Bercham Prawn Wantan Mee @ Shine Noodles, Ipoh
November 24, 2009 | 1,787 views| 38 Comments » |
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How often do you find a whole piece of fresh & succulent prawn in one wanton?
Since the post on Buntong Wan Tan Noodle received mixed reactions; some true blue Ipohans still swear by the authentic and most traditional approach of cooking the wantan noodle, while the others felt that the quality has dwindled over the years, I’m still on the prowl, searching for the BEST Wantan Mee Ipoh has to offer. The Ipoh stadium’s version has its own share of fans, but my only gripe is the small portion being served, as well as the comparatively long waiting time. But of course, the Buntong’s version triumphs once again in this aspect, especially come peak business hours. 
Does the noodles really shine?
In Bercham of Ipoh, there is a famous wantan mee stall, operating in a corner coffee shop named Restoran T&V. This stall, named Shine Noodles possesses a stellar background, with history dating back to the 60′s. Yup, about 40 years of legacy and still running strong, although not many (especially the out-of-towners) who know about its existence. This, albeit the appearance in the media (you can read about them in NST Online’s article back in 2006) and coverage from various papers, magazines and even TV shows.
The most deceiving of appearance, the Shine Noodles (‘Chuen Dan Meen’ aka Whole Egg Noodles) can be served either DRY (blanched noodles tossed lightly with some soy sauce, dark soy sauce and a dash of sesame oil) or WET (served in a clear, sweet broth)
Opens only for dinner every night, this stall is housed in a most unassuming corner lot restaurant facing the main road of Jalan Bercham, but maybe hidden by a row of single-storey shoplots named Trade Parade lining the main street.
The specialty of the noodles produced by the Yap family lies in its production stage, whereby the noodles are still kneaded by hand, instead of using machines, rendering the thin strands of noodles with a springy texture. No doubt, the wantan noodles was indeed enticing, with a bouncy, QQ texture. But the ‘Kon Lou’ or dry version was drizzled, wait …. splashed/doused with too much oil (as evident from the photo above, look at the ‘SHINE’ on the side of the plate!), the overall experience was a little greasier than desired.
Prawn Wantan, Pork Wantan, Sui Kow (Dumplings with fillings of minced pork/prawn with chopped carrots, mushrooms and wood ear fungus/’mook yee’) and Deep-fried Beancurd
The handmade noodles aside, the true star of the evening belongs to the plump and succulent pieces of prawns encased by the thin wrapping skin of the wantans. At about RM0.80 / USD0.23 per piece, you can choose to have your wantan with prawn or minced pork as fillings (choose the former!), whether deep-fried or boiled and served in soup. Other delightful snacks include the Sui Kow (or Dumplings with fillings of minced pork/prawns and chopped vegetables), also with an option to have them deep-fried or served in soup. The fried tofu (beancurd) was equally good, but nothing short of the usual Fried Liew that we can find at other more worthy outlets.
Not so much of a hidden treasure, but probably a new discovery to some. I only came to know about this when I was working around the area back in 2005
I’ll give the thumb’s up to the prawn wantans, and Sui Kow, but not so much to the noodles, which I found to be nothing too significant. But a plus point is the lack of alkaline taste from the lye water (‘Kan Sui’), a common bane of all yellow noodles out there.
Shine Noodles @ Restoran T&V
353 Jalan Bercham, Desa Kencana
31400 Ipoh,
Perak, Malaysia
Contact number : +6012-5025886
Business hours : 6.30pm until 12.00am daily
Here’s a GOOGLE MAP TO SHINE NOODLES @ RESTORAN T&V
Sources : Rasarasa.net listed the GPS coordinates as well, and a shot of the rather artificial Char Siew.
Prawn Wantan Mee @ Shine Noodles, Restoran T&V, Bercham, Ipoh | Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog…
Succulent and fresh prawn wantan and homemade egg noodles at this stall which has been around since the 60′s….
i have never seen a wantan with a full prawn in it before O_O other than the wantans my mom makes…
.-= xin´s last blog ..Excellent food and friends – New Izakaya A La Carte Menu @ ENJU Prince Hotel =-.
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Wow that is exactly a whole prawn in the wan ton! Now that is worth the eat! I will make sure to patron this place when I visit Ipoh one day
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.-= ladyviral´s last blog ..Backdated : Dinner at Turf Club =-.
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wow…the prawns look nice and juicy…will try out this stall when i get to that area…
.-= kitkat´s last blog ..Apple iPod event unveils new Touch, Nano =-.
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War….I never try prawn wan ton o.
How come all the good foods are in Ipoh. :p
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I’ve only tried having wantons with a full prawn in it…. once or twice. and that was long time ago
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i just ate wantan mee for lunch…*burp* no prawn wantan tho.
.-= xin´s last blog ..Excellent food and friends – New Izakaya A La Carte Menu @ ENJU Prince Hotel =-.
