Good Ol’ Teochew Porridge @ Yew Ming, Old Town
November 1, 2008 | 7,968 viewsSomehow people get the perception that eating in Old Town, Ipoh boils down to white coffee and toasts. Or the occasional satay and popiah from Kong Heng, and some random curry noodles. Seldom people come to Old Town for lunch, not to mention dinner (when most of the shops are closed anyway).
YEW MING TEOCHEW PORRIDGE RESTAURANT
Working in Old Town of Ipoh, I’ve been exposed/pampered to various cheap yet delicious choices when it comes to breakfast, or lunch. It’s been a year, and we’ve been crossing our fingers for more eateries to open up, else we’d be having the same “Kam Chau Fan” (Golden Char Kuey Teow), Nam Chau’s Dry Curry Noodles & Egg Toasts, Kong Heng’s Popiah, Hwang Chao’s Singapore Chicken Rice, the white coffee originals (Sin Yoon Loong and Nam Heong), Thean Chun’s “Kai Si Hor Fun” (or Chicken Kuey Teow Soup) and many others.
Wow, with that long list of temptations, and yet I’m still complaining? =P
Stir-fried Salted Vegetable and PorkYup, imagine cracking your head day in and day out deciding on a place to eat, trying desperately to keep things fresh and avoid repetitions. Tough job we have, really.
Plain ol’ porridgeThe other day me and TallGal were the only poor hungry souls left in the office, as FCOE & KYT were roaming in space. I meant, relaxing at home. Thus, we opted for a light yet substantial lunch. And so we picked Yew Ming, a mere stone’s throw from our office, famed for their porridge and simple home-cooked dishes.
Fried Egg with Preserved Radish (Choy Pou)
The place is usually packed during lunch, spanning 2 shoplots, directly behind Hwang Chao,and at the same side as Kong Heng. On your left, before you reach the towering Maybank building in Old Town.
You can either pick rice or porridge to go with the dishes, but the latter’s more popular with the crowd, obviously.
Homemade Fish Cakes with Chilli sauceThe dishes resembled home-style of cooking,; simple, tasty and flavoursome. Some may comment they’re a bit salty, but the dishes actually complement the bland porridge all too well. Especially the addictive signature fish cakes, fresh and devoid of unpleasant, lingering fishy taste, dipped into their concocted sweet chilli sauce. And the fried egg with preserved mustard greens was excellent, albeit a tad oily. But wash all down with a glass of herbal tea or Chinese tea, and you won’t feel the grease thereafter.
Popular with those working in Old Town
Total damage for two? RM15.60, including drinks. Worthwhile; a rejolting, detoxifying meal for the senses. (Well, I CAN lie to myself, can’t I? =P)
YEW MING TEOCHEW PORRIDGE RESTAURANT
83, Jalan Bandar Timah,
30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Opens for lunch only, from about 11am – 2.30pm.
Closed on Sundays.
So what if you’re not fond of dishes TOO simple, and avoid porridge like the plague? Then you can walk a short distance, and find solace in Wong Koh Kee (click HERE for previous post).
WONG KOH KEE RESTAURANT
Situated at a backlane, opposite of Kong Heng; arguably the most famous coffee shop in Old Town
Individual portions of Sweet and Sour Pork Rice, Kung Pou Chicken Rice, Tofu & Roasted Pork Rice, and Ginger/Spring Onion Chicken Rice (RM3.50-RM4)
Be patience. The crowd can be overwhelming from 12pm onwards. Come as early as possible, and pray for an unoccupied table.
Their Ku Lou Yuk (Sweet and Sour Pork) is one of the best I’ve ever tasted. Crunchy batter enveloping the tender pork meat, cooked in the tangy and sweet gravy.
Wong Koh Kee @ “Concubine Lane” (a moniker given to the historical lane … guess what’s the reason? =P), a small lane opposite of Kong Heng, on Jln Bandar Timah. Read the latest review at the following link : Wong Koh Kee @ Concubine Lane (Lorong Panglima) in Ipoh Old Town.
I would prefer the porridge than those oily dish of fried food……that homemade fish seems special…..thanks for intro as I really only go Old Town for white coffee and curry noodle..hehehe….
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Yew Ming’s steam fish also is their signature dish ( with bean sauce)….me and my family enjoy the simple yet “traditional and home cook” food they are serving!
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Great taste. You simply possess a knack for good, simple food only Ipoh can offer. Continue to cheer up those who have yet to experience the delights of Ipoh.
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mummy in vain : you’re welcome. sometimes the simplest food works wonders.
simplegirl : oh really? no wonder almost every table has one! but they were only 2 of us, hence we ordered simply. maybe next time then. thanks!
peter khiew : thanks for visiting!
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Oooh I like! I’m usually indifferent to porridge but the egg dish and fish cake accompaniment looks too good to resist. Maybe can order in the ku lou yuk from the other place as well? 😛
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Sometimes, I do crave for Teow Chew porridge. Having a Teow Chew porridge for 2 in Penang (at the Bukit Jambul corner shop there) normally cost for RM20 over, much more pricey compared to the one you recommended.
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sometimes, going simple is even more satisfying than a full spread of sinful food! 🙂
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Gosh, I am back, been’s busy. I love eggs with Chai Poh and that plate of veg to go with is sufficient.
Woh Koh Kee seems so busy in that quiet lane and the dishes are even more interesting including the price.
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550ml jar of faith : erm, the ku lou yuk’s quite a distance from this porridge shop though. hahah …
little inbox : oh I rmbr that one! the one with the braised duck right? pricey, but lots of options.
sc : so true. I’m longing for simple food now, too much indulging lately.
jencooks : yup, Wong Koh Kee is very famous with the locals as well as the tourists. a household name since I was a kid,
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I Like Wong Koh Kee's dishes. Its very very homecook. Price right, food good. Just right food for this gloomy economic sitiution. Began to cut cost..own expenses.
Yew Ming's food is good & tasty but price high for me. I still prefer the other Teo Chew porridge at Jln Leong Sin Nam. Cheap & reasonable. Good for the budget eater like me.
Darn!! I started to feel the little pinch ..ooouch!!
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hulk : Jln leong Sin Nam ah? hmmm … OK. normally I wont go all out to seek porridge though.
eh, Wong Koh Kee’s “Dai Chow” dishes also getting more exp lately.
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Concubine lane…hmmm..becos normally the men hides their concubine in this lane?
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precious pea : thats a wild guess. but as good as mine. ahha … Yee Lai Hong. where the concubines thrived once upon a time …
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Do u know that the boss at the front stall (Yew Ming) is also a dance instructor with his wife. Their dance school is in Pasir Puteh offering latin and ballroom dance classes. Its called Alice & JJ Danceworld. Hehehe!!, I reckon u might want to consider joining for some dance lesson to get rid of the excess calories u gained from the job hazards of your ongoing food review hobby… heheheh…. 😛
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ahem ahem, d-tourist. was that a compliment? hahaha … seriously. the photos were all plastered across the walls in the premise. we were pleasantly surprised to see that actually.
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