Bismillah Restoran @ Taiping – 110 Years of Legacy
June 16, 2010 | 7,590 views
An old favourite of many in Taiping, and from places beyond …. Bismillah Restoran on Main Road (Jalan Taming Sari) should be enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Building!
Midweek Blues anyone? Or plain reeling from the late night footie matches on the telly, or down at your favourite watering hole? Here’s something to sober you up …..
A perfectly simple, MALAYSIAN breakfast at one of the coolest town (in every sense of the word) in Malaysia; Taiping.
Daging Itam (a type of dark, fiery and robust spiced Beef dish) RM2.50/USD0.70 per portion.
Bismillah Restoran in Taiping is a century’s old establishment, and has been around at this same building for close to 80 years now. Yes, count them, EIGHT DECADES of legacy.
Famous for their Roti Canai, and also serving Roti Telur, Thosai, Nasi Briyani, and the usual ‘mamak’ (Indian-Muslim) fares, this charming eatery should not be mistaken for that famous Bismillah Cendol on Jalan Barrack, although they are sharing the same name …
Just look at the number of prepared dough for the Roti Canai, and you’ll understand why people come flocking to this place since ages ago
We were there for breakfast on the same day that we had a great Hainanese lunch at Wan Li. Arriving at about 10am, the place was already buzzing with people; and we had to be seated at the back portion of the shop. The blue mosaic floors, the antique clock on the wall, rickety wooden staircase leading to the upper floor, and the ceramic tiles lining the walls (with the restaurant’s name displayed artistically with green tiles instead of white!) all exuded a sense of nostalgia. You can’t help but wonder if the ambience has not changed since their inception aeons ago.
A breakfast at Bismillah is not rushed; as you’d be tempted to sit back, take a sip of teh tarik (Malaysia’s famous pulled milk tea) and slowly, nonchalantly tear that piece of roti canai apart and savour ….
A thick, crispy and fluffy Roti Canai at Bismillah Restoran
Being seated at the rear portion of the shop, we missed most of the action in front. The stretching of the dough, the tossing and flipping of the roti, and the bustling crowd tucking in into their roti’s. But we were not complaining one bit; for we believed it was the food that matter most.
Strange enough, it’s the first time we’re scratching our heads when placing our orders for simple milk tea … there’s the usual Teh Tarik, BUT …. there is also Teh Cawan. And of course, the iced version; Teh Ais. Not to mention the Teh C, Teh O ….. @_@
Clockwise from top left : Roti Telur all torn up, the Sambal Dhal, the whole ensemble of Roti Canai, Sambal Dhal and their signature Daging Itam, and Sugar for the Roti’s, anyone?
I read from a blog somewhere (I am so sorry, but I have lost your URL) on how the Roti Canai MUST go with their Daging Itam (I hope I got the spelling right!). The dark, almost blackish pile of beef was infused with so much spices and chillies, one bite and I was sold.
Very intense, robust and tender, the plate of beef that resembled the more common Rendang Daging tasted redolent of cumin, shallots and a little sweetness from the sweet soy sauce (kicap manis) used. However, this must be paired with plain roti canai, or white rice, as the beef was a tad salty on its own.
If Roti’s are not your preference, pick from the variety of dishes (nasi berlauk) to go with white rice, or Nasi Briyani. Yes, you can have an early lunch/brunch here.
The Roti Canai at Bismillah was good; one of those type with substance rather than airy, crispy and light (the Pandamaran’s superb version comes to mind). But I have had better versions elsewhere. The Sambal Dhal was a letdown however, being a little too watery to my liking. And you can request for sugar instead; a throwback to the childhood moments when curries was a big no-no.
Don’t blame yourself for forgetting which era you’re in, once stepping in. Now if only this type of restaurants can last another century or so ……
Restoran Bismillah (HALAL)
138, Jalan Taming Sari,
34000 Taiping, Perak,
Malaysia.
