Cover A simple dish that requires just the right touch to get the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and smoky (Image: Michelin)
A simple dish that requires just the right touch to get the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and smoky (Image: Michelin)
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This Penang-born favourite is loved throughout the nation, but for those who still want an authentic taste without the pork, here’s our list
Brought over by the Chinese immigrants—particularly Hokkien and Teochew communities—char kuey teow has grown to be a beloved dish across the country, and a dish worth travelling for.
Initially considered as a working-class meal, it was sold as a cheap dish that was high in energy, packed with protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables. Stir fried over high heat with lard, soy sauce, bean sprouts, and eggs, it was a quick, flavourful, and filling dish to tide you over at any time of day.
There are a few elements that are key to a good char kuey teow, and one that’s high on the list is wok hey, which loosely translates to ‘breath of the wok’. The smoky element it brings to a char kuey teow that adds an unmissable complexity in the dish, and can sometimes be a make or break.
Another element would be the fragrance of the Chinese sausages and lard, which contain pork. With many non-pork consumers across Malaysia, it was bound to happen that many would try to recreate the essence of a good char kuey teow without pork, to share the love of the dish further.
In the Klang Valley, there have been many stalls that serve the Penang style char kuey teow without pork, and for those looking to scratch an itch, here’s our certified list of tried and true spots to get your fix.
In case you missed it: 10 restaurants for dinner during your next trip to Penang
Sister’s Place
Above Sister's Kopitiam CKT (Image: @sisters_kopitiam)
Sister's Kopitiam CKT (Image: @sisters_kopitiam)
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The unrivalled favourite for a reason. Long been the spot to go for pork-free char kuey teow, Sister’s Kopitiam is loved by all. Succulent prawns are cooked perfectly amongst a generous plate of steaming noodles and bean sprouts, with the option to go for their special order which includes squid for that extra bite.
Sister's Place
4, Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, +603 7729 8133
The-Yum-Me-Place
Above The perfect fried egg atop the bouncy plate of rice noodles
The perfect fried egg atop the bouncy plate of rice noodles
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For those that recall, Yum Me Place used to be Shangri-la, and was home to an incredible char kuey teow which has since moved. Fret not as you can still get your char kuey teow cravings sorted if you’re around the area. Pork-free, the noodles are perfectly charred, topped with an extra fried egg that’s blistered and brown on the edges, and chunks of very fresh cockles, it’s a satisfying bite.
Yum Me Place
7, Jalan Batai, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, +6016 621 5532
Quackteow
Above The sparks of the charcoal gives an undeniable flavour to the noodles (Image: @quackteow.ttdi)
Above (Image: @quackteow.ttdi)
The sparks of the charcoal gives an undeniable flavour to the noodles (Image: @quackteow.ttdi)
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Along the street of other supper favourites, including Wok Hei and neighbourhood favourite smash burger, Local Area Burger, sits Quackteow.
Their char kuey teow is fried over charcoal, and unmissable with their sparks flying out of their truck. Although the option for chicken egg is available, the duck egg char kuey teow is a must-try, and a common addition to many char kuey teows in Penang.
Quackteow
Lorong Rahim Kajai 14, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, +016 568 2957
Lau Wan
The unchanged shop front of this iconic kuey teow spot, spelled kuetiau (Image: sethlui.com)
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Nestled within Medan Selera Wawasan, this PJ spot has made a name for itself for their char kuey teow, and have been doing so since the 1980s.
Run by a family, this humble stall packs a punch in their kuey teow, roping in crowds of people into the unassuming hallways of this food court. For those who like sotong kangkung, Lau Wan makes a mean one too.
Lau Wan
Selera Wawasan, 13, Jln. SS 3/33, Taman Universiti, 47300 Petaling Jaya, +6012 661 4907
Grandmama’s
Started in 2012, this restaurant chain has grown into a fuss free spot to get Malaysian flavours within a contemporary setting. Their char kuey teow is on their list of bestsellers, and for good reason. Grandmama’s has specially made rice noodles, stir fried together with chicken, prawns, squid, eggs, and bean sprouts for a multi-textural bite, now with duck eggs.
Grandmama's
Mutiple locations
Madam Kwan’s
Evoking hawker style cooking within a more refined, restaurant style setting is what Madam Kwan’s is known to do. Their char kuey teow is generously packed with chicken, prawns, squid, eggs, chives, and bean sprouts. There’s a reason why this dish is constantly ranked among their top sellers.
Madam Kwan's
Multiple locations
Keandra's expertise lies within writing deep dives into the culture and anthropology of food, sometimes with a philosophical twist. With a background in London's F&B consultancy scene, she's excited to be back in Kuala Lumpur to champion the local dining scene.
Reach her at keandra.hing@tatlerasia.com, @keandruh
