Ipoh Claypot Crab Glass Noodles @ Same Taste Restaurant, Bercham
November 6, 2009 | 1,249 views| 32 Comments »
A steaming hot cauldron of the most concentrated stock from the sweet, delicate flesh of the crabs, and the smooth and springy translucent glass vermicelli noodles ……. @ RM50.00 (portion for 3 pax)
Still remember my last post on claypot crab ‘tanghoon’ (glass vermicelli noodles) at Rasa Lain Restaurant (Chinese name : “Mei But Tung”) in Bercham? That same restaurant has garnered enough attention of its own, with appearance in the tube courtesy of the food show named Taste With Jason (you can read about it from Axian’s blog HERE).
Fueled by sufficient promotion, a myriad of reviews on the net, plus Rasa Lain’s already famous reputation amongst the Ipohans, it is no wonder the place is packed on most evenings, especially weekends and public holidays. There was once when we could not even get a seat at Rasa Lain, and had to take a detour to Hoy Tin Lau for dinner. But that was a week or so after the restaurant was featured on Axian’s show on Astro AEC channel. So, as the Chinese saying goes; “New Toilet” (San Si Hang) may ring true after all.
Slithering down one’s throat, the braised glass vermicelli soaked up all the flavours from the thick and peppery broth
But just like the war between the Tauge Ayam (Nga Choy Kai) outlets, and the lesser-known battle between curry mee proprietors, Rasa Lain is NOT the only restaurant in Ipoh, or Bercham for that matter, serving the famed Claypot Crab Tanghoon. Another equally popular restaurant, named Same Taste (or ‘Ya But Tung‘ …. correction : it should be Mei Ya Tung (thanks CPK!)) garnered enough following on its own, and recently has even moved to the main road of Bercham, promising ease of access, especially those exiting from the North-South Expressway …..
Steamed Soon Foong Fish with wolfberries, garlic cloves, ginger, carrots and spring onions (RM38.00)
Previously, the two shop-lots were occupied by another ‘Dai Chow’ (Chinese cuisine of dishes with rice) restaurant, named Chap Heng which held its ground rather well, dishing up some rather tasty dishes. But no chance to share them on my blog here with you , for I stashed the photos in the backlog section since a year ago, and has completely forgot about them. Oh well.
Back to the present, Same Taste Restaurant is actually run by the brother of Rasa Lain Restaurant, and seemingly started the claypot crab tanghoon extravaganza BEFORE Rasa Lain ever did. Take it with a pinch of salt though, for I heard it all from the grapevine, this one. Hehehe …. Not from the horse’s mouth, but from one of the staff in Same Taste. Though she did look a LOT like the lady boss herself, running the place with ease.
Thai-style Braised Pork Trotter (RM15)
Comparing head to head between the claypot crab tanghoon was no easy feat, when my last dining experience at Rasa Lain was more than a year ago. But I can attest to the fact that Same Taste’s version was much less peppery and salty, and even the last few spoonfuls of the gravy was scooped and relished without the urge to pump water (or in this case, Chinese tea) into one’s throat soonafter. Unlike Rasa Lain’s highly flavourful broth, which was a little too much to stomach when the claypot was being polished clean, being a tad saltier than desired.
But one minor gripe was the lack of pork bacon in Same Taste’s version, a disappointing fact for I prefer some porky bits at the bottom of the pot for that extra oomph. Rasa Lain’s claypot crab tanghoon included these babies, and the pieces of bacon lent a nice smoky aroma to the overall ensemble. There were at least two crabs being served with the noodles, readily-cracked and brimming with sweet flesh, so one does not have to gnaw, bite, and risk losing a tooth or two like the experience at Suang Le River’s.
Nothing beats a tummy-warming, pepper-infused concoction on a chilly, rainy evening ….
The steamed Soon Foong fish (Not sure of its English name. Anyone?) came in smooth and succulent cuts, steamed in a slightly tangy soy sauce mix with a dash of vinegar (I think) and sesame oil, bits of wolfberries (gei chi), and garnished with ginger and carrot shreds, coriander leaves and spring onions. There were even garlic cloves in the sauce, and the method of steaming the fish reminded me of Teo Chew style, with a twist.
The Thai-style Braised Pork Trotter was passable, but none of the flying colours criteria. We ordered a plate of greens as well, to balance out the calorie-laden dishes. (P/S : The trotter was FAT, mind you).
The meal came to RM120 for the 5 of us, inclusive of rice, and tea.
Address & Contact Number :
Same Taste Restaurant
No 222 & 224, Jalan Bercham,
Taman Ria, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Tel No : +6012-502 1132 (Arun Tan), +6012-506 6111 (pH Lim) and +6016-531 6679 (L.M. Tai)
Here’s the GOOGLE MAP TO SAME TASTE RESTAURANT
Directions : Exiting the North-South Expressway (PLUS) at Ipoh Selatan exit (coming from the south, you’ll first reach the new TAMBUN exit, then only reach the Ipoh Selatan exit, but bear in mind that the signboard indicates only IPOH, Tambun and Tanjung Rambutan. Once you reach a T-junction traffic lights, turn right towards Bercham and Tasek. At the next traffic lights, turn right and you’ll pass by Tesco Extra hypermarket on your left. Go straight until you reach another traffic lights. Go straight again, and you’ll see a row of shops on your left. Same Taste Restaurant is in the midst of that row.
