Wantan Mee: Chulia Street or Burma Road

Back in primary school, virtually everyday, my grandma would treat me for lunch at Mount Eskine hawker centre where I would happily slurp in a plate of wantan mee. Ah..those where the days. Well, it's been two odd months since I left Penang, but it's never too late to publicise my two favorite wantan stalls in Penang - Burma Road and Chulia Street.

A few words about wantan mee in Penang, instead of the sticky sweet char siew (BBQ pork) that adorns versions in Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur, it is more often served with pink-edged lean barbequed pork. Wantan mee eaters in Penang may choose their noodles to be served in soup (“teng”) or dried sauce (“dry”) which is usually accompanied with steamed or deep-fried dumplings.

Wantan Mee @ Burma Road (Large – RM4.50, Medium – RM4.00, Small – RM3.50)

We started at the Wantan Stall at Burmah Road, a stone throw away from the famous Apong Guan. I have been eating the wantan mee served here by a son-mother team since I was a child. What I love about this dish is that there is less use of dark sauce  hence less salty compared to the norm which allows one to savour the springy and elastic texture of the noodles. 

The viscous gravy had a incredible meaty flavour. The char siu shavings that sat atop the noodles were moist, however the icing on the cake had to be the flawless wantan. The skin thin yet robust enough to hold it’s form in the hot broth. At the nudge of your tongue, packs of flavoursome pork filings effortlessly melts on your palate.

For the soup based dish, rather than having the noodles drowned in a tub of soup (typical in wantan stalls elsewhere on the island), their noodles are served in a small portion of broth. A good serving of wantan noodles noodles can never do without the fragrance of lard oil dressing. Also don’t forget the pickled green chillies. Those tiny gems just ties the whole dish together, adding a hint of sourness, sweetness and heat, perfectly complimenting the slight saltiness of the gravy.

Wantan Mee @ Chulia Street (Large – RM4.50, Small – RM3.30)

The second Wantan Mee stall, that I reckon for most Penangites need no introduction, is located on Chulia Street.It’s just like the Hunger Games out here, first you have to wait with prying eyes, ready to “pounce” at any vacant table once available. Then, you have to maneuverer your way past hungry customers and finally shout your order.  Not the most ladylike sight, but that’s how things operate around here.

The attraction here, is the texture of the noodles. This brother-brother-mother team master the art of handing the delicate noodles, producing the ultimate textbook “Q”, meaning chewy, springy and elastic. Their method –boil, soak in cool water, reheat with a quick re-dip into boiling water,  wait patiently for water to drain off and evaporate before transferring the noodles onto a plate of dark sauce with long wooden chopsticks.

Also noteworthy is that the wantan appears two ways: deep-fried and boiled. Most diners prefer their noodles “dry”. Why they do so? Trust me, it will become evident as soon as you have your first bite. Not having the noodles drench in soup allows the sauce to provide just the right amount of coating to sustain moisture and the springy irresistible Q-ness of the noodles. Located beside this stall is the famous curry mee stall. Chulia Streets seems to be more popular than Burma Road, nevertheless, it all boils down to individual preferences. Personally I would prefer the wantons in Burma road, however noodle wise, my vote is with Chulia Street as they are more chewy and springy. Either way you’ll leave feeling satisfied.

Wantan Mee @ Burma Road

Address: Jalan Burma (beside Union Primary School), 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang.

Operating hours: 10am to 5pm

Other popular choices nearby: Apong Guan (beside), Him Heang Confectionary (opposite)

Wantan Mee @ Chulia Street

Address: Lebuh Chulia, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang.

Operating hours: Nigh time

Other popular choices nearby: Curry Mee (beside)