The office crowd loves this chicken chilli pan mee hidden in an old-school TTDI market

Is this TTDI’s best kept secret? Apparently not. This pork-free chilli pan mee shop located within the TTDI market, has been stirring up a storm, one bowl at a time, for quite a while now.

Navigate the bustling market with its hodgepodge of stalls. You’ll eventually stumble upon a modest stall with a loyal queue of office workers eagerly waiting for a table. This is Chai Cha Teh, one of the few pork-free chilli pan mee establishments out there.

You might find yourself wondering: yes, the queues are super long, but is it really worth the hype? Well, that’s what this article is for.

The reason why this eatery is considered a hidden gem amongst TTDI residents, is because you actually have to literally weave your way through the lively chaos of the market to look for it. It is nestled towards the back, in a quiet row that’s mostly forgotten about. Only ever bustling when this particular stall opens its doors.

Image Credit: Siti Umairoh Nabilah on Google Reviews (left), Fahim Faizal (right)

At any point during their operating hours, but especially so during lunch time, you’ll notice an enthusiastic line of regulars—predominantly made up of the office crowd.

So, what’s got the office crowd buzzing? While this stall serves up a bunch of different dishes, it is their pan mee that customers queue up for.

Pork-free chilli pan mee

This stall has been around for years now and offers a pork-free version of chilli pan mee. They have both the dry and the soup versions, though most customers seem to opt for the dry version.

Being pork-free makes this chilli pan mee stall a rare find in the area, especially for the Muslim community. This thoughtful omission means that Malays can indulge in the famed dish without hesitation. This selling point certainly contributes to how far the queues stretch.

Though the queues are long, food is served rather quickly. After a brief 5-minute wait, you can expect to be served with a vibrant bowl of noodles.

The dry pan mee is priced at RM9 for the small bowl and RM10 for the large. This pricing is rather fair in our books. Both portions are generously adorned with an array of familiar toppings.

Instead of minced pork, minced chicken is used. Minced pork in chilli pan mee is usually on the drier side. The meat at this stall, however, appears to sport more of a creamy, gravy texture. Adding a moist element that melds beautifully with the noodles. Aiming to enhance each bite with a rich, flavourful sauce.

Arranged neatly around the bowl, you’ll find fried anchovies, sliced mushrooms, and fried onions for some extra texture. Chopped scallions contribute a freshness and green crunch, helping cut through the grease from the chilli. Perched in the centre of your bowl is a perfectly poached egg, its runny yolk promising to coat every bite.

Finally, the star of the dish, the homemade chilli, with its enticingly crispy texture, is served on the side so you can adjust your spice level according to your preference. Remember, chilli is always easier to add than subtract.

MFT’s review

Excited to dig in, we eagerly stirred everything up, adding a spoonful of that chilli to jazz up the noodle ensemble.

While this may not be the review you were expecting, we were split on this dish. Some of us really liked it, while others couldn’t understand the hype. Those who enjoyed it appreciated the creaminess that emerged once everything was mixed together, and relished in the comfort and simplicity the dish offered.

On the other hand, those of us who weren’t fans, found the noodles too soggy and thought the pan mee tasted rather bland. All of us did agree that there wasn’t enough meat to provide a satisfying texture, leaving the dish lacking a much-desired depth.

As an OG chilli pan mee lover, yes the non-halal variety, I have to admit that this version isn’t quite up to par with the real deal. Needless to say, don’t go there expecting it to taste the same.

It’s notably less greasy and lacks that rich porky flavour, typical of the traditional version. Without the pork lard, it simply does not deliver in terms of that essential meaty depth, and it doesn’t quite hit the spot if you’re craving an authentic chilli pan mee experience.

Yet, it makes sense why the lunch crowd flock to this place. This unassuming stall caters to a diverse audience with its pork-free dish, making it accessible for Muslims, while still offering a filling alternative for everyone else.

For those who crave chilli pan mee during their lunch hour, this bowl is the next best thing to the real deal.

Parking

Those who frequent TTDI would know that parking, especially in shop lot areas, is an absolute nightmare. That’s another reason why this stall is a go-to for the office crowd and regulars of this stall, parking is convenient. This is because you can park in the market’s car park, saving you the extra hassle during lunch hours.

Chai Cha Teh

Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite during a busy workday or just looking for a convenient meal, Chai Cha Teh is a decent spot that delivers on both simplicity and convenience. Its affordability, strategic location within the market, and generous portions, all contribute to its appeal.

For our Muslim friends, this pork-free alternative is nothing but a decent bowl of noodles. Thus, it’s easy to see why it might be enjoyed. There’s nothing inherently wrong with it. It just doesn’t capture the full essence of the original dish.

Chilli pan mee is a simple dish that has earned a very loyal following through its perfect blend of spicy, savoury, and utterly satisfying flavours. This one may not meet those standards if you’ve tried the real thing, but it certainly fills your tummy and is a perfectly good bowl of noodles that you can slurp down at RM9.