Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Largo do Senado (Senado Square) – The landmark of Macau city; come on weekends and be swarmed by bobbing heads popping up all over your shots. Trick is to come as early as possible to beat the late risers.

Now that the long Chinese New Year break is over, and there probably isn’t another public holiday in sight until May 1st – Labour Day in Malaysia; we should revisit the missed traveling stories from 2013. For one, allow Motormouth to regain his composure post CNY blues and the gradual recovery from the dastardly bout of food poisoning. Scary, I tell you. Got me resorting to liquid food, vegetarian and even organic (!) cuisine for a few days.

Ou Mun Cafe – We missed this place during the previous visit, hence this was instantly our first stop for brunch upon arriving in Macau from Hong Kong.  

But of course, now that the inspiration to write flows back into my veins … let’s revisit the Hong Kong – Macau 2013 chapters and a fitting closure to the Macau portion of the stories. We spent 2 days, 1 night in Macau; and despite the fact that this was my 3rd time in Macau; there was nary a moment of boredom or lapse in . The cooling weather last November was a plus, and we ended up strolling all over the place; occasionally stopping by for a bite.

Okay, I used the word “occasionally” very loosely.  Read the rest of this entry »

Could this be the epitome of good breakfasts in Hong Kong? The perennial classic named Polo Bun with a slab of cold butter wedged in-between (also named Bo Lo Yau in Cantonese). Crisp on the outside; moist, fluffy and warm on the inside, this was an instant win the very first moment we sank our teeth into one at Kam Wah back in 2008.

Almost there in completing the 2013 Hong Kong/Macau chapters, today we revisit some of the classic breakfast and snacking spots around Mong Kok; a whirlwind of street eats experience in the heart of Hong Kong. Mong Kok is of course, famed for the many shopping streets; namely Women’s Street, Sneakers Street, Gold Fish Street, etc. But then again, for really good shopping, Sogo Departmental Stores or the few selected outlet stores (Tsim Sha Tsui’s China Hong Kong City and Tung Chung’s Citygate Outlets being fine examples) are your better bets.

Nonetheless, Merry Christmas dear readers and pardon for the lapse in reviews. The holiday season has definitely eaten into Motormouth’s schedule (eating, shopping, traveling, working), but more Ipoh food posts to come this weekend.

Read the rest of this entry »

The legendary roast pigeon of Tai Ping Koon; a good 153 years in the making. It’s that old.

If you want to read a slice of history, which your grandfather has probably hinted you about back in the heydays; read up about Tai Ping Koon’s (TPK) story HERE. Started in 1860 in Guangzhou, the Chui family excelled in the first Western-inspired restaurant in Tai Ping Sha. Until this very day, Tai Ping Koon is still being run by the same Chui generations. A case of history well-preserved indeed.

Although it did not cross my mind to try roast pigeon in Hong Kong the first two times, this time around I was taken in by the thought of crispy skin roasted pigeon and a somewhat peculiar dish named Swiss chicken wings which has no origins whatsoever from Switzerland. Really.

Read the rest of this entry »

Grilled Pork Neck Cheese Instant Noodles (HKD41/RM17/USD6) sounded like something a kid would have done at home with left overs and a packet of instant noodles without the seasoning. Yet, at Sun Kee in Hong Kong, this is a classic. 

Happy Saturday dear folks. Kicking back & soaking in the holidays atmosphere (or rather, school break fear)? The rainy weather, sudden barrage of workload and Christmas tunes blaring out from all corners in the malls make for one potent blend of shopping spree-inducing fiasco. Naturally, people escape from staying outdoor for too long (lest one loves to be stuck in the perpetual congestion), and the best way to counter work stress? Eat, shop, eat and then eat again.

For this evening, here’s something of a lighter read. Revisiting the Hong Kong 2013 chapter , here’s a review on a stall that I hesitated to include in my food list; for the sheer fact that I have had many a time reservations and bad experiences with anything combining Eastern fares with cheese. Yes, even the cheese baked rice that’s so common in Hong Kong-style restaurants in Malaysia.

