If you’ve been to Penang before, you’ve probably tried Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul @ Lebuh Keng Kwee. It’s the most well-known chendol in Penang. Their chendol is one of the top things that I miss the most after each trip to Penang. Even though they have outlets in Johor Bahru, the taste isn’t the same as the original chendol from the pushcart.
After our Round 1 lunch at Tuai Pui Curry Mee, we headed to our next stop i.e. Joo Hooi Cafe, the coffeeshop right behind where the famous chendol pushcart is. Besides chendol, this cafe has a lot more tasty local eats to offer.
Check it out.
We got here just before 3pm and luckily there wasn’t a queue. Didn’t have to wait as there were a few empty tables.
There is a loh bak stall on the outside corner of Joo Hooi Cafe. Penang’s loh bak is like Singapore’s ngoh hiang popiah. Similar spread of fried items that you can pick and choose.
Our second lunch of the day, lol.
Popiah
Their style of popiah is quite wide and flat looking. Also, it’s quite wet (or saucy) so everything just falls apart easily when you try to use chopsticks to pick it up. There’s a lack of crunch in this if comparing with Singapore’s popiah so texture is pretty monotonous.
But the unique thing about their popiah is the addition of imitation crab sticks which gives it a sweet MSG flavour. Also, I can taste chye poh (preserved radish) in it if I’m not mistaken. Very different.
Fried Oysters
I love this Fried Oysters as it’s very eggy with very little flour batter. Oysters are small but they are fresh and sweet. Overall, very flavoursome but super oily though.
Loh Bak
We picked a few items like fish balls, ngoh hiang, beancurd skin and prawn fritter. They would refry the items so as to serve them hot and crispy, with some sliced cucumbers and a dipping sauce.
Everything tasted fresh. No stale frying oil smell or anything like that. I like the sauce as it’s not overly sweet and there’s a bit of chilli spice in it. Nice!
Can never resist this phenomenal bowl of chendol
A trip to Penang is never complete without this chendol. Die die must eat, peeps!
Their special ratio concoction of gula melaka and coconut milk is just unparalleled. I can never find another chendol as good as this back home in Singapore!
Final thoughts
Next time, before you decide to just stand by the alleyway with a bowl of chendol in your hand like how everyone else is eating, stop by Joo Hooi Cafe and try some of their local food. Besides those dishes we’ve ordered above, there are also char kway teow, asam laksa, chee cheong fun, curry mee and more. Definitely worth the calories!
+60 14-903 3561