Motormouth From Ipoh – Malaysian Food & Travel

Nyonya Steamed Siakap – Infinitely appetizing, this fairly-sized specimen was steamed with a plethora of ingredients; the usual suspects in a cauldron of curry fish head.

Whenever we are at lost on where to dine, or what to have for dinner, the safest choice would be ‘dai chow’ or ‘chu char’; Chinese restaurants whipping up a rich selection of dishes to go along with white rice; or if you’re feeling fancy … a plateful of fried noodles or two.

Just so happened that Ipoh Garden is blessed with more than a few starlets; the obvious highlight being Sun Marpoh along the row where KFC and Maybank are, near to the main roundabout in the neighbourhood.

I’ve sung enough tunes (and a fair bit of thunderstorm that followed) about Sun Marpoh. Let’s shift our attention to Choy Kee and Yeh Lai Ong within spitting distance (well, not that near … but you get the picture). Read the rest of this entry »

Roast duck served on a bed of cucumbers and the usual suspects; chili sauce and the sweet/sticky ‘hoi sin’ sauce

Tasek; an enclave of industrial haven located in between Bercham and Chemor won’t probably trigger your mind upon the onset of hunger pangs; for I myself have been struggling to recommend a really good place for people to dine at after visiting Perak Cave along Jalan Kuala Kangsar.

But then, have you chanced upon this really cool roast duck place named Kedai Hong Kong? Not to be confused with the previous Canning Garden one that also used to serve roast duck (but sadly, she has retired), this double lot eatery with air-conditioning actually serves more delicious gems beside roast duck.

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Sushi Zento – One of the latest addition to the Japanese cuisine scene in Ipoh; making up the number to almost a dozen now within the same area.

Sushi Zento hails from the same Edo Ichi group of Japanese restaurants; with outlets in Klang Valley, Penang, Sabah and now Perak. Other famous names include Azuma (read the dining experience at Queensbay Mall), Sushi Zento in Penang and now Ipoh, as well as Hana in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

The sudden surge in number of Japanese restaurants in Ipoh; particularly around the Medan Ipoh Bestari area (near to Jusco/Tesco of Ipoh Garden East) had initially gathered steam and generated raving interests for freshly-flown in sashimi, premium grade beef and fusion sushi rolls. However, after awhile, the restaurants started to mimic one another with no clear differentiation and started charging premium prices for lackadaisical Japanese fares.

Preparing fresh sushi to be placed on the kaiten belt, the crunchy and addictive Soft Shell Crab + Salmon Skin Salad with Sesame Dressing (RM20/USD7) and Mushroom Fried Rice (Nameko Yaki Meshi) (RM6/USD2)

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The iconic Hugh Low Street (renamed to Jalan Sultan Iskandar) Hakka mee has moved to the opposite shop a few years ago.

“Are you back for the General Election?”

That was the question imposed by one of the three friendly brothers running this Hakka mee stall at Paris Restaurant & Motel at a corner of Hugh Low Street.

Unlike the comparatively arrogant (yet we flew to there like moths to the light) police station curry mee a few doors away, we were served almost the very instant we parked our heavy butts down. And got our noodles within 5 minutes’ wait, in spite of the crowd.

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Crispy Yam Basket filled with Kung Pao Chicken

Take 2? You’re right on the mark there. Sam Poh Restaurant is not exactly fresh news, neither was this an ancient piece of fanfare. Read my first review of the relatively new kid on the block around Tambun/Ipoh Garden East area and drool at the sight of Yam stuffed with Smoked Duck and Claypot Braised Pig’s Tendon.

To most of the people, Sam Poh (Three Treasure?) is a gem waiting to be discovered. Or at times, the selfish alter ego takes precedence and they would rather have this establishment shy away from the limelight.

Me? I’m definitely sharing my second experience there. Read the rest of this entry »

Coming back to Ipoh this time around evoked a myriad of different emotions. And reactions.

First of all, the dastardly-warm weather had me soaked the very next minute after stepping out from the shower. And any sign of rain or storm (let the thunder roared and ripped through the skies …) was a dream-shattered as the very next moment, the sun peeked from beyond the horizons … and exhibited its most glorious warmth.

Pig’s Brain Soup & Watercress Soup @ Hung Kee Rice Shop

Secondly, this particular Discover Perak episode was having a whale of a time being recycled on AFC throughout the weekend. And hence, the explanations that ensued. By the way, this was filmed 3 years ago and I still love my day job, TQVM.

There’s not much of a food excursion this time though (largely due to a pretty obvious reason which I will touch on in my future post), but still managed to squeeze in a dinner at Hung Kee Rice Shop; a more than 60 years old historical establishment next to the now-demolished Pasar Bulat (Octagon Market?) or “Pat Kok Ting” on Cowan Street.

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Allow me to start off today’s post with a toast. Cheers, dear readers. And thank you for the patience …. Motormouth is coming back to Ipoh tomorrow.

More food reviews, perhaps? But this time I have a different motive on top of the monthly homecoming-cum-gluttony sessions. Let me drop more hints this weekend.

English Roast Pork (RM31/USD10) – Homemade Roasted Pork Belly

What’s cooking tonight? Bricks & Barrels. Wait, you mean this is the FIRST time I am writing about this well-known watering hole along the used-to-be-quiet street named Jalan Lau Ek Ching in Ipoh?

Yeah. In spite of the countless times of contemplating, failed planning, wrong moments (they were booked for functions, the place was crowded and there was once we went on a Christmas eve or something) and utter annoyance of some readers over the omission of this establishment.

So here goes …. Read the rest of this entry »