100-year-old Appam stall in Malaysia honoured with Michelin’s Bib Gourmand

A 100-year-old Tamil owned street-food stall in Georgetown Penang, Malaysia has been honoured in the MICHELIN guide’s “Bib Gourmand” category for its affordable yet exceptional dining for 2025.

Ravi’s Claypot Apom Manis stall, established since 1920, is located at Keat Hoe (formerly known as Swee Kong Coffee Shop). Led by third generation chef Balasivan Nilumagan, the stall specialises in Appam, the popular rice flour and coconut milk based crepe, which originated in Southern India.

The family owned business cook their Apom Manis, a crispy crêpes with a soft, puffy centre, individually in claypots over charcoal. If you’re planning to visit, they open at 6 am, and tend to sell out by 9.30 am.

Appam is a traditional staple in most parts of the world including South India, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka. The dish is also known as Apom, Appe & Hoppers. Depending on the country, Appam is eaten plain, with curry, or served with a topping, or variety of sambals.

📍319, Jalan Burma, 10350 George Town, Pinang, Malaysia

⏰ 6am-10am (closed on Thursday)