Siang Leng forwarded me an email yesterday about one of the best char koay teow in Penang – Ah Leng Char Koay Teow. The email contents looked very familiar, because it was copied from makankings‘ blog. Apparently, Lilian blogged about it not long ago too.
Based on the directions given by Ah Quah, we finally found Ah Leng. He was not too hard to find after all, the only problem I encountered was to find a place to park my car. Ah Leng is only assisted by his daughter (I assume) and business was brisk. All tables in the coffee shop had ordered his char koay teow, some even had 2 helpings. Looking at him frying those giant prawns (the main reason he’s famous) already made my stomach growl! I haven’t had a good plate char koay teow for a really long time.
An ordinary plate costs RM4.50, quite expensive for char koay teow right? But you have to consider the size of prawns given, they are as thick and long as my fingers! Taste wise, it was very fragrant and well above par of the average char koay teow. The giant sized prawns really made the difference here, their sweetness contributed to the flavorfulness of the char koay teow.
Another look at those gigantic prawns. I tell you, it was really satisfying to gobble it at one bite! Makankings and Lilian had their koay teow at RM8 with mantis prawns, I think those are additional and you have to request for it.
Ah Leng Char Koay Teow can be found in this coffee shop, Kafe Khoon Hiang, it is just a short distance from the Dato Keramat’s huge field.
Alternatively, you can use Honolulu to help spot Khoon Hiang, it is directly opposite this gymnasium. In my opinion If you do not wish to queue up and have to bear The Sister’s arrogant attitude, Ah Leng is a good substitute (although there are many other stalls to choose from) But for me, Bukit Mertajam’s duck egg char koay teow is still much better, both in terms of taste and value. Anyway, I know many people will be heading to Ah Leng after receiving the chain email, so happy hunting!
I didn’t know this is so famous, in fact had tried it before. Shall go back again.
I also do not think this is the best char koay teow in Penang. Apart from the 2 big prawns; there is nothing special for a normal plate. Also, it’s too wet, almost like Malay style. Will give it 3/10.
This is known to be the best char koay teow in town…
I agreeee.. but some how is slightly expensive……
vk: best ar? i dunno loh.. i just know the prawns are super huge.. so even if the koay teow is not nice.. the prawns also made it nice haha!
wow …. this char koay teow was previously from Lorong Kulit, fantastic taste……
not only big prawns, my favorite mantis is thereeee…..yaya..
Doesn’t taste that good, only becos it serves with big prawns. Prefer the char koay teow at Siam Road.
mana u ho ciak. i intentionally bring my mum n brother to try for our first time. turned out mum did not finished her plate, and my bro took a long time to finish. I think it doesn’t have the fragant smell that char kuew tiau should have, prawn is not that fresh either. The one in air itam is better.
Ahh… one of my favourite cha kuey teow stall – Ah Leng; and Honolulu is actually a drinking place, with Clark Hatch gym on the upper floor :P
great closeup of those gigantic prawns!
Cheryl Wee’s last blog post..MOF @ Pavillion
vk: surprisingly some comments above are saying it is overrated.. anyway I will return to try this again during CNY :)
I love the CKT at the Rifle Range morning market.
i hope vkeong post the address also…. also can draw some map for us. you jsut tell us which shop to eat, i very appreciate your effort but we only can see but dont know how to go… i’m very upset…. like watching the AV star pic only…. let u see only, but u cannot eat…. aduh ~~~
sorry :( I am bad at giving locations or even drawing maps :(
[…] all crowded to the max. Some really famous ones like the Char Koay Teow at Lorong Selamat and Ah Leng had a minimum waiting time of 1 hour. […]
Ah leng now cost RM9.50 for the extra prawns,mantis and duck egg version at normal days
during CNY i go, it cost RM10.50 per plate, but to me its worth it , all because of the huge prawns!
[…] prawns. Anyway, the deluxe version was ordered purely because I have never tried it before. In my previous visit I was less adventurous and more ‘kiam siap’ lol. Although the addition of mantis prawns […]
[…] http://www.what2seeonline.com/2009/02/ah-leng-char-koay-teow-lorong-selamat-char-koay-teow-penang/ http://www.vkeong.com/2007/food-drink/ah-leng-char-koay-teow/ http://www.penangtuapui.com/2008/07/hawker-food-ah-leng-char-koay-teow/ […]
I tried it last Mon. It was better than most CKT in Klang Valley. I’ll go there again apart from the other famous ones in PG :)