Some people called it kway teow's nearest cousin except that it is softer, whither
and much smoother. The preparation is also unique unlike the famous char kway
teow or kway teow soup which is deep fried or drenched in soup. The Penang
version of "fun" is served with large spoonful of sweet and savory source.
In Penang, the dishes can be found everywhere with each stall has its own secret
recipe, in which they claim better than others. If you prefer spicy stuff, chee
cheong fun can be optionally spiced up with a dollop of piquant chili paste.
For chee cheong fun lovers, you'll notice that Penang version of steamed rice noodle
has a quite different persona unlike in K.L where it is served with "yong tau fu" or in
Taiping where it is often comes with yam cakes. And it is not like the Hong Kong
version either, which is steamed with meat (beef, prawn or pork) and served with a
plain, sweetened soya source.
The preparation is very simple. First, it is cut whilst still rolled up and coated with
delicious source which goes over it. Then comes that special little extra which is the
favorite among Penangites -- The "hey ko" (or prawn paste) which is dribbled over
the top like a thick black ribbon. The whole preparation is then finished off with
compulsory sprinkling of aromatic friend shallots and sesame seeds on top.
For some, it's a bit of strange taste at first, but the smells can linger on as the
extra ingredient that adds the musty, fishy flavor which makes the famous Penang
dish so unique. There is something very satisfying about slurping up this tasty and
fulfilling dish which is branded as Penang very own "fast food"
As a popular dish for breakfast and being sold in market and stalls all over the place,
it has many people drools over it. You can also see people eating the dish over at
lunch, dinner or even supper.
As like any other famous Penang food, great chee cheong fun can be found in
almost every nook and cranny of Penang with each Penangites has his or her
favorite, be it the tasty source or the soft texture of the steamed rice. There is a
stall in Batu Lanchang market that serves a very delicious chee cheong fun. The
owner has been selling it for over 10 years and built a large and loyal clientele that
comes regularly. The secret comes from a freshly prepared hey ko and tasty source.
Another place that need little introduction is located at Suncity Cafe at Prima
Tanjung, Fettes Park. The family run business has been in operation since 1955,
starting from a stall at Macalister Road after which they moves to Macalister Lane
and now to the current location at Fettes Park. According to the owner, inflation
had cause the price of the fun jump 8 fold from 10 cents in the olden days up to 80
cents per rolls today.
The steamed noodles are indeed smooth and silky with the secret sauce apparently
still taste as delicious as it was even it were over half a century old and run by over
two generation. People who came to eat here sometimes come from as far as Kuala
Lumpur, Johor, Singapore and Hong Kong. Some even order few hundreds rolls to
take home. Of course, the source is separated and all they need to do is to
refrigerate it, and when they want to eat, steaming it hot again.
So... If you haven't tried out Penang very own version of the dish, I guess it's about
time to do so.
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