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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

CUISINES
Chinese, Cafe, Asian, Malaysian
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
FEATURES
Takeout, Seating, Table Service
Reviews (199)
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Traveller rating
38
84
30
7
8
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Traveller rating
38
84
30
7
8
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Reviewed 9 November 2022 via mobile

I came around 1.30pm so it was pretty crowded. Paid Rm4. 40 for the chendol and I guess it's nothing to shout about. Ordered a bowl of curry mee at Rm6. 50. Taste not bad but pretty ordinary. Also ordered popiah 2 pieces at RM6....So so only. And be prepared to share tables hereMore

Date of visit: November 2022
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Reviewed 3 May 2021

Whenever we are in Penang, we try to have lunch here for some amazing local Penang delights. We always have assam laksa, char kway teow, cendol and pie tie.

Date of visit: January 2021
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 3 January 2020

Went back twice for the kueh tiaw. The Penang Laksa is so-so and you can order the famous Penang Chendol thru them which is a plus as to Q-up at the chendol place is impossibly long.

Date of visit: December 2019
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Reviewed 15 October 2019 via mobile

This cafe is famous for its Chendol (a sweet shaved iced coconut milk dessert with green stringed jellos). Oh wait! The Chendol is from a make shift cart situated right beside the cafe. Visible coz of its long Q. So who owns the cafe? You’ll...be greeted with green uniformed servers cleaning the tables to usher in patrons the cafe itself. They’ll paddle the Chendol, Penang Laksa (Penang’s very famous street food made of tamarind and prawn paste broth, with thick vermicelli, a combo of sweet, sour n spicy) and Oyster on Fried Eggs. Order all 3 if its the only pit stop you have in Penang to try its street food. None of the 3 recommended food by the servers made the mark. But of coz, for convenience wise, and if you don’t wish to hunt around for the perfect Chendol, Laksa and Oyster Egg. Edible at most (but I took only 2 mouthful of Laksa, yes its bad... and the broth is cold). The only saving grace for the 3 stars? This little stall in Joo Hooi Cafe that says Curry Mee. Why didn’t anyone paddle the food of an old aunty? I ordered and was shocked to be greeted by a bowl of thin vermicelli , tofu, squids, meat balls covered in white colored broth. Wait a minute! I thought curry is red-orangy colored?!!! Oh wait... there’s a spoonful of reddish Belacan (spicy prawn chilly like paste)... mix it in and lo and behold... Penang Curry Mee... it has a distinct rustic taste, nothing overwhelming, something you won’t have in Malaysia (except in Johor, which is 900km down south)... and THAT ladies and gentleman is the saving grace for Joo Hooi Cafe.More

Date of visit: October 2019
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 11 October 2019

I recommend here the chee chong fun (good portion and good taste). Fried things on sticks and asam juice are also good. I discovered the place in 2019 but I only went one time because it is quite far from where I sleep under that...heat and you can find chee chong fun closer which is as good as there The atmosphere was average because it was too crowded but I went there at the week end. You share basic tables and stools inside with locals, few place to move, you feel cramped but there was few queue. Tables are tiny. Cleanliness seemed to be oki but I didn’t try the toilets There were many choices on the stalls to eat. The food quantity was good The service is very fast even if there are so many people at the week end, they help you as much as they can even in such a context but they give you the biggest portion without asking you if you want the small or the big portion Value for money was good. Will I go back? Maybe because it is far from the place I sleepMore

Date of visit: February 2019
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Reviewed 10 October 2019 via mobile

It is a one stop eating centre! But you need to first find a place to sit. Then ordering is simple. You may even order cendol from the lane outside and they will serve. In Joo Hooi, there are a few stalls offering local Penang...food. There’s laksa, rojak, popiah, char kuey teow and others. Tasty and good.More

Date of visit: October 2019
Helpful?40  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 6 August 2019 via mobile

Stumbled upon this place ! Loved the laksa and char kuey teow! It was a good find we were very happy !

Date of visit: August 2019
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 31 July 2019

For me personally, this was my favourite laksa in my 3 weeks in Malaysia. Very fragrant, nice thick noodles, lots of herbs. Marginally more expensive than other laksas I've had at 6MYR, but hardly a deal breaker. Very humid inside though!

Date of visit: July 2019
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Reviewed 19 July 2019 via mobile

Tried it and found it to be the worst Asam Laksa I have ever tasted. Only found out that the original stall has moved after. 🤦‍♂️

Date of visit: July 2019
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 19 July 2019 via mobile

My husband said that no trip to Penang is complete without eating Assam Laksa & Chendol at Joo Hooi. We came here multiple times & are glad that the place is cleaner now. I remembered our first visit when we saw inch thick dust layer...on the fans. But now, that has been cleaned up. Tables are still tightly squeezed but most will just eat & go giving it a fast turnover. Staff service is also very fast. The mackerel fish in the laksa felt lesser this time but it is still tasty. Chendol seems to have improved since the last time, with more gula. We also ordered the loh bak which is good too. Will return.More

Date of visit: July 2019
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Reviewed 27 May 2019

All their food are nice, but as the coffee shop is small and the queue for food are very long. The Chendol will have to stand and queue outside.

Date of visit: January 2019
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Reviewed 23 May 2019

They have nice es cendol, rujak also ok. but too bad, service really bad.. I would like to give zero star for the service if I can. They don't care about you, not friendly at all. will never come to this place again. I rather...go eat at other placeMore

Date of visit: May 2019
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Reviewed 15 January 2019 via mobile

The 'cool kid' on this street is the cendol stand, right at the top which maintained a consistant following throughout the afternoon. This is a daytime gig with the stalls closing around 17.30. Had a decent mee curry & char kway teow. The rojak was...a little sweet...good fried oyster omlette... but you're coming here for the cendol vendor at the top or the Assam laksa.More

Date of visit: January 2019
Helpful?
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Reviewed 22 December 2018 via mobile

The original assam laksa and fried kuey teow has shifted further down the road. The current stalls are not the original seller.

Date of visit: December 2018
Helpful?4  
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Reviewed 15 December 2018 via mobile

Tried touristy food-not bad. I’ll say pop by if you’re around the area. Affordable prices from $5-7 ringgit a plate.

Date of visit: December 2018
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Joo Hooi Cafe

Yes, Joo Hooi Cafe offers takeaway services.

Joo Hooi Cafe is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 3.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 3