(917) 441-4790

127 W 72nd St (Between Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue)
New York, NY 10023 40.777736 -73.97956

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Upper West Side, Midtown

penangusa.com

Hours:

Sun-Thu 12pm-10:45pm

Fri-Sat 12pm-11:45am

Last updated 1.19.12

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard, Travelers Check

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Food Delivery

Cuisine:

Pan-Asian & Pacific Rim, Thai, Malaysian

What People Are Saying About Penang

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Upper West Side Malaysian restaurant serves delicious dishes with healthy ingredients.

ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “it was a nice atmosphere for a saturday night out with friends.”
  2. “As the only Thai restaurant in the West 70s, therefore our only choice, we were not expecting the hip decor, quick, enthusiastic service, and of course exquisite food that we raved about the rest of the evening.”
  3. “great food & fun atmosphere”
  4. “When we first entered the restaurant we perceived that it has an inviting athmosphere, with interesting, hip and cool designs and decor.”
  5. “The atmosphere is great for dining, low lighting, quiet enough to have your own conversation, yet, a palpable energy flows through the restaurant.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “Our entrees were just as delicious, and our choices from the respectable dessert menu ended our evening on a sweet note.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “My grandmother Susan, forewarned our awesome waiter, Valentin, that she would send back an inadequate cup of coffee without cognition, but when it arrived she absolutely loved it; insisting we all try some.”
food quality
94.2300033569336% positive
  1. “The $9.99 lunch special is an outstanding value, with the spring rolls, salad, soup, and hearty entree.”
  2. “Finally, Lunch Specials are both delicious, generous in size and inexpensive.”
  3. “Each of us deliberated over which of our three or four favorite dishes to choose, before our informed and enthusiastic waiter lead us towards the best of our selections.”
  4. “It was the best dipping sauce I have ever tried.”
  5. “had a mango chicken dish, which was divine, and my husband and brother in law had prawns, which they pronounced the best they have ever tasted.”
  6. “As the only Thai restaurant in the West 70s, therefore our only choice, we were not expecting the hip decor, quick, enthusiastic service, and of course exquisite food that we raved about the rest of the evening.”
  7. “Our entrees were just as delicious, and our choices from the respectable dessert menu ended our evening on a sweet note.”
  8. “great food & fun atmosphere”
  9. “can not wait to go back to Penang; as a true connoisseur I can offer a ardent recomendation to anyone in search of great food in a great enviroment at a great price.”
  10. “As a hard to please food lover I was completley disarmed by the excellence of my new favorite restaurant, Penang.”
  11. “Great food, great staff!”
  12. “And we loved the food.”
  13. “Great food, wonderful athmosphere”
  14. “also loved the flat rice noodle dish that we had with chicken and shrimp.”
  15. “Excellent customer service and great food”
  16. “Basically, a restaurant that could be (under different management) too hip and intimidating, is extremely welcoming and professional, has great food, and is a good value.”
  17. “Penangs Asian fusion twist on the traditional Thai food makes for the best food around.”
  18. “Our favorite dishes are the Wonton Soup, the Rendang Rolls and the Malaysian Sweet and Sour, and don't forget the coconut rice!”
  19. “we also had a pancake with a curry chicken that was delicious.”
  20. “We ordered an appetizer of spring rolls that came with a wonderful dipping sauce, with hints of curry and other spices.”
  21. “the food & service were great.”
  22. “i'll definitely go back again and if you like malaysian cuisine i would definitely suggest this place!”
  23. “great service and great food!”
  24. “The waiter made sure we our glasses were full the whole meal.”
  25. “If you like authentic Malaysian food this is well worh the trip.”
  26. “However, whenever we venture into other dishes in their extensive menu we have always enjoyed them as well.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “Our entrees were just as delicious, and our choices from the respectable dessert menu ended our evening on a sweet note.”
  2. “However, whenever we venture into other dishes in their extensive menu we have always enjoyed them as well.”
  3. “Each of us deliberated over which of our three or four favorite dishes to choose, before our informed and enthusiastic waiter lead us towards the best of our selections.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “The atmosphere is great for dining, low lighting, quiet enough to have your own conversation, yet, a palpable energy flows through the restaurant.”
  2. “As a hard to please food lover I was completley disarmed by the excellence of my new favorite restaurant, Penang.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “i'll definitely go back again and if you like malaysian cuisine i would definitely suggest this place!”
  2. “can not wait to go back to Penang; as a true connoisseur I can offer a ardent recomendation to anyone in search of great food in a great enviroment at a great price.”
service
90.90999603271484% positive
  1. “Great food, great staff!”
  2. “our waitress was extremely attentive and very friendly.”
  3. “The service was amazing.”
  4. “My grandmother Susan, forewarned our awesome waiter, Valentin, that she would send back an inadequate cup of coffee without cognition, but when it arrived she absolutely loved it; insisting we all try some.”
  5. “great service and great food!”
  6. “As the only Thai restaurant in the West 70s, therefore our only choice, we were not expecting the hip decor, quick, enthusiastic service, and of course exquisite food that we raved about the rest of the evening.”
  7. “The waiter made sure we our glasses were full the whole meal.”
  8. “the food & service were great.”
  9. “Excellent customer service and great food”
  10. “The service was good an cordial.”
  11. “Each of us deliberated over which of our three or four favorite dishes to choose, before our informed and enthusiastic waiter lead us towards the best of our selections.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “can not wait to go back to Penang; as a true connoisseur I can offer a ardent recomendation to anyone in search of great food in a great enviroment at a great price.”
  2. “Basically, a restaurant that could be (under different management) too hip and intimidating, is extremely welcoming and professional, has great food, and is a good value.”
  3. “The $9.99 lunch special is an outstanding value, with the spring rolls, salad, soup, and hearty entree.”
  4. “Finally, Lunch Specials are both delicious, generous in size and inexpensive.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “As the only Thai restaurant in the West 70s, therefore our only choice, we were not expecting the hip decor, quick, enthusiastic service, and of course exquisite food that we raved about the rest of the evening.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

