Char Koay Teow Kafe Heng Huat @ Lorong Selamat, Penang

The controversial Kafe Heng Huat Char Koay Teow (CKT) at Lorong Selamat has always stirred up a hot debate whenever it is mentioned. The chef, Madam Soon Suan Choo has been frying Char Koay Teow for more than 40 years at Lorong Selamat and has just recently move to Kafe Heng Huat. She is reputable for frying a great plate of CKT, while at the same time notorious for her attitude. Nevertheless, one will never know until they have tried it themselves, both the taste and attitudes. 

We arrived at the coffee shop around lunch hour and without surprise the shop was packed. Luckily our friend arrived earlier and booked a table and ordered for us. Therefore, I have no comment on her attitude as I never experienced it.

Hence how was the verdict? Yes, I have to agree this plate of Char Koay Teow (RM10) was good. Frying with charcoal has essentially imparted an elusive wok-hei into it. The koay teow was rather smooth and slick easily into your mouth. The CKT was greasy and may not appeal to health conscious individuals. The gleaming koay teow is a good indicator on the amount of exercise you needed to counter balance the calories gained for consuming this plate of CKT.

The prawns served was large but it did not turned out to meet my expectations. It was juicy and fresh but I have tasted even better prawns used in CKT. Perhaps I came here with too high expectations.

As a conclusion, it is definitely a worthy try of Char Koay Teow and I would regard it as one of the best in Penang as well. The crowd at the coffee shop does not tell lies. However, to pay RM10 for a plate of Char Koay Teow is always your call. Nobody put a .45 calibre on your forehead and force you to patronise her stall.