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Skip the KL FOMO: Where to Find Pillowy Nama-Style and Classic Doughnuts in Penang

An editorial guide to Penang doughnuts, comparing nama-style spots like NAMA Donuts and Omo Donuts with classic bakeries, plus tips on timing, freshness and choosing well.

Malaysia Authentic

3 min read

Updated

AI illustration: Soft nama-style doughnuts with vanilla custard filling beside a sugar-dusted ring doughnut on a table in natural light
AI illustration: Soft nama-style doughnuts with vanilla custard filling beside a sugar-dusted ring doughnut on a table in natural light

When the Japanese doughnut brand i'm donut? opened in Kuala Lumpur, feeds everywhere filled with impossibly pillowy treats — and Penang folks felt the pull. But before booking a bus ticket south, it's worth knowing that George Town and Air Itam have their own answers, from ultra-soft nama-style doughnuts to sugar-dusted old-school rings. This guide draws on a recent Penang doughnut taste test by TheSmartLocal Malaysia; the picks below are editorial suggestions based on that source, not an official ranking.

The Frontrunner: NAMA Donuts on Beach Street

For anyone chasing that i'm donut? texture, NAMA Donuts earned a full 5/5 as the closest Penang equivalent. Its brioche dough — with a subtle kabocha tint — is yielding and soft, filled with light whipped-cream-style custards. The Vanilla Custard (RM8.80) and Bitter Chocolate (RM10.80) anchor the menu, while Asian-leaning options like Taiwan Mochi Brown Sugar, Mala Chicken Floss and Japanese Matcha Coconut give it a local streak. It opens daily at 11:30am on Beach Street in George Town (till 8pm on weekends) and holds a 4.7 Google rating from 123 reviews.

The Quirky Contender: Omo Donuts

Tucked at 17 Lorong Seckchuan next to Aayu Homes — resident cat included — Omo Donuts scored 4/5. Its star is the RM12 Maple Creme Brulee, with a brittle caramelised shell over smoky maple cream; the RM9 Vanilla Custard was judged too sweet. Two honest caveats: the nama-style doughnuts here run slightly greasier and less soft than i'm donut?, and morning batches may still be baking around its 10am opening. The shop closes on Thursdays and runs 10am–6pm otherwise.

Classics and Comfort: Yohun and 65 Ondo

Not every craving needs Japanese technique. Yohun Hot Bread & Cake House in Bandar Baru Air Itam is a nostalgic neighbourhood bakery (closed Thursdays, else 9am–8pm) selling large sugar-coated ring doughnuts and doughnut holes four on a stick at RM2.60 per bunch — a 3.5/5 affordable classic fix. At All Seasons Place, 65 Ondo Bakery (9am–10pm daily) sells pumpkin doughnuts in Vanilla, Pistachio, Tiramisu and Chocolate at RM7.40 each; at 3/5 they're springy and generously filled, though sweeter and thicker than true nama-style.

When Freshness Falters

La Vie En Rose Pâtisserie on Lebuh Melayu (closed Mon–Tue, else 9:30am–5:30pm) is a well-loved French patisserie known for powdered-sugar-dusted filled beignets in Vanilla, Nutella, Coffee, Raspberry, Matcha and Hojicha. However, the tasted RM10 Raspberry and Vanilla beignets had dry dough and scored 2/5 — a useful reminder that freshness varies day to day everywhere, even at beloved names.

How to Choose

  • Chasing the viral texture? NAMA Donuts first, Omo Donuts second.
  • Want maximum ringgit-to-bite value? Yohun's RM2.60 bunches are hard to beat.
  • Prefer filled, dessert-shop-style treats? 65 Ondo's pumpkin doughnuts or La Vie En Rose's beignets.
  • Timing matters: morning visits to Omo may catch dough still in the oven, while NAMA opens later at 11:30am — plan around both.

The verdict from the source review is simple: Penang doesn't need KL's queues to eat well. Between nama-style specialists and old-school bakeries, the island covers both ends of the doughnut spectrum.

Visual note: this AI-generated illustration is not a photograph from a visit to the listed venues.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What is a nama-style doughnut?

Nama-style refers to the ultra-soft, pillowy doughnut style popularised by Japanese brand i'm donut?, using a yielding brioche-like dough with light whipped-cream-style fillings. NAMA Donuts on Beach Street was rated the closest Penang equivalent in the source review.

Which Penang doughnut shop was ranked highest?

NAMA Donuts at 277 Beach Street, George Town received a 5/5 score and holds a 4.7 Google rating from 123 reviews. This is an editorial assessment from the source review, not an official ranking.

Are Penang doughnuts cheaper than travelling to KL for i'm donut?

Prices at the spots covered range from RM2.60 per bunch of doughnut holes at Yohun Hot Bread & Cake House to RM12 for Omo Donuts' Maple Creme Brulee, so a Penang doughnut run avoids the cost of travelling to Kuala Lumpur.

When should I visit to get the freshest doughnuts?

Freshness varied day to day in the source review. Note that Omo Donuts may still be baking its morning batches around 10am, NAMA Donuts opens at 11:30am daily, and La Vie En Rose closes on Mondays and Tuesdays.

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