13/7/2018 - Char Koay Teow at Siam Road, Penang

Penangites love their Char Koay Teow (CKT), period. 

For years, the sight of dozens of people queuing up in the sweltering afternoon sun and waiting for their wok-hei CKT at the Siam Road junction is a daily occurrence. Sweat no more! Old man Tan has decided to move his charcoal-black wok to a coffee shop (82, Siam Road) a few houses down the road to dish out his “magic” CKT.

The 2017 World Street Food Congress has voted this sifu’s CKT The 14^thBest Street Food in the World! The news has since spread far and wide and the queue is ever-growing.

We decided to beat the queue by being there 20 minutes before opening time (noon). By the time the shop was opened, the queue was already there. But we were right at the front, waiting patiently. You have to queue for your CKT. It is self-service despite the fact that you are paying RM7.50 per plate! Worry not, Sifu Tan can dish out a mouth-watering plate in two minutes!

In no time, all seven of us were savouring our CKT. Just as oily as before, with a good dose of the must-have “bak eu pok” (crispy pork lard). Our conclusion? 

The Siam Road CKT that we knew from years gone by was much, much better than what we got this time around. Could it be overhyped? Or the pressure of a mounting crowd? Nevertheless, it was tasty enough to be among the better CKTs in Penang.