Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog

DURIAN - Thorny, pungent, repulsive, sweet, creamy, addictive, impulsive, offensive, formidable …. whichever adjective you choose to brand them, the KING of FRUITS shall not be dethroned anytime soon.

We are in the midst of the durian season (June-August) here in Malaysia, and yet I have NOT touched a single seed until now, and probably won’t be maiming the delectably sweet, ‘fragrant’, creamy and rich flesh anytime soon.

Some lamented that the rainy season destroyed the prospect of getting good harvest this season. Even in areas densely packed with durian trees (they grow in their natural habitat; mostly in orchards or ‘dusun’ in the rural areas, though cultivation of durian is more and more common now), the produce ain’t satisfactory yet. Maybe the durian boom will be a little late this year – I can only cross my fingers.

Are You Salivating yet?! OR … have you fainted from the sight or the imaginary whiff?

All the pictures in this post were taken prior to the 2010 durian season. I scavenged, cracked my head, and dug deep into the archives; all the while drooling incessantly. From a formidable, most mysterious fruit (they’re even banned in hotels and elevators!) with a thorny husk and a pungent aroma, durians have been used extensively in various culinary delights such as beverages, desserts and even savoury dishes. So strap yourself in, and join me for a ride on the journey to commemorate the fruit so-deservedly crowned; The KING Of Fruits ….. CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

For two weeks in a row this month, work takes us to the west of Perak. Last week, we were put up at Orient Star Resort (www) in Lumut for 3 days. Lumut is the pier town before one takes the ferry to the more glitzy Pangkor Island. Situated about 10 minutes away from Seri Manjung and Sitiawan, seeking for FOOD and FUN (in whatever way you wish to interpret this) has never been a hassle. (If you’re lost on what to eat, you can refer to my constantly-updated list of Perak Food Guide)

Orient Star @ Lumut - Gorgeous right? You can imagine wailing hours after hours waddling in the pool, underneath the scorching-ly delicious sun. Now if ONLY the trip was not solely for work.

A little resemblance to Eastern & Oriental Hotel on Penang Island? Shades of a pre-colonial residence preserved til this very day?

But of course, if you’ve been an ardent follower of this blog (Hehe, I am so over myself here ….but allow me to, for I’ll tell you why at the end of the post!) you would have known that Motormouth does not go outstation without at least slipping out for a meal or two. And it’s no difference for this short exodus to Lumut. Albeit, for a very short seafood dinner and a movie (Predators, in case you’re curious) in Sitiawan …. CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

And yes, Friday’s here before the spurts of cheers, celebrations & camaraderie really set in. And I bet most would be at home now (or live on the scene) cheering their lungs out for the heroes/darlings of Malaysian sports. (Malaysia is in the semi-finals against China for the coveted Thomas Cup)

Though it was still a five-days working week for me, yet I spent the first half of it cooped up on a secluded ‘island’ somewhere on the west coast of Perak (more on this over the weekend), a Wednesday that saw me almost choked with emotions and fits of rage, no thanks to last minute bureaucracy-red tape matters but culminated in a most devil-licious feast at Assam House Restaurant in Medan Gopeng (a post to come soon enough, I promise) and finally a Thursday that saw me hopping around town in a much frantic pace, wondering if all the extensive/meticulous preparations was well-worth the loot?

No frills, unpretentiously packed with flavours, and screamed for our attention.

I don’t, and never doubted the magnificent pulling power of Gu Lou Yuk, or Sweet and Sour Pork. In case you’re still in the dark, Gu Lou Yuk happens to be one of my favourite Chinese ‘chu char’ dish ever since I learned to utilize my (motor)mouth and started to chew.

Okay, slightly exaggerated maybe. But I still vividly remember the times when we placed orders for Gu Lou Yuk almost every single time we dined in Chinese restaurants. Back then, there was the evergreen Wong Koh Kee on “Concubine Lane” (Lorong Panglima) in Ipoh old town, when I first fell in love with that amazingly crunchy pieces (or rather, chunks) of pork first marinated then deep-fried to perfection, before basking the morsels of meat with a sticky and zesty concoction of sauce.

