Firewood Penang Hanwoo Steak

What Chiefeater VK Ordered at Firewood Penang

Firewood Penang is the only Malaysian restaurant listed in World's Top 101 Steak Restaurants and I decided I had to give it a try when I was up in Penang.

This was a meal devoted entirely to beef, specifically Hanwoo beef. It was grilled over live fire at Firewood Penang, and I had a vantage point to observe the the kitchen action.

No sides were really needed, but the platter came with roasted garlic, grilled vegetables, and a dollop of herbed mash.

How the Hanwoo Ate

Each slice of Hanwoo — Korea’s prized native cattle — gleamed with a fine web of marbling, the kind that melts at body temperature. Compared to Wagyu, Hanwoo carries a gentler richness — buttery but not cloying, with a distinct beef-forward flavour that lingers long after each bite.

The char from the open flame sealed in that juiciness, creating a crust that crackled with smoky, mineral notes.

Honestly, it was orgasmic. The beef needed nothing.

No sauce, no elaborate seasoning. I need not have bothered to order the Yuzu sauce.

Just a sprinkle of their own special salt and the chef’s skill with fire.

The roasted garlic added warmth and the peppers brought colour, but all eyes (and taste buds) stayed locked on the steak. There is really no need for anything else.

About Firewood Penang

Firewood Penang not only has a spot among the Top 101 Steakhouses in the World, it is also a Michelin Select Restaurant in Malaysia. The restaurant’s open-fire kitchen sits centre stage, where the chefs grill over glowing embers — a theatre of smoke and precision that defines the experience.

Pricing

280 gm Hanwoo - RM672

MVX Summary

Score: 9.5 / 10

M – Meal Value (9.5): Exceptional meat quality and technique; worth every ringgit.
V – Vibe & Venue (9.6): Modern fire-lit elegance with an intimate chef’s counter view.
X – X-Factor (9.5): The Hanwoo itself — melt-in-mouth ecstasy that defines why Firewood stands among the greats.

Business Hours
Tuesday to Sunday
12:00 pm to 02:30 pm
05:30 pm to 10:00 pm