The Dish · 槟城炒粿条
What is Penang char kway teow?
Flat noodles, a hot wok and pork lard, cooked to order one plate at a time. Here’s what’s on the plate, where our version comes from, and where to eat it in New York.
By Chef Erik Cheah ·
Char kway teow is the plate you hear before you see. On our menu it’s F1, the house plate, and it’s the first thing listed under our wok stir-fried noodles. Flat noodles go into a wok that’s already roaring, with pork lard, seafood and egg, and come out charred at the edges.
What’s on the plate
At Wok Wok it’s the Penang Char Kway Teow, F1 on the menu:
- Flat noodles, charred in pork lard
- Prawns and squid
- Fish cake and Chinese sausage
- Egg
- Beansprouts and chives
- Pork crackling
It’s marked spicy on the menu, but you pick your heat: mild, medium or spicy. If you don’t eat pork, ask for a pork-free preparation. Our kitchen uses shellfish, peanuts, egg, soy, gluten and pork lard in one wok, so please tell us about allergies before you order.
Where our version comes from
I grew up across Penang, Ipoh, Malacca and Seremban, watching the same national dishes come out of every kitchen a different way. Same name, different hands. At Wok Wok we cook one set of hands: my family’s versions, unchanged in forty years.
Char kway teow lives or dies on the fire. Our burners run loud enough that you hear the kitchen before you see it. Wok hei isn’t a flavor you add. It’s thirty seconds of a noodle meeting a flame that means it.
I trained at Per Se before opening Wok Wok. What I wanted to cook was the food I grew up with. Read the full story.
Where to get it in NYC
Wok Wok is at 11 Mott Street (at Worth St), Chinatown, down a flight of stairs. Look for the orange-red sign. We’re open daily: Sun–Wed 11am–9:30pm, Thu–Sat 11am–10pm. Walk-ins only, no reservations.
For pickup or delivery, order direct or call (917) 388-3627. Our phone assistant takes pickup orders, including orders for later. The Penang Char Kway Teow is $15 at lunch (11am–3pm) and $16 at dinner (from 3pm), and paying cash saves 4%. On the phone you can just say “F1.” See the full menu, including the white curry laksa and Penang har mee.
Questions people ask
What is Penang char kway teow?
A Penang wok noodle plate: flat noodles charred in pork lard over roaring flame with prawns, squid, fish cake, Chinese sausage, egg, beansprouts and chives.
Where can I get Penang char kway teow in NYC?
At Wok Wok, 11 Mott Street (at Worth St) in Chinatown, Manhattan, downstairs below street level. Open daily: Sun–Wed 11am–9:30pm, Thu–Sat 11am–10pm.
What is in Wok Wok's char kway teow?
Wok Wok's Penang Char Kway Teow (F1 on the menu) is flat noodles charred in pork lard with prawns, squid, fish cake, Chinese sausage, egg, beansprouts, chives and pork crackling.
How much is the char kway teow at Wok Wok?
The Penang Char Kway Teow is $15 at lunch (11am–3pm) and $16 at dinner (from 3pm). Pay cash and save 4%.
Is it spicy, and can I get it without pork?
It is marked spicy on the menu, but you pick your heat: mild, medium or spicy. Pork-free preparations are available on request. Tell us about any allergies before ordering.