If you’re hunting for a vanishing piece of heritage, there is a legendary spot you need to track down for a spectacular bowl of Charcoal Soup Duck Koay Teow Thng.
While fried char koay teow steals all the tourist hype, true locals seek out a different kind of morning magic – traditional Teochew Duck Meat Koay Teow Soup (鸭肉粿条汤).
The secret behind that clean, deep flavor: a legacy stall proudly keeping the traditional charcoal embers burning.
Cooking with a traditional clay charcoal stove was a standard norm for Penang households 50 years ago, but today it is a true rarity.
If you have ever tasted a charcoal-simmered broth, you know the difference.
Traditional clay stoves distribute a steady, radiant heat that modern gas setups just can’t replicate.
This gentle, slow simmering breaks down the ingredients over hours.
It draws out a profound depth, natural gelatin from the big bones and old hen without clouding the stock.
You get that clear clen taste of subtle sweetness
One morning, Marcus said, “Come, let’s walk to breakfast,” and promptly led the way to a traditional kopitiam on Lebuh Kimberley.
“A new place worth showcasing for your content,” he cheekily grinned.
3rd Generation Legacy on Kimberley Street
I have probably walked by fifty times in my lifetime and never noticed Khee Cheang Leong Coffee Shop.
Inside, the old kopitiam bustles with morning market shoppers and regulars.
The star attraction is a living time capsule.
A legacy stall spanning decades, now beautifully preserved by the 3rd generation of the family.
The master vendor still fiercely defends the old-school Teochew way of cooking.
Before you even find a seat, you will catch the intoxicating aroma of duck broth bubbling over glowing charcoal embers.
Pure natural depth: hours of slow simmering extract the subtle sweetness from these big bones.
Just a heads-up on the halal status, traditional Teochew duck meat KTT relies on a combined stock of duck, old hen, and pork bones. It’s also topped with savory pork slices, making this classic stall strictly non-halal.
What to Order
• The Signature Soup: Soft, silky koay teow noodles swimming in a clean, tasty duck broth, topped with a generous spoonful of aromatic, crispy fried garlic oil.
• The Toppings: A satisfying mix of tender shredded duck meat, pork slices, and springy fishballs. We did miss the old-style, handmade sai toh (wolf herring) fishballs here, which are getting exceptionally hard to come by nowadays.
• The Perfect Pair: Order a cup of local, robust Kopi-O here; it is incredibly nice and pairs perfectly with a hot bowl of noodles.
Dark, robust, and unapologetically traditional. Nothing beats a classic Teochew Kopi O to kickstart the morning.
Simple Menu & Honest Pricing
The setup here is beautifully straightforward, focusing completely on doing one thing right.
Small (S) for RM 6.00 – Big on noodles, but leaner on the toppings.
Big (B) for RM 7.00 – A larger bowl with a more generous portion of ingredients.
Extra Toppings for RM 2.00 – Packed with ample meat slices and fishballs. The extra ingredients bowl gives you a highly satisfying, reasonably priced breakfast.
The ultimate morning combination—a hot, savory bowl paired with a robust cup of local Kopi-O.
Charcoal Soup Duck Koay Teow Thng
The broth profile here is uniquely light and fragrant. Honestly, at first sip, it’s kinda bland compared to some of the heavily salted koay teow th’ng stalls scattered around Penang.
But don’t let that first impression fool you. The more you eat it, the more addictive it becomes as the clean, natural depth of the duck bone slowly takes over your palate.
So far, it is easily the best KTT you can find in Penang—definitely pure comfort food that warms your heart.
It’s a beloved local haunt, and seats fill up fast with neighborhood regulars, so head over early!
Old-school convenience—piping hot broth packaged up the traditional way and ready to go.
Quick Reference: Visitor Guide
• Venue: Khee Cheang Leong Coffee Shop (喜昌隆茶室)
• Address: 161, Lebuh Kimberley, 10200 George Town, Penang.
• Hours: 7:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Closed Mondays & Fridays)
• Damage: RM6.00 (S) | RM7.00 (B) | RM8.00 (Extra Toppings)
• Highlights: 3rd Gen legacy, charcoal-simmered duck & old hen broth, clean flavor with a deep rustic character.
Highly recommended. Makan time!!
Blog Disclosure: This blog is written independently. No compensation, free meals, payments, or services have been received from any featured establishments. All reviews are based on the editor’s personal visits with friends while exploring Penang.
