Penang Eu Cha Koay 檳城油炸鬼

The 油炸鬼 Eu Cha Koay (檳城油炸鬼), also written eu char koay, are Chinese-style deep fried breadsticks. It is spelled in a variety of ways including Eu Cha Koay, You Char Kway, You Ja Gwai, and also called Youtiao. In English, it is also called Chinese cruller.

Eu char koay are usually served as an accompaniment to Mooi (rice congee) and Hai Yan Cha (almond cream). It comprises a pair which can be broken or split in two. When accompanying porridges, the eu char koay is served in slices, looking somewhat like a miniature baguette or a stylized bone.

Eu Cha Koay (24 May 2008)


Another great way to eating eu char koay is to dunk it in almond cream. This you can enjoy at Restoran Traditional Home of Dessert on Kimberley Street.


One can usually find stalls selling eu char koay, along with other varieties of deep friend Chinese breadsticks such as the hum chin peng, at markets in the morning. However, if you're not familiar with the geography of Penang, I've created a food map showing the location of all the eu char koay stalls that I have come across in Penang. The numbered points correspond to the listing below.

Where to find Eu Cha Koay Stalls in Penang

Eu Cha Koay is available at the following locations in Penang. I shall add more whenever I come across them.

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