
Tho Yuen
A century-old Cantonese teahouse in George Town, serving traditional dim sum and renowned noodle dishes with a signature 'wok hei' aroma.

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Tho Yuen

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A century-old Cantonese teahouse in George Town, serving traditional dim sum and renowned noodle dishes with a signature 'wok hei' aroma.
"Experience authentic Cantonese cuisine and traditional dim sum in an old-world setting at this Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee."
Arrive Early for Dim Sum
Popular dim sum items sell out quickly. Aim to arrive before 9 AM to secure your favorites.
Order from Local Waitresses
Engage with local waitresses for potentially better communication and more accurate order taking.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Cantonese
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+60 4-261 4672
Address
92 Campbell Street Georgetown, 10100 Penang, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Website
facebook.com/thoyuen/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Cantonese Dim Sum
Savor traditional Cantonese cuisine and dim sum in a charming, old-world setting that has stood the test of time.

Signature Noodle Dishes
Experience expertly wok-fried noodles with a strong, smoky 'wok hei' aroma, like the King Prawn Crispy Noodles.

Michelin Bib Gourmand Recognition
Enjoy a culinary journey at a celebrated eatery recognized by the Michelin Guide for its authentic Cantonese flavors.
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Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early for Dim Sum
Popular dim sum items sell out quickly. Aim to arrive before 9 AM to secure your favorites.
Order from Local Waitresses
Engage with local waitresses for potentially better communication and more accurate order taking.
Opt for Freshly Prepared Dishes
For the freshest flavors, consider items like prawn crispy noodles or stir-fried vermicelli.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early for Dim Sum
Popular dim sum items sell out quickly. Aim to arrive before 9 AM to secure your favorites.
Order from Local Waitresses
Engage with local waitresses for potentially better communication and more accurate order taking.
Opt for Freshly Prepared Dishes
For the freshest flavors, consider items like prawn crispy noodles or stir-fried vermicelli.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Tho Yuen is a beloved, old-school Cantonese restaurant praised for its authentic flavors and nostalgic atmosphere. Diners rave about the expertly wok-fried noodle dishes and traditional dim sum, though some note that prices have increased since its Michelin recognition. The consistent quality and local charm make it a highly recommended stop for traditional Malaysian Chinese cuisine.
"Came here for the special Hong Tho noodle. Taste is good. The crab meat fried rice is awesome. Crab meat is fresh and the fried rice has "wok hei". Price may be higher but quality of food makes the visit worth. Need to come early if you want to taste their dim sum. Overall, it's Great experience and will surely visit again"
Low Lee Ling
"Tho Yuen – one of those classic old-school Chinese restaurants that Penang folks have been visiting for generations. It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy a comforting dim sum breakfast with a pot of hot tea to start your day.
Besides dim sum, they offer a variety of stir-fried noodle dishes, from Wat Tan Hor to Dry Hor Fun, and even fried rice. Every dish we tried was packed with wok hei—that signature smoky aroma you can only get from high-heat wok cooking.
I was told that, back in the day, they used to place spittoons under the tables for customers to spit into—a common practice in old-style eateries. Thankfully, for hygiene reasons, that’s no longer the case. Otherwise, it might have driven people away in today's dining culture."
Cynthia Ng
"We tried three dishes and every single one was a hit:
• King Prawn Crispy Noodles – perfectly crispy noodles topped with juicy king prawns, bathed in a smooth broth with a slightly gelatinous texture that’s full of flavor. The contrast between the crunch and the sauce is outstanding.
• Fried Crispy Noodles – a simpler version but just as delicious, with fresh seafood and vegetables.
• Stir-fried Rice Noodles & Vermicelli – wok-fried to perfection with that signature smoky “wok hei” aroma, flavorful and well-seasoned.
We paired everything with an aromatic chrysanthemum tea, light and refreshing, perfect to balance the rich flavors.
The staff were incredibly friendly, making the whole experience even better. The vibe is authentic and local – exactly where you want to be to taste real Penang flavors.
They also serve famous dumplings in the morning, which we didn’t get to try but came highly recommended.
An absolute must-visit for anyone wanting to eat like a local and enjoy dishes truly worth the trip."
Monica Zaldumbide Alcocer
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Tho Yuen is famous for its authentic Cantonese cuisine, particularly its traditional dim sum and signature noodle dishes with a strong 'wok hei' aroma.
