If you have been to Penang, one of the must-eats there is the Penang Prawn Noodles, also known as Hokkien Mee (the soup version).
This street food features a rich and flavourful broth made from a blend of prawn heads, pork bones, and a variety of spices, creating a deep, umami taste.
Recently, I chanced upon “1980 Penang Prawn Noodle” at Maxwell Food Centre with a striking blue signboard.
Why 1980?
The owner, Bryan, shares that his relatives in Penang, who had been selling prawn noodles since the 1980s, inspired the stall before they retired.
1980 is also Bryan’s birth year, and the stall represents his personal journey from the corporate world to becoming a hawker.
Motivated by a passion for cooking and a love for the distinct taste of Penang Prawn Noodles, he spent months perfecting the recipe with the help of his relatives in Malaysia.
The menu is lean, with only one main item.
The basic Penang Prawn Noodle Soup ($6) comes with prawns, bean sprouts, and a hard-boiled egg, while the Penang Pork Ribs Noodle Soup ($6) features additional tender pork ribs.
The Penang Big Prawn Noodle Soup ($10) caters to those who enjoy larger prawns.
The menu also offers customisable add-ons like extra noodles, fish cake slices, and additional prawns.
From my visit, I ordered the Penang Prawn & Pork Ribs Noodle Soup ($7).
First thing’s first: the portion is rather generous for its pricing.
One of my favourite components was the pork ribs; the meat was tender and absorbed the broth well.
Another notable difference in this dish is the use of larger prawns, which contrast with the smaller, sweeter sea prawns commonly used in Penang
Oh, the broth was rather spicy, robust with a hint of sweetness.
Thankfully, additional chilli would be provided on a different spoon, but I would recommend trying the soup first before mixing that in.
An undiscovered stall at Maxwell for now, go give it a try to experience if you are craving a taste of Penang in Singapore.
1980 Penang Prawn Noodle
Maxwell Food Centre #01-23, 1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184
Opening Hours: 9am – 3:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Other Related Entries
EatAlley (Orchard Gateway)
Island Penang Kitchen (Clementi West)
Penang Kitchen (Far East Plaza)
Penang Seafood Restaurant (Aljunied Road)
Penang Culture (JEM)
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So Singaporean! You’ll agree Malaysian good is the best ????
So Singaporean! You’ll agree Malaysian food is the best ????
Wonderful broth, very umami, and with the chili added, its heavenly!