Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog

An Ipoh Food Blogger on his quest to devour the World
  • Home
  • Profile
  • Ipoh Food
  • Perak Food
  • KL Food
  • Penang Food
  • Travelogue
    • Blissfully Bali 2009 – A 7 Days/6 Nights Getaway
    • Krabi/Phuket 2010 – On the Sunny Trail
    • Bangkok 2009 – Major Food/Shopping Spree
    • Hanoi 2009 – Halong Bay, Sapa, Old Quarters
    • Hong Kong/Macau 2008 – Food, Fun, Fiery Sun?
  • Featured
  • Links
    • Malaysian Food Blogs
    • International Food Blogs
    • Random Blogs
  • Contact Me
Loading

Penang Hawker Food : Sin Wah Char Koay Teow & Kheng Pin Lor Bak

April 3, 2009 | 755 views| 37 Comments » | Print This Post Print This Post
So, what’s for supper, after going Japanese at Azuma? Some cheap and delicious street food, of course !!!
Sin Wah Char Koay Teow @ Pulau Tikus Market

Penang is synonymous with great hawker fare. From the perennial favourite, Laksa, to Char Koay Teow, and Hokkien Mee (Prawn Mee to you and me) to Lor Bak, it’ll be a sin to die from hunger on the streets, and laments regarding “limited food options“. Admit it, people throng the island for the FOOD, more than anything else.
Sinful enough? With cockles, prawns, duck eggs, bean sprouts, chives, and crispy pork lard …. all for RM4 flat
OK, so the image of Char Koay Teow in Penang may have been marred (or worshipped, depending on whether you’re on the receiving end of the malicious treatment!) by some of the most arrogant, and over-priced stalls selling the nearly ‘Gourmet’ edition of the simple hawker dish, up to the realms of about RM7 per plate. Sooner or later, a plate of CKT in Penang at RM10 would be the norms, with additional 10% service charge (that is, IF you’re not required to carry your own plate anymore) and 5% government tax (for the immense number of plates sold per day, they could be driving Royces/Porsches amidst the maddening Penang traffic!).
Anyway, one of my favourite CKT stall in Penang at night is Sin Wah Char Koay Teow, located at Pulau Tikus Market, off Jalan Burma in Georgetown. I paid a respectable number of visits to this place as the variety of food, the atmosphere (epitome of “street food!”), the crowd, and the price allowed a not-so-well-off public university student with a bottomless pit to binge without regret. :)

Teo Chew Chai Koay from Kim Leng Kee @ 50 (or 60) cents each

Of course, the uncle manning the stall may have an attitude of his own. And his staff as well, for that matter. Ordering any number of plates of CKT will net you an intimidating glare, and grumbles about the estimated waiting time.

“Have to wait 20 minutes one. Still want or not?” … or when the crowd’s not so thin; “Half an hour wait one woh, very long. Do you still want to wait?” …. or when the crowd’s practically sitting on each other’s laps : “Either you starve to death and wait, or buzz off ordering something else lah!”

Of course, I made the last one up lah …. He has yet to attain the Gold Medal in “The Laws of Arrogance” yet, amongst the CKT community in Penang. But a bronze may be hanging from his neck, for all I care.

Nonsense aside (hehe, it’s Friday, so I’m a little off … understandable, right?), the CKT was bursting with ‘wok hei’ or ‘Breath of the Wok’ (sounds soooo much like a Kung Fu sequel wannabe), fried with high flames, and lots of crispy pork lards for extra cholesterol. And flavour, nonetheless. The prawns, squids, and cockles completed the package, earning top marks in my books. You can choose between chicken’s egg (RM3.50) or duck’s egg (RM4).

Let’s say you do not wish to smother your already glossy lips with the oily plate of artery-clogger, no frets. Solution’s at hand in the form of Teo Chew Chai Koay, with fillings of either yambeans, or kuchai (Chinese chives). But they DO pan-fry them before serving, hence if you wanna avoid the grease, hold them off.

Location : Pulau Tikus wet market, at night only. From town to Pulau Tikus using Jalan Burma, you’ll reach a police station on your RIGHT. Turn left into Jalan Moulmein, between two coffee shops (one’s named Kwai Lock, which I blogged before HERE on their Roti Babi), and you’ll reach a T-junction. The market’s to your right, but it’s a one way road, hence turn left and park anywhere you like.

