Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
I made the choice to explore and sample the best-rated prawn noodles I could find. It’s worth noting that, despite the name, these noodles actually include a broth infused with pork bones for added richness (I found out the hard way). My search on Google led me to Soon Lee Prawn Mee, situated in Sentul.
Boasting a solid 4.0 star rating from 364 reviews (at the time of writing), my decision was made without hesitation. While perusing the reviews, I discovered that this particular establishment offered only 3 dishes— prawn noodles, char kuey teow, and lam mee.
However, as I journeyed to the location, I swiftly encountered a parking dilemma. Given that the stall was situated in an older part of town, the available parking spaces were entirely occupied. I had no alternative but to park along the roadside, hoping fervently that the police weren’t conducting their patrols.
Next to the line of shops, there was a series of sheds with zinc roofs, and by around 2pm, most of the stalls were starting to open for business. I noticed there were a number of faded photographs of Hong Kong celebrities who had visited this unassuming stall. Interesting!
I also took note of the general atmosphere at the stall. Many diners were savouring their meals in the warm tropical weather. In addition to the prawn noodles and char kuey teow, most of them indulged in a chilled dessert to refresh their palates.
Then, I made my way to the aunty seated at the stall and placed my order for prawn noodles. In no more than 5 minutes, my meal was served to me.
What I tried at Soon Lee Prawn Mee
My primary motive for being at this place was to try out the Prawn Noodle (RM9 for small), even though the allure of ordering the char kuey teow was strong. When the aunty at the stall inquired about my noodle preference, whether I wanted bihun or mee, I went with bihun. Upon requesting no pork, the aunty shot me a puzzled expression in response.
The bowl of noodles arrived steaming hot, with wisps of steam rising from it. Despite being a small serving, the portion was actually generous, featuring bean sprouts, kangkung, crispy fried onions, fishcake, dried shrimps, and half a boiled egg.
Having thoroughly stirred the noodles, I indulged in my initial mouthful. The bihun noodles exhibited a delightful springiness, effectively soaking up a substantial portion of the broth. The broth possessed a light consistency and offered a harmonious blend of sweet and umami flavours.
Lum Kee Laksa: Over 40 year-old halal stall that specialises in 4 noodle dishes
Upon incorporating the stall’s homemade sambal, I was genuinely impressed. The sambal added a delightful, spicy kick to the noodles, intensifying the prawn flavours. The level of spiciness, though, was perfectly balanced and not overly dominant.
The bean sprouts added a wonderful crispness to the noodles. The fishcake exhibited a pleasing tenderness, effectively absorbing the broth. Even though they were dried prawns, they managed to soak up the broth, giving an extra burst of umami flavour.
Final thoughts
All in all, I am of the opinion that Soon Lee Prawn Mee truly lives up to its ratings. Yet, one area for potential enhancement that comes to mind is the substitution of dry prawns with fresh ones. This change would undoubtedly elevate the prawn noodles to a higher standard.
Since it can get quite warm during the afternoon, I would suggest visiting in the later part of the day or in the evening. However, I do think that savouring a delectable bowl of prawn noodles while wiping away your sweat and enjoying numerous glasses of cold drinks has its own appeal.
Remember to have some cash on hand if you plan to have a meal at this place as they do not accept card or QR payments
Expected damage: RM5 – RM15 per pax
