29th July – 1st August 2011. Written by Xin Li.
Penang, Malaysia
Char Kway Teow is a must try in Penang! In contrast to the ones in Singapore Penang’s char kway teow is relatively simple and much lighter yet it is still one robust and hearty dish and fits the bill for a dinner, lunch, snack, supper and even breakfast.
The Penang char kway teow is basically flat rice noodles with eggs, chives, prawns, cockles and sometimes lap chong fried together with some soy sauce. This simple combination of ingredients and the smoky aroma known as wok hei got us addicted to this local dish for the next few days.
KEDAI KOPI HO PING
1-25 Lorong Kampung Malabar, George Town, Penang 10000
Our first day in Penang, we had our first plate of char kway teow at Kedai Kopi Ho Ping recommended by the Penang Tourism Board. I am always sceptical about recommendations for tourists but Ho Ping’s version of the Char Kway Teow exceeded my expectation, it was really good, I enjoyed every bit of my plate of piping hot char kway teow. The prawns were amazingly succulent too.
Pengkalan Weld, Chew Jetty.
The following day we had lunch at a roadside coffee shop along Pengkalan Weld near the Clan Jetties. There was also a stall selling lok lok nearby. Once again, the char kway teow was great but not as tasty as Ho Ping’s. I found it to be slightly drier and this one has lap chong in it.
LORONG SELAMAT
We wanted to try some famous char kway teow stall along Lorong Selamat but it was closed. Hence, we make do with a coffee shop along the same street because it was blazing hot and we just want shade.
However, I felt that the kway teow here wasn’t as good as Ho Ping’s too.
Kway Teow and Ais Kachang and drink: 7.80 RM
Jalan Magazine, Opposite Komtar
On our last day in Penang, we just have to have another plate of Penang Char Kway Teow before heading home and we ended up at Kedai Kopi Bee Hong located near our hotel.
Compared to Ho Ping’s and the previous char kway teow we had, Bee Hong’s was not only drier but the noodles clump together a bit. Taste wise, it was still okay.
Price for a meal: 4.00 RM
In short, if you go Penang, must try their Char Kway Teow. I am addicted to it.
Not only Penang version is so nice, after I return to KL, I vow not to eat the Char Kuey Teow in KL anymore. Because KL versions are mostly bland in comparison. See how long I can hold out. Nice blog on Penang food :)
ReplyDeletethanks! I got the same problem when I returned to Singapore too, while it is not bland, I felt that Singapore's char kway teow was too heavy, with all kinds of stuff thrown in, prefer the simpler Penang version of char kway teow instead.
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