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I have not tasted a really good prawn wantan for a long long time. Sure this one is good…
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if the noodle is made by hands… normally it’s bouncy and as u said.. QQ!
I noticed that you include USD in your blogs lately
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Yeah, the USD for easy reference and calculation. I doubt many tourists from other countries know about the RM exchange rate instantly.
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Wah.. nowdays they still serve a whole prawn in the wantan in a coffee shop? Keng!
.-= allie´s last blog ..Christmas Lunch Buffet at The Brasserie, Traders =-.
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Wow… they served a whole prawn in one wantan…not bad, I must go there and savor it
)) better than the stadium one. I don’t mind paying a bit more that piece of artery clogging prawn :p Thanks for sharing the place James 
.-= Elin´s last blog ..AN ICED CAKE FOR CLAIRE =-.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Yeah, it came as a surprise. The wantons were even shaped oblong, instead of the usual roundish.
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When am i ever goin to Ipoh? And since I have yet to savour most of the Ipoh food, how do i venture to Bercham and what nots??
Help! I’m in serious need of catching up!!
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Bercham VERY easy to navigate. Just exit the highway at the southern Ipoh exit (the signboard will say Ipoh, Tambun, Tanjung Rambutan), then at the first traffic lights, turn RIGHT. Towards Tasek/Bercham.
At the second traffic lights, turn RIGHT again. This is JALAN BERCHAM. You pass by Tesco Extra on your left, and some petrol stations on your right and left. Just go along the main road until you reach a crossroad traffic lights, with Kedai Makanan Sumto on your left. Turn right and you’ll see this shop on your RIGHT.
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My oh my… my constant love wantan noodles! 40 years old somemore! Must visit it one day.
.-= iamthewitch´s last blog ..Oyster King at The Gardens, Midvalley =-.
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the prawn wanton is making me hungry.
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We have that in Sibu too – prawn wan tan…but they’re RM1 each, I think!!! A bit expensive. The guy’s from West Malaysia – sells nice char siew and roast meats too.
.-= suituapui´s last blog ..Ipoh mali… =-.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Yeah, even here I think it’s about the same price. After all, there’s a PRAWN in there, not some mere chopped shrimps.
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i’m not too keen on this one…the one at the stadium and also First Garden is my love!
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Stanley Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
How many Wanton Mee stalls are there at Stadium food court anyway? Which one is the best?
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I think there are TWO prominent ones. Number 22 and 36. Not very sure of the numbers.
But one opens during day time, while another opens for dinner.
Last time lah, now not sure anymore, as I seldom go there for dinner.
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The only time I tried wantan with a whole piece of prawn is at HK. Haha
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Hong Kong’s version is in a class of its own. Cannot compare.
Price also lah …. hehehe … which one from HK you like most?
Mak’s? Tsim Chai Kee’s?
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Che-Cheh Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Can’t remember the shop name. Just simply go in and makan. I only like the wantan, the mee is too bland.
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I love prawns. I love wanton. Combine both and its oh-la-la…….
The wanton mee @ stadium has prawn wantons on the menu too. A whole prawn is generous, but a chopped prawn has better flavour as it absorbs the ingredients better. My two cents.
What’s special at the stadium is the QQ noodle plus the superb broth, or soup. Also the delicious wantons. Over here, the noodle is ‘QQ’, or should I add, ‘crisp’ ala stadium. Will definitely pay this place a visit SOON. Very soon
Thanks for this post, J2K. Any significance to this ‘code’? J2000? Your car reg no?
.-= ahlock´s last blog ..The Unromantic Truth About Why We Kiss – To Spread Germs! =-.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Hahaa.. Nothing much lah. my nick. Maybe tell next time, when I have run out of topic to blog.
I like whole prawns lah, if you like prawns, you would wanna bite into one whole piece of M-sized prawn wrapped in a thin layer of wantan skin … like Har Gau from dim sum outlets.
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Stanley Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Uhm … morning or night wanton mee?
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i am going to eat dumplings today^^
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hmmm, gonna mark this down! thanks for sharing!
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heard about this, but havent tried b4….must check it out, thanks!!!
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The prawn very big size!
I’m coming down to Taiping this weekend for my wife’s 4×4 race.
Take care.
.-= superwilson´s last blog ..Oris Ladies Team 2009 Sequel, Sepang Dirt Track Rally Training =-.
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call me weird I’m quite fancy the alkaline taste of the yellow noddle
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Aiks?!!! How could you? I don’t like yellow noodles for this fact.
Not to mention the possibility of boric acid being added.
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Oh, for the love of wantans and wantan noodles! QQ and succulent and plenty, oodles!
P.S. I dislike the kan sui/lye flavour too… Good that these are free of that distastefulness.
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Wow! A whole prawn in the wantan! I want!!!
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Tried a couple of times, over rated. My favorite is Penang Padang Brown and Chulia street, the one inside the kopitiam.
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