Stories of Hawkers.
Over 500 years of generational recipes
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AWESOME CHAR KOAY TEOW by AH KUAN
This iconic fried noodle is synonymous with Penang street-food. Penang is teeming with many char koay teow (CKT) vendors up and down the island extending even to the mainland.
Legend has it that the unmistakable wok-hei (wok fire breath; literally translated) is attributed to Penang as if the wok and the fire can only come together in Penang!
Penang BTS is proud to present the 2nd runners-up of the 2023 Penang Char Koay Teow Competition, at KK99 Cafe, Jalan Lembah Permai in Vale of Tempe. The stall owner, Ah Khuan names his stall the Awesome Char Koay Teow which our panel believes is amongst the best Penang has to offer. Ah Khuan is the 3rd generation and the stall boasts a history of at least 50 years.
The stall provides the unmistakable wok-hei with the koay teow stir fried to perfection topped up with good sized prawns and pork lard.
ASSAM LAKSA @ KEK SENG CAFE
Arguably, assam laksa is considered a native dish of Penang. The late celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain did a YouTube video where he said assam laksa is the one dish he has to try every time he is in Penang.
The dish is a harmonious orchestra of flavours - tamarind, fishy, umami, sweet, sour, spicy, fruity, gingerly with floral flavours topped with prawn paste. A Michelin star chef renowned for being able to concoct any dish with one taste session failed miserably to prepare assam laksa!
As a widely accepted native dish of Penang and with a history dating over several generations, assam laksa has evolved to what it is today; over decades.
Penang BTS proudly presents assam laksa from Kek Seng Cafe in Penang Road, an iconic coffee shop of 118 years old, where the dish balances all the flavours to present a delightful made in heaven Kochabi (traditional taste) of assam laksa. Kek Seng assam laksa is The Original Penang Road Laksa. Rediscover this taste with us.
AH SOON KOR RANGOON ROAD HOKKIEN PRAWN MEE
There are many versions of prawn mee in the region but Penang Hokkien Prawn Mee (HPM) stands out as the de facto standard of the dish.
The spicy flavoursome prawn and pork broth of HPM tantalises the palate like no other.
Before food bloggers/vloggers started their rankings, there was only one HPM that set the standard for all others that came subsequently - Ah Soon Kor Rangoon Road Hokkien Mee. The stall is in Sin Kim San Cafe located at the junction of Rangoon Road and Macalister Road. Penang BTS has chosen this iconic stall for our inaugural buffet event for the unique balance of smooth taste, flavour and fieriness in the bowl of noodles to represent the best of Penang. Debuting more than 50 years ago, the stall recently returned with their second generation…
DUCK KOAY THEOW TH'NG @ PULAU TIKUS MORNING MARKET
Duck koay teow th’ng (KTT) is believed to have originated from Penang, combining flat rice noodles with tender duck meat in a flavourful broth boiled over several hours. Often, it is served with spring onions and fried garlic.
There are several duck KTT of repute in Penang given its history of origination, and there is a gem where this dish has been popularly served for over 50 years and now in its second generation. The Pulau Tikus morning market is host to a stall that has been delighting surrounding residents of this neighbourhood of the old and new rich, the well known rich and the anonymous rich of Penang over the past decades.
The Penang BTS panel is proud to present our personal favourite, the Pulau Tikus’ Brothers Duck Koay Teow Th’ng as amongst the best in Penang. Tasting is believing.
GRANDPA ONG PENANG CHEE CHEONG FAN
The uniqueness of Penang CCF is in the mixture of 3 sauces - chilly, sweet sauce and heh koh (prawn paste). It can be served in its original rolled-up form or opened up. Either way, it's a matter of preference but it's the amalgam of the sauces that make Penang CCF different from CCF up and down the peninsula. There is also an open secret that the sauces are mixed with a dash of peanut butter! So those with nut allergy beware!!
The Penang BTS Panel recommends this Jalan Terengganu’s Grandpa Ong CCF served up by Grandpa in his modest open air stall and it encapsulates all the tastes that make Penang CCF unique. Sweet, spicy, aromatic and such tender CCF piping hot.
