Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay (Penang, Malaysia): A MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Kuih Maker Operating Since 1933

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This article is part of the Penang Food Trip series. Check out the installments in this series: Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery (MICHELIN-Starred Peranakan Restaurant) | Hameediyah Restaurant (Nasi Kandar) | Kafe Ping Hooi and Tiger Char Koay Teow (Traditional Coffee Shop with Popular Char Kway Teow) | Kimberley Street Food Night Market | Penang Road Famous Laksa and Teochew Chendul | Sister Curry Mee (Curry Noodles)

I love Kakanin. To the uninitiated, it’s the collective term for Filipino rice cakes. So every time I’m in Malaysia or Singapore, I would always try kakanin’s counterpart there—Kuih (also spelled Koay or Kueh). So when we were in George Town, we visited the oldest kuih maker in the city, which is Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay.

Moh Teng Pheow has been serving Nyonya or Peranakan (Malay Chinese) Kuih for more than nine decades. Its founder opened a factory in 1933, making traditional handmade snacks and desserts.

In 2016, Moh Teng Pheow transformed into a restaurant and gallery, featuring retro memorabilia. Being there is like being transported in the past!

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They also have Peranakan-inspired tin lunch boxes as a design feature. You can also buy one if you’re feeling nostalgic!

[Peranakan-Inspired Tin Lunch Boxes]

Moh Teng Pheow has a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recognition, so you know that the food is good.

Moh Teng Pheow’s MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Recognition

We tried an assortment of kuih. My favorites are: Ang Koo (Green) or glutinous rice with mung bean filling (it’s like mochi with an earthy paste filling), Karipop or Curry Puff (crumbly and has a nice curry filling), and the Pulut Tai Tai or Kaya (Coconut Custard) Kuih (a mix of savory and sweet).

We were kind of surprised how small their kuih are compared to others. That’s because nyonya kuih, being a high class dessert, shouldn’t be messy to eat. So when kuih are bigger, they tend to be messy. So from the founder until the current generation of owners, they make their kuih small.

These sweet treats (except for the karipop) are best drank with hot Kopi (traditional coffee with condensed milk). It’s strong, sweet, and creamy!

Moh Teng Pheow also serves savory dishes, such as Nasi Lemak (Malaysia’s national dish composed of coconut rice and various side dishes) and Roti Jala Set (a net-like pancake served with chicken curry). We weren’t able to try these dishes, which gives us a reason to return!

Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay, in my opinion, is an experience every foodie visiting Penang should try. They make good kuih and have a history nearing a century. Plus, the venue is quaint and brings nostalgia, making it very Instagrammable. I highly recommend it to you!

Address: Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Masjid, George Town, Penang, Malaysia | Operating Hours: Daily, 10AM-5PM | Contact No.: +60 12-415 2677 | Facebook | Instagram

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