Chang Yuan Vegetarian Food is one of my favorite restaurants in Penang, George Town. It’s a small, family-run, vegetarian eatery located in Pulau Tikus. They offer steamed bean buns (vegetarian bao), a large buffet (also commonly referred to as “economy rice”) and various other unique and local dishes.
The buffet
The buffet is open all day and offers rice (white and brown) with a variety of dishes: mock meat, mock fish, steamed vegetables, stir-fried vegetables – there is something for everyone. For the best and freshest selection, make sure to go around lunchtime. My favorites were spring rolls (they don’t contain egg!), steamed broccoli and bok choy.
Pricing
Like at most buffet places, you pay per plate. The price is usually based on what and how much of it you chose. The first time I went I asked how much I can expect to pay for a plate and got told that it should be between RM 4-6. This price correlated with some of the reviews I read on HappyCow about various other buffet spots.
I ended up going to Chang Yuan Vegetarian Food almost every single day during my two weeks stay in George Town. I always ended up paying between RM 4 and 6, and I loved everything that I got.
What to get
I highly recommend their stir-fried and steamed vegetables with plain rice – that was definitely my favorite combo! Also, make sure to grab a red bean bao (steamed bun) for RM 2.
Address: 226, Jalan Burma, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang