I’ve been a fan of Penang Hokkien Mee (commonly referred to as Prawn Mee in KL) ever since I was able to get to choose my own breakfast, it also means that my affinity towards this particular dish started longer than some of you have been alive, which might not exactly be a very proud talking point, but lets not digress.
I’ve known the existence of this particular hawker stall at seapark for quite a while but somehow never gave it a try until very recently. This was partly due to the fact that a particular ex housemate said the laksa was not very good, and that I didn’t know they serve Hokkien mee too.
stall by the side of the road serving Laksa and Hokkien Mee
Actually we ended up at the stall due to the fact that Soo Kee across the road ran out of steamed chicken as we arrived too late. While settling down to our table, I over heard the owners speaking in Penang Hokkien, a definite good sign.
Rachel ordered asam laksa, while Horng and I asked for the Hokkien mee. The place was cozy despite the afternoon heat, and the whole mobile hawker set up gives it a feeling that is very close to home.
Rachel, KY, Horng, and those pretty good size prawns
Rachel’s verdict for the laksa was actually quite positive. Here’s what she said about it, and I quote:
Rachying says (11:21 AM):
erm actualy it somehow satisfy my crave for laksa back home?
just if i can have more fish
that would be awesome
cos the soup will be thicker
As for the Hokkien mee, I really liked it a lot. All the usual ingredients and the slightly larger than usual prawns in a soup base that has the right prawn taste to it. Very proper and very delicious, I love it. This would be the 3rd Hokkien mee place around the area that I approve. The other two being Yon Lee at TTDI and the stall at Kampung Chempaka.
the hokkien mee and asam laksa stall is located at SEA Park
RM 4 for a bowl of that Penang flavor right here in the heart of PJ, I’m going to be a frequent customer. This stall opens from brunch till tea time. You can also find pretty awesome teow chew porridge just right opposite the stall, and there’s this very nice nasi lemak with ayam goreng at night at the same place too.
Address:
Jalan 21/11b,
46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
GPS: 3.110006,101.62213
My never ending quest for a bowl of good Penang Hokkien Me (瑕面, also known as Prawn Mee in this part of Malaysia) has brought me to Restaurant Yon Len at Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (TTDI). Although the old man at Kampung Chempaka does offer excellent prawn mee, the operating hours are only from around 2-4pm, and I want to have it as breakfast. It was one of those things that bothers me, until the hot chick suggested Yon Len at TTDI last weekend.
this is what I call a perfect no frill presentation
We arrived at the much talked about kopitiam at brunch hours, parking situation was actually not too bad, something that can’t be said for TTDI most of the time. I went to the prawn mee stall and ordered 3 standard bowls of this Penang’s pride.
If you are familiar with how prawn mee is served in Penang, you will find that this particular stall did everything correctly. Noodle (and mee hun), sliced pork, small sliced prawn, kang kung and bean sprout in a soup based that’s boiled with prawn and pork bones. All these is topped with some fried shallots, and of course, chili paste is given as well for the spicy touch.
we’re seriously enjoying the prawn mee
I like my prawn mee to be a tad more spicy, and hence asked for more chili paste. The overall taste of the prawn mee here made me feel like I was in Penang. Very excellent broth, with everything else cooked to the proper texture and taste. I actually finished everything short of licking the bowl. It was really satisfying, I think I’m going to go there over and over again.
Restaurant Yon Lee is right across the Perodua showroom
At RM 3.50 per bowl, the price is in line with other hawker centers that offer the same dish. You should really give it a try.
Address:
Restaurant Yon Lee
J. Tun Mohd Fuad 1
(opposite Perodua showroom)
Taman Tun Dr. Ismail
Kuala Lumpur
GPS: 3.141630, 101.629243
Three of the most well known hawker food originated from Penang are Char Kueh Teow, Asam Laksa, and of course, Prawn Mee (usually referred to as Hokkien mee up north). Of these three, Prawn Mee probably has the highest market penetration in Klang Valley. You could find plenty of hawker centers offering this dish, often claimed to be from Penang.
the proper prawn mee (Penang Hokkien mee)
I have tried Prawn Mee from numerous locations around PJ and KL, including some of the more prominent stalls such as the stall at Chow Yang, SS2 and the “famous” stall at this kopitiam at PJ State. However, they usually turn out to be such disappointments, until this one day when I saw this mobile hawker stall selling Prawn Mee just outside my house. I took a bowl from the kitchen and ordered a bowl, that was more than a year back.
This is how prawn mee should taste like.
The Prawn Mee prepared by this old man was so good I kept thinking about it whenever I thought of this dish. Finally a couple weeks ago, when I was having the Pork Noodle near my house, I spotted this stall on the move, and quickly inquired the owner about the base location. Apparently the old man goes around the neighborhood at the area from around noon, and station at Kampung Chempaka from about 2-4pm daily.
Located at Kedai Kopi Hoonky, Kampung Chempaka
The Prawn Mee here has no special secret ingredients, just the usual noodle (and meehun, or kueh teow), kangkung, bean sprout, small prawn, boiled pork, and fried shallots in a rich prawn based soup. Sambal paste is added according to taste and preferred level of hotness. This stall made it just nice, tastes exactly like what anyone would expect when ordering Prawn Mee in Penang.
Of course, the old man speaks the Penang Hokkien, too.
The Prawn Mee is sold for RM 3.50 regular and RM 4.00 for the big portion.
Address:
Jalan PJU 1/4,
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
GPS: 3.116027, 101.598945
