After all, many of us have travelled just to the state just for a plate of its famous char kuey teow and nasi kandar.

So, it should come as no surprise that one of the island's best dishes has garnered worldwide recognition.

Medal of honour

Penang's assam laksa has recently been listed in the top ten list of "The World's 50 Best Foods" curated by CNN Travel.

The assam laksa came in seventhy place.

The website called the assam laksa "one of Malaysia's most popular dishes", thanks to its rich taste.

“Poached, flaked mackerel, tamarind, chili, mint, lemongrass, onion, pineapple ... one of Malaysia's most popular dishes is an addictive spicy-sour fish broth with noodles (especially great when fused with ginger), that'll have your nose running before the spoon even hits your lips,” said the description on the site about the dish.

Now we're hungry and craving for some Penang assam laksa.

In case you're wondering, Thailand's massaman curry topped the list, followed by Italy's Neapolitan pizza and Mexico's chocolate.

The fourth spot went to sushi from Japan, the fifth went to Peking duck from China and the sixth place went to Hamburger from Germany.

Our neighbour Singapore, who proclaims to have yummier street food than us, has two dishes in the top 50: Chilli crab (#35) and chicken rice (#45).