Wow you can see the crab shell! Got crab meat or not?
sure looks like light and yummy.
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Sure looks yummy, me love seafood very much. Especially the crabs and prawns and other shelled creatures out there???
Once a while, will ta pau from the Ipoh Garden tung ku teng, so near to home but yet forgot the proper name of this place…Ta pau crabs mostly…
.-= ahlock´s last blog ..Hidden Dangers Of Waterfall =-.
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wei.. u went n tried this ar… finally.. haha!! nicer rite? do try their thai style crystal chicken feet for ur nxt visit.. not bad… ^^
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oh i have tried the Mei Putt Toong.. but not this Same Taste Restaurant yet… will check it out soon! wa …lau… the crab one.. i miss that..!!
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Last pic with the signboard so artistic! Really-1. Now award me with tong-fun pls!
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Oohh.. they moved again..? last time i know they were located along the same stretch as Public Bank.
Still remember their claypot crab.. from over a decade ago….was superb.. especially when it was rendered by the old boss himself. NOwadays.. i think he has left it to his staff to cook up the dish. Somehow the taste is not quite as good anymore compared with wat i had over a decade ago. The lady boss should be the siamese lady (wife of the old boss)which speaks a good smattering cantonese.
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I have eaten lots of claypot rice before…but never glass noodle. And now…there is crab in it? Gosh…I didn’t even know there is such a dish. Goodness.
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in fact the claypot crab glass noodle in Rasa Lain, was full of MSG right? First time I tried there was good, but after few times, no more wow me….too much MSG n peppery, do U agree?
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looks good!!
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Do they have dry version for the claypot “dong fun”?
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Bushido Reply:
November 7th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
For dry version, try New Weng Kau.in Falim.
After Falim turn right, go past Taman Mas. Just before the fishing pond turn right.
Corner shop, across from the prawn fishing shop.
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oh i’ve never been to Rasa Lain (coz usually Axian introduces some places that I’ve been to and the quality isn’t what he claims to be, hahaha). Same Taste is where we get our usual dosage of Crab Glass Noodles, Fishballs, Steamed Lala, Fish Slices Porridge! You should try it sometime!
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Initially I thought that you were talking about the same restaurant that Axian promoted in his TV program… but upon reading further, I noticed the name “Same Taste”
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Same Taste Restaurant is actually run by the brother of Rasa Lain Restaurant, and seemingly started the claypot crab tanghoon extravaganza BEFORE Rasa Lain ever did. Take it with a pinch of salt though, for I heard it all from the grapevine,
It is true.
The boss married the Thai girl as second wife & started at Kawan foodcourt in Hughlow street.
Moved to Bercham .Chased by ahlongs & sold his business to his brother, the botak of Mei Buttong.
He next surfaced at Sam Tor coffeeshop in Bercham, then moved to same street as Public bank before the recent relocation.
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Hmm the glass noodle make it look pretty outstanding. Usually claypot crab are cooked with porridge.
.-= email2me´s last blog ..The Uma, Authentic Balinese Food at Dataran Sunway Kota Damansara =-.
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That claypot dish looks amazing… and glass noodles have always been a bit of a miss with me. I just don’t get what they add to a dish… kinda bland usually! But I’ll happily order this just to dig into the crab!
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damn… i am straving >< i miss msian food!! are you posting them for me? hihihihi
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Everything with fresh crabs sure will taste sweet!
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hhmm.. so one is rasa lain and atr same taste?? LOL. even the name screams of RIVALRY!!!
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i like the names of the restaurants..its abit like advertising rivalry
no flying colour pork? a pity..
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Claypot Crab Glass Noodles @ Same Taste Restaurant, Bercham, Ipoh | Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog…
A very famous seafood dish of claypot crabs with glass noodles in Bercham of Ipoh. Same Taste also serves various Chinese dishes, at reasonable prices, such as steamed fish, steamed clams, etc….
Glass noodles and crabs? A weird combination!
The soon foong looks delicious. Yummy! : )
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Oh I’ve never tasted glass noodles with crabs! But isn’t it a pain to get crab meat out? Hmm..
.-= iamthewitch´s last blog ..From Macau to Hong Kong Day 1 =-.
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Oh, the agony…I LUST for this yummylicious dish so much! And many other glass noodles dishes in general…
Somehow, glass noodles doesn’t agree with my tummy-literally. I always feel nauseous after eating it, in whatever form…Sighssss…
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aiyo looks so lovely lah can’t wait to try..
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Defintely a place to me, my next stop in Ipoh!
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they moved again! next to CIMB bank, i remebered my dad asking the boss about it!
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
What? AGAIN? Soon or moved already?
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wenxuan Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 12:28 am
moved! called the boss and verified it! the old one is occupied by another shop already.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 1:19 am
Ok thanks. Next to CIMB then? Aiks … I should get the new address soon.
ipoh makan Reply:
February 20th, 2010 at 12:23 am
next 2 BSN la …. CONFIRM