Char Hor Fun at Beach Street, Penang

BY CK Lam

For quick delicious stir-fried noodles in Penang , head over to the intersection of Beach Street (Lebuh Pantai) and Malay Street (Lebuh Melayu). The place is buzzing during dinner and supper time with a handful of hawkers stalls selling koay teow thng, mee goreng and char hor fun 炒河粉.

It is not difficult to find the char hor fun hawker stall as smoked can be seen wafting around the surrounding area. The stall by N. H. Teoh attracted a loyal following not only for its char hor fun, but also other stir-fried noodles.

Char Hor Fun at Beach Street, Penang

 

 

In Penang, char hor fun is also known as char tua pan (stir-fried flat rice noodle). The ingredients used in preparing the dish are rather simple, comprising charred hor fun, slices of pork, liver, prawns, fish and green leafy chai sim (Chinese mustard). An egg is added on to the thickened gravy for a smooth finish.

The hor fun coated with smooth runny egg gravy had faint smoky aroma. Before serving, a handful of pickled green chillies is added on.

Char Hor Fun at Beach Street, Penang 

Char hor fun with egg RM6

 

While the egg version is much-loved by many, there are also those who prefer the eggless version, and others going for the ‘ying yong’ – a combination of hor fun together with rice vermicelli (popularly known as beehoon).

Although the choice of ingredients, and the accompanying pickled green chillies are the same, the flavours and mouth-feel of the eggless version are much different. This version is lighter in taste but I certainly prefer the one with smooth full bodied egg flavor.

 Char Hor Fun at Beach Street, Penang

 Eggless version with combination of hor fun and rice vermicelli RM5

 

Aside from char hor fun, you will also find yee foo mee and hokkien char.

The plate of hokkien char has yellow noodles stir-fried with light black sauce, meat and prawns. and vegetable. Make sure to let the noodles sit for a while to soak up the broth.

Sambal belacan is quintessential in this dish, and it comes with mild spiciness.

Char Hor Fun at Beach Street, Penang

Hokkien Char

 

If you like these type of stir-fried noodles, head over to the stall which has been around 10 over years. Tables and drinks are available at the opposite Wah Keong coffee shop.

Char Hor Fun at Beach Street, Penang

Char Hor Fun at Beach Street, Penang

Char Hor Fun dry version with egg

Char Hor Fun Stall
Intersection of Beach Street and Malay Street
361 Beach Street
George Town
Penang

Business Hours: 7pm till 11pm

Closed on Sunday