Tong Yan Gai Hong Kong Desserts @ De Garden, Ipoh
December 14, 2010 | 6,332 views
Are you seeing Yellow? Somehow, the place brought to mind Hui Lau Shan, that famous chain of dessert outlets in Hong Kong. But not quite …. read on to find out why.
Before any of you starts to bend over and pick up brickbats and stones, and ready in position to hurl at Motormouth for neglecting his roots, let me share this piece of (not-so)new discovery back in Ipoh. At De Garden to be exact, and if you’re scratching your head wondering why has Midvalley’s The Gardens been fancily-spelled as DE Garden instead …. I rest my case. =_=
Anyway, Tong Yan Gai (loosely translated as “Chinese Street”), or better known as Hong Kong Desserts is one of the newest addition to De Garden’s repertoire of cafes and restaurants. Lost count now …. I think there might be at least 20 of them congregated into one centralized hub for your food and retail needs.
Aside from Strawberry Moment Dessert Cafe and Tutti Frutti, this has to be the next designated dessert cafe here, though there’s another Fruity Land (or something) that also serves various savoury items.
A set up not unlike the usual char chan teng (Wong Kok comes to mind, naturally), the seating area inside of Hong Kong Desserts isn’t your best bet if you’re in a large group.
Read on to find out their ambitious venture into the Hong Kong desserts scene; possibly the first in Ipoh. And why they still have a long way to go ….
A Mango Pudding filled with nectar-ish mango reduction within (RM5.90/USD2)
Coincidentally, this was also the first time I met up with two of the admins for the All About Ipoh Facebook page, since its inception … or maybe, since I was duly appointed as one myself sometime beginning of this year. Yup, DT himself appeared for the meet up, as well as Mashi Maro; the latest addition to the family. Ironically, none of us have ever met, though DT inadvertently bumped into me clowning around town a few times before. 🙂
One of my most memorable moment back then was tasting the exquisitely done, yet simply refreshing “Yeong Zhi Kam Lou”, a pleasant mix of mangoes and pomeloes with sago in the sweet soup. (RM6.90/USD2.30)
With no idea on what to order from their menu; consisting of mostly desserts separated into several categories like Signature Desserts, the Snowy Ice creations, Steamed Milk Egg White varieties, and even several stewed desserts (or boiled, maybe) as well as hot ones. For food, they only have light bites like fried chicken, fries and such, as well as egg tarts and puddings.
Price-wise, nothing that requires monthly installment nor mortgage of your properties. The priciest item on the menu was a stewed bird’s nest with red dates, at RM18.90 each.
Now you tell me if those jelly-like strands look like bird’s nest to you? (RM4/USD1.30 each)
We ended up ordering desserts of almost the same hues; a golden/yellowish tinge overwhelmingly messing up with my white balance; in addition to the not-so-helpful fluorescent lighting from above. So pardon me if the shots make you all sleepy and serene like watching a sun sets at dawn … 🙂
Mango Combe (RM6.90/USD2.30) – Another mango shaved ice creation, but seemed unmemorable enough to warrant an order. Try the others instead.
Aside from the mango pudding (cloyingly named “Sweet Heart Mango Pudding”) the other mango delights did not even leave an impression. Not even the bird’s nest egg tart (the normal one at RM2 each, the premium one at double the price), or the supposedly one of their signature; Mango with Pomelo Sago. Really needs to look into the matter of over-diluting the concoction with ice cubes floated on top, and the severe lack of pomelo to begin with.
And people, whatever you order …. DON’T go for the steamed milk egg white with ginger! (RM5.90/USD2) You’ll thank me for that.
Of course, seeing a whole range of steamed milk egg white (also termed “Xiong Pei Nai”, a famous Macanese dessert; you can read my Yishun post to find out the BEST there ever was) had me excited, for this is probably the first place in Ipoh serving the delightful dessert.
Whereas the usual steamed milk would have a velvety smooth texture, almost to the point of half slurping and half eating the custard, the one at Tong Yan Gai has a long way to go. But that still was not my main gripe. Just like how in Macau/Hong Kong they have this combination named “Kiong Jap Jong Nai” …. (wait for this) Ginger Syrup Crashes into Milk (hehe, sorry crudely done I know …), at Tong Yan Gai they have this too.