Kheng Pin Cafe @ Penang Road – An old timer …
The next morning, initially planned for breakfast at Joo Leong in Bayan Lepas, popular for their toasts with runny half-boiled eggs. But the previous night’s booze session (hehe … fresh from Langkawi, no less) had us dozing off at 4am, waking up a little later than desired. The next best option? Brunch at Penang Road instead.
Hainanse Chicken Rice (RM4), Wantan Noodles (RM4) and Century Egg Porridge
Kheng Pin Cafe on Penang Road possesses a certain charm, with history running way back into the olden days. Probably one of the few original coffee shops on Penang Road (Kek Seng’s a good candidate), the place is still buzzing with activities (eating lah … what else?!) on a weekday’s morning/afternoon.
The Hainanese Chicken Rice has a lot of patrons, serving plump, tender chicken with fragrant rice. Not the best, yet the portion was more than sufficient, and better than most out there.

The spicy Char Koay Teow

The Rasa Malaysia food guide listed two stalls in Kheng Pin, in their recommendation. One being the Char Koay Teow stall, frying up a commendable storm with the fiery CKT, complete with the usual package sans the squids ala Sin Wah’s.


Almost legendary …. or might I add, God-like status of the Lor Bak stall

But the other recommendation came in the form of Lor Bak, or mixed fritters from all meats/vegetables/etc possible. The popularity of Kheng Pin’s Lor Bak transcends borders, races (except Malays, of course, it’s NON-halal), and appetites. Perfect as accompaniments to a meal, or light snacks during tea break, you’ll be spoilt for choice from the endless display of choices available. From the usual to the slightly out-of-the-ordinary such as fish, chicken, sweet potatoes and yam, the owner will be glad to recommend their signatures, or put your trust in him to mix and match the choices and the amount for the number of people specified.
A platter of goodies @ RM11
For the four of us, he fried on the spot : The pork rolls (Lor Bak), prawn fritters, batter-fried chicken meat, spring roll, and century egg. Served with some slices of cucumber and pickled ginger slices, the selection of fritters was spot-on, and pleased even the most demanding palate (guess who? NOT me …. =P)
The accompanying dipping sauces of sweet/spicy chilli sauce and the sticky dark sauce
Location : Kheng Pin Cafe @ 80, Jalan Penang, Penang. Opens for breakfast til about 3pm only.
Here’s those who had been mesmerized by Kheng Pin’s Lor Bak : What2See, After Giovanni, Allie, Penang Tua Pui

Staring right through ya !!! Who says Beggars Can’t Be Choosers?! (A scene at the Kuan Yin Temple on Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling)

Happy Weekend Everyone …..

Blog Widget by LinkWithin
  • Share/Bookmark
Categories
Penang Food
Tags
Char Kuey Teow, Hawker Food, Lor Bak, Penang, Penang Food, Travel
Comments rss
Comments rss
Trackback
Trackback

« Seeking Solace in Penang – Azuma Japanese Restaurant @ Queensbay Mall Banana Leaf Meal @ Samy Restaurant, Chemor & Chocolate Liqueurs from Langkawi »

37 Responses to “Penang Hawker Food : Sin Wah Char Koay Teow & Kheng Pin Lor Bak”

  1. Little Inbox says:
    April 3, 2009 at 9:49 pm

    Believe it or not, it’s been years I do not consume CKT. :) Still can tahan, haha…

    By the way, I thought Teow Chew Chai Koay is pink color, no?

    [Reply]

  2. foodbin says:
    April 3, 2009 at 10:03 pm

    Penang CKT is a bit lardy-the Lor Bak looks tempting.

    [Reply]

  3. KCA says:
    April 3, 2009 at 11:31 pm

    yeah… thumbs up for the Lor Bak..

    wei.. the beggar so fierce hor.. hmmm… tak boleh lah~~

    [Reply]

  4. Life for Beginners says:
    April 4, 2009 at 12:07 am

    “that is, IF you’re not required to carry your own plate anymore”

    Wah, have to carry our own plate one ar? Yikes, I hope this practice never catches on in KL. I’m not a big believer in self-service, lazy as I am. :P

    P.S. The lor bak looks devillishly divine! ;)

    [Reply]

  5. Colin Woon says:
    April 4, 2009 at 12:18 am

    Penang definitely have plenty of good food at reasonable price, I just hope it stays that way!

