Minus one: Leow frying up a plate of char koay teow without the cockles.
GEORGE TOWN: The shortage of fresh cockles first reported by The Star on May 26 is now a national phenomenon, with many Penang hawkers either paying top dollar for the delicacy or forgoing it altogether.
The shortage has affected many hawkers selling char koay teow and curry mee, where cockles are almost a compulsory ingredient.
