Cheong Kee Beef Noodles (Stall No. 47) @ Tong Sui Kai, Ipoh
October 27, 2012 | 11,203 views
A bowl of hearty beef noodles from Cheong Kee; stall number 47 at Tong Sui Kai (Desserts Street) in Ipoh; the food centre that opens from evening until late night.
The previous post on Tong Sui Kai put emphasis on crispy chicken skin and a very peculiar wrapped duck feet (‘ngap kiok pau’), shedding light on the lesser known street food classics that made up the 50-odd stalls along this stretch of hawker delights off Brewster’s Road in Ipoh.
But Ipoh food fans have been reminding me countless times on their requests for a review of this beef noodles stall named Cheong Kee; a household name that has served thousands of bowls over the decades, and still going strong.
Is this the BEST beef noodles in Ipoh? Read on for my insights.
One very noticeable trait that Cheong Kee shares with the other “lau zhi hau” (old and renowned brands) in Ipoh is the people running the stall. A family run business, with several uncles and aunties possibly in their 60’s taking orders, cooking the noodles and doing everything with much passion and gusto.
There was nary a foreign worker in sight.
We ordered the beef noodles with a side bowl of beef balls. A small portion of the noodles goes for RM3.80/USD1.30 and came with a few slivers of tender beef slices and tripes. The beef balls at 50 cents each have to be ordered separately, but the price was still reasonable.
The soup plays a vital role in determining whether a beef noodle stall deserves a return visit or not. At Cheong Kee, the soup for the noodles came across as flavourful from the stock boiled from various cuts of the cow, yet not laden with taste-enhancers (MSG) or too peppery. The broth accompanying the beef balls was more robust and full-bodied, with a strong beefy aroma emanating from the bowl the moment it arrived. Plus, Cheong Kee’s chili sauce was nothing you would expect from a beef noodle stall; their version is this really spicy chili oil-based condiment that lent a fiery punch to the noodles.
Comparing Cheong Kee to Buntong beef noodles within a short distance away, I still prefer the Buntong’s version that came in a delicious, almost milky broth with soft-boiled radish and varied cuts of beef. But Cheong Kee’s beef balls were absolutely wonderful; made from a well-seasoned beef paste that was velvety smooth and not rubbery.
Non-beef lovers can rejoice in the fact that there is one pretty good wantan mee stall and Mee Kari Pangkor within the same row. Not forgetting the immensely-refreshing Ais Kacang and Ling Chee Kang to tamper the heat with.
*Just got back from a 2D/1N Sitiawan-Lumut trip. And I haven’t even got to the point of writing about the 2D/1N Teluk Intan getaway a few weeks ago! Yeah, ironically, Motormouth’s also blazing a trail on the Visit Perak Year 2012 campaign! Detailed travel itineraries and pictures to come very soon.
Cheong Kee Beef Noodles @ Stall No. 47, Tong Sui Kai, Ipoh
Opens from early evening until late night.
Closed on Sundays.
For more information about “Tong Sui Kai” in Ipoh and the location map, please refer to the original Tong Sui Kai post.
i grew up eating this cheong kee beef noodles way back in the 70s when their stall was in theather street area.
[Reply]
Nam Fatt Restaurant, Kampar Rd is my all time favourite for beef noodle. Two versions are available – in a delicious soup with soft radish and in a claypot braised version similar to those commonly available in Hong Kong.
You missed recalling NF for beef noodles probably because their YTF are super delicous too.
Just wish to share my regular pit stop whenever I pass through Ipoh.
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
November 7th, 2012 at 10:46 pm
Haha .. yeah, their YTF reputation supercedes their beef soup. But here’s a post of Nam Fatt including a wonderful beef stew noodles!
http://www.j2kfm.com/nam-fatt-fishball-noodle-house-jalan-kampar-ipoh/
[Reply]
There is one unique beef offal soup stall in Kampar town whose taste & recipe is special, unfound anywhere in Malaysia in my opinion. It is an institution among Kampar folks. You gotta try it.
Kampar town center comprise of two parallel main roads – Jalan Idris (where all the active shops are) and Jalan Gopeng (the trunk road you drive thru to Tapah/KL). Along Jln Gopeng is a chinese temple. Directly in front of the Chinese Temple & perpendicular to Jln Gopeng is Jln Tokong. The stall is located across the drain beside the shop at the intersection of Jln Tokong/Jln Idris. The stall opens circa 11.00 am, closes when stock runs out likely before 3.00 pm.
Trust me, the recipe is unique though it may to everyone’s taste.
[Reply]
Hi~~
love beef noodles~~ u sd go try another stall at Buntong~~
^^
[Reply]
Sabrina Reply:
October 30th, 2012 at 12:43 am
Love ur photo~~
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
November 7th, 2012 at 10:43 pm
Thanks Sabrina. Appreciate that.
[Reply]
This is a really “lou chiew pai” (literal translation – old sign board [i.e. long established]) stall. Still remember the stall being along Theatre Street before DBI decided to kick, sorry, move all the hawker stalls from the streets into more organised and supposedly more hygienic hawkers centres in the 1980s if I recall correctly. Taste and chilli sauce hasn’t changed from those days. The same small portions haven’t changed either. Only the prices have gone upwards, as expected due to inflation. Their beef balls are still one of the best, if not the best, around. I find this stall to my liking as the soup has a sweetish undertone/aftertaste to it. Wifey doesn’t quite like it as she’s more keen on sodium chloride infused soups. Oh well, taste buds do differ.
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
November 7th, 2012 at 10:29 pm
Haha …. I like the chili sauce and the beef balls, yes. And certainly won’t hesitate to recommend to outsiders.
[Reply]
Stupid store cheated my money, wont ever return
[Reply]
Howdy fantastic blog! Does running a blog such as this take a lot of work?
I’ve no expertise in programming but I was hoping to start my owwn blog in the near future.
Anyways, if you have anny ideas or tips for new blog owners
please share. I understand this is off subjeect nevertheless I simply had to ask.
Thawnk you!
[Reply]