I was introduced to this shop during a lunch gathering a couple months ago. Since then, I had been coming back to this shop with my friends almost once every fortnightly. Most Penangites love spicy and sour food and if you are thinking of a plain Thai tom yam, this place offers almost a similar taste though not exact. This is their signature dish and it has its own special attraction!

Located at the junction where Jalan Tengah meets Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim or slightly opposite Chong Cheng Primary School, there are a huge variety of dishes being offered almost like everything we can have in a typical Chinese restaurant, minus the air-conditioned. On a hot afternoon, getting a table inside will be much cooler as the upstairs can be the shield. Otherwise the heat from zinc roof can be a real challenge despite having the full speed ceiling fans running!


Nevertheless, the food here is terribly good with reasonable price. This place is always full house during lunch regardless weekends or weekdays. One of the most popular dishes here is the spicy and sour soup noodles.

The soup base is prepared from tamarind juice and cook with fried/raw fish meat, lemon grass, bird's eye chili (cili padi - they are tiny fiery chili, very hot!), tomato and cabbage. Before serving, it will be garnished with coriander leaves and sprinkled with fried garlic minced. The plain soup version which minus the fiery chili and sour base is also available. I always love the spicy and sour noodle to be combined with fresh fish while the plain soup is taken with fried fish. It also can be ordered with less bird's eye chili for folks whom could't take hot stuff!

Aside from these choices, they also serve other dishes like 'Sar Hor Fun' - a typical Penangites fried flat noodle cooked with egg, roasted pork, green vegetables in thick corn flour savoury sauce, fried vegetables, steamed fish, chicken and almost everything under one roof of a typical Chinese restaurant in Penang.


Menu in Chinese with price is well presented on the stall itself. For friends whom neither read nor speak Chinese, I'd recommend you to bring along a Chinese speaking buddy on your first visit. If you wish to have a speedier service, you may call in to place your order.



So far, the taste is pretty consistent and never disappoint me. I just have to be patience and tolerate a slightly low end environment for the quality dishes! Overall, it is a pleasant experience!

Address:
Mun Lock Hooi Coffee Shop
Opposite Sg Ara Police Station (Pondok Polis)
Jalan Tengah, Sg Ara, Bayan Lepas,
Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: +60-12-4741964
Business hours: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm - come early to avoid large crowd during peak hours and hot afternoon.
Tuesday is closed
Recommendation: 4/5
Location: Courtesy by Google Map, please click and zoom in: Spicy Sour Noodle opposite Sg Ara Police Station

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