The left-handed Char Koay Teow in Penang is a legend in our eyes. Back in 2017 when we visited the small Malaysian island we absolutely fell in love with the food and it instantly became our favourite food place in the world. So many good dishes that are unique to Penang can be devoured here. One of the dishes that really stood out for us back then was the Char Koay Teow (or char kway teow) from the left-handed man in the heart of Georgetown. In fact it became my wife’s favourite dish of all time (mine was Assam Laksa). He was located on a corner on the famous road that has the famous Cendol and Assam Laksa too. It was just him and his wok; he didn’t have a shop. So, of course we were very excited to be returning to Penang after 6 years and to try his amazing creation again. Read on for more (there’s drama!)
The dish
When it comes to iconic Penang street food, one dish stands out as a flavourful emblem of the island’s culinary prowess – Char Kway Teow. This stir-fried noodle dish is a beloved favourite among locals and visitors alike. Let’s delve into the irresistible world of Char Kway Teow. At its core, Char Kway Teow is a delectable stir-fry featuring flat rice noodles (kway teow), prawns, eggs, bean sprouts, and chives. What sets it apart, however, is the seasoning. A harmonious blend of light and dark soy sauce, chilli, and sometimes a touch of belacan (shrimp paste) creates a symphony of flavours that dance on the palate. The secret to an exceptional Char Kway Teow lies in the “wok hei” or breath of the wok. Skilled street vendors expertly toss the ingredients in a searing-hot wok, infusing the dish with a smoky, charred aroma. This technique not only imparts a unique flavour but also showcases the mastery of the cook.
He is not there anymore
Just like the first time round, our first stop on this island was this famous road that is stacked with legendary Penang dishes. We started off with the Assam Laksa and noticed that that shop now does other dishes like the Char Kway Teow. We then had the famous Cendol, which was even better than what we remembered it as. But there was one missing piece of this Penang food jigsaw and that was the left-handed man; he wasn’t in his corner. This doesn’t mean that he’s stopped doing his famous dish? We can’t have this dish every again!? Surely not! We got into a little discussion with the Assam Laksa restaurant owners and how they have progressed since 2017. And through this conversation we discovered that the left-handed man had now moved. They told us that he has a new location, which is a bit away from the touristy side of Georgetown Penang. But the positive is that he has his own restaurant now and it’s not just his wok.
The story behind the new location and restaurant
So, why did he move from such a lucrative and attractive spot in Georgetown? Well he told us that a particular family (who also own restaurants on that road) forced him out by buying out that corner and even selling char kway teow (his signature dish). They were jealous of his popularity and success and so decided to take action. I will not name them (they have been featured on this blog) because I haven’t heard their side of the story, but yeah that’s the reason. Uncle Chan (i.e. the left handed man) told us his version and yeah it was quite sad to hear to be honest, but at least he has himself a nice big place now, even if it isn’t in a prime location.
New menu
Initially he only did his signature dish, which was the char kway teow, but now his menu boasts a lot more of the Penang classics including curry mee, Assam laksa and chendol. And also an interesting drink that we tried: peach gum goji berry longan water, which was nice and refreshing with a hint of sweetness and herbalness. We didn’t try any of the other food items and so aren’t aware of their halal suitability, but the char kway teow does not contain pork nor lard and so is suitable for the halal diet.
Our favourite dish in the world
7 years ago when we first visited Penang, I fell in love with the Assam laksa and it became my number one dish in the world. My wife fell in love with the char kway teow from this particular spot and that became her favourite dish. When we returned this year and tried out both dishes again. I have to be honest and admit that the Assam laksa was a little underwhelming (I don’t know if it was just an off day or not), but the char kway teow on the other hand was mind-blowing. Literally, after my first bite I looked up at my wife and said “yup, you’re right”. This had established itself as being my favourite dish in the world. And it just got better bite after bite. I could not fault it. And to think the dish is vegetarian! Wow! Our only regret was why we didn’t get more than one plate of this deliciousness. And the amazing thing is that we’ve tried this same dish elsewhere and it never hits the heights of this place. Never. It’s this particular dish from this particular place that is our favourite dish in the world.
Getting there:
Google Maps location link