    Mouth watering shots! Good job!

    [Reply]

  6. SimpleGirl says:
    April 4, 2009 at 8:44 am

    I heard my Penang friend told me that is a CKT in Penang selling at RM10 already….but he said very tasty…somewhere along Jln Dato Keramat.

    [Reply]

  7. FooDcrazEE says:
    April 4, 2009 at 8:58 am

    RM10 for CKT . . ..cant be right? kena con liao. . . .

    [Reply]

  8. ck lam says:
    April 4, 2009 at 10:22 am

    There are plenty of good food in this place and customers keep coming back even having difficulty finding a car park space.

    [Reply]

  9. J2Kfm says:
    April 4, 2009 at 11:52 am

    Little Inbox : maybe no colouring? you’re in PG, and you can resist CKT? amazing …. :)

    foodbin : yup, as lardy as they are, they’re downright sinful and delicious.

    KCA : yeah, fortunately they didn’t throw the food at us. hmm, good also, got free lunch eh …

    Life for Beginners : a mere few for the time being lah, you must line up and get your own plate, paying premium price as well.

    Colin WOon : hi Colin, thanks and welcome.

    Simple Girl : RM10 already ah? wahlau … can buy 5 plates some years ago.

    FoodCrazee : I not so sure. but given the current spending power and inflation, who knows?

    ck lam : true, luckily we came an hour before lunch, hence parking;s a breeze on one of those side lane.

    [Reply]

  10. New Kid on the Blog says:
    April 4, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    kinda fruitful food hunting trip, huh??

    [Reply]

  11. Food Paradise says:
    April 4, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    I also have the Kheng Pin posts in my draft. This remind me that I have not posted about it. ^o^

    [Reply]

  12. J2Kfm says:
    April 4, 2009 at 6:21 pm

    NKOTB : not really. too short of a period to sample all that we wanted. :)

    Food Paradise : then do so! hehe … guess most have been to Kheng Pin for Lor Bak ya?

    [Reply]

  13. Mboy says:
    April 4, 2009 at 6:51 pm

    Wah! The CKT uncle raised the price to RM4 d ah?! Last time was only RM3 kot…Dun reli like the “chai kuieh” though…

    [Reply]

  14. thenomadGourmand says:
    April 5, 2009 at 1:07 am

    yes, PT night market is really a gd hunt esp for those who want variety! was my every night dinner plc too last time..ehh that sinwah CKT last time used to pack in brwn papr and they giv u a set of chopsticks to ta pau right? now use plate?

    [Reply]

  15. CUMI & CIKI says:
    April 5, 2009 at 10:28 am

    can i just ask one question.. where are the tikus in Pulau Tikus??!!

    [Reply]

  16. J2Kfm says:
    April 5, 2009 at 7:11 pm

    MBoy : last time also about that price lah … I think. Chai Kuey nice lah. esp the Kuchai one.

    thenomadGourmand : the previous time we went also served on plates already woh.

    Cumi & Ciki : rather than rich in pests and roaches, Pulau Tikus seems to be flourishing with posh eateries, and good hawker food. ironic?

    [Reply]

  17. backStreetGluttons says:
    April 5, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    Have you looked at the latest Penang Street Food Guide by Star or something ?

    Try to compare their choices and if not happy with it you compile your own , publish it and we will buy 10 copies from you , then recommend 999 more other buyers and then give our alternate comments !

    [Reply]

  18. allie says:
    April 5, 2009 at 10:03 pm

    The fried squid in Kheng Pin is good lor. You didn’t eat that? hehe

    [Reply]

  19. Bangsar-bAbE says:
    April 6, 2009 at 2:35 am

    I tried the CKT at Pulau Tikus Market before, but I find Kwai Lock’s version better! =P

    [Reply]

  20. Sugar Bean says:
    April 6, 2009 at 5:51 am

    not sure if you still remember sugar bean. we haven been blogging for quite some time. miss ckt so much, the sight of it makes me miss malaysia so much as well. cheap and delicious food, cant wait to go home!

