[Non-halal] Ok Goggle, one char koay teow please! We checked out the famous Lorong Selamat Char Koay Teow by Mr Goggle.
A trip to Penang will not be complete without a plate of char koay teow (CKT).
We’ve tried plenty of CKT over the years in Penang – and most tend to satisfy our cravings.
This round, we checked out Mr Goggle Char Koay Teow on Lorong Selamat, based on our friend’s recommendation.
Lorong Selamat Char Koay Teow
Mr. Goggle frying away
The Mr Goggle Char Koay Teow stall is found on Lorong Selamat – known to serve some of the best CKT on the island. This stall is located at KTG Cafe (formerly known as Low Eng Hoo Cafe).
If you recall, Low Eng Hoo Cafe used to house the red beret-wearing CKT aunty who was known to be rude to customers.
The lady has since moved down the road to take residence in Kafe Heng Huat. Mr Goggle then took over the CKT spot here.
Over the years, Mr Goggle has slowly gained a following, and Low Eng Hoo cafe changed its name to KTG following a recent change of ownership.
Good morning, Lorong Selamat CKT
We were the first patrons here!
We arrived early at 9.50am on a Sunday morning to find ourselves the first patrons at KTG Cafe.
After a prompt order at the CKT stall (small plate with chilli in it), we had a nice chat with the KTG Cafe uncle. He said business had been slow during the recent nation-wide lockdown as 80% of his customers are out-of-towners.
He recommended we try the Or Chien (fried oyster) and Sotong Kangkung (which our friend recommended too!) – but we remained focused on our mission.
A tale of two CKT plates
After 5 minutes, our plate of CKT arrives!
For RM10, the CKT comes with three huge prawns, a good serving of fried pork lard, and slices of lap cheong. However, the CKT here is not served with cockles.
Mr Red Shirt’s CKT had more crispy pork lard
As it turns out, the CKT was not cooked by Mr Goggle himself – but rather, the uncle (dressed in a red shirt) who operates the or chien stall.
According to the chatty KTG Cafe uncle, both Mr Google and the or chien uncle are brothers. He even asked about our feedback on Uncle Red Shirt’s CKT.
In the end, we ordered another plate from Mr Goggle when we saw him taking over the CKT stall.
Mr red shirt – drier CKT with more pork lard
Huge prawns! 
Mr Red Shirt (aka Or Chien guy) in action!
So, was the CKT good?
We enjoyed it! Mr Red Shirt’s plate of CKT was full of wok hei.
We found Mr Red Shirt’s CKT to be drier than Mr Goggle’s but never lacking in flavours.
Mr Red Shirt was also more generous with the fried crispy pork lards – hence, we get bits of it in every bite. We also found the spice levels just right for us.
Mr Goggle – superior prawns!
However, we found Mr Goggle’s prawns to be superior – they were cooked to perfection.
They spent just the right amount of time in the wok to yield plump and succulent prawns with some nice caramelised charred bits.
Mr Goggle’s CKT 
Succulent prawns!
We found Mr Goggle’s CKT to be slightly moist (but not disparagingly wet), and not lacking in wok hei.
His CKT was also spicier and more garlicky. However, we noticed fewer pork lard bits.
This was another excellent plate of CKT. If you love garlicky notes and a slightly moist CKT – you’ll enjoy this plate.
Summary
All in, we really enjoyed both plates of CKT as they met all our requirements – sufficient wok hei, succulent prawns, and full of garlicky and porky bits.
Both CKT plates do differ ever so slightly – but they do hit the spot for us. Both plates feature thinly-sliced lap cheong, fried until crispy like bakkwa (pork jerky).
However, the CKT here does not contain si ham (cockles) – which may disappoint some but is not a deal-breaker for us.
You really can’t go wrong with the CKT here – both plates by Mr Goggle and his brother were enjoyable.
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KTG Cafe
Address: 82,84, Lorong Selamat, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: 11am-5.30pm Daily (Closed on Thursday)
Phone: 016-499 4646
