Ah Leng Char Koay Teow, Kafe Khoon Hiang @ Jalan Dato Keramat, Penang

According to a food survey, Char Koay Teow is the number one food most sought after in Penang by the tourist and even locals. As such, you can actually find Char Koay Teow stall in Penang virtually almost everywhere from the roadside to the coffee shop.

Frying a plate of Char Koay Teow is not hard but to result in a good taste is hard. I have been disappointed countless times by the taste of a supposed good Char Koay Teow. There was this stall in Penang along Jalan Dato Keramat that served really good Char Koay Teow. By the name of Ah Leng Char Koay Teow, it is located in Khoon Hiang Cafe and it is one of the famous Char Koay Teow in Penang.

Khoon Hiang Cafe, along Jalan Dato Keramat

Ah Leng Char Koay Teow

The boss aka Ah Leng

You can never see Ah Leng stop frying the koay teow. He don't even smile, and just glance at you when you placed an order before switching back his focus to the wok.

Focused on the wok most of the time

Char Koay Teow is prepared by frying the flat thin noodles (koay teow) together with egg, garlic, bean sprouts, and prawns. It is optional to be fried spicy or non spicy.

The art of frying koay teow

It was almost 2pm on my previous visit, and the place was still largely crowded with people waiting for their orders.

Crowd patiently waiting for their plate of Char Koay Teow

I'd ordered a plate of special Char Koay Teow and it was served after 25 minutes of wait.

Ah Leng Special Char Koay Teow (RM 9)

The special plate came with extra fried mantis prawn on top of normal ingredients.

Big, succulent and juicy prawns

The scent from the Char Koay Teow proved too hard to resist. You just can't wait to have your first mouth on it.

One of the best Char Koay Teow in Penang

Fantabulous! It was full with flavour and the wok hei was superb that it lingered in mouth for a while. Each bite on it unfolded the awesomeness of the flavour that packed with fragrance of the slightly charred chili that coated each on the flat noodles so well. It it neither too dry nor oily, just perfect for a great plate of Char Koay Teow!

Should you are not a fan of mantis prawn, you can opt for the normal plate of Char Koay Teow which tasted as great and come with 3 big prawn as well.

The normal Ah Leng Char Koay Teow (RM 5)

This is where famous Char Koay Teow equals to best that resulted a lip smacking good fried koay teow. One plate is never enough indeed. Definitely one of my most memorable Char Koay Teow to date.

Char Koay Teow: 9/10

Atmosphere: 5/10
Price: 4/10

Verdict: It is a little pricey but it is all well worth for a great plate of Char Koay Teow!

Ah Leng Char Koay Teow
Kafe Khoon Hiang (Opposite Federal Place)
Corner Lot
Jalan Dato Keramat
Penang
Tel: 012 - 498 3962
Business hours: 8am - 2pm daily, Closed on Thursday