Ah Chui Seafood ayer itam — Restaurant in George Town

Came here for dinner while we were in Penang, and there were a lot of people queuing up for this family-run seafood restaurant. It's really interesting how they have the kitchen outside, making it visible for everyone to see. It makes sense because the smoke ventilation is quite intense, so having it outdoors is ideal. Plus, it gives a very ‘live-action’ viewing experience!

It’s quite adorable how the children in the family help out by handing out dishes and taking drink orders. It feels very homey!

We ordered a few of the standard dishes and asked for recommendations. The total bill came out to 125 ringgit, which I think was an incredible deal considering how fresh the seafood was—directly from the port and freshly cooked.

Here’s what we ordered: ——— 🍜 Signature QQ Fried Noodles The texture is very much like MAGGI noodles—bouncy, with a strong wok hei aroma from the stir-fry, and extra crunch from the ikan bilis toppings. This will be a hot favorite for families, and children will love it too. Rating: 4/5 🌟

🍤 Fried Battered Shrimps This was amazing! The prawns were really fresh and small, making them super addictive to eat in big mouthfuls or as small snack bites. Rating: 5/5 🌟

🫛 Sambal Kangkong The portion was a little small, but since this was the smallest size, it was good enough for one or two people. I loved how the vegetables remained crispy, fresh, and green. The sambal was so good and addictive with rice, not too oily either. Highly recommended if you enjoy sambal kangkong! Rating: 4.5/5 🌟

🐟 BBQ Ikan Bakar Stingray Their ikan bakar stingray is really popular, and I can see why. We ordered the smallest portion, which was just enough to enjoy the flavor of the fish. There was no strong "nitrate" aroma that stingray sometimes has, and the sambal completely masked any fishiness. The sambal itself is truly the MVP here! The cooking technique was excellent, and the side condiment—sambal with raw onions—made it even more delicious. The meat was still moist and not overcooked. Rating: 5/5 🌟

🐚 Steamed Lala with Lime Honestly, the marinade used to steam these lala clams was THE highlight—it completely covered any fishiness. Even though the clams were quite small and not very plump, the tangy marinade elevated the dish to a whole new level. Rating: 3.5/5 🌟

🥘 Thai Style Tofu This dish was good but nothing extraordinary, as Thai-style tofu can be found almost anywhere. The tofu was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a tangy marinade that made it quite addictive. It was a nice starter, but nothing too memorable compared to the rest of the dishes. Rating: 3.5/5 🌟

Overall, the dining experience was fantastic! The only downside was the long waiting time during peak hours—it took about 20 minutes for our dishes to arrive. But honestly, it was worth the wait, considering the quality and...

What an absolutely fantastic seafood experience! Every dish we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly executed. This meal was a true showcase of excellent Malaysian-style seafood cooking. ​ ​Stir-fried Sweet Potato Leaves (or 'Fennel Leaves'): The greens were incredibly tender and vibrant green, showing they were flash-fried to perfection. The dish was savory and aromatic, with a delightful hint of chili and dried shrimp (hae bee) which added a wonderful textural contrast. A simple dish done exceptionally well. ​Steamed Fish with Tofu and Chilies: This dish was the definition of clean, zesty, and refreshing. The fish, likely a pomfret or a similar white fish, was perfectly steamed—moist and flaky. The clear, tangy broth, loaded with generous chunks of soft tofu, ginger slices, tomatoes, and bright green chilies, provided a fantastic, fiery kick without overpowering the natural sweetness of the fish. ​Grilled/Baked Fish in Banana Leaf (Ikan Bakar): The smell alone was mouthwatering! The fish was beautifully charred, and the rich, thick, spicy sambal smothered on top was complex and robust. Wrapping it in a banana leaf infused the fish with a unique, smoky aroma. This dish was an absolute must-try for any spice lover. ​"Black Pepper" or Soy Sauce Stir-fried Prawns: The prawns were large, succulent, and coated in a gorgeous, glossy, deep brown sauce. The flavors were intense—a wonderful balance of sweet, savory, and smoky, possibly from dark soy sauce, a touch of black pepper, and chili. They were rich and addictive, making them the star of the table. ​Fish Paste/Meatballs in Soup: A simple yet comforting dish to balance the richness and spice. The white paste, likely made from fresh fish, was incredibly bouncy and smooth, served in a light, clear broth with a garnish of cilantro and ginger. It was soothing and a perfect palate cleanser. ​Final Verdict ​From the fresh, quality ingredients to the skillful preparation, this meal was outstanding. If you are looking for authentic, well-prepared seafood with a Malaysian flair, this is the place to go. Highly...

Every year when we go to Penang, we will try to visit Ah Chui Seafood. The food is always great, the price reasonable, and service is good.

This year, Ah Chui himself took our orders, but he kept asking me to add this and that dish and didn't suggest smaller fish or fewer dishes for the 5 of us. Ended up, we have too much to eat, and didn't enjoy the food like we used to do. The fish he suggested was so big, we steamed half and grilled half, the grill one was much better than the steamed. He asked us to try the steam squid (it was good, but too much to eat). The lala was just 'meh'.. so I probably won't order this again.

I would have given the place a 3 stars if I'd not dine here before.

When you want to order your food, try NOT to go with Ah Chui himself (elderly skinny man), but go with one of the younger staff who will recommend food just enough for your group of people. Ah Chui is too enthusiastic to push dishes to you.

For fish, go with the grill fish, it's nicer than the steam fish. Fried shrimps should be ordered, as it's very delicious. We had to much to eat and this dish came last, so we didn't even finish the plate of prawns. Such a waste.

You can see from the amount of dishes we have for 5! This is the first time I didn't enjoy Ah...