Best Fried Mushrooms in Penang

During breakfast and lunch hours, this modest restaurant is a must-visit to savour smorgasbord of Malay dishes and curries. The never-ending crowd is a dead giveaway that you need to make yourself present between the beeline. Among the crowd favourites here is the fried mushroom, which is constantly fried in the kitchen, adhering to its demand. Resoundingly crispy and succulent, it’s would definitely knock your socks off as soon as it lands in your mouth. If you’re looking for a dipping companion, their homemade sambal offers the best match to keep your jaw busy. 

Located along Burmah Road, this charming restaurant is no stranger to Italian food enthusiasts. There may be mushrooming competitors but Bella Italia is here to stay as they have brilliantly tied together hearty portions and authentic flavours to have you coming over and over again. Aside from the handmade pastas and pizzas, many find themselves hopelessly addicted to the Funghi Fritto – deep-fried breaded mushrooms served with a garlic mayonnaise dip. Crunchy on the outside with fresh button mushroom sitting snuggly on the inside, it tastes as good as it sounds and you’ll truly understand why it’s such a hit here.

Zen Xin Vegetarian restaurant has been gathering positive feedbacks from locals and tourists alike for their astute choices of vegetarian delights that would have your meat cravings at bay. The Peranakan-style flooring, latticework and wood-themed tables and chairs set nostalgic vibes upon entering. If you’re a fan of mushroom, no visit here is complete till you’ve tried their deep-fried abalone mushroom. Served straight off the fryer, the golden hued morsels arrives at the table with a crispy exterior, guarding the chewy texture of the mushroom beneath. Dipping in the homemade chilli sauce only help steep the flavours a degree further. 

Healthy meals may sound like biting a bullet to many as it’s either expensive or fails to perk up your palate. To change your frame of mind, Coya Healthy Cuisine would be a great starting point to leap into the healthy bandwagon. The interior is fairly simple, in a good way and fully air conditioned, while the menu is pretty extensive. If mushroom is your jam, sure you wouldn’t want to miss their deep-fried mushroom! It’s certainly a snazzier version of shiitake mushroom, which is thinly sliced and fried to crunchy goodness, then sprinkled with a handful of sesame seeds. As soon as you wrap your lips around the first piece, in a blink off an eye, all you see is a polished platter. 

Located at the water’s edge of Tan’s Jetty, this simple restaurant has made a name for itself with a myriad of Thai dishes that barely makes a dent in your wallet. Upon stepping in, pan your sight from left to right, and you’re sure to witness platters of fried enoki mushrooms and fried kangkung sharing space in every table. You’ll find no lack of crunchiness and flavour in each bite, thus you could go all day long munching to your heart’s content. And what better pleasure than scarfing down your meal with splendid views of a wood-planked jetty, rustic boats bobbing at the verge of the sea and gentle string of waves that create an oasis of calmness.