Motormouth From Ipoh – Malaysian Food & Travel Blog

2010 is drawing its curtains to a screeching halt. Well, initially not, given the fact that the week runs until the very last Friday on a 31st. Nobody expected this success story to come true; culminating in a pleasant public holiday being declared nationwide; creating quite a bit of chaos especially to those on a tight schedule before the calendar year officially concludes.

Almost the same time last year, I did a “Motormouth On A Journey” post; revisiting a dozen of the escapades throughout 2009. Travelling has become almost customary owing to the nature of my job. But this year, I have slowed down considerably. And to summarize the year in gastronomy, a “Top 10 Eats of 2009” followed soon after.

From a seemingly endless pool of food reviews this year, I have taken the liberty to pick ONE particular memorable food experience from each month to share with you readers again. Just a brief yet fitting finale to the year that was ……..

January 2010 – Michelangelo’s Pizzeria

A spanking manner to kick the year off, I visited Michelangelo’s Pizzeria when it was still in its infantile age back in January of 2010. And to imagine a year has marched on since their opening on Christmas Eve last year; the business is booming now and perpetually packed with pizza-loving crowd on a daily basis. Serving THE BEST pizzas Ipoh has to offer, I can’t wait to get my hands on a slice of The Hog!

Read on to see what tickled my tastebud throughout the months of February right up to December of 2010 …..

February 2010 – Crispy roasted pork from Wong Fee Kee in Bercham

More towards the almost flawless combination of a serving of crispy ‘siew yoke’, a bowl of pig’s offal porridge (zhu chap chuk), and a roll of egg-skin popiah, lunch at Wong Fee Kee usually denotes a satisfying dining experience, especially when you get irresistibly crunchy roasted pork as your sides (or mains, depending on how carnivorous you are). Only the First Garden’s version comes close (or even triumphant) when we’re talking about ‘Siew Yoke’ in Ipoh.

March 2010 – Cowan Street Bean Sprouts Chicken

If you are curious on where Motormouth actually eats his “Nga Choy Kai” (Bean Sprouts Chicken/Tauge Ayam) in Ipoh, then you should go to Cowan Street’s. Lou Wong and Onn Kee do not even seem like worthy options, partly due to the commercialization factor and harsher means for quality control. But of course, this is still up to be debated since everyone has their favourite in Ipoh. And if you’re wondering where else other than the names mentioned above, hop over to this page for more.

April 2010 – Nam Fatt Fish Ball Noodles

Talk about Ipoh and Yong Tau Foo (or Yeong Liew, as we call them), and almost guaranteed the immensely popular Dai Shu Geok (Big Tree Foot) comes to the picture. But what if you’re dragging someone who is a hygiene freak and the (un)savoury thoughts of eating freshly fried stuffed fish paste under some trees in a shabby shack sounds like suicide?

No sweat. A short distance away on Jalan Kampar, Nam Fatt comes to the rescue. And do try their stewed beef tripes with rice or noodles, aside from their fabulous ‘yeong liew’.

May 2010 – Ristorante Italia Mia

Wait, have I lost it? You mean to say an Italian restaurant is worthy to be mentioned along the legendary street foods of Ipoh? Surprisingly, YES. When their authentic pastas (cooked with liberal doses of wine), delectable Tiramisu and Profiteroles (that cream puff above) actually made Mum’s day; and it was her birthday celebration that got us revisiting the quaint restaurant in Sunway City.

Pity they’re on the verge of selling the business (are they still there?).

June 2010 – Cathay Mee Goreng & Pasembur @ Jalan Yang Kalsom

If someone tells you that the best mee goreng mamak in Ipoh is the one at Padang Ipoh, tell him sorry. You know better. Tried, tested and testified by many, hop over to Cathay Mee Stall at one end of Yang Kalsom Road. I hate yellow noodles (alkaline noodles) and yet I crave for this plate of luscious goodness this very moment. Devilishly delicious.

CONTINUE TO THE NEXT PAGE FOR JULY-DECEMBER PICKS