Famous Ah Leng Char Koay Teow @ Jalan Dato Keramat, Penang

Really, really exhausted from today's work. It's routine, yup, but the lethal combination of arduous journeys, winding roads, the torturous climate, and the incessant waiting rendered us almost incapacitated for the hours spent down south. It's been some time since I've been ranting, so let me be ...... or else.

If you're wondering what's so 'leng' (pretty) 'bout the Char Koay Teow (CKT) seller, you are in for a shock! ;)

OK, I digressed. Sue me. Hahaha .... I'm certainly in a sarcastic mood today. And thankfully it's raining as of now, hence all sins washed away !!! Thanks be to the ones above ...... or something.

An almost perfect plate of Char Koay Teow @ RM5.00. Additional RM0.50 for duck egg to be used instead

Thanks to CK, Ken and Lingzie, I got very, very specific directions to this famous CKT stall situated along Jalan Dato Keramat in Georgetown, Penang. Normally, we just whizzed past this shop without even noticing its existence!

Yup, all 4 years of my life spent in Penang, and not even on one solitary occasion we noticed this place. Kinda pathetic eh? Or put it simply, I was merely too careful when I was driving, to be distracted with sights and sounds, or glancing around; 360 degrees. Hehehe ... yeah right.

A plate of Ah Leng's SPECIAL Char Koay Teow (more prawns, and addition of mantis prawns!) @ RM9.00, additional RM0.50 if duck eggs are used.

Choking yet?

So, this unassuming coffee shop, or "cafe" (very loosely used term here) named Kafe Khoon Hiang houses only 2 stalls. Or 3, but I can't be bothered to remember as of now. There's an economy rice stall, and Ah Leng CKT stall, which is opened from morning til afternoon only. Seems like they closes on Thursdays (info from PenangTuaPui's site).

Penang's version of CKT has always been the BEST amongst all the other versions in the other states. Or country, for that matter. Notice the singular 'country'? :)

Ah Leng's version is brimming with ingredients, from the usual suspects (prawns - REAL plump ones, cockles, and egg -chicken's/duck's, chives and bean sprouts) to the rather unusual (but most welcomed, of course!) mantis prawns (lai liu har or he ko). Of course, extra ingredients at extra charge. No free lunches, OK?!

Looks rather rundown, is it not? Don't fret. You'll notice a steady stream of customers in there. And rest assured you won't be required to line up and carry your own plates!

Tastewise? The flat rice noodles was fried with plentiful of 'wok hei', aka 'breath of the wok' (sounds like some cheap kung-fu saga, no?) The quick frying/tossing techniques of the cook, plus the skilful handling of the heat from the stove, resulted in a most pleasing plate of delicious Char Koay Teow. Only in Penang, folks. Hard to replicate at home. ;)

Location : Ah Leng Char Koay Teow stall @ Kafe Khoon Hiang, Jalan Dato Keramat, Penang. Here's a MAP.

Here's those who have succumbed to Ah Leng's CKT ...... PenangTuaPui, VKeong, Makankings, Lilian, and many, many more. (Do drop me a msg if you've blogged about Ah Leng's CKT, but no links here)

On another note : Guess what the Uncle's slurping? ;)