How I Got Addicted to Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng

Everyone knows the iconic Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng at the corner Seng Lee Coffeeshop.

I used to race up the same steep steps to reach the Kopitiam.

Today, I looked at the steps and wondered if there are handrails.

For many Penangites, we have had the “dry” “Mee Goreng” (Indian-style fried noodles)

How I Got Addicted to Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng.

The story started a long time ago.

Many stalls are selling delicious plates of the famous Mamak Mee Goreng in George Town.

Notable ones that we (my friends and I) like are the

• Jones Road Mee Goreng (Kafe Sin Hup Aun)
• Hameed Mee Sotong (Padang Kota Lama Food Court)
• Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng (Seng Lee coffeeshop)
• Swee Kong Kopitiam Mee Goreng (defunct)

Each Mee Goreng has a different style, but mostly the wetter variety.

Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng which is cooked with egg is dryer.

The best taste comes from the eggy-coated noodles, which are not too spicy, too salty, or coyly sweet.

Finding a decent plate of Mamak Mee Goreng that suits my taste is not easy.

Penangites grew up spoilt with good Mee Goreng choices back in our hometown.

History of The Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng

The Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng stall in Pulau Tikus, Penang, has a long history dating back to the British colonial era.

For many visitors and tourists, eating the Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng is a little like paying homage to one of Penang’s oldest and most revered “food masters.”

The ‘famous’ Mamak Mee Goreng has been featured on TV several times, and the chef is super friendly.

Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng at Seng Lee Cafe (Kopitiam)

Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng is located in the affluent Pulau Tikus precinct.

Seng Lee Coffeeshop is at Jalan Burma’s junction into Lorong Bangkok (or Bangkok Lane); the Kopitiam is on your left.

You can park on the roadside along Bangkok Lane. However, parking during weekdays in Pulau Tikus can be rather challenging.

I will park in the basement car park of Axis Plaza and walk.

The Legendary Indian Noodle

Only a handful of stalls can compete with the famous Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng.

Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng has been frying up their signature Mamak noodles for over 70 years.

You’ll be awed to taste an iconic Korchabi recipe when a business operates from generation to generation.

Before frying the Mee Goreng, the chef blends the noodles in hot water.

He throws the noodles into the frying pan, adding some liquid.

The interesting way to cook fries up the Mee Goreng is to twirl the huge wok around over high heat, which makes the noodles better and tastier.

Watching Mahboob and his assistant chef produce an endless plate of tasty fried noodles is mesmerizing.

The father and son team work together to handle the wok.

Usually, the son will start cooking while the father garnishes and plates the noodles.

Menu

For years, I have ordered the “biasa” (standard plate).

The price of the Mee Goreng or Mee Rebus differs according to the ingredients that you add on.

You can check with the friendly cook for those who like to customize their plate.

You can have “Kosong” without ingredients or “Tambah Sotong” with spicy cuttlefish.

Just check when you order. Lees spicy, spicier?

No problem.

The Kopitiam is sometimes not packed, but due to the high volume of orders, you may need to wait a bit.

There are takeaway orders, and many plates are sent to the warung across the street.

Many regulars like to sit and chat at the canteen-style warung for their The Tarik, packed Nasi Lemak and Kueh Mueh.

When you look at the stall, you will see a huge pile of fresh yellow noodles and Mung Bean Sprouts.

On the counter, all the ingredients are sliced and piled high!

It looks very inviting, like a buffet with loads of ingredients.

The menu

Mee Goreng/ Mee Rebus (Vegetarian) RM4
Mee Goreng/ Mee Rebus (Vegetarian) RM5
Mee Goreng/ Mee Rebus (Kosong) RM4
Mee Goreng/ Mee Rebus (Telur) RM5
Mee Goreng/ Mee Rebus (Sotong) RM5
Mee Goreng/ Mee Rebus (Sotong + Telur) RM6
Mee Goreng/ Mee Rebus (Tambah Sotong) RM8

My Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng Plate RM6

My plate has everything in it.