But Sun Kee comes not only highly recommended by some guides and reviews, the place was also frequented by movie stars apparently (although most of them are well past their prime, and the shots were taken at least a decade back!).

So how could a bowl of instant noodles topped with a slab of grilled pork neck and a pale yellow gravy be something so special that people kept going back for more?  Read the rest of this entry »

A golden shade of yellow; the noodles are no doubt made in house; perfected through years of experience and feedback. Some outlets do theirs with a heavy-handed approach; lacing the springy noodles with an overpowering taste of alkaline water. Thankfully, Mak’s Noodle’s version was none of those.

Paying HKD33/RM13.80/USD4.30 for a small bowl of soup noodles with a couple of prawn dumplings might sound a tad unbelievable. That is, if you’re paying this price in an eatery in Malaysia 5 years ago. Nowadays, even a plate of very basic fried Nissin noodles or Korean-inspired spicy noodles at Kim Gary or Wong Kok Char Chaan Teng will come close to that price. In Hong Kong, paying around HKD30 per portion of noodles  is not an uncommon sight, even in the most dodgy of corners and sidewalks.

The perpetual Mak’s Noodles vs Tsim Chai Kee (read previous review HERE) saga will probably never ends, since both are equally as famous (Tsim Chai Kee was packed though on that afternoon while we could easily parked our butts in Mak’s Noodles) and garnering rave reviews in guide books and blogs.

However, Mak’s Noodle has the advantage of being featured in Anthony Bourdain’s TV show; whereby the celebrity chef was heaping praises on the al dente noodles and succulent prawn dumplings/wanton. Here’s what I think.  Read the rest of this entry »

You must have seen at least once on TV; how the Community Chest charity drive comes out in full force in Hong Kong. We did buy a few ‘flags’ and stick them proudly on our shirts.

Continuing from the Hong Kong & Macau Food Guide 2013 series, on one fine morning, we took a leisure walk towards One Dim Sum, one of the hottest dim sum place in Hong Kong that serves all day dim sum at fairly reasonable prices (nothing above HKD24/RM10/USD3.30) per portion.  And before you go thinking that this is merely another Tim Ho Wan in the making (or worse, copycat), One Dim Sum has thus far been crowned the #1 restaurant in Hong Kong on TripAdvisor a few months ago, and still sits in the Top 5 comfortably albeit competition from several fine dining options.

Not one to be outdone with, One Dim Sum attracts beyond locals and homemakers that’s for sure. We had to come back after a good 45 minutes. And it was only 10am or so.

Exiting Prince Edward MTR station (Tsuen Wan line; red line) at Exit A, walk east bound along Playing Field Road and you shall see One Dim Sum (or rather, the crowd waiting on the walkway on the outside) fairly easily. Come earlier to beat the crowd, the restaurant can seat 30 pax at most, and the queue can be very … discouraging. We were there at about 10am, took a number from the front counter and told to come back in 45 minutes.

Yes, from breakfast to brunch. Unwillingly. We had to go round and smelt the flowers. Literally. Read the rest of this entry »

For an overview of the entire trip, refer to Hong Kong & Macau 2013 Food & Travel Guide

Not something that you would casually expect from a Motormouth’s food and travel post; but Nan Lian Garden & Chi Lin Nunnery (adjacent, almost seamless transition to one another) at Diamond Hill, Hong Kong are definitely worth a detour.

Before I proceed with today’s feed of Hong Kong shots, Happy Monday and Happy December dear readers. You are not seeing things, this is still Motormouth From Ipoh; the food and travel blog that you have grown to love (or detest). Currently on a traveling spree (more like catching up on the crazy load of backlogs for travel stories for the full year), I will write several chapters on Hong Kong and Macau, which ironically was the latest journey that I made last month.

Memories not good mah …. better start the other way round …. 🙂

Anyway, aside from repeated onslaughts of food, we also did make effort in walking them off. Or at least that calmed our minds a little … But anyhow, Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery should definitely be on your list if you have done all the tourist hotspots. More after the jump.  Read the rest of this entry »