If you like your Gu Lou Yuk with a crunchy texture without much meat, you will fall in love with Koh Kee’s rendition. But if you’re seeking for a meatier version, bursting with flavours and fragrance from the five spice powder (and whatever else) used to marinate the pork prior to being coated with corn flour and subsequently deep-fried, then Ming Feong whips up a plate of Gu Lou Yuk that might just get you on your knees !!! (Begging for more rice lah, don’t think otherwise … )  CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

Updated 13th May 2010 – Burger King is opened for business. Launching ceremony to be on 23rd May 2010.

Crowded on a Saturday afternoon – Burger King @ De Garden of Ipoh

FINALLY …

Yeah, Burger King is FINALLY opening their maiden outlet here in Ipoh. Or Perak for that matter. Timely, for this particular fast food franchise has been one of my personal favourite ever since I sank my teeth into a Whopper back in those days at their outlet in KLCC. I had a hard time forgetting the delicious “whopper” of a beef burger (pun intended), served with crispy fries (almost on par with McD’s and miles better than KFC’s) and refillable soft drinks, albeit the combo sets were (and still are) priced slightly higher than the average fast food outlet.

Notice that back then, Carl’s JR, Wendy’s, Cristang, Nambawan, Daily Grind etc were NOT on our shores yet. Okay, maybe Wendy’s (the old one) was, but I have no recollection whatsoever on the burgers they served. Especially us poor souls in Ipoh, with only McDonald’s, KFC, Grandy’s (fond memories?) and A&W (which had since vanished into thin air ...) to satisfy our cravings.

CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

## This article was also featured on the May 2nd, 2010 edition of The Star’s Sunday Metro section. Here’s the LINK to the article, “Feast From The Sea” ##

It’s a double whammy for today. Sitiawan food posts back to back. For the sake of it, yeah! After all, weekends don’t always come in a mega-luscious, enticing and enviable THREE days.

We Perakians have them good, for the next Monday’s a holiday. Long live the Sultan of Perak …. for this translates to another weekend marathon of rejuvenation, and FOOD!

Sa Jui Yee is seemingly known as Garfish. Or so I was told. Garfield-Fish? Nah …..

So we had seafood for lunch on consecutive weeks. Sometimes, we really really do LURVE our job. Last week’s Kampung Cina’s Villa Seafood feast was good enough (and do take note that they’re relocating soon, to a brand new outlet on the same road as Ah Pek Lee Kou Hock’s), we returned to Kampung Cina again today for lunch.

This time around, the chosen restaurant was Ah Pek Lee Kou Hock Seafood Restaurant; a restaurant which popularity has since been elevated a few folds after being featured in Taste of Jason – A famous local TV show highlighting food finds all over Malaysia, hosted by Axian.

CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

Back then, the four of us devoured everything in sight, from town to town, district to district, and from north, south, east to west of Perak.The sheer delight of travelling, sight-seeing and tasting local food while working was thrilling to say the very least.

At least, back then, work was never mundane, the higher authorities none too controlling nor annoying, and the many pleasant food discoveries along the way imbued us with a sense of pride and satisfaction in our job.

Villa Seafood Restaurant @ Kampung Cina, Sitiawan, Perak – Where Time Stops for Everyone …

And then, one by one, they started to leave. First TallGal, then FCOE. Leaving me and KYT fending for ourselves in this most hostile of environment.  Mr Z joined in the fray soon after, the hand model holding the Ching Han Guan’s irresistible Lotus Paste with Meat Floss Biscuit. Slowly, the Makan Gang grew with the addition of two more members. (No nicks yet, I am too flustered with the state of things as of late).

“Pak Cheok Har” – Plain, steamed prawns with Ginger and Scallions.

Anyway, we were back in Sitiawan for a short stint last week. Initially planned for a meal at Michelin Star Restaurant on Jalan Lumut of Sitiawan, but the grandiose ambience, luxuriously chic-sounding name (yeah, MICHELIN STAR, dear readers!!!), and the eatery resembling more of a Chinese diner than a casual ‘Chu Char’ restaurant had us thinking twice before stepping in. To anybody who had dined there before, please send me your recommendations, the type of cuisine they serve, the prices, and whether it’s worth a visit?

And so, we ventured back to the same old, tried-and-tested Villa Seafood Restaurant in Kampung Cina of Sitiawan. I have written about this place once (click HERE for the review), back when FCOE and TallGal were still with us.

CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »