Being a Penangite living in KL, one of the many hawker foods that we always miss is the famous Char Kueh Teow. When I first came down to this part of the country many years ago, this is the dish that I always avoid when fixing my stomach at various kopitiams. On the rare occasions that I gave it a try, the experience was usually quite horrid.
yeh, that’s the size of prawn i love
However, recently I have started to experiment with the various “Penang” char kueh teow places in KL again, thinking that there must be a few good stalls around. I now employ a standard litmus test before I make my order. It is very simple, I will order in Hokkien, and if the hawker answers in anything other than a perfect Penang version of Hokkien, I simply excuse myself and go for my second choice. The test has proven to be very useful thus far.
now you see it, now you don’t
I have actually heard of this place from FA before decided to give it a try. The kopitiam is nameless and is located at the other end of the same row of shops that has the famous kopitiam with loh ngap (duck), very good roti bakar, and seafood porridge, among other things.
The char kueh teow was surprising good, not as great as the two famous Penang stalls, but plenty close enough to warrant a trip for anyone who loves this dish. The prawns are pretty big, and the dish comes complete with cockles and Chinese sausage too. I usually like to have mine extra spicy for some extra kicks. I finished the plate in no more than 5 minutes.
the unnamed kopitiam housing this char kueh teow stall is situated by MBPJ building
Upon looking at me snapping pictures, the stall owner actually came up to me for a chat. Apparently he is the 2nd generation owner of the stall, handed over from his mother and the stall has been in operation for some 20 years.
As usual, there will be people who are quick to point out that it used to be better, and the son isn’t as good as the mom’s char kueh teow. To me, I think most of us don’t realize that char kueh teow is not something like great art works, where Picasso’s son wouldn’t do better. Our taste buds are getting less by the days, and most often than not, we would have been exposed to wider variety of good food since 5 years ago. Don’t commit the fallacy, just give it a good honest try, I think you’ll like it.
Related Posts:
- KY eats - Penang Kueh Teow Soup at Lebuh Armenian
- KY eats - Dried Kuey Teow Soup at Mt. Erskine, Penang
- KY eats - authentic Kueh Teow Soup at PJ Old Town
- KY eats - Prawn Mee (ç‘•é¢) at Kg. Chempaka, PJ
- KY eats - Penang Char Kuih Teow
By Chong on Jul 27, 2007 | Reply
You should also try the “fish paste noodle” and the curry mee from the auntie too. All of them are my favourite…
By lotsofcravings on Jul 27, 2007 | Reply
the prawns does look shockingly good..
By crysV on Jul 27, 2007 | Reply
I never knew you were a penang kia you taugeh!!
yayyyyyyyyyyyyy got a personal penang tour guide next time kuakuakua
ehh.. when you go back, get me some tau sa peng ya noob! *grins*
By VaLz on Jul 30, 2007 | Reply
update update updateeee…..
By sheryl on Jul 30, 2007 | Reply
yummy! when i come back, you must bring me there.
By stupe on Jul 31, 2007 | Reply
great tasting food are usually not healthy.
healthy food are usually not great tasting.
i would die for this CKT…
By smackie on Aug 1, 2007 | Reply
making me hungry~
By sotong on Aug 1, 2007 | Reply
eh.. smackie still alive!!!
By tankiasu on Aug 2, 2007 | Reply
Yo, how’s futsal lately?
The CKT looks nice, will try it out one day.
By xiulongbao on Aug 2, 2007 | Reply
ohh…u r from penang!
By KY on Aug 2, 2007 | Reply
Penang is best!
By Mama BoK on Aug 13, 2007 | Reply
Yums..!! missed CKT alot.!
By suweii on Aug 20, 2007 | Reply
all penang ppl doesn’t know how to eat, i mean those that ppl taste good, they say not good, those that ppl taste bad, they sad good. strange. penang ppl only know and like to eat char kuey teow, asam laksa, tao sa peah etc… but when u ask then to try other food, they seem reluctant to do so.. strange strange strange
By KY on Aug 21, 2007 | Reply
suweii,
I’m from penang, I don’t look like I only eat those 3 things you described, right?
By suweii on Aug 22, 2007 | Reply
i dun mean that penang ppl only eat these 3 kind of food, what i try to saying is, they will just stick to whatever food that is nice in penang and for hokien. if u were to ask them to try hakka food, they may say “nice meh?”. if u were to ask them to try cantonese style homemade dish, they will say “nice meh?”. if u were to ask them to try asam laksa around selangor, they will say “penang still the best”. y not they just accept that they are at selangor here, and accept the food standard here. if u really think penang asam laksa still the best, go back penang and eat. dun eat already then complaining the food here is not good.
By KY on Aug 22, 2007 | Reply
suweii,
I agree with you partly, there are some penang people that do behave this way, and that is most unfortunate. I myself am constantly trying out new things, and many times surprised myself at how great food from other cultures can be.
By W.K.Tan on Nov 15, 2007 | Reply
KY,
Your food information is very great ya, im penang guy too fr bw. Im stay in KL for abt 6yr but still look around for penang style food. But maybe im the penang guy as described by suweii that is strange becoz i dun like hakka “lui cha”.
Maybe penang ppl like penang taste and klang valley ppl like their own taste food lo.
By KY on Nov 15, 2007 | Reply
W.K.Tan,
Thanks for the compliment. I think if you open up yourself, you’ll find there are plenty of good food around KL that are as good as those you can find in Penang.
By Kuan on Jan 6, 2008 | Reply
Anyone know where to find good Or Chien Oyster omellette in KL/PJ ?
By kl_fatguy on Apr 3, 2008 | Reply
Have you guys try the WanTan Mee at this shop before,taste no bad.The mosts important is really dry,not wet like others + no taste.This WanTan Mee highly reconmended.
One more things about this WTM is you don’t feel “kan sui” on their mee…
Been there for few times already.
By KY on Apr 7, 2008 | Reply
kl_fatguy,
Ahh, not yet, I always had the char kueh teow whenever I had a chance to go there.