Just not in my wildest dream did I expect a failed crash. Or accident, if you’re more of the morbid type. Pungent sting from the ginger syrup (think there was no sugar involved here, purely ginger water) in a puddle on top of the milk custard. Failed miserably, I had problem finishing the whole portion.
Tong Yan Gai @ De Garden – They also have Papaya Boiled in Milk, Black Sesame Paste, and even a papaya stewed with hasma (you know, the Fallopian tubes from a snow frog?)
Long way to go before people can take them seriously. But winning card in hand? Come CNY 2011, you’ll see the overflowing crowd swarming every single outlet at De Garden. I just knew this, and sad to say … I might be another of those ‘coming home to Ipoh and yum cha at night at De garden‘ come the festive season. Whatever it is, I seriously hope we can see better quality restaurants at De Garden, instead of half-hearted attempts.
TONG YAN GAI (HONG KONG DESSERTS)
GR-2, De Garden,
No 3, Persiaran Medan Ipoh,
31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Telephone : 605-548 7300
*De Garden is an area packed with retail stores and eateries directly opposite of Jusco Kinta City
Thanks for sharing this newly opened shop with us…
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I nearly wanted to try their steamed milk egg white with ginger today, luckily I didn’t pick that. I tried their black sesame soup (ji ma wu), not very impressing also.
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J2Kfm Reply:
December 15th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Hoi choy you did not try. Then you would have compared with HK’s/Macau’s, since you’re half a resident of HK’s …
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James.. the bird’s nest egg tart you took from De Garden do look pathetic and costs RM4 !!!! it is worse than the one I took from Yoke Fook Moon…at least mine you can still see a tsp of suppose ” bird’s nest ‘ but do bear in mind it is the size of a 20 cent coin. A bite.. that’s it and it was frustrating….before my taste organ could savor the bird’s nest it was down the grinding organ and we do not know whether it was really bird’s nest or agar agar strip and it cost RM6 !!! 🙁 . I don’t mind paying for something expensive but berbaloi…get it :)))
I never like to eat out in Ipoh frankly speaking…KL is so much better…expensive but bigger portion and taste great. I think I should open Elinluv’s Tidbits Corner when I retires :pppp
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J2Kfm Reply:
December 15th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Yeahlah ….. still, to put some strands of dunno jelly or bird nest and charge DOUBLE … hmm.
In for a kill these people.
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Lol.. Is that steamed milk egg white with ginger really that bad?
I see most of the food there are mostly made with mango and coincidently I like to eat mango so much! They looks so attractive to me.. haha 🙂
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J2Kfm Reply:
December 15th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Erm, yeah…. trying to emulate the famous dessert joints in HK, and there are a few in KL doing that too.
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Nice place for desserts! You’re right, not only were the desserts yellow, the place also looks yellow! I am drooling over that mango pudding! Yummm!
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J2Kfm Reply:
December 15th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Then let’s have desserts someday. KD got the new one right? Some of you did the review before.
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Nice decor and ambience. In De Garden I notice that most people throng the popular restaurants like Oh Sushi, Shabu-shabu, wong kok and pappa rich . I don’t know about the japanese rsetaurants but the food at Pappa rich and Wong kok taste horrible but manage to draw large crowds. Lite Disire on the first floor offer better tasting food. By the way, next to lite desire is located a new cake shop named The Brownies. They make the best brownies and cranberry muffins and cranberry layer cakes. Tasted their Carrot Cheese cake..awesome.
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J2Kfm Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Yeah …. most people don’t know about Lite Desire, the upstair’s restaurant (only one, I think … aside from Oval, but that’s different) that actually sells good food. Better than most kopitiam/cafe even.
Never go for the mains at Pappa Rich or Wong Kok. Even Oh Sushi’s not consistent; on days when they’re packed, the service sucked and the sushi sloppily done; rice falling all over the place.
Did not see the Brownies back then. Recently opened?
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Don’t order the Stew Papaya with Milk. Not sure why the 2 don’t get along well here. I remember drinking Papaya Milk from 500cc from Penang and they taste well. Maybe the papaya they use is too raw and still have the taste of green in them…..
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J2Kfm Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Thanks. I was almost too tempted to the other day.
Since how wrong can stew papaya filled with milk goes … right?
