Monday, November 3, 2008

Pokok Ceri: The Best Mee Mamak in Mainland Penang!





The name Pokok Ceri would bring smile to a true blue Penangites- especially if you are an anak peranakan aka mamak (like me)
The original kedai mee Pokok Ceri was once located near Mesjid Abdul Kadir (aka Mesjid Keling Bagan). It was a make ship stall, located under this big tree every one called pokok ceri.

It was vacated in circa 1982 to make way for the first 'supermarket in the Bagan area' and now a textile store. I still remember the old place, as my dad used to take me there.
The operator then moved to multiple places before resting beside the now defunct Dawood Nasi Kandar restaurant at Jalan Bagan Luar (in front of Mara building)
Dawood owner gave the small time Pokok Ceri mee operator a break by allowing them to operate beside their restaurant.
For the uninitiated, Dawood Nasi Kandar were one of the biggest nasi kandar chainoperator in Penang in late 80s. It was rumored that after Dawood gone upside down, Pelita came into prominent. (call me for the gossip)
Believe it or not, after Dawood demise, Pokok Ceri operator took over the Bagan Luar Dawood premise. However, they still prepare the mee/bihun/pasembor/kuetiow at the side of the outlet on the their 3 wheelers.
This is the real deal, THE REAL MEE MAMAK. No nasi kandar here.
Penang Island still has some of this 'original' mee mamak operators , which is in the same mould as Pokok Ceri; Bangkok Lane, Padang Brown,
Padang Kota has long sold out to the 'foreign' crowd and has not served any thing authentic for years.
So go to Poko Ceri at Jln Bagan Luar for a dose of the real Mee Mamak.

P/S: The name pokok ceri was used by pretenders all over the northern region. You can find a pokok ceri nasi kandar joint in Alor Star and I heard there is also one in Sungei Petani. And BTW, the place is not 24hours - they closes at midnight.

4 comments:

JALAN REBUNG said...

salam,

ada satu kat changloon. Not sure if related to the original establishment. Tapi Mee Mamak Original ..mana nak dapat ye ??

BULL

Rizal said...

Bull, semua celup tu...imitation is the highest form of flattery

Unknown said...

yup! the best mee goreng ever in town!!!

Anonymous said...

Mee memang sedap TAPI.....kebersihan tu kena lah jaga.....

CLEANLINESS....