Jeng Kitchen Penang Review 2026: Hidden Mango Chicken Gem

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Penang's Secret Mango Chicken Spot

Jeng Kitchen

Hey fellow travelers!

I'm Nomad Ssalmi, your go-to travel blogger always on the hunt for delicious eats.😊

Penang is a true foodie paradise, and before embarking on my month-long stay here, I had a whole list of must-try dishes. Right at the top was mango chicken.

There's a famous spot called Sheng Yu Panzhou, often featured on TV and raved about by travel YouTubers. But I had a hunch it might be packed with mostly Korean tourists, and I was really looking for something a bit more local.

So, I did a little digging for mango chicken spots near my neighborhood and stumbled upon a real winner. Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Jeng Kitchen.

Jeng Kitchen: Location & Hours

Location

You'll find Jeng Kitchen conveniently located right near two of Penang's most iconic temples: Wat Chayamangkalaram, famous for its massive reclining Buddha, and the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple.

It's the perfect spot to grab a meal after you've explored these beautiful spiritual sites.

Operating Hours

Monday - Sunday: 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Break Time: 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Closed: Thursdays

Inside Jeng Kitchen

I aimed to arrive right when they reopened after their afternoon break, at 5:30 PM. We snagged a table just as they opened, and within moments, the place was completely full!

There are about six tables, and since it was a Sunday evening, most of the patrons were families, gathering around the cozy round tables.

The restaurant doesn't look like it's been around for ages, so it felt quite clean and well-maintained.

A heads-up for English speakers: neither the owner nor the staff speak much English 😭

As soon as we walked in, we were met with a rapid-fire series of questions in Chinese. I gathered they were likely asking if we had a reservation.

After a moment of mutual incomprehension, they simply motioned for us to sit down 🤣. I suppose being a busy Sunday evening might have contributed to the communication challenge.

Their signature dishes are displayed on the wall.

The Menu & Ordering

We were handed a single-sheet A4 menu and instructed to mark our choices with a marker.

However, to our surprise, mango chicken wasn't listed on the menu! We had come specifically for it! Fortunately, when we asked, they confirmed they could still make it for us, so we were able to place our order.

In addition to the mango chicken, we added a steamed pork dish, two servings of rice, and two longan juices.

Our Delicious Food Review

First up was the longan juice. It had a unique, sweet-tart flavor, almost like a spiced fruit punch, and was incredibly refreshing.

Mango Chicken (22 MYR)

Then, the star of the show arrived: the mango chicken. It featured crispy fried chicken topped with julienned mango, onions, chili, and a special chili sauce.

Unlike the mango chicken at Sheng Yu Panzhou, which supposedly only has mango on top, Jeng Kitchen's version offers a more complex array of toppings.

This mango chicken is an absolute game-changer!

The sauce isn't just a regular chili sauce; it's infused with aromatic spices, and I suspect there might be some finely ground cilantro (coriander) in there. The crispy chicken combined with the fresh crunch of mango and the fragrant chili sauce created a flavor profile unlike anything I'd ever tasted.

Even though I'm usually not a huge fan of cilantro, I devoured this dish. Seriously, even if you're on the fence about cilantro, I bet you'll love this unique culinary experience!

Steamed Pork (60 MYR)

This dish features tender, slow-cooked pork in a thick, rich sauce, served alongside fresh lettuce.

At first glance, it might not look like pure meat, but trust me, it's all succulent pork! Spooning the flavorful sauce-soaked lettuce and pork over a bed of rice was pure bliss.

The pork was incredibly tender, practically melting in my mouth – another fantastic dish. The sauce itself was so delicious, I could have happily eaten it just mixed with rice!

Final Thoughts

I'm already planning a return trip to Jeng Kitchen before my stay in Penang is over. While the steamed pork was fantastic, it was a bit pricier, so I might skip it next time.

But one thing is for sure: I will absolutely be ordering the mango chicken again 😆

This truly is a hidden gem for mango chicken, and I wholeheartedly recommend you check it out!

I hope this post helps you plan an amazing culinary adventure in Penang! ❤️