Hopes to meet Lim sisters at stall dashed

Penang’s treasure: Ong preparing curry mee at the stall.

GEORGE TOWN: The famous Lim sisters who are known for their curry mee in Ayer Itam may have retired but that has not stopped foodies from visiting their stall just to have a picture taken with them.

However, a few visitors were left disappointed during their visit to the stall off Jalan Ayer Itam recently when they learned that the sisters were resting at home instead.

The sisters, who are both in their late 80s, belong to the high-risk category for Covid-19.

Retired manager Tonny Ong, 80, who drove all the way from Kuala Lumpur recently to visit the sisters, said he was disappointed as he did not manage to see them this time around.

“I was born in Penang but left the country to work in Singapore in the 1960s.

“This curry mee is the best in Ayer Itam and I have been eating it since I was a young boy. Every time I return from Singapore, I must eat this delicious curry mee to satisfy my cravings.

“If I come back for a week, you will see me patronising the stall at least four times,” said Ong, adding that he wanted to take a picture with the sisters before leaving.

“But too bad, they are not here. I took a picture with their adopted granddaughter instead,” he said.

Also spotted enjoying their bowl of hot curry mee were siblings Chow Qing Qian, 21, and Chow Qing Ying, 18, from Selangor.

“We were in Penang for the weekend and this is the first stop on our eating trip.

“The Lim Sisters Curry Mee is definitely one of Penang’s must-eat foods besides laksa, cendol and char kuey teow,” said Qing Qian.The Lim Sisters, Kooi Heang, 88, and Kooi Lye, 86, retired around three years ago but still drop by the stall to catch up with their regular customers.

Their adopted granddaughter Ong May May, 30, who graduated with an accounting degree, took over the business as she did not want the trade to be discontinued.

“The sisters adopted my mother when she was young. I have been helping at the stall on weekends and during school holidays since I was a little girl.

“I observed how they cook and improved the taste based on the customers’ feedback,” she said.

Ong said the stall was closed for almost two months during the movement control order (MCO).

“We had no income for two months but business started to pick up during the recovery MCO after interstate travel was allowed.

“Since the sisters are in their 80s and do not like to put on face masks, I make sure that they stay at home and rest during this period until the recovery MCO ends on Aug 31.

“There are visitors who came and looked for the sisters but they ended up being disappointed,” she said.