Bukit Mertajam is blessed with abundance of toothsome Char Koay Teow. While Chinese normally would know and tried Ah Heng or Jalan Pasar Char Koay Teow in Bukit Mertajam Town, the malay version named Alma Matary Char Koay Teow in Alma should not be missed out. It is not hard to locate the stall, as you can see a rather busy settlement with at least a dozen of tables by the roadside of Jalan Rozhan in the quiet night.
The place gets slightly obscure at late night as virtually all nearby outlets have shut down their lights. All the tables here were getting very dim light from the fluorescent lamp at the stalls. Upon sitting down, the servers will approach you to take down your orders, even though you only have the option of having either Char Koay Teow biasa or special, and regular or big size.
Having traveled from Penang Island to here, I ought to find out what are the forte of this Char Koay Teow that drew such a big positive remarks over the internet. The Special Char Koay Teow (RM 6) comes with a semi stir-fried egg, 5 pieces of fresh prawns and small quantity of flat noodles partially drenched with its distinctive sauce.
I think the sauce plays a vital role in giving the plate of flat noodles an unique taste. It has a slight sweetness, and the egg within the sauce gave it an aromatic taste. As I continue eating the plate of noodles, it gets more addictive to the extent I wish I could have more of it.
Relatively comparing, the gravy is akin like the Chinese version Char Hor Fun gravy, though it appears to be more murky and unappetizing.
Matary Char Koay Teow
2685, Jalan Rozhan, Taman Hwa Seng, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Operation hour: 7 pm - 2.30 am (Closed on Sunday)
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