• Cucur Udang (Prawn Fritters)
• Sotong (Spicy Cuttlefish)
• Tauhu (Soft Tofu)
• Telur (Egg)

The serving size is rather generous.

Even after I tell the cook that I don’t eat so much, he still gives me a huge serve with a big smile.

Their Mee Goreng noodles were slightly mushy and bursting with flavors.

There are lots of ingredients.

The entire plate of noodles is studded with Tofu, Indian fritters, Spiced Cuttlefish, Eggs, and boiled Potatoes – cooked with the reddish sweet potato gravy and finished off with chili sauce, tomato sauce, and fried onion.

The ingredient provides an interesting textural contrast.

Soft Tofu against the chewy bite of the Spiced Cuttlefish, mushy eggy noodles.

The slight sweetness from the tomatoes and the chili’s spiciness is the classic taste of Indian noodles.

Everything brought together with a slice of lime was served as extra seasoning.

For those who love a sour touch, a squeeze of lime over the fresh green lettuce brightens the dish.

The taste is slight on the sour side rather than spicy or sweet.

It is not too salty or spicy.

The best part is that the mee goreng is cooked so well that all the noodles strands are covered with egg.

Not an easy feat if you can’t cook like me.

The taste of the mee goreng was delicious.

The mouthfeel is a heady mixture of crunchy, chewy, soft, and mushy.

Did I finish my plate?

You bet!

Mee Rebus RM6

The ingredients used to cook the Mee Rebus are identical to the Mee Goreng.

Instead of frying, the yellow noodles are blanched in hot water and served with a tasty orange-red sweet potato gravy with a sour hint.

If you find the Mee Goreng a tad dry, you will enjoy the Mee Rebus swimming in gravy.

Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng Review

Overall, the taste of Mee Goreng and Mee Rebus at Bangkok Lane is best in Pulau Tikus and George Town.

The portion per plate is generous, and the service is fast.

The taste is unique if you enjoy a drier version of Indian-style noodles.

Both locals and tourists have only praised Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng.

When I was working in Pulau Tikus, I used to drop by for a late lunch between meetings in the afternoon.

Other times, our Uncle, who would buy our lunch, would stop by to pick up a few packets for the office.

The only drawback is the limited car park available around the coffee shop.

The little stall in a timestamp in Pulau Tikus.

Customers start streaming in from 8.00 am.

If you plan on lunch, go before noon to avoid the limited parking, the crowd, and the heat.

They are open daily from 8 am – 6.30 pm every day except Mondays.

 

Seng Lee Cafe
270, Jalan Burma (corner with Bangkok Lane) 10050 George Town Penang, Malaysia
Operation hours: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm (Closed on Monday)
Contact: 011-5850 5234 or 016-4970 630
Address: 270, Burma Road, 10500 Georgetown, Penang GPS:
5° 43′ 12.69″ N, 100° 31′ 20.52″ E

Dispute with the Seng Lee Cafe coffee shop operator

Recently, The Vibes reported that stall owner Mahboob Md Zakarih of the Famous Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng has been operating in the same spot for 76 years.

The business was passed down to Mahboob from his father.

Mahboob received a notice to relocate due to his sour relationship with the Kopitiam operator.

However, the stall owner managed to negotiate a six-month extension on his lease with the coffee shop owner from whom he sells his dishes.

After that, Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng will have to relocate.

Nowadays, when popular hawkers relocate, they are easily found with the advent of social media and travel and food blogs like SmartDory writing about the food.

The important thing is for hawkers to maintain consistency and quality and keep prices reasonable.

Loyal customers will follow the food trail of their favorite hawkers until they retire.

Update post 11 May 2021
Famous Penang Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng Facebook announced on social media that it has relocated to the iconic landmark in George Town—New World Park.

The new location is much better regarding a car parking facility with an automated parking system.

 

 

Source: 6-month reprieve for Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng before it needs to move