Penang’s status as a food paradise is undeniable, thanks to centuries-old recipes that were not only created there but also passed down from generation to generation.

Recognised by Unesco for its culinary wealth, some of the state’s best food can be found in historic kopitiams, like the almost-half-a-century-old Kheng Pin Café located along Penang Road.

You may have heard of the name Kheng Pin Café for its popular Char Koay Teow that brings customers over in droves.

But the truth is, the café is well-known for its other gastronomic offerings as well, reflecting its character as a food court boasting hundreds of years of history under one roof.

Loh Bak

Also known as the five-spice pork rolls, the Loh Bak at Kheng Pin is famous island-wide and serves as the perfect appetiser to kick off your meal at the kopitiam.

A crispy golden platter from the Loh Bak stall typically comprises of deep-fried crispy prawn fritters, sliced fried fish balls, bean curd, and of course the Loh Bak with some cucumber to cut through the grease.

Be sure to enjoy your plate of fragrant fritters with their house-made sweet and sticky braised gravy.

Char Koay Teow

We’ve already written about Kheng Pin Café’s Char Koay Teow here but it’s so good there’s no harm in revisiting this much-loved hawker fare.

The dish is notorious for its spiciness, and packs the right punch to the taste buds. Of course, you could request for a less spicy version, but that would not be the same Char Koay Teow people drive in from far and wide for.

Stand by the stall if you order your meal to go and the cook will chat you up, perhaps to ease your wait as it would take a long time to ready your takeaway during peak hours.

Hokkien Mee

Also known as Prawn Mee in other parts of the country, a steaming bowl of this dish packs unrivalled flavours.

Expect to find a well-balanced combination of springy egg noodles and vermicelli in a clear prawn broth with sambal on the side for you to mix. Slices of chicken and hard-boiled egg round out the meal.

Wantan Mee

Penang’s Wantan Mee is generally well-known for featuring more ingredients compared to the versions found in other parts of the country, and this holds true here too.

The Wantan Mee at Kheng Pin comes with slices of barbecued pork, sliced shiitake mushrooms, strips of poached chicken, and Wantan dumplings.

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Run by an elderly couple that have been doing since forever, the chicken rice here is a favourite amongst Penangites and out-of-towners.

Although the components of the dish are kept the traditional way, the chicken rice here shines because of its impressive taste.

The chicken is the star here – poached to perfection, its smooth skin guards a layer of gelatine and tender juicy meat underneath. Be sure to get there early; the chicken rice runs out by 2pm.

Kheng Pin Cafe
20, 16, Jalan Penang, George Town,
10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang,
Malaysia.

This article first appeared in uppre.com