Motormouth From Ipoh

*A second chapter to the Bentong-Bukit Tinggi retreat, here’s an endearing take on Bukit Tinggi (literally translated to High Hills) in Pahang. For the first chapter in the series, jump to Motormouth’s Food & Travel Guide to Bentong

1. Bukit Tinggi BBQ Restaurant – Pot of Seafood Treasures (RM65/USD20) – Prawns, Crabs and Clams boiled and not seasoned or flavoured. The juice from the seafood was retained in the compartment below, to be cooked with mushrooms and wild greens native to the land.

2. Bukit Tinggi BBQ Restaurant; a little bit shy from the main roads of Kampung Bukit Tinggi, you have to look for the BHP Petrol station (very easy to locate), and go around the station. This is directly behind of that.

3. The word “Wacky” just ain’t suffice to describe this place. And the staff working there (not the most pleasant, but we were treated fine). And the unorthodox menu.

4. “Wu Li Dan Dou Fan” (A Messy Bowl of Rice) (RM8/USD2.50) came with an abundance of vegetables and meat, in an unbelievably sweet and savoury stock laden with flavours. The large prawns were fresh, succulent and needed no condiments. The remaining essence from the boiled seafood was put to good use, throwing in ferns, local vegetables and mushrooms for a pot of soup infused with flavours of the sea.

5. Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain (“Shuet San Fei Wu”) (RM28/USD9) – Salt-crusted baked tilapia with no sauce, sides or even condiments. Just purely unadulterated flesh to be lightly paired with a small sprinkling of the salt (very salty, so be cautious), and enjoyed.

6. Bukit Tinggi BBQ Restaurant – A little far-fetched and brought to mind eateries tucked hidden in smaller villages with no modern amenities. They have been there for more than 10 years. And I could not help but asked the owner; “Why the umbrellas hanging from above?” To which he answered nonchalantly … “We did not have money to renovate the place. Hence we used umbrellas left by the customers”

7. Kampung Bukit Tinggi – Just look at the hills beyond. This is a town bustling with activities and tourists, yet have yet to succumb to drastic commercialization.

8. Colmar Tropicale – French-themed Resort by Berjaya. RM12/USD4 per person to enter the entire compound, inclusive of the Japanese Tea House, and Botanical Garden.

9. Although this may sound cliche, but if there is any destination in Malaysia that is more “French” than this, I’m seriously anticipating a visit.

10. Entrance to the French village

11. Admiring the delicate details in every nook and corner, decorated to a flair that’s unlike most generic resorts.

12. Food selection could have been better than the run-of-the-mill Western and Asian fares with prices marked up immensely.

13. The shutterbugs would be having a whale of a time here, though I believe there are tourists (or locals) enjoying the stay at this resort. At a lower altitude than Genting Highlands, the fresh air is still much revered by the city dwellers in us.

14. Of Teddy Bears, Fine Dining, the Knight in Shining Armour and the Wishing Well?

15. It piqued my interest to peek beyond the windows.

16. Hungry Swans that were far from being bashful, nor the remorse for pecking your hands. Just stay away if you have nothing to feed them.

17. Black Swan and the Colours of the Flora Around the Land

18. Driving a short distance away from the French village will lead you to the Japanese Village. Entrance fee is included in the fee paid earlier. But don’t bring the elderly or the old-at-heart. You have to walk up a very, very steep pathway leading to the village.

19. So Malaysia IS the first again for another reason. That’s a welcoming thought.

20. Caterpillar with a scarily hairy appearance, and the kid who was such a poser at the Japanese Tea House.

21. Happy Ladies soaking in the greenery and the attention from pesky by-passers like me.

22. Kimono-clad ladies for a photography session (a fixed fee applicable), the solitary lotus that’s awaiting its destiny and Tatami Spa that charges an arm and a leg for treatments.

23. Ryo Zan Tei – The Japanese restaurant deep within the heart of the rainforest.

24. Botanical Garden – A little bit lush, a little bit quiet, and a whole lot of serenity.

25. Pardon the ignorance, for I have zero clues on identification of floras. But the sheer shades of everlasting greens got me feeling good and relaxed.

26. The Largest Orchid in the World. Coming Soon.

27. Walking around the Botanical Garden led us to believe that Malaysians in general, appreciate concrete buildings, and fancy tea houses (and food) more than the bountiful nature serenading us with their priceless charm. The desolated ambience proved this true.

28. Foon Lock Restaurant @ Kampung Bukit Tinggi; one of the highly recommended restaurants from various corners. And rightly so. They have a very clear menu (without prices though) in both English and Chinese, dishes that numbered more than a hundred, and yes… the dining experience was cheap and pleasant.

29. We ordered a Steamed Mihun (rice vermicelli noodles) with Mashed Ginger Chicken; utilizing famous Bentong ginger (RM6/USD2 for a portion enough for 2-3 pax), Stir-fried Crispy Pork Belly (RM10/USD3.50) that was simply outstanding, and a Guang Xi Stuffed Taufu Ball (RM5/USD1.80 for 5 pieces). Every dish was good, especially the pork belly.

30. You can also purchase various locally-grown fruits and vegetables here, as well as local produce like confectioneries etc from the many restaurants along this street.

“And that ended the Bentong – Bukit Tinggi Food & Travel Series. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all HUNGRY GLUTTONS out there.”

BUKIT TINGGI BBQ RESTAURANT (behind BHP Petrol Station)
PT 15792 & 15793,
Jalan Bukit Tinggi,
28750 Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia.
Tel No : +609-233 0330, +6012 357 7111

FOON LOCK RESTAURANT
Kampung Bukit Tinggi,
(on a slope leading to the Bukit Tinggi Police Station)
Tel No : +609-233 0170

COLMAR TROPICALE, JAPANESE TEA HOUSE, BOTANICAL GARDEN
Refer to the Location Map, Contact details from their website HERE>>

*To reach Bukit Tinggi, follow the Karak Highway towards Pahang’s direction. You will see a turnoff to Kampung Bukit Tinggi after passing by Genting Sempah R&R (the one that you take to exit to Janda Baik). At Kampung Bukit Tinggi you will find the restaurants mentioned in the post above. Then exit back to Karak Highway, and proceed towards Bentong/Kuantan direction. You will see an exit to Berjaya Colmar Tropicale Resorts not long after. This will take you to the French-themed resort, Japanese Tea House and Botanical Garden. If you proceed further towards Kuantan’s direction, you will reach Bentong in about 30km more.