Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog

Since I haven’t been writing much about outstation travels around Perak, allow me to get back into the groove, and share a simple post about this restaurant (or rather, coffee shop?) that serves Taiping’s version of chicken noodle soup for breakfast. The name of the shop? Restoran Kakak.

One glance and you’d be forgiven for thinking this is another bowl of “Kai See Hor Fun” from Ipoh, or even a toned down version of Penang’s Koay Teow Th’ng.

The name of the shop is actually “Jia Jia” (literally translated to Every Family), but when converted to Malay (or English), it becomes Kakak.

A little misleading, for a traditional Chinese coffee shop to be named as such?

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Taiping is a town in the northern part of Perak, famous for its generally cooler climate, hogging the limelight for being Peninsular Malaysia’s absolute wettest town, with average annual rainfall doubling the average of other towns. While usually we relate cloudy weather to forlorn frowns and depressive states, but in Taiping, the unusually heavy rains have led to the fertile growth of flora, especially the century-old, breath-taking rain trees lining the perimeter of Lake Gardens.

Aside from its rich heritage, spanning a historic momentum since the 1844, when Taiping was the first town to initiate tin mining activity in the peninsula, the town is equally famous for the resplendent array of street food. From Chinese style of hawker fares to Malay-Indian (mamak) eateries, with the exceptionally famous Bismillah Cendol serving possibly thousands or millions of bowls of the delectable Cendol since the olden days, the town is developing rapidly as of late, with the opening of several departmental stores and chain eateries such as Noodle Station and Sushi King, fast food outlets, as well as cafes and bistros.

But the real charm lies in the most ancient of places. One brilliant example being Peace Hotel and Coffee Shop (Kedai Kopi dan Rumah Tumpangan Peace) on Jalan Panggung Wayang in town centre. A colonial corner shoplot with a dodgy guesthouse on the first floor, with the ground floor being a coffee shop populated with several stalls selling Chinese hawker food. The interior of the coffee shop plain screams nostalgia, with the same mosaic tiles on the floor since the pre-independence era, and the ceramic tiles lining the walls with colourful designs of swallows.

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Hainanese Chicken Chop (RM8.00/USD2.30) – A most classic Hainanese specialty @ Yut Sun, Taiping

Previous post on Pengkalan Hulu’s Gong An Hainanese Food reminded me of this rather famous pork-free Hainanese restaurant in Taiping, named Yut Sun which I visited last month. For what was supposed to be THE last trip to Taiping for this year. And if you somehow realize, I’ve been writing on Hainanese food as of late. A sign of me returning to my roots? (I am a Hainanese, but speak not a word of the language!) Or a surge in my cravings for some good old, authentic Hainanese fare?

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Sinful, caramelized goodness on the hangers

Previously operating from another lot, Kok Beng has since relocated to this new outlet on Jalan Kota in Taiping in 2000, and has been doing rather brisk business on a daily basis.

Ong Kok Beng is the proprietor of the chicken rice, a friendly chap probably in his late 30’s, or 40’s. An estimation of course, but given his cheerful demeanour and approachable aura, he could well be in his 50’s without people realising it.

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People jog, picnic, and relax by the famous Lake Garden. Yup, under the scorching sun.

Char Siew Pau and Nam Yu Pau with Chinese Tea

Such … simple presentation. Without the usual rattan basket.

Mr BBQ @ Jalan Maharajalela

Onion Egg Omelette with Prawns (RM7)

Crispy sides, savoury egg omelette with chopped onions, carrots, and shrimps, the Fu Yong Tan never failed to satisfy. A simple dish easily replicated at home, yet one of my favourite (and safest) order in restaurants.

Bei Jing Roll (RM6)

Golden Squids (RM8)

The BBQ/Grilled Sting Ray (RM12)

Bye Bye …. and the weekend’s BREATHING at my neck. =P