05/10/11

Very good

by 12345go at Citysearch

very good food, pardon the spelling but the roti canai is very good as is the beef rendang.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

03/08/10

Delicious Malaysian Food & Great Service

by jpues at Citysearch

went to penang with some friends over the weekend. it was a nice atmosphere for a saturday night out with friends. If you like authentic Malaysian food this is well worh the trip.

  • Pros: Delicious food, Friendly Service & Nice atmosphere
  • Cons: can get crowded
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/07/08

Great food, great staff!

by ValerieandPaul at Citysearch

We look forward to our, almost weekly meal at Penang, knowing that we will have a mix of favorites and new dishes that are healthy, fresh and delicious. The atmosphere is great for dining, low lighting, quiet enough to have your own conversation, yet, a palpable energy flows through the restaurant. The staff knows the menu well and is very cordial. One feels attended to and never rushed. We always enjoy being greeted by Morgan, the Manager, whose pleasant and inviting manner sets the tone for the evening. He weaves in and around the tables ensuring that everyone is well taken care of and enjoying their evening out. Our favorite dishes are the Wonton Soup, the Rendang Rolls and the Malaysian Sweet and Sour, and don't forget the coconut rice! However, whenever we venture into other dishes in their extensive menu we have always enjoyed them as well. Finally, Lunch Specials are both delicious, generous in size and inexpensive.

  • Pros: Casual, comfortable, good for couples or larger parties..
  • Cons: None
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/05/08

Excellent customer service and great food

by kristinenyc at Citysearch

I had family visiting us this weekend and needed a lunch place while touring the city. We approached this hip restaurant as a group of 11, including 3 kids. The manager didn't bat an eye -- in a few moments they arranged a large table in back with banquettes. They invited the kids up to the bar to watch a dog competition on TV while we waited for our food. They have a great handwashing station outside the restrooms -- so helpful in NY. The waiter acted happy and professional to serve our touristy group. Restaurant was clean, restrooms clean. And we loved the food. Everyone loved everything they ordered. I got the ginger chicken, my husband had the mango chicken, kids had noodle bowls with chicken and shrimp, etc. The $9.99 lunch special is an outstanding value, with the spring rolls, salad, soup, and hearty entree. We were all stuffed. Basically, a restaurant that could be (under different management) too hip and intimidating, is extremely welcoming and professional, has great food, and is a good value. If I lived in this neighborhood I would go to Penang frequently.

  • Pros: Welcoming, professional, clean, great food
  • Cons: It's not a huge place
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/26/08

Great food, wonderful athmosphere

by lovesny at Citysearch

On a visit to New York this summer, we stumbled upon Penang's on 72nd Street. What a wonderful experience it was! When we first entered the restaurant we perceived that it has an inviting athmosphere, with interesting, hip and cool designs and decor. We were not sure that the food would deliver to the same level. But here we were pleasantly surprised. We ordered an appetizer of spring rolls that came with a wonderful dipping sauce, with hints of curry and other spices. It was the best dipping sauce I have ever tried. I had a mango chicken dish, which was divine, and my husband and brother in law had prawns, which they pronounced the best they have ever tasted. The service was good an cordial. I thought that Penang's is a little hidden jewel of a restaurant and I hope to go again next time I am in the Big Apple.

  • Pros: Good food, great value, nice athmosphere, great service
  • Cons: Absolutely no cons

The Details on Penang

Place Categories:

  • great authentic malaysian food
  • great customer service
  • cool designs
  • great fun atmosphere
  • cool decor
  • inexpensive lunch specials
  • outstanding value
  • favorite restaurant
  • extremely attentive waitress
  • favorite dishes
  • inviting athmosphere
  • wonderful dipping sauce
  • great staff
  • just as delicious entrees
  • clean restrooms
  • awesome waiter
  • favorite penang
  • like malaysian cuisine
  • loved everyone
  • flat rice noodle dish
  • divine mango chicken dish
  • definitely suggest place
  • extensive menu
  • great enviroment
  • full glasses