Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Nobody really knows how long Ming Kee has been around. The neighbourhood wanton noodles stall has been one of the most recognized, renowned and revisited eatery within the vicinity of Bukit Maluri in Kepong; tucked in the middle of a row of old shop lots facing the bustling wet market in the mornings.

I was brought to this place one fine Saturday morning when we had nothing better to do, really. To be waking up that early and reached the breakfast haunt before 9 am. That’s almost unheard of, especially on weekends when time is better spent on …. well, snoozing.

However, we trusted his instinct and constant raves about this really delectable plate of wanton noodles all the way in Kepong that opens very early in the morning and sells out pretty quick too apparently. Traveling to Kepong from Petaling Jaya or Kuala Lumpur on a weekend sounds much better than crawling our way amidst the congestion over the weekdays ….  Read the rest of this entry »

Once upon a time, when this Motormouth was just starting to pen (or rather, type) his thoughts permanently etched into time, this post was born. A short writeup on one of my parents’ favourite hang out spot back when I was still … erm, some random seeds; named Loong Seng dim sum in SS2. And it’s still there. Then I mentioned slightly on this famous dessert house named KTZ (Kei Tuck Sek – loosely translated to “Remember to Eat”?) also situated within the vicinity of SS2.

And the lineup of perennial superstars that started this trend of Snowflakes, My Honeymoon, etc.

KTZ probably holds the honour of kickstarting this trendy dessert houses fiasco. Until this very day, we see Snowflakes outlets crowded to the max, Tim Pun Gor Gor following suit with their legion of fans, and the slightly upmarket My Honeymoon gathering steam too.

But maybe a case of the disciple overwhelming the ‘sifu’ (master), when KTZ slowed down considerably after some serious expansion. The outlet in One Utama has since closed, and there’s one other that has ceased operations. Seems that the SS2 outlet is thankfully, still there.

And of course, there is still the ROOT of this now-legendary dessert chain; still projecting the same old, nostalgic street ambience in Kepong …..  Read the rest of this entry »

Burst of colours filling every nook and corner of Umami Cafe. The bean bags, the plush couches, the knee level tables, the ornaments and paintings adorning the bright walls, and the free WiFi service. Almost too cozy to be of commercial value.

Kepong’s a territory uncharted. At least to this clueless soul writing his thoughts down now. I was having this impression that Kepong’s somewhere near to Puchong (probably because they rhyme?). Yeah, that’s not very clever of me, I know.

I once visited Kepong; or rather, blindly trudged along the streets of Kepong when work took me to Taman Bukit Maluri. And I ended up at Tuck Kee.

Pan Fried Gyoza; dumplings freshly wrapped with fillings of minced pork and julienned vegetables. (RM7.90/USD2.60 for 5 pieces)

Fast forward almost 3 years later, and a return to this stranger of a town was imminent. Umami Cafe‘s a relatively spanking new cafe in the heart of Kepong town; in Bandar Menjalara to be exact. I did not expect such a structure of architectural brilliance (comparatively speaking, when you’re accustomed to the older structures around Kepong) to be built surrounded by not one, not two, but THREE petrol stations. K Gallery’s the name of the commercial unit, and Umami Cafe’s situated on the first floor above Old Town White Coffee, Moe de Cafe (an anime-themed fancy cafe with waitresses dressed in the most absurd pieces) and this German watering hole named Deustche Gasthaus.

Read the rest of this entry »