Pairing Char Kway Teow correctly — a note on fresh sugarcane juice

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Char Kway Teow. I ordered it with fresh sugarcane juice and the bold and complex elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. pandan in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Penang is considered the food capital of Malaysia and rivals Singapore for hawker excellence. The a Penang hawker stall is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Char Kway Teow with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.