Oh Chien, or oyster omelette, is a popular Malaysian appetiser dish and is the perfect savoury bite to share. Most commonly found in hawker stalls, the dish is an omelette fried with oysters and potato starch. Some claim that Penang is home some of the best oyster omelette in Malaysia. So where can you find the best oh chien in the historical city? Read on to find out.
The origins of the oyster omelette
Oh chien originates from Hokkien and Teochew culture from the Min Nan region of China. According to one legend, oyster omelette is said to have been a meal prepared out of necessity during a famine. During the Qing Dynasty, a famine struck and commoners in Fujian created a pancake with oysters, sweet potato starch and eggs.
Fresh oysters were readily available in the coasts of South Fujian Province and sweet potato starch was used to make the dish more filling. The common dish born out of struggle continued to live on through time and was eventually passed down through generations of Hokkien and Teochew people.
How oh chien is served today
Today, oh chien is commonly served in hawker stalls, although it can also be prepared at home. The dish uses eggs, cockles or oysters, potato starch, and the ingredients are fried in oil or pork lard. The dish is commonly served with a sweet and spicy chilli sauce and lime.
The ingredients are fried and mixed into a large work (preferably passed down for at least three generations for maximum wok hei). The potato starch is then fried with oil or pork lard and eventually mixed with beaten eggs and oysters. A good plate of oh chien is crispy, chewy, and has a savoury flavour with smoky fragrance that only the most skilled chefs seem to achieve.
If you happen to be in Penang and are craving a good plate of oh chien, here’s where to go for the best oyster omelette.
(Hero and featured image credit: @ghostguan/instagram)
7 places for the best oyster omelette in Penang :
1 /7
This popular food court in Jalan Burma in Penang is the best place to have oyster omelette. The oysters are juicy and soft while the eggs are just the right amount of salty with a touch of char. It strikes a balance between gooey and crispy without being too wet. It is served in a classic hawker stall setting with shared tables and a classic kopitian interior. To locals of Penang, it’s a nostalgic plate that brings back memories of simpler days.
Operating hours: 7:30AM – 10:30PM (Closed on Tuesday)
Image credit: Instagram/baoboo_foodiesjourney
2 /7
For years, Super Tanker Food Court’s oh chien stall has built reputation for consistency that has brought in the crowds. Their oyster omelette features a more firm and thicker texture. Its oysters are briny and soft and the fried starch balances the dish out giving it a nice crisp. The accompanying chilli sauce also gives a nice spicy and sour kick.
Operating hours: 6AM – 12AM
Image credit: Instagram/grey_and_jiejie
3 /7
For those who prefer a wetter, mushier texture, this oh chien should fit your fancy. Served with additional shrimp, Bee Hwa’s oh chien also emphasises on seafood flavours and a more briny taste. Overall, this oyster omelette feels more starchy and chewy, which could be a turn-off for some. But for others, this old restaurant is place to visit for comfort food cooked with heaps of wok hei.
Operating hours: 7AM – 3PM (Closed on Sunday)
Image credit: Instagram/sgfooddiary
4 /7
Goodall is a lively cafe along Jalan Gottilieb, which is a famous spot for locals and tourists. The oyster omelette here is best known amongst the Penang crowd for its rich smoky flavour, as well as moist texture. The dish here also has a rich buttery flavour which complements the garlic chilli sauce perfectly. Parking is hard to find so we would recommend coming off off-peak hours.
Operating hours: 10AM – 12AM
Image credit: Instagram/tummyyummyys
5 /7
Painted in a vibrant yellow shop, Popo has become a new favourite among Penang tourists and locals for its classic oh chien. Their oh chien has the perfect egg to starch ratio and uses fresh chewy oysters. They also serve Jasmine Milk Tea which is the perfect pairing to the dish. Named after the nickname of ‘grandma’ in Hokkien, the restaurant has been serving home-style comfort food since 1980.
Operating hours: 11AM – 8:30PM (Closed on Wednesdays)
Image credit: Instagram/popofriedoyster
6 /7
For those looking for a halal option, Amy Oyster Omelette is a popular choice among locals, especially since they’re known for their generous portions and crispy texture. The oh chien is served on paper brown plates that are topped with some juicy brown cockles and their signature chilli sauce. The sauce brings a sweet spiciness to dish that balances it out well and keeps you coming back for more.
Operating hours: 9:30AM – 5PM
Image credit: Instagram/manamanakl
7 /7
Finally, a place that is near and dear to the hearts of Penangites, 3888 is one of the oh chien treasures of the island. Offering a more firmer texture, the oh chien here has a more eggy taste that pairs well with the soft oysters. Overall, the flavours here lean more towards the sweeter side than the savoury counterparts. They also have another stall serving Hokkien Mee to slurp alongside the oh chien.
Operating hours: 4PM – 9PM (Closed on Thursday)
Image credit: Instagram/ipohbunny