While reservations aren't explicitly mentioned, arriving early, especially before 9 AM, is recommended for dim sum as it tends to sell out quickly.
Must-try dishes include the King Prawn Crispy Noodles, other wok-fried noodle dishes, and their traditional dim sum selections.
Yes, Tho Yuen has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, recognizing its quality Cantonese cuisine.
The restaurant offers a nostalgic, old-world ambiance, characteristic of traditional Cantonese eateries.
Tho Yuen typically opens early in the morning, often around 6 AM, and serves until the afternoon.
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The golden rule of eating in a foreign city is to follow the locals, a tactic that leads to Tho Yuen (92 Lebuh Campbell) in Chinatown near Chowrasta Bazaar, where Cantonese breakfast and lunch consist of chicken and rice in banana leaf, fish ball soup with pork and prawn dumplings, hor fun (thin rice noodles with prawn and chicken), steamed chicken, dim sum and roast pork pau (buns). The restaurant has been open for almost a century, with some of the smiling, toothless workers close to triple digits, too.
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Recently honoured with the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand, this establishment in George Town has been serving delectable dim sum for an impressive 80 years, showcasing remarkable resilience amid the F&B industry’s modernisation wave. Sure, you’d have to wait in line thanks to its popularity, but it’s worth it!. While their dim sum selection is undoubtedly exceptional, don’t miss out on savouring their renowned noodle dishes, which are equally famous and deserving of acclaim.
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Two of the most popular local joints in George Town are just a stone’s throw away from each other: Tho Yuen Restaurant on Lebuh Campbell, and Tai Tong Restaurant around the corner on Lebuh Cintra. Both places offer a huge selection of different dumplings (dim sum) and steaming hot and fluffy pao – stuffed with delicious marinated meat and other flavours. These places will not serve alcohol but fresh Chinese tea, a better combination anyway.
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Tho Yuen Restaurant offers a nostalgic and traditional dining experience, as it takes on the look of your typical Chinese eatery in George Town. Don’t be fooled though, as this unassuming restaurant has snagged a Michelin Bib Gourmand—pretty impressive!. The secret lies in the food itself, of course, as they serve some of the best and most authentic Chinese and Taiwanese favourites you could think of.
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The 80-years old Cantonese Dim Sum restaurant - Tho Yuen Restaurant still standing strong against the tide of modernization in F&B industry within the vicinity of Georgetown. There are assortment of dim sum, a variety of noodles and chicken rice available till late lunch hours. Do try out their freshly baked egg tarts that come with a crisp and thin crust to hold the pleasant egg custard fillings.
Top 5 Chinese Breakfast in Penang For A Good Morning
Signature Dish: Dim SumAddress: 92 Campbell Street, 10100 George Town, PenangOpening Hours: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Overview: For over 80 years, Tho Yuen has served freshly steamed dim sum every morning for Yum Cha. This traditional Cantonese teahouse is a local institution with rooster-themed tea sets and a nostalgic ambiance that transports diners to simpler times.
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Despite the odd sounding name, Restoran Tho Yuen is often patronised for it's delicious selection of dim sum. Not only can you order great chickens, but do dig in to their variety of homemade dim sums. Especially for anyone who enjoys and adore 'Siew Mai', Restoran Tho Yuen might just be the place for you.
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Tho Yuen is the best Chinese restaurant in Georgetown, Penang, to savour dim sum. For over 80 years, they have traditionally made their dim sum, starting every morning at 3:30 am. Furthermore, this well-known teahouse has been awarded a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand for their authentic Cantonese cuisine.
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Tho Yuen gets a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand for its Cantonese cuisine. Standing firm for eight decades, this teahouse still makes their dim sum the traditional way – every morning at 3:30am. Apart from dim sum, fried noodles, bee hoon and fish balls are also good to try.
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Whether it’s Dim Sum or fried noodles and rice, Tho Yuen has it all. If you’re a lover of fried stuff with the wok hei flavor, the fried hor fun and bihun is a definite must try. Tho Yuen makes their own pastries as well so if you have a chance, give it a try.
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The 蛋挞 "Egg Tart" is the signature dish here, not the usual round shape but instead oval shaped and not too sweet, nice!. The 猪肉肠粉 "Rice Noodle" also surprisingly different, with I believe comes with pork filling.
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