PENANG is undoubtedly famous for its ‘mamak’ mee goreng that comes in various recipes, each with its own distinctive taste.
As such, the ‘Edgecumbe Road Famous Mee’ stall located at the Pulau Tikus Penang Island City Council food complex is one place that should be in the bucket list of noodle lovers.
Ahmad Jamal Hajjah Kamalluddin, 50, a third-generation owner of the stall, said the business was first initiated by his grandfather in the 60s.
“My grandfather went around the neighbourhood (Pulau Tikus) selling mee goreng using a wooden push cart vehicle.
“The business was then passed down to my father. He also used the pushcart but upgraded it to a metal one.
“I took over the business back in 1992 when I was just 17, after I had completed my SPM,” said Ahmad Jamal during an interview with the Buletin Mutiara team recently.
According to Jamal, although the business has returned to normalcy post-Covid-19 pandemic, the price of raw materials has increased now.
“The business is back to normal with tourists flocking to Penang but one drawback is the price hike for cooking materials.
“But in terms of business and profit, it is still manageable than during the Covid-19 crisis,” he said.
Being in the business for almost 30 years, Jamal feels that the most challenging part is maintaining the taste consistency.
“I need to keep modifying my ingredients, especially the sauce as certain raw materials may contain too many chemicals, which can change the flavour of my product.
“For instance, some chilli pastes are too spicy and noodles from different manufacturers come with different quality and tastes.
“When I changed the noodles for cooking, my customers gave feedback that the food has become tastier,” Jamal added.
Jamal said he has plans to expand his business out of Penang.
“Many customers from afar such as Kuala Lumpur will drop by here before heading to their hotels.
“And I have also customers who come from as far as Singapore.
“Just last week, I had orders from Kuala Lumpur for mee goreng via nasi kandaq runner’ (nkr) for 40 people.
“I have plans to ‘branch out’ of Penang but I still have not finalised it yet,” he said.
Jamal’s wife Saffana Haidher, 41, assists him at the stall.
“I have three children, two daughters and a son.
“My eldest daughter is 22 years old, my son 19, and my youngest daughter, 13.
“Once when I was admitted to the hospital, it was my wife and children who ran the business.
“My children have interest in this business and have given us ideas on how to upgrade it,” he said, adding that his cousins would also help him out at the stall.
Besides operating the stall, Jamal also provides services for events.
“During the Ramadan month, I took orders to cook at an event held for VIPs at the Khoo Kongsi,” he said.
The ‘Edgecumbe Road Famous Mee’ stall is open daily from 10.30am to 5pm except on Fridays and occasional holidays.
Orders can also be made through GrabFood and foodpanda.
The stall serves delicious noodle varities, such as Mee Goreng, Mee Rebus, Maggie Goreng, Bihun Goreng, Koay Teow Goreng and also Pasembur.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi