PENANG has encouraged its renowned street hawkers to embrace digitalisation to better market their gastronomic servings and cooking skills.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow made this call, urging the hawkers to be part of the online food delivery community while also marketing themselves on online platforms, including the media.
He said this when officiating at the second Penang Char Koay Teow cooking competition, which was organised by the Jalan Transfer and Jalan Argyll residents committee here.
The fried wok dish, which is arguably the top street food of Penang, besting other traditional favourites such as koay teow thung, wan tan mee and others, is synonymous with Penang.
The competition, which was first organised two years ago, was fiercely contested.
Judges reportedly had a tough time selecting the winners due to the high standard of frying.
The local saying goes that the chefs of char koay teow need to master the technic of agility in their hands and to smell out when the noodles are perfectly fried before serving it.
Specialist Winnie Ong, 53, who has been selling char koay teow at Swee Kong Coffee Shop in Pulau Tikus for the past three years, was crowned champion.
Ong, who can sell up to 200 plates of char koay teow over the weekend, impressed the judges with her wok skills and flavour.
Second place went to 50-year-old Chin Foh Shin, who has been in the business for over a decade at Hobe Restaurant on Jalan Raja Uda in Seberang Perai.
Khoo Kay Keat, 47, who operates under the name Kong Long Char Koay Teow at Beng Chin Gardens in Jalan Pasar, Ayer Itam, took third place.
Chow, who is the Padang Kota assemblyman, said the championship has become more than a culinary contest.
“It is a meaningful platform for hawkers to shine and gain recognition. Food is the soul of a city. And char koay teow is indeed one of the soul symbols of Penang’s culinary identity. It is not only an emotional attachment but also a taste embedded in the memories of Penangites."
“I would like to thank all hawkers who have contributed tirelessly to our food culture over the years. Through their genuine craftsmanship, they have created down-to-earth and heartwarming flavours. This dedication and sincerity are the foundations of why Penang is known as a food paradise and the pride of every Penangite," he said. - June 2, 2025.
