Char koay teow cooks set to battle for glory

War of the woks: Every cook will try to cook up a storm for their own version of char koay teow. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The search for the gold standard of char koay teow is set to begin in what will surely be a heated showdown.
Come Sunday, 30 hawkers will be firing up their woks to fight for the title of Penang char koay teow champion.
The rice noodle dish was once described by BBC as 'Malaysia's most famous street food' and that 'the best char koay teow can be found in Penang'.
The action will kick off at 11am in front of Toi Shan Ningyang Wui Kwon, a clan temple in King Street.
Each contender will whip up 40 plates of the iconic stir-fried dish.
Koay Ee Teng, the vice-chairman of the Jalan Transfer/Jalan Argyll village community management council (MPKK) which is one of the joint organisers, said the competition would surely dish out 'heated' action and the use of 'secret' recipes and techniques.
'When it comes to flavour, every cook has their own secret weapon, so all of them will bring their own sauces and wok,' she said.
'Ingredients like prawns, eggs, bean sprouts and noodles will be provided along with a toque, apron and gas supply.'
The top three winners will walk away with RM388, RM288 and RM188 respectively. There will also be two consolation prizes of RM88 each.
Winners will also get certificates of recognition as a badge of honour to be displayed at their stalls.
'The real prize isn't the money. What the cooks really want is prestige,' said Koay.
She added that participants in the 2023 competition saw a surge in their business afterwards.
The 2023 edition saw Koh Gee How of Penang Auntie (Big Prawn) Char Koay Teow in Bukit Mertajam take the crown, with Por Leong Teik (Chulia Street) and Low Ping Kean (KK 99 Cafe, Tanjung Bungah) securing the second and third spots.
This Sunday's battle is the second time that such a contest is being held.
The competition is jointly organised by the MPKK of Padang Kota and Jalan Transfer/Jalan Argyll, and Toi Shan Ningyang Association, and promoted by Kwangtung and Tengchow Association Penang.
Koay said the public is welcome to savour the food and enjoy the experience.
'It is a celebration of one of Penang's most iconic and beloved street foods,' she added.

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