Deens Maju Nasi Kandar — Restaurant in George Town

Picture this: a colossal mountain of fluffy, steamed rice, strategically placed to act as a dam for a cascading river of curries, gravies, and delicious concoctions. This, my friends, is the glorious, slightly chaotic, and utterly essential concept of Nasi Kandar. Born from the resourceful ingenuity of Indian Muslim street hawkers in Penang, this iconic Malaysian dish began its life as a portable feast, with vendors balancing two large containers of rice and an array of dishes on a "kandar" pole slung across their shoulders.1 Fast forward to today, and while the "kandar" might have largely retired, the spirit of abundant choice and flavour remains fiercely alive. And yes, for all you discerning eaters out there, Nasi Kandar is almost universally halal, making it a culinary haven for everyone to dive into.

The true magic of Nasi Kandar lies in the sheer, bewildering, and utterly delightful variety. We're talking tender curried chicken, slow-cooked beef rendang, crispy fried fish, succulent prawns swimming in a spicy sambal, and an endless parade of vegetable dishes – okra, cabbage, eggplant, all bathed in aromatic sauces. The uninitiated might stand agog, paralysed by choice, while the seasoned Nasi Kandar connoisseur expertly navigates the options, pointing and gesturing to create their own edible masterpiece. And let's not forget the ritual: the queues. Oh, the queues! Whether under the scorching Malaysian sun or a sudden tropical downpour, loyal devotees (and curious tourists) will patiently endure the wait, knowing that the reward is a symphony of flavours.

My recent pilgrimage to Penang led me, inevitably, to Deen's Maju. This isn't just a restaurant; it's a Nasi Kandar institution. The quality? Exceptional. The prices? So reasonable you'll wonder if they've made a mistake. And the taste? Well, let's just say I briefly considered moving to Penang. It’s an absolute must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic, high-quality Nasi Kandar experience that truly lives up to its legendary status among locals and savvy...

I visited Deens Maju in Pulau Pinang several times during my stay, as it was conveniently located near my hotel. Each visit was consistently satisfying. The taste was very good and definitely on par with some of the best local nasi kandar spots. The variety of dishes is impressive, with rich, flavourful curries and delicious gravies that complement the rice perfectly. The fried chicken stood out as my favourite crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Although there is sometimes a long queue (based on your arrival timing), especially during peak hours, the line moves quickly thanks to the efficient and well-organized staff. Service was fast, and the staff were friendly and helpful throughout my visits. Prices were reasonable, especially considering the generous portion sizes and the quality of the food.

The atmosphere at Deens Maju is lively and authentic, offering a true Penang street food experience.

Overall, I highly recommend Deens Maju for anyone wanting to experience authentic nasi kandar in Penang. It’s a must-visit spot for both locals and tourists. I’ll definitely return on my next...

Giving this place 5 stars. It's what you'd expect out of a typical Penang mamak eatery. I'm not going to make comparisons with the other 'players' but this restaurant would do just fine to meet your expectations. We visited Deens during a public holiday and arrived at exactly 1pm but the queue was pretty ok. 20 mins to get our meal. I heard that the queue can be notoriously long and seen many pictures on it but if you plan your time well you shouldn't experience much delays. Don't forget to try the Rose Syrup drink with loads of crushed ice, it was refreshing especially on a hot day.

My choice was: Nasi Tomatoes + prawn masala+ fried chicken + sliced cucumber + enormous omelette = MYR14.50 with a side of food koma ( Picture attached) .

Before someone slanders the price. You can have white rice + fried chicken + Vege of choice + omelette for merely MYR 7.50 as my mate ordered this. So you decide if you wanna go cheap or atas. Will...