Telephone : 605-808 5946
Business Hours : 6am – 9pm everyday
(Closed during Friday prayers, from about 12-2pm)
Truth be told, I am slowly getting infatuated with Taiping; attracted by its charming, laid-back surroundings and of course, the FOOD. Throw me some recommendations please, so I can have my excuses to go again and again and again …. 
Wow….must be very darn delicious aye. :p
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Maybe it’s called “Daging Itam” because one gets blacked out from how delicious it is? 😛
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 16th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Maybe ….
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hey! you got there in the end! good review (and better photos to boot) 😀
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 17th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Hey kudo!!! Yeah, I was googling for your post on Bismillah, but could not find it.
After all, I saw what you wrote about the place before I went, esp ordering that ‘dagen itam’ you mentioned.
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Amazing! 80 years of business is legendary!! 😀
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The roti canai is in a good shape and color… In KL here, most of the mamak serves roti canai with some weird shapes and sometimes its color is like a little bit of brownish.. as if it has been made for some time..
I miss the roti canai in ur photo, urs one is so nice
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 17th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Hey really? Initially, we thought the roti canai looked a little dull … proof was in the taste, as usual.
And rather ample portion at that. However, I forgot how much per piece. Maybe around RM1.
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daging itam looks good!
eat with roti kosong sure very hoh liau~
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wow…love the food so much
do check out my latest review too…
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i also love taiping…quite peaceful town…thanks for recommending this
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Indeed the verdict is in the taste, for at first glance I thot the roti canai looked kinda sad!
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[…] Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng is legendary. People from all walks of life and from everywhere patronize this mecca of Mee Goreng since more than half a century ago. In fact, Mahboob’s incomparable brand of Mee Goreng has been around since 80 years ago! (That’s almost as long as Bismillah’s Jurassic-era Roti Canai!!) […]
Try roti canai with ” Daging Cincang” instead. Inform the guy to separate the kuah “dhal” and kuah “hitam”. The kuah from Daging Cincang serves as the third sauce. After an experience with a few thousand Bismillah roti canai, for me this is the best mix.
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Thanks oman.
A FEW THOUSAND roti canai?!!!
You’re the man !!!
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[…] – Taiping Chee Cheong Fun, Famous Popiah & Soybean Milk (NEW!!) Taiping – Bismillah Restoran Roti Canai (NEW!!) Taiping – Wan Li Restaurant (Hainanese Cuisine) (NEW!!) Taiping – Restoran […]
Tahun2 60-an dan 70-an memang Restoran ini sangat terkenal terutamanya canai dengan kuah serbuk. Ditepi restoran ni pulak ada mamak jual bubur kacang dan cendul . Sedap tau. Zaman sekolah dulu saya dan kawan-kawan selalu pergi makan kat situ. Kadang2 tu lari sekejap dari sekolah KE pergi makan bubur kacang dan cendul kat situ. Ini sekitar era 1970 – 1974
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 21st, 2010 at 12:28 am
Cendol sekarang ialah Bismillah Cendol kat Jln Barrack dekat hospital?
Nama sama, tapi tak pasti gerai sama tak.
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Roslan Reply:
September 11th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Oh I still cant forget Taiping and KE VII although I lef them nearly 35 years . Now I’m so far from Taiping. I will return some day.
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hi, u can try the roti bakar in wanli taiping next time, having stay in ipoh for 2 years, I personally think that wanli’s roti bakar is the best!
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J2Kfm Reply:
August 1st, 2011 at 10:29 pm
Okay thanks … will do so. I miss the food there by the way. Been there only once and Wan Li created such an impression on me.
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This is arguably the best roti canai I’ve ever tasted.
I’ve been eating this roti cani since I was a little kid.
My late father always brings our family for breakfast here everytime we’re back to our hometown in Kemunting/Ulu Sepetang.
The roti canai is best enjoyed with the daging cincang.
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 11:03 pm
Yes, the beef curry right? Loved that. Was supposed to eat much in Taiping yesterday, but could not since time was the limiting factor.
How I miss Taiping days.
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I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Well written!
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Im was worked with my previous owner of this restaurant thatvis Haji Hussin. My picture is there. Thank you for the picture.
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