As I know there are two versions of Curry Mee around. One uses slightly sweet and savory coconut milk mainly as the soup base with chili supplied separately, commonly found in Penang.
Another version, which is more common in KL/Ipoh and other places is prepared with curry soup topped with curry chicken resulting in a thicker and spicy broth even without the addition of chili.
If you are a Northern person you would probably dislike the Southern version, and vice versa. It’s a love or hate thing from what I see. Some people claim that since the noodle dish is called Curry Mee, it’s only appropriate that the soup is curry based. Well, me being a lover of both versions, I have to admit I prefer the Northern style more.
Bee Tin Curry Mee at Butterworth is the perfect example of a typical Penang Curry Mee. The soup is a white concoction made mainly of coconut milk, and tastes a little sweet and light on its own.
Chili paste, often accompanied with a good amount of chili oil as well is usually supplied in a small container on the tables. While each bowl of curry mee does come with a spoonful of chili, it is highly likely that you would end up adding more of the addictive chili paste.
And although the chili paste looks spicy, the spiciness is actually quite mild and is the main ingredient to liven up the otherwise-tame-looking-noodles.
The smallest bowl of Curry Mee here cost RM2.50, with the largest one priced at RM3.50. I would suggest that you go for the large one as the small one, is really small in portion.
Despite the small portions, generous amount of fresh prawns, cockles and pig blood cubes are given. If you find the blood cubes yucky, you should let them know in advance so they would omit it. But if that’s the case, I feel you are missing out on the best thing in curry mee.
I probably should mention that even though Bee Tin’s curry mee is flavorful, it seems to be because of the amount of MSG they use. I immediately felt a dryness in my throat just after 5 minutes finishing my noodles, definitely experiencing “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome”.
Besides the MSG, you should also be aware of the waiting time and cleanliness of the coffee shop. Expect at least 20-30 minutes of wait on a normal weekend, and dirty tables and chairs in a rather filthy, questionable environment. To be honest I am quite hesitant to return because of this. But people still throng it anyway.
Anyway if you don’t know, Bee Tin Curry Mee is also more commonly known as Chain Ferry Curry Mee by the locals, most likely because the coffee shop’s sign board is so faded and hidden from view. So the best way to identify the stall is by the road they are situated along at. If you are travelling to Butterworth’s train or bus station via Jalan Chain Ferry, you won’t miss this stall.
2497, Jalan Assumption (junctioning with Jalan Chain Ferry)
Butterworth, Seberang Perai.
Open from 8am onwards, until finish
I like both version of curry mee. But i prefer the Southern version ones because the curry kuah is much thicker compared to the northern ones. Plus, the northern ones comes with pig blood. It’s a big NO-NO for me.
You can always give me the pig blood :P I help you sapu definitely lol
Yeah…I gave you the one we had at Lorond Seratus Tahun…. lol
This stall has been marked for my to-try list but since you mentioned about
too much msg, then I will think twice… Thanks for the info.
another thing is the ingredients that go into it.
almost never seen a bowl of curry mee with coagulated blood in Ipoh’s version, while Penang version rarely incorporates the char siew/siew yuk.
Actually if you’re not familiar with this place, it’s kinda hard to find.
I prefer KL version more, but since I”m working in PG, no choice. Have to start liking PG style curry mee d .
Aiyo I simply love the Northern type of Curry Mee especially the pig blood!!!! *Mouth watering*.
Loaded with extra toppings… I salute to the generosity of the vendor but I don’t quite fancy the gravy as it looks to ‘milky’… In other words, the cholesterol in the noodles is exactly what we are eating….
I think I will prefer the Southern one more….never recalled trying any curry mee with congulated pig’s blood. Then again, must give it a try and then will be able to see one preference
I think I never seen any curry mee in KL served with coagulated pig blood at all
Should try the Sungai Petani, Taman Ria Version of Northern Curry mee ( I mean real Northern version of thicker curry with spices, not the Penang version of diluted coconut milk with chili paste).
I’m from KL but somehow prefer curry mee from the north. I can’t recall which shop I had the Penang Curry Mee but it’s taste still remained in my head.
Lorong Seratus Tahun? Or maybe the one at New World Park..
[…] must be Katong Laksa. It is easy for me to like Katong Laksa because of its small resemblance to Penang Curry Mee. For first timers, Katong Laksa has a much thicker and creamier coconut milk based soup and noodles […]
[…] was a slight dip in standard. If you are wondering, yes this is the same style of curry mee sold at Bee Tin, which also uses coconut soup as the broth with separate chili paste. But this has much lesser MSG, […]
oh my god, MY FAVOURTIE!!! used to stay in the condo along Jalan Assumption. i will just drove out (lazy to walk) and tapao the curry mee. miss the curry mee soooooo much.
Hey, why not try the one in Seberang Jaya Food Court … by Fatty Aunty. It’s Northern version! Haven’t disappoint me so far…..
hi, do u knw wher is Apollo, Butterworth? just go straight after raja uda..the aunty there is selling a best curry mee and the price is good, RM2.80 for small.. but the portion is not small! haha..enough for one person….(u can get big if u are dead hungry)
there are two stall at Apollo there, one is guy and one is like 50-60+ aunty..but her look is not as old as her age..so, go to tat modern aunty! her soup is so thick! not really spicy, cos she is giving separate chilis paste..hmm…yum yum! u should hav a try there..
she is selling at morning market till 11am and afternoon, 2.30pm to 7pm..same location same stall! her pig blood is the best, according to my mum, who is crazy to pig blood person! she said this aunty must do in her special own way tats y other competitor cant beat over her…
and ur blog is cool! i love ur honesty to the food taste! not like other blogger! hmm…and ur dishes pictures also taken in a very good technique! the brightness for each picture u r taken is good as well!
ps: i forget which day she is off, so try ur luck then! hehe!
Ganbatte – Good luck!