Discovering the Best Vegetarian Char Kuey Teow in KL
KUALA LUMPUR: Char kuey teow… vegetarian? Before all Penangites gasp in horror, let FMT Lifestyle assure you – this isn’t just any vegetarian spin-off of a classic local dish.
A Legendary Version
Among the KL folks, this is considered one of the city’s most legendary versions of char kuey teow. You’ll find this gem at the vegetarian food court in Blue Boy Mansion, which sits at the ground floor of a seven-storey apartment block built in 1962.
The Mastermind Behind the Char Kuey Teow
The char kuey teow stall is run by Vijayan Narayan, fondly known as Ah Wa. Born and bred in KL, Vijayan started working here when he was just 15. Fun fact: the 62-year-old is fluent in Cantonese!
The Secret to Success
Speaking in Cantonese, he shared: “In the ‘70s, I came here to wash dishes and work. The aunties here did not know Malay and I didn’t know how to speak Cantonese. So it was like a chicken trying to communicate with a duck.” He shared that working with them and learning bit by bit, it took him two years to master the language. “Now, I can talk about anything in Cantonese,” Vijayan revealed. In fact, the Chinese regulars here automatically speak to him in their mother tongue, while the Indian customers converse with him in Tamil. Talk about multiculturalism!
The Char Kuey Teow Experience
Crafted from his own recipe, Vijayan’s char kuey teow steals the spotlight. He stir-fries each portion individually in just a few minutes, serving it piping hot on a plate with banana leaf. After giving it a try, FMT Lifestyle can confidently say this char kuey teow is legendary for a reason. Even someone accustomed to the traditional pork lard in their char kuey teow will be pleasantly surprised.
Other Delights at the Food Court
While this is without a doubt the star attraction, the food court has plenty of other vegetarian options, including nasi lemak, popiah, lobak, and chee cheong fun – all absolutely delicious. The nasi lemak is a must-try, especially the sambal, which packs a nice kick. It is served with a vegetarian sotong sambal, a rich and delicious vegetarian chicken curry (yes, vegetarian) with plenty of potatoes, lady fingers, and vegetarian anchovies. Mostly made with tofu, soy, or mushrooms, this dish is truly satisfying.
Conclusion
So, whether you’re vegetarian or not, this place is a must-visit to truly experience flavour town – and definitely don’t miss the iconic char kuey teow by Vijayan.
Blue Boy Vegetarian Food Court
Lorong Pudu 4
Jalan Tong Shin
Bukit Bintang
50200 Kuala Lumpur
Business Hours: 8am-4pm