Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog

Sambal Petai with Squids – If you ain’t drooling yet, then you’re cold. Stone cold, emotionless without a healthy appetite.

I always have friends and readers asking for more Halal food recommendations in Ipoh. I plead guilty. I concur that I ranted excessively/uncontrollably on NON-halal fares more often that not, no thanks to the inner cravings for anything porky …… (blame it on the upbringing? Or an early acquaintance to Gu Lou Yuk?)

But I can’t deny the fact that the average Thai-Malay ‘warung’ (food stalls) do not appeal to me much. Aside from Waritha on Gopeng Road which I had an unforgettable experience late last year (in a not so positive manner), I have never written about the many “Ikan Bakar-Thai Tom Yam-Nasi Berlauk” outlets in Ipoh.

Curry Assam Fish Head – A favourite across the racial horizons; Chinese cook it the Nyonya way, Indians with a more pungent and robust curry flavour, and Malays have their Salim outlets.

But then again, do you know that there are WAY more halal (and for most outlets; pork-free) solutions than the generic fares from the many ‘warung’? How about C U Village nyonya food (Halal), Koh Samui Thai food (Halal), Laksamana Cheng Ho (Muslim-Chinese food – Halal), Pakeeza North Indian Cuisine, Yum Yum, Kim Bali, 1919 Restaurant & Gallery (Pork-free), and many more.

But one restaurant that stood the test of time; with two outlets in Ipoh now – Assam House Restaurant has to be the most well-known name amongst the Malay community for an eatery operated by a Chinese proprietor ……

House Special Combination sounds like a winner on paper, though the real thing was not that far off. A piquant ensemble of tangy kerabu mangga (young mango salad), and cucumber with a dangerously addictive sambal paste

It so happened that the task of selecting a venue for this feast was burdened upon my shoulder.

Which was a dazzling chance for Motormouth to pick ANY restaurant in Ipoh serving Halal food (within the budget of the organization, of course), and choosing the dishes without pressure.

After all, this would be a terrific opportunity for the Malay colleagues to sample the Chinese way of cooking Nyonya-Chinese cuisine. Hence after serious deliberation (and constant bickering/running around/crossing swords), Assam House in Medan Gopeng was chosen. A fairly new outlet, this restaurant is situated next to the Medan Gopeng Bus Station in Ipoh, a short distance away from the famous Sam Poh Tong caves.

Twin Style Crispy Chicken - A combination of Salad Chicken and an indescribable sourish-spicy Nyonya Chicken

Home-Made Bean Curd Delight - Such a simple dish, yet this got many of my Malay colleagues raving. First time trying the egg tofu braised in a delish gravy?

Oyster Sauce Baby Kailan - Crunchy greens blanched and served with oyster sauce then garnished with fried shallots

A set for 10 came to RM200/USD60.60 after much bargaining with a nice, affable chap; Mr Loh. Most of the dishes were good, as expected with minor misses here and there. The petai (stinkbeans) with squids and curry fish head were the perfect dishes to introduce your Malay friends to Chinese-Nyonya cuisine; with the former being different from the usually more fiery sambal (chili paste) used in Malay dishes.

The other dishes were passable, but managed to get nods of approval from the other diners. The set came with rice, herbal tea, and fresh fruits as desserts. For smaller groups, Assam House offers sets for such number of pax (2,4,6,8,10,12 …).

By the way, I am still not sure about the story of Assam House and Kim Bali. Previously all their outlets were known as Assam House; but then the original branch on Osbourne Road (Jalan Dato Tahwil Azhar) has changed to Kim Bali, and opened another branch in First Garden. Anyone cares to shed some light on this?

ASSAM HOUSE RESTAURANT (HALAL)
2, Medan Gopeng 2,
Jalan Gopeng, 31350 Ipoh,
Perak, Malaysia.
Telephone : 605-313 2223
Business hours : 11.30am – 3.00pm, 6.00 – 10.00pm

(Main Branch)
29, Persiaran Greentown 4,
Greentown Business Center,
30450 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Telephone : 605-243 7851

Here’s a GOOGLE MAP to both of the Assam House Restaurants in Ipoh

* Read what the others have to say about Assam House – You Get What You Give, Ipoh Mali Talak Sombong, Kampungboycitygal (on Kim Bali), and Just Me … *