Ipoh’s Spankin’ New – Ayam Penyet, Lee’s Burger, & Jalan Datoh Noodle Stall
January 10, 2010 | 13,347 viewsA compilation of some of the new eateries in Ipoh, a special feature for those jaded palates (Read : those who had grown bored of the same old … same old … offerings).
RESTORAN AYAM PENYET – AP @ DE GARDEN MALL (HALAL)
The only time I have tried Ayam Penyet in Malaysia was my Waroeng Penyet experience at The Curve sometime ago. Ayam Penyet literally translate to ‘Flattened Chicken’, and no, before you go all smart-alec thinking ’bout that bad joke on why the chicken crossed the road (ahem), this is actually a traditional, Indonesian delight whereby the piece of chicken (a thigh, in this case) is marinated, then smashed with a wooden hammer-like apparatus, before deep-frying. Of course, one can argue about more efficient tenderizing method, for the chicken may turn out drier anyway, exposed to the rigorous process of deep-frying.
But the authenticity lies in its preparation process, more than the ingredients themselves. Marinated lightly, with some herbs and spices, the piece of chicken did remind us of the average Ayam Goreng served at most Malay ‘warung’, topped with some crispy fritters and served with a dollop of spicy sambal on the side, with blanched kangkung (water convolvulus), fried beancurd (tofu) and and piece of ‘tempe‘ (a fermented soybean cake) to round up the set.
No rice was served with this set, which is a clever business ploy, as I highly doubt you will eat the chicken on its own. A serving of rice is priced at RM1.50/USD0.40, while the Ayam Penyet set is priced at RM7.50/USD2.10.
The Gado-gado is a famous Indonesian salad, served with chunky peanut dressing, almost resembling the satay sauce. At Ayam Penyet- AP’s, the ‘gado-gado’ was also garnished with lots of crackers, particularly interesting were the few pieces of kerepek belinja, a type of crackers made from a bitter-ish plant (or tuber? someone enlighten me here). With half a boiled egg, the salad came in a rather measly portion enough for one, albeit priced reasonably at only RM3.50/USD1.
The staff mixed up our order for Daging Rendang, and instead served us with Ayam Rendang, without even an apology after we confronted them about the mistake. So much for customer service, and 5% service charge. Nonetheless, the Ayam Rendang came in a most blazing hot form, so do not push your luck if you’re not in favour of spicy food. It was tastier that the Ayam Penyet, in my personal opinion.
And do NOT look down on the Gulai Pucuk Ubi (Sweet potato leaves cooked in a rich, coconut milk-laden broth with added bird’s eye chillies), for the mild-mannered vegetable dish packed a most fiery punch! Garnished with some fried shallots, the almost creamy, pulp-ish serving of greens may remind one of Palak Paneer, a North Indian specialty of mashed spinach with cottage cheese. At a mere RM3.50/USD1, the serving was enough to be shared.
Ayam Penyet – AP is a branch from Klang Valley, with six outlets scattered around. Hop over to their website for the other locations.
Address & Contact Number
Ayam Penyet – AP (Masakan Jawa Timur dan Minang)
Lot G18, De Garden Mall,
Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah,
31400 Medan Ipoh,
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Telephone : 6012-591 3071.
LEE’S BURGER AND WESTERN FOOD @ BERCHAM, IPOH
And here’s a somewhat established Western food stall, named Lee’s Burger relocated to a spot opposite from Bercham’s Golden Food Point food court. The new corner lot offers a definitely more spacious and comfortable dining capacity, with lots of parking lots around the area to boot. So it’s a win-win situation somewhat, for you can also hop over to the Chinese coffee shop behind this outlet if Lee’s Burger is too crowded (it was on this Sunday evening), or walk over to the food court mentioned for an extensive array of hawker food.
Oozing with cheese, and slices of ham hidden within, the deep-fried pork cutlet was really named as Gordon Bleu, instead of the more common Cordon Bleu. Same concept, different spelling?
Lee’s Burger originated from the food court across the road, now moving into their own premise. The shop still has NO signboard, for it’s rather new, taking over the spot occupied by a car accessory shop.
So let’s move on to the FOOD.
The menu was printed in a most eye-catching manner, on a piece of laminated cardboard, placed on every table to hasten the process of ordering. The mind-boggling number of items offered can be a blessing in disguise, or a bane to the cooks themselves.
From Western cuisine such as Stewed Lamb Shank, the omnipresent chops (even PORK), spaghetti and American breakfast, to the Eastern fares such as fish head noodles, Yong Tau Foo (stuffed fish paste), curry fish head and rice served in a variety of manners. Something for EVERYONE, alright. But did they excel in pleasing the tastebud?
The Pork Gordon Bleu (RM10.50/USD3) held much juices inside the cavity of the battered pork fillet, filled with melted cheese and slices of ham. Tender, juicy and flavoursome, the winning combination deserves an order for pork-lovers. But the sides of buttered garlic toast, some coleslaw and a scoop of mashed potatoes were all too predictable, and nothing stellar.
