Penang Street Hot Puthu Stall

Penang Street Hot Puthu Stall (3 August 2013)


There is a stall selling hot puthu along Penang Street. Puthu cawan, also written putu cawan, are Indian-style rice cupcakes. The stall selling it is located within Hock Poh Lye Cafe, at the junction of Penang Street and China Street. The stall operates daily from 5:00 pm in the evening, and continues into the night. I discovered this stall when I was walking along Penang Street yesterday, and was delighted to find a stall selling puthu.

This type of puthu is also called puthu cawan, as it is formed in a small cup. I bought some to be taken at home. According to the signage at the stall, it is a branch of another stall which began in Jelutong, and has been operating there since 1985.

Puthu Cawan (3 August 2013)




At home, I laid out the puthu on a plate, took a photograph of it before trying it. As it turned out, the taste is not as special as I had expected or hoped it to be. To me, it wasn't the nicest puthu I have tried, but this being such a rare dish to find in Penang, if you'd like to try puthu, I suggest you visit the stall at Hock Poh Lye Cafe. See the directions on this page.

Getting there

From Weld Quay, walk down China Street Ghaut, and continue on China Street after the intersection with Beach Street. You will find the coffee shop on the right side of the street, at the intersection with Penang Street. The stall operates daily in the evening.

View Penang Street Hot Puthu Stall in a larger map

List of Hawker Stalls in Penang