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| Tunglang's choice of 60's Penang Hokkien Mee |
Served by 2 Ori-Maestros, a brother and sister team with no Indonesian or Burmese helpers (to keep it as original as possible), many Tham Chiak Kuis frequent this long time stall as early as it starts business at this kopitiam, located at the junction of Lebuh Carnarvon and Jalan Cheong Fatt Tze. As Kia Su as any TCK Penangite, I reach the stall at 7 am salivating at the first sniff of hae th'ng (prawn soup).
Standing at the side of this five foot way stall with all the liao on display, I half salivate & speak my order, almost giving in to the temptation of over keh liao! The sight of yellow mee, tau geh, eng chai, chilli fried prawns, yew chang (fried onion) and red chilli oil whirlpooling above hae th'ng is full of reminiscences of the 60's and 70's as a Hokkien Mee boy helper in Madras Lane and Macalister Lane who frequently took curi-bites of spicy hae while at work.
Time to secure a table before more TCKs walk in. The friendly kopitiam towkay as usual in jovial mood pushes his 'Tek Chia International' brand of juice drink, which he claims is good for cooling the body. What an enterprising and global minded towkay ready for soon to be Cosmopolitan Penang.
My eagerly awaited order finally arrives with keh liao and steaming, spicy and rich hae th'ng served in a 'red cockerel' bowl. The first bite of chilli fried prawns starts a slow but experiential gastronomy of the finest Hokkien Mee in inner city George Town. The slippery but well cooked mee, though not as salty as the ori-60's, romances my discerning palate for distinctive 60's Penang Hokkien Mee and hae th'ng. Also, the bak kut with strong flavor of bak enhances my heavenly savor of what seems like a timeless experience of this Ori-Maestro Hokkien Mee. My last million-taste-bud tango ends with a finale - a bowl-cleaning licking good to the last trace of hae. No pai seh.
Winding up with a flushed face, sweaty forehead and prawn flavored lips, I draw my "Good Morning" mini China towel like a matador ready to wipe away the evidence of delightful Tham Chiak Kui desires. Now it's time for my Kopi-O kau kau to enjoy sipping at slow pace while taking in the heritage ambience of this prewar kopitiam minus Rediffusion's Canto ballads below the Sin Kong (Star) Hotel.
60's Penang Hokkien Mee @ junction of Lebuh Carnarvon / Jalan Cheong Fatt Tze = "Si pek ho chiak!"
Note: Come early as it usually finishes by 10 am. Also, do bring along a mini towel!
Pictures taken in April 2012 with permission from Ori-Maestros.
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