Where to go for Good Char Koey Teow in Penang?

Up Market Char Koey Teow at a Resort in Penang
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In a earlier post Penang Street Food, I have introduce to you one of Penang Premier Culinary Attractions, Char Koey Teow, or Fried Flat Rice Noodles. Penangite in general are addicted to this dish and I am one of them ;-)

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To a Penangite, Char Koey Teow prepared outside of the Penang Island just does not taste the same, though many Penangite have migrated and made their living selling this humble and easy to prepare dish in other towns and cities in Malaysia as well as overseas.

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On the Medical note, there are those who avoided this dish, as it is said to be greasy, oily high in “Bad” fat, and sodium especially those prepared using lard. So Medical Warning. Eat at your own risk! For me a plate or two should do no harm right?

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The Ingredients and Recipe of Char Koey Teow

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So what is it that you need to prepare a plate of Char Koey Teow? The Basic are these though there are many variations. How much of each to put, well that up to you.

Flat Rice Noodles / Koey Teow

Soya Sauce

Pepper

Seasoning

Taugeh, or Beansprouts

Chives or Green Leave Vegetables

Garlic

Oil

Chili Paste

Shrimps

Cockles

Egg – (duck is the best {extra fragrant}, but chicken will do)

Pork Sausage – Slice (though many prepare it with out this ingredients)

Fried Pork Fat Cubes (though many prepare it with out this ingredients)

Some of the Ingreadients Required, (Not All)

The Key to make this taste dish?

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Some swear by charcoal fire, using a banana leaf to line the plate, use of Fried Pork Fat Cubes and many more. For me the key is preparing this dish a plate at a time, or at the most 2 portions at a time which ensure the “Heat” of the wok is most effective, which unfortunately slow down the speed this dish is prepared. There are stalls where patrons wait for 1 hour or more for their fix of Char Koey Teow, as the dish is prepared one by one.

Key to Good Char Koey Teow, the Heat.

Where to enjoy this dish in Penang?

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Listed here are a 10 location where my family enjoy Char Koey Teow, All of this are old timers having stated their business 20 or more years ago, and my family have been patronizing them. I am not saying they are the best, but they are in our opinion good. Also when we have char koey teow, we just have char koey teow, nothing else. So some of this stalls are standalone stalls. Note: the 10 listed here is where our family patronise, there are many out there that may be better, but not know to us.

Location Map, Please note the number do not indicate their rank, it’s just for convenience.

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Tanjung Bunga

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(9) Stall at Jalan Loh Poh Heng, Hillside, Tanjung Bungah, Opposite the Toy Museum.
Located midway along this road is a Stall that sell Char Koey Teow, you can enjoy alfresco dinning next to the street, but you can have it in a nearby coffeeshop. Lunch and Tea Time only. See this link, Been in business for 20 years plus

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(10) Stall at Hawker Center, Tanjung Bungah Market,
Located at the nearest cubicle to the Market, Breakfast only, See this link, Been in Business for 20 year plus. Try out the Chee Chong Fun here, Hongkong and Normal types but separate stalls. See this Link
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Bagan Jamal

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(8) Gurney Drive Hawker Center, alfresco dinning next to the sea, with 100’s of food stalls, in particular the Halal Chinese Char Koey Teow is good here. .

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Pulau Tikus

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(6) Coffee Shop in front of Police Station, Lunch, Tea Time only, in a small typical coffee shop 30 years plus.

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(7) Pulau Tikus Market, Street Hawker Center, Night Only, around 20 years, alfresco dinning, with many other verities.

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George Town

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(4) New World Park Hawker Center, Whole day, If you want to eat in comfort, with large verity of other decent quality food, this the place for you. OK Char Koey Teow here. See Link. 30 years plus. See this link.

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(5) New Lane Food Street, Night Only, Normal Char Koey Teow , choice of seating in coffee shop or alfresco style.

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(1) Lorong Selamat, mark in red due to its price, (2007) RM5.00, normal plate, Extra at RM8++, with large prawns, this price is around 50% higher then normal. There are 2 stalls here that are comparable with each other and both use charcoal fire. Reputed to be the best in town. Lunch, Tea Time only, Please be prepared to wait up to one hour. See Link, here and here for both place 30 years plus. See this Link

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(2) Federal Place, In a Coffee shop located opposite “federal place” (former theater), see link, again mark in red due to its price, with large prawns. (2007) RM5.00, normal plate, Extra at RM8++, with Duck egg, 30 year plus See this link.

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Ayer Itam

(1) Round About Char Koey Teow, 30 plus years, located just before round about to Ayer Itam, in a corner coffee shop, slightly above normal price. Ideal place for breakfast if you are heading for Kek Lok Si Temple or Penang Hill. See this Link

Key - Good Wok Skills

Making it at Home

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You can use substitute like yellow noodles, or even pasta if you cannot find the flat rice noodles, but there is no replacement for the “heat” , Char Koey Teow prepared at home just have no kick, but those penangite away from home will sure try.