    [Reply]

  21. J2Kfm says:
    April 6, 2009 at 9:04 am

    backstreetgluttons : hahha.. that’s supposed to be a compliment? :)
    thanks.

    allie : i didnt even do the picking. the uncle said OK, he’ll mix n match for us.

    Bangsar-Babe : oh really? Kwai lock’s version I missed one time cz they finished by lunch hour!

    Sugar Bean : sure I rmrb you guys. :) yeah its been so long since hearing from you.

    [Reply]

  22. iamthewitch says:
    April 6, 2009 at 9:40 am

    You know the lor bak uncle is a bit ‘chuen’ I heard. Most of the time he’ll choose the lor bak for you, but if you attempt to choose it yourself, he’ll insist that he would do it for you! So it’s quite irritating cause we can’t choose!

    [Reply]

  23. Julian Si says:
    April 6, 2009 at 9:42 am

    Lor Bak looks like it ROCKS … espesh the sauce, I love Lor Bak sauce ala Penang .. gooey with strands of egg white.

    :-)

    [Reply]

  24. fatboybakes says:
    April 6, 2009 at 11:43 am

    GOSH, that CKT ….aiyo, u are bad bad bad…i have to go eat something now….before i short circuit my keyboard from all the dripping saliva…

    [Reply]

  25. J2Kfm says:
    April 6, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    iamthewitch : oh yes ah? no wonder he kept insisting on choosing for us. the better anyway, since most fritters look the same.

    Julian Si : yeah, nowhere does Lor Bak like Pg does. :)

    FBB : CKT hou tempting eh? i need my fix also, but dunno where to look for in Ipoh.

    [Reply]

  26. Raynebow says:
    April 6, 2009 at 3:15 pm

    Woo..the CKT looked really good & saliva-inducing! For sure, Penang is a food paradise, esp for hawker food!

    [Reply]

  27. email2me says:
    April 6, 2009 at 6:58 pm

    I bet you have to wait for quite some time for your chicken rice to arrive right?

    That aunty very slow. She slowly massage her chicken before throwing down the blade on the neck. lol

    [Reply]

  28. J2Kfm says:
    April 6, 2009 at 8:02 pm

    Raynebow : second that, no doubt! :)

    email2me : hahaha … not really woh. surprisingly she’s fast the other day. or maybe the crowd has not build up to a climax yet?

    [Reply]

  29. The Food Authority » Blog Archive » Penang Street Food – A Gastronomic Journey in Malaysia says:
    December 3, 2009 at 2:56 am

    [...] prawns and cockles) fared reasonably well, but not the best I have tasted on the island. I love the Pulau Tikus wet market’s version at night, and to some extent Ah Leng’s pricier offering as well. The Lorong Selamat and Macalister [...]

  30. Pinoy Adobo » Blog Archive » Penang Street Food – A Gastronomic Journey in Malaysia says:
    December 3, 2009 at 10:10 am

    [...] prawns and cockles) fared reasonably well, but not the best I have tasted on the island. I love the Pulau Tikus wet market’s version at night, and to some extent Ah Leng’s pricier offering as well. The Lorong Selamat and Macalister [...]

  31. Penang Street Food – A Gastronomic Journey in Malaysia | Travel revew – Faxtravel.com says:
    January 17, 2010 at 12:07 pm

    [...] prawns and cockles) fared reasonably well, but not the best I have tasted on the island. I love the Pulau Tikus wet market’s version at night, and to some extent Ah Leng’s pricier offering as well. The Lorong Selamat and Macalister [...]

  32. Penang Street Food – A Gastronomic Journey in Malaysia | Trends Inspire says:
    April 6, 2010 at 1:43 pm

    [...] &#1211&#1072&#957&#1077 tasted &#959&#1495 t&#1211&#1077 island. I &#406&#1110k&#1077 t&#1211&#1077 Pulau Tikus wet market’s version &#1072t night, &#1072&#1495&#1281 t&#959 &#1109&#959m&#1077 boundary Ah Leng’s pricier offering &#1072&#1109 [...]

