Rise and shine on our third day in Penang. Our local foodie friend, Mervin brought us to Classic Cafe at Jalan Perak to try this popular Ah Koo’s Hokkien Mee.
The kopitiam is located opposite Padang Brown Hawker Centre, which is also one of the locals’ favourite makan destinations.
Many local residents would wake up early just to come here for breakfast. That’s because Ah Koo’s Hokkien Mee only opens during breakfast time. They operate for just 3.5 hours in the morning from 8.00am to 11.30am.
If you think this is going to be a plate of stir-fried wok-hei-laden Hokkien Mee with lard, prawns and squids, then you’re wrong. Penang’s Hokkien Mee is not the same as Singapore’s Hokkien Mee. It is actually a prawn noodle soup…
…that looks like this.
For my bowl of Hokkien Mee, I requested for a mix of bee hoon and yellow noodles (米粉面). Highly recommend this combo so you can enjoy two different textures of noodles.
The soup broth had a really rich and intense prawn flavour. Very natural tasting and not too salty. Umami!
As for toppings, there were thinly sliced pork, small halved prawns, bean sprouts and fried shallots. Plus a half tablespoonful of chilli sauce which you can mix into the soup if you like it more spicy.
Small portion of the Hokkien Mee was really small. If you enjoy a good prawn noodle soup like this, I’d suggest you go for a Big bowl, otherwise it will not be enough.
It’s hearty. It’s delicious. This is a breakfast you can’t miss when in Penang.
Closed on Tuesdays