The Chicken Chop with Mushroom Sauce (RM9.50/USD2.70) was cooked with canned mushroom soup/sauce -Very diluted with nary a mushroom in sight. Not the best way to appease the mushroom-lovers that’s for sure. The Grilled dory fish (RM11.50/USD3.30) came enveloped with a thin slice of egg omelette, and served with no gravy. The double dollops of mashed potatoes made up for the missing pieces of onion rings, for they ran out of them this evening.
But most disappointing was the Fish & Chips (RM10.50/USD3) which came with NO fries, nor any chips for that matter. Only mashed potatoes, and the same sides as the other items. Huh …? A far cry from the giant picture ballooned and vibrantly decorating the walls, with onion rings, fries and mashed potatoes, as well as coleslaw.
Maybe my expectations were running rather high, or I could have ordered the wrong signatures? But I do vividly remember their Chicken Sandwich, a MUST-try back when they were still operating from the opposite stall. Do look out for that.
Lee’s Burger And Western Food
Corner lot facing Bercham’s Golden Point Food Court
Telephone : 6012-508 7128 (Lee Yan), 6016-512 0641 (Lilly)
Opens from 7am – 10.30pm. Closed on Mondays.
JLN DATOH NOODLE STALL @ IPOH GARDEN SOUTH
And the third in the series …. (are you still breathing?), a simple noodle stall turned to the commercialization route. A shade of Old Town White Coffee anyone? Or maybe Hon Kee Porridge, or even Pao Xiang Bak Kut Teh in Klang Valley?
Compulsory pickled green chillies, Teh C Special (3 layered milk tea), and the homely decor.
Jalan Datoh, or Datoh road is a stretch of road connecting Pasir Puteh to Ipoh town centre. The older part of Ipoh town, mind you. There was this rather popular wantan noodle stall operating on Jalan Datoh, which according to my friend, has moved to a new location. Anyone can comment on this?
Anyway, this NEW outlet in Ipoh Garden South is situated directly next to that new branch of Nam Chau coffee shop, that famous outlet for dry curry mee, with branches in Menglembu and First Garden as well.
Their signature homemade egg noodles offers a most ‘al dente‘ experience, springy to the bite and devoid of unpleasant alkaline taste. Slices of roasted marinated pork (Char Siew) came in no artificial hues of red, but instead in the most traditional presentation – half fat/half lean and with minimal gravy. RM5.50/USD1.50 for the noodles with roast pork and prawn wantan (dumplings)
But the wantan/wonton (dumplings) can be served in soup, or fried, and with either pork or prawn fillings. And although the wantan did not manage to impress much (I’ve had better ones elsewhere), but the Sui Kow (minced pork and prawn dumplings with assorted chopped vegetables) was really, really good. Crunchy from the ‘mook yee’ (black fungus/wood ear fungus) and chopped yambeans (I think). I’ll take a side order of these anyday. Have them served in soup or deep-fried, according to your preference.
But of course, the nicer ambience, and better presentation will result in pricier items. The noodles is priced from RM4.00/USD1.10 and above, with the crispy fried dumpling noodles topping the price range at RM6/USD1.70 per portion.
The Wantan/Wonton is still reasonably priced at about RM0.50 each, with the Sui Kow priced at RM1.00 each.
Jln Datoh Noodle Stall
4, Tingkat Taman Ipoh 12,
Ipoh Garden South,
31400 Ipoh,
Perak, Malaysia.
Days off not fixed.
Here’s a GOOGLE MAP TO ALL THREE PLACES
So, any other NEW restaurants in Ipoh that you are DYING to recommend to Motormouth?

Ayam Penyet AP, Jalan Datoh Noodle Stall, & Lee’s Burger – All Spanking New in Ipoh | Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog…
New outlets in Ipoh, an Indonesian food restaurant serving Ayam Penyet, a chic wantan noodle stall named Jalan Datoh, and a Western+Asian cuisine restaurant in Bercham, named Lee’s Burger….
i wanna try the ayam penyet and the Lee’s burger..looks yummy XD
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The wantan mee was actually good. Maybe it’s just because we are so used to the wantanmee in hawker stalls that the serving & the price was a lil’ on the disappointing side. Hahaha.
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Have been following all your postings, finding them very helpful in our search for food in ipoh. But thought I’d inform you that the Nam Chau in First Garden is no longer there. It now serves sea-food noodle, though they claim to still serve curry…..we did not stay to try their food.
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J2Kfm Reply:
January 11th, 2010 at 8:05 am
Hi tan, thanks for that information.
Is it still under the same name of Nam Chau? Or different brand?
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tan meng eng Reply:
January 11th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Not called Nam Chau anymore. New signboard, Southern Delicious, I think
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J2Kfm Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Okay thanks …… guess they can’t survive with so many outlets at once?
now that u mentioned about recommendation, i am still waiting for your review of the newly opened buffet japanese restaurant @ 1 casuarina (next to casuarina hotel) … saw it in the star recently. 🙂
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D-Tourist Reply:
January 11th, 2010 at 12:30 am
I think the name is Wasabe…. or something like tat
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J2Kfm Reply:
January 11th, 2010 at 8:06 am
That new building next to Casuarina Hotel? Oh. never knew about a new Japanese restaurant there.
