The name “Tok Tok” comes from the sound of bamboo sticks being knocked together by noodle vendors in the old days to announce their arrival.
Nowadays, it’s harder to find noodles made using a massive bamboo pole to knead the dough.
This method creates a noodle that is incredibly thin but possesses a signature QQ bite.
Tok Tok Mee Bamboo Noodle on Lebuh Campbell in Penang keeps that spirit alive, serving a noodle style that is becoming increasingly rare outside places like Hong Kong.
(The shop took over the former Hong Kee Wan Thun Mee space in 2021.)
However, when I was there, I didn’t see any long bamboo poles, but you could still sometimes catch a glimpse of the noodle-making process.
The menu has a wide selection of these springy noodles in different styles.
You can choose from the Classic Tok Tok Mee in soup (RM 8.90) or the dry version of the Signature Tok Tok Mee (RM 8.90).
Other specialities include the Shrimp Roe Tok Tok Mee (RM 10.90), Dumpling Tok Tok Mee (RM 10.90), and BBQ Pork Tok Tok Mee (RM 7.90).
If you want something different, they also serve Fried Hokkien Mee (RM 9.90), Crab Roe Noodles (RM 10.90), and Signature Special Fried Rice (RM 9.90).
I started with the Shrimp Roe Tok Tok Mee (10.90), a bowl that lets the noodle quality shine.
The noodles were coated in a dusting of shrimp roe, which added a light briny flavour and subtle seafood grittiness.
The texture was the real winner as it was wonderfully springy and firm to the bite. So glad I ordered it.
I also had the Signature Tok Tok Mee (RM 8.90) with wanton and char siew.
The wanton skins were thin and silky, while the char siew (though nothing to shout about) added a sweet contrast to the minimal sauce at the bottom of the bowl.
I can also see why others may walk away thinking it is decent but not life changing (I liked it enough though).
Still a worthy stop for those curious about traditional Cantonese bamboo noodles.
Tok Tok Mee Bamboo Noodle
37, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 7:30pm (Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun), Closed Thurs
Google Maps – Tok Tok Mee Bamboo Noodle
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