Motormouth From Ipoh

In search of the BEST Nasi Lemak in Ipoh (bear with me people, for I am rather slow in getting to them all!), I started the ball running with a visit to Allongs Restaurant in Ipoh Garden, within walking distance to Woolley Food City and directly behind of Medan Aneka Selera (aptly named Tung Koo Thing aka Mushroom Stand?).

And no, this is NOT a piece of chicken feet, or a duck’s webbed feet. But instead, a chewy and utterly addictive piece of dried cuttlefish cooked in a spicy chili paste, aka Sambal Sotong Kering.

Allongs Restaurant is famous for their Nasi Lemak, hands down THE epitome of great Malaysian breakfast. You can opt to have your coconut milk-laden fragrant rice to be served with any of the condiments, or side dishes available at the counter, or just trust them on their best bet; aka their signature – Nasi Lemak Sotong Kering.

Aside from Nasi Lemak, the crowd goes for Allongs’ equally delicious Lontong, which is a typical Malay dish consisting of boiled compressed rice (ala ‘ketupat‘), served in a watery yet decadent broth that tasted redolent of ‘santan’ (coconut milk), turmeric, chili paste and various spices.

So does Allongs’ Nasi Lemak deserves to be in the Best Nasi Lemak in Ipoh list? Read on to find out ….

Roti Bakar (Toast with Coconut Jam/Kaya and Margarine) and a cup of frothy pulled milk tea (Teh Tarik) to complete your breakfast

The answer is a resounding YES. Wait, before I get into the details, take note that Allongs Restaurant might not have been on the scene for long (last I remember, when I wrote about Denis Jazz Bistro situated at the lane next to Allongs’, I did not notice this Malay eatery), but already enjoying a permanent and increasing clientele.

Goes to show that words of mouth travel fast, and the serious lack of worthy Malay restaurants especially in this part of town (Ipoh Garden, Bercham, Simee) renders Allongs Restaurant as one of the very best Halal find in Ipoh Garden.

Such a small portion? Yeah, that I have to lament. But in view of the ever-increasing girth of Motormouth’s, this could be a blessing in disguise? And no, I did NOT request for my egg to be fried. I meant, my CHICKEN egg. Don’t get funny ideas. >_<

Whenever I go for my Nasi Lemak, I won’t go for Sambal Sotong Kering (dried cuttlefish) Enough said. They’re usually either too ‘liat’ (chewy, rubbery) or packed with an unpleasant alkaline taste. Or maybe that’s me. But at Allongs’, since the Sotong Kering is one of their MUST-TRY (as I was told, and glaringly obvious from the buntings hanging in the shop) I had a go at them.

Would you believe it? I was completely sold! Yes, very different from the usual Sambal Sotong Kering served in Malay stalls (last I had was another Nasi Lemak stall, albeit one that’s equally as famous in Medan Selera Stadium Ipoh). Allongs’ version of the dried cuttlefish was sliced very thinly, slightly tougher than the average, but provided a toothsome appeal. And the spicy sambal with a faint tinge of sweetness was spot-on. I was hooked, and polished off the cuttlefish with much gusto.

Now if only the Nasi Lemak and fried egg (which was very greasy, sadly) were as impressive. Not to indicate that the rice was not good, but compared to some others that I have tasted, the fragrance of the coconut milk cooked rice was seriously lacking (or probably overwhelmed by the robust sambal?).

Lontong @ Allongs Restaurant – A slurp-iliciously delightful meal, this proved to be another good choice.

The Lontong came highly recommended as well. I had to concur, for the boiled compressed rice cakes cooked in a soupy broth that had a right balance of sweet, spicy and savoury. Cabbages, dried shrimps and pan-fried grated coconut topped the ensemble. But most importantly, the Sambal Sotong Kering was also served together with the Lontong! At RM3.20/USD1.00 per plate, this was worth the effort.

Allongs Restaurant has NO easily-discernible signboard from the outside, hence slow down and look for the breakfast crowd on the small lane that runs behind of Medan Aneka Selera.

The Nasi Lemak and Lontong with Sambal Sotong Kering are reasons enough to pay Allongs Restaurant a visit. I was tempted to try their Sambal Peparu (cows’ lungs) as well, but held back on the thought. Maybe next time then. Oh …. and forget the Roti Bakar. You can effortlessly toast a better sandwich at home. They also serve Soto, Mee Kari and Mee Sup for breakfast, and Nasi Campur (Malay style of Rice and Dishes) for lunch.

ALLONGS RESTAURANT (HALAL)
No 24, Pesara Ipoh 1,
Taman Ipoh,
31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Telephone : 605-547 8761, 6012-588 0949/6013-599 0949 (Hj Zabidin)
Business hours : 7.15am – 4.00pm. Closed on Sundays.
Here’s a GOOGLE MAP to Allongs Restaurant.
* Allongs Restaurant is situated directly behind of Medan Aneka Selera, the stretch of hawker stalls in Ipoh Garden named “Tung Koo Thing”. Same row with Denis Jazz Bistro, and within stone’s throw from Woolley Food City, Kam Hor Bean Sprouts Chicken, and Yat Yat Seng Curry Mee.