  33. Penang Street Food – A Gastronomic Journey in Malaysia : : Malaysia Newspaper says:
    April 11, 2010 at 7:44 pm

    [...] prawns and cockles) fared reasonably well, but not the best I have tasted on the island. I love the Pulau Tikus wet market’s version at night, and to some extent Ah Leng’s pricier offering as well. The Lorong Selamat and Macalister [...]

  34. EverydayOnSales says:
    June 24, 2010 at 1:11 am

    Aiyak…dun have the full address of the Char Kuay Teow?
    Just worry not able to find it.

    [Reply]

    J2Kfm Reply:
    June 24th, 2010 at 8:22 am

    Hi there. Yeah, the address is at the end of the post, together with the map and contact number.

    [Reply]

    J2Kfm Reply:
    June 24th, 2010 at 8:37 am

    Sorry I mistakenly thought this was the recent post. Sin Wah CKT is at the Pulau Tikus market. Behind this row of shops with Sin HWA Ckt opposite of pulau tikus police station.

    At night only though.

    [Reply]

  35. Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng & Char Koay Teow Opposite Pulau Tikus Police Station | BuzzBirdy.com says:
    June 24, 2010 at 6:03 pm

    [...] and fried-with-perfection CKT from Lorong Selamat, Macalister Road, Penang Road, Pulau Tikus market, Kimberley Street, Ah Leng’s, and many more. But repeated [...]

Leave a Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Click to cancel reply

Translator

Definitive Guide to Ipoh Food by J2Kfm

Most Recent Posts

  • A Timeless Dim Sum Affair @ Ying Fa Restaurant, Ipoh Old Town
  • Secret Garden @ Ipoh – A Respite for the Jaded Soul
  • Purple Cane Tea House @ Osborne Street, Ipoh – Where the old Foh San was
  • Satay from the East – Satay Malaysia @ Kota Bharu, Kelantan
  • Feast for the Senses @ Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah, Kelantan
  • A Hainanese Affair @ Sin Kok Thye Coffee Shop
  • The Claypot Chicken Rice that Never Was …
  • Tan Kee Klang Bak Kut Teh @ Ipoh – Get Your Wet & Dry BKT Here!!
  • Oh Sushi Japanese Restaurant @ De Garden, Ipoh
  • Same Old Taste @ Sun Poh Poh in Pasir Pinji, Ipoh

New Eats, New Hits

Wanna know what & where is the Secret Garden in Ipoh? Japanese Cuisine @ Oh Sushi, De Garden Where the old Foh San was ... Eastern Brasserie @ Eastern Hotel, Ipoh Pasta House @ Ipoh San Francisco Steakhouse Berlin Bier Houz Wong Kok Char Chan Teng @ De Garden Pondok Padang

Shoutouts Here Please


The Popular Ones

  • Ultimate Ipoh Food List by J2Kfm - 57,803 views
  • Michelangelo’s Pizzeria @ Ipoh – Celebrations - 6,131 views
  • Ipoh Street Food – Cheap & Tasty Choices - 5,943 views
  • Ipoh Street Snacks – Funny Mountain Tau Fu Fah, Happy Fried Dough & Tong Sui Kai Desserts - 5,089 views
  • San Francisco Steakhouse @ Coliseum Square, Ipoh - 4,887 views
  • A German Porky & Beer Wonderland @ Berlin’s Bier Houz, Ipoh - 4,852 views
  • Nasi Padang @ Restoran Simpang Tiga, Ipoh - 4,660 views
  • JJ Cakes & Swiss Rolls @ De Mouth Restaurant, Ipoh - 4,297 views
  • Tanjung Tualang Prawns @ Luen Fong Restaurant - 4,149 views
  • Motormouth in Malacca Again (Finale) – Donald & Lilly’s, Cottage Spices, Tengkera Nyonya Kuih, Nadeje Patisserie - 3,960 views
  • TAO Cuisine Japanese Buffet @ Juru Autocity, Penang - 3,701 views
  • Perak Food Guide by J2Kfm - 3,615 views
  • Bali Day 1 – Bali Sorgawi Hotel & Made’s Warung in Kuta - 3,459 views
  • Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum @ Ipoh - 3,442 views
  • Bali Food : Bebek Bengil (Dirty Duck Diner) @ Ubud - 3,437 views
  • Craving for some REAL Pizzas? - 3,236 views
  • T.O.S Coffee Bistro @ De Garden, Ipoh - 3,120 views
  • Ipoh Claypot Crab Glass Noodles @ Same Taste Restaurant, Bercham - 3,091 views
  • Mun Choong Restaurant @ Pasir Puteh, Ipoh - 3,029 views
  • Life & Rants – Pappa Rich @ De Garden, Ipoh - 3,002 views

