Motormouth From Ipoh – Malaysian Food & Travel

This was first posted sometime back in 2008, yet still I find myself periodically going back for the same yummy yam rice in Taman Chi Liung in Klang. A corner coffee shop by the name of Restoran Tien Chuan, this outlet has been serving their patented brand of yam rice for more than 20 years.

Of course, one may argue that to travel all the way down to Klang, and NOT having Bak Kut Teh (BKT) for breakfast is pure sin. Yeah, but once again (remember the post on Klang Food Centre’s pau for breakfast?) continuous BKT assaults not only can gain you some spare tyres, but I tend to feel lethargic throughout the day after such a darn heavy breakfast.

Okay okay …. just some silly excuses I know. Yam Rice NOT rice meh?!!!!!

Read the rest of this entry »

Today proved to be a most disastrous Tuesday, in more ways than one. Fuming mad no thanks to pathetic bureaucracy and red tape, plus stubborn-headed donkey of a boss (the disadvantages of working with the government and under someone from the Jurassic age), we heaved a sigh of relief when lunch hour beckoned.

Initially planned to have lunch at Brewster’s in old town, ironically, the cafe was closed for half a day, and only opens for dinner. Oh well, next best choice for a place with air-conditioning? Mixed Cuisine Cafe that faces Padang Ipoh then.

This cafe has been around for some time now, and I first wrote about it back in March of 2008, one of my very first few posts back then. Read about our experience HERE. And since then, we’ve been visiting this cafe from time to time, and relished in their above-average set lunches (at least, in Ipoh’s old town, for the other places that serve them, including Momo Steamboat, Miner’s Arms, and Brewster’s were either not good, too expensive, or over-rated).

Don’t miss the whole saga after the jump :

Read the rest of this entry »

To seek for some of the best in traditional Chinese cuisine in Kuala Lumpur may take some considerable effort, especially if one’s right in the midst of the Eating Hub of Malaysia, with an amalgam of influences all over the world. You get everything from Western to Eastern fares, from street foods to posh (read : over-priced) dining options.

So where does classic Foochow cuisine stand against these myriad of dining pleasures, with the looming element of commercialization threatening the very essence of good food (read : priceless finds, not pricey finds), constantly seeing us going back to the same old, same old restaurants in the malls, for the sake of convenience.

A bowl of blood-red Red Wine Meesuah with Chicken (RM6-RM7/USD1.70-USD2) – Not as strong as I expected, especially in comparison to some of Sitiawan’s best.

To find this place, named Taste of Foochow in an almost none-too-strategic location (right smack in the heart of Pudu, with the dreadful morning jams no thanks  to the jostling crowd at Pasar Pudu) of Jalan Gajah. But at least this is something different from the average Pan Mee, Hokkien Mee, and beef noodles we used to have in Kuala Lumpur.

Read the rest of this entry »

Since I haven’t been writing much about outstation travels around Perak, allow me to get back into the groove, and share a simple post about this restaurant (or rather, coffee shop?) that serves Taiping’s version of chicken noodle soup for breakfast. The name of the shop? Restoran Kakak.

One glance and you’d be forgiven for thinking this is another bowl of “Kai See Hor Fun” from Ipoh, or even a toned down version of Penang’s Koay Teow Th’ng.

The name of the shop is actually “Jia Jia” (literally translated to Every Family), but when converted to Malay (or English), it becomes Kakak.

A little misleading, for a traditional Chinese coffee shop to be named as such?

Read the rest of this entry »

Since I started the ball rolling with the post on Chang’s Hakka Mee with Beef in Ipoh’s old town, might as well continue the Ipoh’s Old Town series with more hidden gems. Probably not the first-line options when it comes to food hunting in old town for tourists, but still ….. these are decent outlets that deserve a mention, or if you’re ever lost on what else to eat aside from toasts and white coffee.

From only RM2.50/USD0.70 per bowl, you’ll be getting a hefty amount of noodles in soup, brimming with an array of extra ingredients ….. from fishballs to fish cakes, and fish wantan to bean sprouts.

Last I wrote about Ipoh Hor Hee was the time I devoured a bowl at See See Heng Or Ee Fun (yeah, that’s how it’s spelled on their signboard) at Restoran Embassy in town, opposite of the former Bersatu Complex, now a college.

And NO, Hor Hee is not some funky dish resembling the guffaws of a horse’s, but instead is best explained as Ipoh’s version of Penang’s Koay Teow Th’ng, albeit with no chicken, and all fish-y ingredients. I meant, stuff like balls, cakes and dumplings; all made from fish paste.

Read the rest of this entry »

Updated 16th Sept 2010 – This restaurant is now renamed as New She Lai Ton Restaurant. Not sure if it’s of the same management.

A Love Story – Of Nuptials & Food, Glorious Food @ Hee Lai Ton Restaurant, Ipoh

1. The dashing couple erm … dashing through the aisle. You know lah … how ‘punctual’ Chinese wedding dinners can be.

2. And then the Four Seasons/Four Happiness/Four-whatever was served, predictably. After the relentless wait. (But seriously, it was not that daunting)

Read the rest of this entry »

# Updated 31st Mat 2010 – This lovely Hakka Mee stall is moving to the shop next to All Inn Cafe, opposite of Kong Heng Coffee Shop. The premise was previously occupied by Dai San Yean Gopeng Mee (I remember I blogged about it sometime ago … or did I?) Opening soon on 3rd June 2010 #

Ipoh’s old town is hands down, one of the most famous place for food in all of Ipoh, or in Malaysia for that matter. I’m not kidding you. Come public holidays or the weekends, you’ll see hordes of hungry souls swarming the area for breakfast-brunch. And yeah, not to mention the tea breaks after lunch, and some outlets even catering to the evening diners.

Mr Chang in his element, preserving his dad’s heritage of Hakka noodles with minced pork, served with tender slices of beef in a most hearty broth

Given the rather strategic location of my office, right smack in the midst of old town itself (and no, I am not telling where … I don’t wanna be stalked on a daily basis. Hehehe … AS IF lah …), we have our breakfast every single working day in one of the many exceptional choices here.

On one side of Jalan Bandar Timah (or Leech Street, as the road was known as such back in those days) is my personal favourite coffee shop serving delicious dry curry noodles, egg toast and white coffee – Nam Chau. Further down the road you have the classic Kong Heng which still serves the BEST popiah in town (yes, bar none … not even the mobile stalls at a backlane of Canning Garden  nor the one previously at the field in Canning Garden which was shrouded in a most infamous ghost story-mystery). Adjacent to Kong Heng you’ll find Thean Chun, where you must try the Ipoh famous Kai See Hor Fun (Smooth flat rice noodles/koay teow in soup, with shredded chicken meat), caramel egg custard, and the herbal tea with egg.

Read the rest of this entry »