PJ Old Town Hawker Centre: 63-year heritage of the best HK-style wantan mee, yong tau foo & ice kacang
Residing in the scorching climate of Malaysia, I find myself yearning for cendol from time to time. It serves as an ideal chilled treat to relish and help you beat the heat. I came across a recommendation stating that the PJ Old Town Hawker Centre is renowned for offering some of the finest cendol in the Klang Valley, so I decided to experience it firsthand.
True to its name, this hawker centre has been around for quite some time, and as expected, finding parking can be a bit challenging. However, there are alternative parking options nearby if you don’t mind a short walk.
I arrived just past lunch hour, so the place wasn’t too crowded. Unfortunately, to my disappointment, Auntie Peggy’s stall which served the cendol I was eyeing for was closed, and the neighbouring stall, known for its delicious asam laksa and popiah, was also shuttered.
Lucky for me, there were plenty of other stalls that were open. And so, I placed my order.
What I tried at PJ Old Town Hawker Centre
I decided to try cendol from a different stall and also indulge in my favourite noodle dish, char kuey teow.
I began with the Cendol (RM4.50). The finely-shaved ice was generously coated with coconut milk and gula melaka, and topped with a generous portion of cendol noodles.
Upon my initial bite, the delightful sweetness of the gula melaka blended seamlessly with the coconut milk, saturating the ice evenly. The green grass jelly added a pleasing chewy texture to the dessert. Despite my desire to savour each bite, I had to act swiftly because the ice was melting rapidly and creating a mess on the table.
Now, let’s talk about the Char Kuey Teow (RM7.50). This dish comprised wok-fried kuey teow noodles with shrimp, fishcakes, cockles, and a generous portion of taugeh.
I didn’t set my expectations too high initially, mainly because I couldn’t see the classic wok hei that’s often associated with exceptional stir-fried dishes. However, after taking my first bite, I was pleasantly surprised.
The noodles had a delightful smoky flavour and were well-seasoned. Each bite offered a satisfying combination of fishcakes, cockles, and crunchy bean sprouts, creating a harmonious blend of flavours and textures. Overall, it was a good call ordering the CKT.
Final thoughts
If you happen to be in the PJ area and are looking for a diverse range of food options, I strongly suggest making a visit to PJ Old Town Hawker Centre. You’ll find stalls offering nasi campur, Hong Kong-style wantan mee, vegetarian dishes, and more.
I noticed that most diners were relishing the curry mee and the bak ku teh, which I might try during my next visit. I also plan to return to try Auntie Peggy’s cendol and the asam laksa from the adjacent stall as well.
Make sure to have cash on hand, as most stalls prefer cash payments, although QR code payments are also accepted. Remember that each stall operates on its own set of hours, so be mindful of their individual schedules.
Expected damage: RM5 – RM15 per pax
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