Ok, I’ll take note. I usually get my fix at Akamomiji in Ipoh Garden East.
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HuLK Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 12:41 am
Do i hear rite…buffet stlye? I’m looking forward to this especially after hvg enjoy my meal in KL..darn wats the name tats in Starhill & one other which u hv revealed before when it was 1st open.
I find the Gulai Pucuk Ubi to be extremely weird. :p
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is the ayam penyet same as the one in Sunway Pyramid? if it is, then its good news!!
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J2Kfm Reply:
January 11th, 2010 at 8:08 am
There’s an outlet in Dataran Sunway Mentari, facing the LDP, opposite of Pyramid.
Not inside the mall though, so not sure if this is the same as the one you mentioned.
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the wantan mee looks ok to me… think I prefer those down town food leh… 🙂
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oh yeah i just passed by the Ayam Penyet in Dataran Sunway last night! It was quite late and I decided that I shouldnt have fried food for dinner, and oh, the shop was empty and it made the whole shop looked bad..
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like coffee 3-in-1? 3 places in 1 post??
i dunno but i hated the ayam penyent at the warong place at the curve, oily n exactly the best of service
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Wah even Ipoh has Ayam Penyet now! Indonesian food is making a debut! 🙂 And so sorry to know that your fish and chips don’t have Chips! What a disappointment! But I’m definitely looking forward to try the GORON bleu .. LOL I wonder if it’s a typo error. Hmm..
.-= iamthewitch´s last blog ..Room Eighteen at Mid Valley =-.
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jalan datoh wanton mee has moved to menglembu…when they were at their “old location” it was indeed famous, but frankly speaking, i’ve tried it, and feel that it’s ok only…but frens from kl told me he likes it
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J2Kfm Reply:
January 11th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Oh that’s what I heard from a friend. Near the new KK Buntong right? Opposite of the Emas Food Court.
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Cherry Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 7:55 pm
the jln datoh wanton mee at ipoh garden and menglembu is the same. i ate before at jln datoh noodle stall at ipoh garden. there wanton mee quite good, especially the ‘cha siew’, very natural, not like other fatty n red colour. now there got new recipe, dry curry rib-pork and ‘nam yu’ fried pork. Good tried…
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Thanks Cherry. Nam Yue fried pork sounds heavenly. All this while, only Hong Kong Roast Duck and Oil Chicken in Tasek serves them the best.
fish & chips with no chips???
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All of the food outlets is good addition to my existing food list.
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heard so much about ayam penyet but I’ve not had them 🙁
sigh.. dunno when will I get to visit Ipoh again for all of these ;P
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Eat @ ayam Penyet twice after having enjoy several meals at the Curve,that is also after ur recomendation in the past blog. But this is no where better then the curve …anyway similarly they do not serve with rice. OK for me ..will continue visiting the shop.
However the kopitiam nex to it SUcK big time..with ist diluted curry version. Avoid at all cost.
Noddle is not that bad but rather expensive for Ipoh Standard.
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J2Kfm Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
The T.O.S Coffee Bistro you mean? Yeah, you can read my review a few posts before this.
They’re changing their menu.
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well its all new to me.. but thx for the post.. i know i can count on you for the best:D
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tht pork gordon bleu got me salivating …. too bad abt the sides tho. I do miss those road sides linda western food preparation. Sometimes they are actually better thn ones we pay for in restaurants & hotels!
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Visited Ayam Penyek only because an old friend mentioned this place is opened by a relative of his from Alor Setar. A check with their website at the contact page revealed the surname is the same as my friend. Okay, this relative of his claimed that the ayam penyek is marinated with more than ten different spices. And that he paid RM5,000.00 to learn how to brew a cup of tea. Ayam penyek is actually a quarter of a chicken. You either get the wing part or the drumstick part. And the rice is steamed, not boiled. That’s why it is so expensive.
And my conclusion? Gado gado is good, simply because I love satay and the gravy…But, I found the ayam penyek to be so so only, meaning slightly disappointed?
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Thanks ahlock for the useful information. Ten different spices?! Wow …. can’t discern the layers of flavours, but still …. this was not as good as Waroeng Penyet’s. To me, at least.
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i don’t have any new places to recommend you…but have you tried the famous porridge place at jalan yang kalsom? i love the porridge and the pork slices rice there! ooh and the salted vege soup! but mind you it’s really salty…
also salim’s nasi beriyani anarkali ( they have a branch in jalan yang kalsom too!) do try them and let me know!
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[…] Lee’s Burger and Western Food @ Bercham […]
[…] has been around since November 2009. Talk about being right there in front of my eyes (read the Jalan Datoh’s upmarket Wanton Noodle post), yet I have circled this area countless times in search of new […]
[…] originally posted by J2Kfm on http://www.j2kfm.com/ayam-penyet-de-garden-jalan-datoh-noodle-stall-lees-burger-bercham/ Categories : Blog,Food […]
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[…] Malaysia. Tel No : +6016-534 5965, +6016-528 7607 (Directly opposite of Take A Break Cafe, next to Jalan Datoh Noodle Stall, and a few doors away from Singberry. If you’re still lost, drop me a […]