a fun and delicious experience
silin428,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had such an amazing time at the Penang Cooking Class — it was truly one of the highlights of my trip! The experience started with a visit to the wet market led by Simon and Mr. Mok, who were incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. They explained the local ingredients in detail and gave us great insight into Penang’s food culture. It was fascinating to see how locals shop and learn about the fresh herbs, spices, and produce that make Malaysian cuisine so special. The cooking session with Mr. Mok and Amy was just as fantastic. They were patient, friendly, and made the whole process fun and easy to follow. Even as someone who isn’t an expert cook, I felt completely comfortable and learned so much. Their guidance and tips were incredibly helpful, and they made sure everyone was involved. We made spring rolls, curry chicken, and char koay teow — and everything was absolutely delicious! My personal favorite was the char koay teow. It tasted so authentic and flavorful, and I couldn’t believe I had made it myself! I can’t wait to try recreating it at home. Overall, this class was well-organized, hands-on, and full of warmth and hospitality. If you’re visiting Penang and love food, this is an absolute must-do. Highly recommend!
Sensational experience - just do it!
samanthacH3562IP,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a wonderful experience this was and if I could rate it higher I would! From the moment I was picked up by Mr Mok at my hotel I felt welcome and relaxed and ready to learn. The market tour was so immersive and informative and I learnt so much as we purchased our ingredients for the class. The breakfast was lovely and another great experience to sit amongst locals. The class itself was amazing. We cooked so many dishes which were all so delicious. I was travelling with a friend and they packed up food for her to try which was a lovely touch. I’ve since been sent all the recipes, videos and photos from our class which will be wonderful to look back on when I try to recreate the dishes at home.
Cooking Class: Authentic Malaysian Cuisine
heatherpV6777ZC,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you are in Georgetown then you must experience this cooking class. I booked it for my husband's birthday and we both had the most fantastic day. Amy and Mok are absolutely amazing. They are so knowledgeable and attentive, they made this such an enjoyable experience. I cannot overstate how good of a time we had. I found this on TripAdvisor and it by far had the best reviews of the cooking classes available. I'm really glad I trusted them.
A brilliant, immersive cooking experience with knowledgeable hosts and great food
Guide47082292093,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the morning cooking class in Penang, which included a tour of the local market, and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish. We met Simoienz at 8:10am at the market entrance, and he guided us through the stalls, introducing us to different vendors, offering samples along the way, and sharing really interesting history and facts about the local ingredients and culture. We were also given a complimentary breakfast in the market, which was a really nice touch and added to the authenticity of the experience. After the tour, we headed to the cooking class where Amy took over, guiding us through a range of dishes. She explained not just what we were doing, but why giving great insight into the flavours and techniques, and showing real depth of knowledge. Sitting down to eat everything we’d cooked at the end was a real highlight. The whole experience was incredibly enjoyable and we took so much away from it. The only thing to note is that although the tour is advertised as 4 hours, ours ran closer to 6, so it’s worth planning your day around that. Overall, I’d absolutely recommend it.
Fun Penang Cooking Experience
Pioneer55563978693,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I highly recommend this experience. Mr. Mok and Amy were wonderful hosts and it was like cooking with your parents. The food was delicious!
Delicious workshop in Penang popular food recipes
kenkZ7369PM,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great workshop. The cuisine is part of family tradition but I never knew how to prepare them. Amy was a great instructor, patient and knowledgeable. Her husband, Mr Mok, was a great tour leader and explained clearly what each ingredient we saw in the produce and meat market was called and used for.
Not to be missed
Paul F,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time with our hosts, Mok & Amy who were helped by some wonderful assistants. We were a family of 4 with 2 boys aged 11 & 13 and this class catered for everyone. It stated with a market tour getting an insight into local ingredients, a stop for breakfast and coffee and on to the cooking class covering traditional Nyonya foods like Char Kway Teow & Chicken Curry Kapitan. 100% recomend
This tour is operated by...
Florence Y,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour is operated by a lovely family- Amy is the wife and the chef and the husband, Mr. Mok & son, Simon, were the tour guides. Mr. Mok also was out unofficial photographer and videographer and sent all the pictures and videos immediately after the trip. The morning market was so informative and they included a quick typical Malaysian street food breakfast in the market before the class. The cooking class was fun and we had a great meal at the end from homemade tea to appetizer to main courses to dessert. If I had anything negative to say, it was that the cooking class was a bit hotter than we are used to back in the States but they had multiple fans & cooling systems going and tried their best to keep us cool. The whole family was so kind and accommodating, making every effort to make sure we were having a good time & comfortable. I would highly recommend! With the morning market, it was a long tour. I think we ended closer to 3pm after starting at 8:10am but we really enjoyed it. It’s also very close to Georgetown so you can go explore afterward.
The taste of their food and the market walking tour
Jet53892034879,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great and hospitable environment. Mok and his wife are stars of kindness, pride and excellence in what they do and they make you feel, you are in their house and getting the best treats! Unforgettable and highly recommended to everyone who wants to taste Penang!
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Operated by Penang Chiak Cooking Classes