|
Lorong Selamat Char Kuey Teow, Penang |
|
|
Sunday, 13 November 2005 |
 On a trip to Penang, I wanted to put to test how good the Char Kuey Teow at Lorong Selamat was. The only way I could think of putting it to the ultimate test was to have several plates of Char Kuey Teow before hitting Lorong Selamat. If it was really that good, I would still be able to eat it. The day started with a good plate of Char Kuey Teow at Union Street (Yong Sing coffee shop), then moved on to another good plate of Char Kuey Teow at Keng Kwee Street (Joo Hooi coffee shop) and which ultimately led us to the ultimate - Low Eng Hoo Coffee Shop at Lorong Selamat.
We had to park further up the road because there was no parking closer to the restaurant. The parking attendant told us that there was queue of 12 people in front of us and suggested how we should pay for an hour parking. Long waits are usually expected but we were there during a relative lull.
The stall is located outside and the assistant told me that it would take about 20 minutes for the plate of Char Kuey Teow to arrive. It arrived in 15 minutes - that's not a bad job of setting customer expectations. But the proof of greatness is in the plate of Char Kuey Teow itself.
It did not disappoint one bit! The taste hits you and it lingers on in the mouth even after awhile. The prawns were fresh and succullent. The lard clearly seen and certainly can bite into. Yummmmmmmm. Lap Cheong (chinese sausage), Cockles, Chives - all there. Banana leaf however, is something that you must ask for in Penang. They usually only use it when you take away. However in this case, it did not detract one bit from my enjoyment of the Char Kuey Teow.
 And the best part - it's cooked with COAL fire! Something that I can never find in KL or PJ. At RM5 a plate, many Penangites have complained that it's too expensive. Well, I think that you pay for what you get. Thumbs up on the Char Kuey Teow here. Miss it and you miss what great Char Kuey Teow is all about. Check out the picture of the lady who fries the Char Kuey Teow - oversized glasses and red hat - quite a character.
Anyway here are the scores.
I have repented, I no longer think it's over-rated.
| Taste | 55% | | Presentation | 3% | | Smell | 5% | | Banana leaf | 0% | | Oiliness | 4% | | Prawns & pork sausage | 5% | | Cockles, "taugeh" & "ku chai" | 5% | | Chili | 4% | | Coal fire | 5% | | Lard | 5% | | Total | 91% |
|
; "char kuey teow")
; "char kuey teow lady")