Recent Comments

  • totoro: I usually eat at Pasir Pinji Wing Fatt. Of course, I will order the...
  • modo alimentare: Oh… I always love to have the Traditional egg tarts...
  • SimpleGirl: agree with jimmy, kok kee ‘s dim sum is quite good
  • Jimmy Chua: Just for info – The new generations of Kok Kee Restaurant...
  • lotsofcravings: are u sure har gau got sliver of lard?? thats something new,...
  • tekkaus: The lotus leave rice must be enticing…so enticing that you...
  • jason: Oh yes, Ying Fa. Pass by this shop everytime we’re on the way...
  • Yiling: wow, really have to look beyond just foh san and ming court now since...

The Dusty Ones

  • September 2010 (1)
  • August 2010 (19)
  • July 2010 (18)
  • June 2010 (21)
  • May 2010 (19)
  • April 2010 (18)
  • March 2010 (16)
  • February 2010 (17)
  • January 2010 (14)
  • December 2009 (17)
  • November 2009 (17)
  • October 2009 (16)
  • September 2009 (16)
  • August 2009 (16)
  • July 2009 (16)
  • June 2009 (12)
  • May 2009 (13)
  • April 2009 (13)
  • March 2009 (12)
  • February 2009 (11)
  • January 2009 (16)
  • December 2008 (17)
  • November 2008 (19)
  • October 2008 (19)
  • September 2008 (19)
  • August 2008 (23)
  • July 2008 (20)
  • June 2008 (29)
  • May 2008 (29)
  • April 2008 (31)
  • March 2008 (33)

The Categories

  • Johor Food (7)
  • Kedah Food (1)
  • Kuala Lumpur/Selangor Food (100)
    • Bagan Pasir/Kuala Selangor Food (1)
    • Klang Food (15)
  • Motormouthing (31)
    • Featured Articles (8)
  • Penang Food (27)
  • Perak Food (311)
    • Bidor Food (2)
    • Gerik/Pengkalan Hulu Food (9)
    • Hutan Melintang Food (1)
    • Ipoh Food (241)
    • Kampar Food (6)
    • Kuala Kangsar Food (3)
    • Lawan Kuda Food (1)
    • Lenggong Food (1)
    • Pangkor Food (3)
    • Pusing Food (3)
    • Seri Manjung/Sitiawan Food (17)
    • Slim River Food (1)
    • Sungai Siput Food (1)
    • Sungkai Food (3)
    • Taiping Food (13)
    • Tanjung Malim Food (2)
    • Tanjung Piandang Food (1)
    • Tanjung Tualang Food (3)
    • Tapah Food (3)
    • Teluk Intan Food (5)
  • Travel (94)
    • Bali 2009 (11)
    • Bangkok 2009 (11)
    • Betong 2008 (6)
    • Betong 2009 (1)
    • Cameron Highlands 2008 (5)
    • Cameron Highlands 2009 (2)
    • Cameron Highlands 2010 (2)
    • Genting Highlands 2010 (1)
    • Hanoi 2009 (11)
    • Hong Kong/Macau 2008 (14)
    • Kelantan 2009 (2)
    • Krabi-Phuket 2010 (8)
    • Langkawi 2009 (3)
    • Melaka 2008 (7)
    • Melaka 2009 (2)
    • Perlis 2008 (2)
    • Perlis 2009 (1)
    • Port Dickson 2009 (1)
    • Sungai Petani (2)

The Hits

Alexa Ranking




Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.org
Free PageRank Checker Food & Drink Blogs TopOfBlogs Food  Drink & Cooking Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory Motormouth From Ipoh - A Malaysian Food Blog - Blogged valid xhtml 1.1 All Traveling Sites