JOJA Bagels in George Town, Penang
Bagels to New Yorkers is like what char kuey teow is to Penangites: delicious, iconic, and unparalleled anywhere else. So, while Penang abounds with CKT hawkers, it is a little harder to hunt down a good, authentic bagel on the island – that is, until JOJA Bagels popped up on the food scene.
The highly rated bagel shop in George Town specialises in hand-rolled, NYC-inspired bagels with a variety of sweet and savoury fillings.
A speciality bagel shop in Lebuh Bishop
Image credit: @lavieenrose via Instagram
Tucked among the row of shop-lots on Lebuh Bishop, JOJA Bagels has established a loyal following for their bagels ever since they opened in 2022. With golden exteriors that crackle satisfyingly when bitten into, the bagels here are airy and chewy on the inside, making the perfect vessel for both sweet and savoury condiments.
Image credit: @lavieenrose via Instagram
What makes JOJA Bagels stand out is the authenticity of their baked goods. Each yeasty wheel is carefully kneaded, rolled, and shaped by hand. The shop is modest and homey, making the experience of devouring their hand-rolled bagels even more authentic.
Must-try bagels at JOJA Bagels
Reminiscent of the stuffed monstrosities of a bagel in New York, JOJA Bagels dishes out plump bagels generously packed with fillings, making one of these beauties fit for a filling meal.
Image credit: @jhphotography_95 via Instagram
Pick from a selection of homemade bagels as the base of your sandwich, such as the Original, Sesame, Poppy Seed, and Parmesan Cheese. And while the bagels are good enough to wolf down without any fillings, you won’t be able to resist the assortment of fillings available at the bagel shop.
Image adapted from: @shineeeeee___ via Instagram
For savoury options, go for their best-sellers. There’s the Smokin’ Beast (RM28), a stacked beauty of homemade Australian beef patty, grilled portobello, caramelised onion, sunny side-up egg, and cheddar cheese, and the Philly Cheesesteak (RM35), which reimagines the American favourite Philly cheesesteak with Australian ribeye steak and sweet onions tucked between garlic toasted bagels.
Image credit: @jojabagels via Instagram
The Surf Boy (RM21) – stuffed with deep-fried fish fillets and Doritos – and Mr. Junagi (RM32) – a unique bagelwich with unagi kabayaki, Japanese omelette, and bonito flakes for a Japanese flourish – are other more creative options on the menu.
Image credit: @jojabagels via Instagram
Bagels can double up as desserts, too.
JOJA Bagel has Strawberry Cream Cheese and Matcha Yuzu, priced at RM20 each, that are both tangy, refreshing choices that put a creative spin on the usual traditional cream cheese condiment.
Image adapted from: @jojabagels, @yumtummy28_ via Instagram
Where to locate JOJA Bagels
A barn of bagels and a current local-favourite brunch spot, JOJA Bagels is where you’ll get to enjoy good, hearty bagels and be awed by their variety of choices. The beautifully blistered rings served here have your mouth watering with their perfect crunch and chews.
Address: 55, Lebuh Bishop, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: Wed-Fri & Sun 8.30am-3.30pm (Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays & Saturdays)
Contact: 018-277 7380 | JOJA Bagels Facebook | Instagram
More Penang eats recommendations:
Cover image adapted from: @shineeeeee___, @jojabagels via Instagram
This article was first published on 11th January 2023, and was last updated on 21st April 2025.