Ooi Kee Bakery Red Mi Ku

I was driving at a snail's pace along the congested Jalan Raja Uda when these bright red 'Mi Ku' or 'Mee Koo' at Ooi Kee Bakery caught my attention. 'Mi Ku' or traditional Chinese steamed buns are made of flour. 'Mi' means flour and 'Ku' means tortoise in Penang Hokkien.

They are painted red on the outside because the colour represents prosperity, good luck and fortune. And the tortoise is an auspicious symbol for good health and longevity. Besides the oblong shaped ones, some are shaped likes peaches and tortoises.

Peach-shaped and pandan flavoured steamed buns.

Peach-shaped Chinese steamed buns are considered as auspicious offerings to the deities.

A giant tortoise 'Mi Ku' resting before it is put into the steamer

The buns on bamboo trays are steamed in a big steamer in front of the shop.

Freshly steamed oblong 'Mi Ku' just out of the steamer. And these buns can be eaten just like white bread or made into French toast.

This bakery has been producing these traditional 'Mi Ku' for more than 20 years. They are open to wholesale as well as retail customers. The prices range from RM2.00 for a small bun to RM50.00 for the big tortoise bun.

A big bamboo tray of beautiful peach shaped buns.

Trays over trays of steamed buns allowed to cool before they are packed and sold to customers.

Other types of traditional Chinese prayer food items are also sold here.

A full range of traditional Chinese steamed buns offered during prayer ceremonies can be ordered here.

Red sugar pagodas, huat kuih, bee ko, ang ku and tau sar piah are among the other items available in this shop.

We need to call to make an order in advance if a big number of 'Mi Ku' or customized ones are required.