Little Penang — Restaurant in North Island

Our family of six adults went out to Little Penang to celebrate a family birthday. On arrival we were shown to a circular table jammed in a corner with very little room to manoeuver for us or the wait staff. We had to help ourselves to menus, taking some from a nearby table because there were only 2 or 3 on ours. No one greeted us, no one told us what the specials were and the wait person looking after us (supposedly) totally mucked up our order and forgot what we ordered. When we arrived the place was semi empty but filled up rapidly until it was jam packed and crowded. Service overall was appalling. Food that was ordered came at differring times and two of our main meals arrived 25 minutes after everyone else's at the table. When asked on multiple occasions where our food was we were given two standard answers " I'm not sure sorry" and "I'll check for you" - neither of which answered our queries. An adjoining table that came in well after us were all served before us and given that many of them had the same dishes as us it was pretty galling. When this was pointed out we were told that the food for their table came from a different food station? The two dishes that took forever were various forms of Nasi Lemak which is essentially coconut rice, a pre-made curry of choice and condiments. When one of the two missing Nasi Lemak finally turned up it was missing both the ikan bilis and the egg that traditionally come with Nasi Lemak (and showing on others reviews as being part of the dish). The second Nasi Lemak turned up another 10 minutes later, again missing the condiment component of the dish and stone cold. We ordered separate entrees but they all came dumped on one serving plate and no individual plates were offered. I have no issues with eating family style but reaching over a large round table to grab food is not my idea of fun when eating out. Overall Little Penang was a major disappointment. I've been there for lunch on two prior occasions where service was good and the food was great. This occassion did not meet the standard they are known for. The wait staff were timid and you could barely hear them in a very crowded noisy restaurant. One of our wait staff was decidedly rude. In all fairness they did comp one of the late meals but only after some vociferous complaining to the manager. Not a good...

23 Sept, 24 Sept and 18 Nov 2024 - I visited this place thrice when I'm in Wellington. It is my favourite go to restaurant.

Nestled in the heart of Wellington, Little Penang is a charming eatery known for its authentic Malaysian cuisine. Among its many offerings, the Bihun Goreng and Char Mee stand out as shining stars for lovers of Malaysian street food.

The Bihun Goreng is a delightful dish of stir-fried vermicelli noodles, perfectly balanced in texture and flavor. The noodles are light, yet carry the smoky depth of wok hei that sets authentic Malaysian fare apart. The medley of fresh vegetables, tender chicken (or tofu for vegetarians), and a hint of spice creates a harmonious dish that satisfies without overwhelming the palate. The seasoning is spot on—subtly sweet with a savory undertone that lingers pleasantly.

The Char Mee, on the other hand, delivers a more robust flavor profile. The stir-fried yellow noodles are slightly chewy, tossed with succulent prawns, Chinese sausage slices, and crunchy bean sprouts. The dish carries a bolder soy-based seasoning that is rich and umami-packed, with a subtle smokiness that highlights its wok-cooked authenticity. A side of fresh chopped chili mixed with soy sauce elevate the dish, adding a spicy, tangy kick for those who crave extra heat.

What makes these dishes exceptional is their consistency. Each bite is a testament to the care and precision Little Penang invests in recreating the taste of Malaysia in the heart of Wellington. The service is warm and efficient, adding to the overall experience.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Bihun Goreng and Char Mee at Little Penang are must-tries that will transport your taste buds straight to the vibrant streets of Penang. A true gem in the city’s culinary scene!

Would I go back? Definitely Yes.

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Previously would have rated higher. We waited at the door for 3 minutes, which was fair for a busy dinner service and were shown to a table and given menus. We then proceeded to wait 30 minutes until someone came back to the table. We spent this time deciding our order, watching staff deliver food to other tables, seat some more people next to us, take their order, clear other tables next to us, turn people away at the door as the kitchen was closed, until finally we managed to get the attention of a staff member, only to find that us too, had missed the ordering window for the evening. During this time we were longingly looking towards the counter while staff chatted, dried cutlery, tasted food, and eventually only came to check on us when flagged down. Mind you, we tried to hail staff numerous times using eye contact and assertive waves of the hand, but our efforts went unnoticed as we grew hungrier. We even folded and stacked our menus on the table with our hands clasped as a passive visual indication that we were ready to order. To offer table service during dinner and to have staff essentially ignore us until the last possible minute was not encouraging. I suppose the worst part is that we left and spent another 30 minutes looking for a restaurant that wasn't near closing - but that's a different story. We were disappointed at the lack of attentiveness and ultimately the lack of food - which...