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I think The Brownies opened for business just last week. The shop is partly hidden in one corner giving people a miss. It is located on the 1st Floor, just above Paapa Rich. Their cakes are comparable , if not better ,to Secret Recipe, Beacon Point or Indulgence. They also sell delicious jam tarts and Haagen Dazs ice cream. Took brownies with ice cream…delicious combination . My children love them.
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J2Kfm Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Wow, tarts, brownies and Haagen Dazs ice cream sounds like a good combination.
Will be sure to drop by for a look once I’m back to Ipoh.
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[…] Tong Yan Gai Hong Kong Desserts @ De Garden, Ipoh […]
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i STRONGLY dissagree with u la J2Kfm …. ><
it seems i've went to that place for over 5 times , why would i still goin there if the food there is "that" unfriendly to you …..
actually the food there were not bad ….. they've many varieties of selection oso …..
about the BIRD NEST EGG TART tat u ention just now ….. do u think u've just EXAGGERATE it -.-" …… u know wat IMAGE ur giving me when ur ASKING tat is it real BIRD NEST or is it JELLY STRANDS ….. omGOSH !!! comeone la ….. if u think it is not worth the price as u've said , just dun CHOoSE tat particular DISH next time la , hahaa ….. or u think its JELLY ???? hahaa *funny la u …. u got took for a DNA TEST whether it is a JELLY or a BIRD NEST ???? ahhaaa ….. u just giv ppl a WEIRD image LA ….. like STINGY PERSON , some kind of thing ….. sorry for tat ….. hahaaa
n i've tried tat PAPAYA STEW with MILK tat day ,wasn't tat BAD -.-" *EXAGGERATE again…..didn't u tried before PAPaYA WITH MILK STUFF ? omgod ? r u in the 18's? it's so popular now adays,it seems tis DISH is good for our tummy as the WEB says ….. so that's NO HARM for a try la ….. J2Kfm ,i think u should update awhile la, hahaaa
anyway , u should try other food there as well la , dun jst CRITIC ppl by just using tis FOOD as a proof ? ppl will not know after they've TRIED the food there ….. evryone has their OWN TASTE la …
n rmb THINK TWICE before u act la , ur giving me an IMAGE AS A STUPID here la ….. hahaaa
n last thing , u should try THE BROWNIES there , u surely wont regret by trying the STUFF there =]
all the best anyway =]
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J2Kfm Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Hi JXIAN.
I find your comment amusing, though it should not be taken this way.
The food was not exactly ‘unfriendly’ in any way, just nothing that seemed to be of spectacular value. Or worthy of repeated orders.
If you yourself feel that taste is subjective, did you not over react by posting such an elaborate comment to criticize my taste instead? I merely share MY experience, and it all depends on the readers on how they want to interpret that. And I never push for people to boycott certain place, but of course you’re free to try the place out before coming to a conclusion of your own.
JXian if you are one co-owner of the place, or your friend has any interest in the business, then please take this as a feedback from a customer. Rather than pushing opinions aside and slamming the doors shut on comments.
How could I have EXAGGERATE on the papaya stew with milk when I did NOT even order that in the first place? Did you even read what I wrote? Not meaning to criticize your view, but yes I have tried that item a few times before.
Last but not least, if I am giving you the image that I am a STUPID here, is it even worth your time to type out that elaborate comment for an IDIOT to understand? 🙂
Happy New Year. And keep it cool.
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‘LIKE’ (like in the FB) . MM, you are good with wordings. i do understand ur views are not the ultimate judgement of those shops or restaurant. it’s just personal preference. some ppl are just over reacting…lol…
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J2Kfm Reply:
December 30th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
Thanks LiLian. I get criticism all the while, so I’m fine with that. Without it, I can’t move forward, can I? 🙂
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try their papaya milk jelly thingy. i find it nice 🙂 papaya stuff is nice there 🙂
the bird nest egg tart. once I went to KL and a friend brought me to a dim sum restaurant. i forgot the name of the restaurant but i was told it was a high-rated one. they have bird nest egg tart too and it was exactly like you said. jelly. so i suppose the definition of a bird nest egg tart is as such 🙂
fruitland. their dessert there is awful. really. i gave them a second chance by going back to the place after my first disappointment but still they cant serve nice dessert.
peace ^.^
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J2Kfm Reply:
January 22nd, 2011 at 10:55 pm
Thanks lovelove. Maybe I should have given the papaya milk a try? Next round then.
Can’t doubt that those were really bird’s nest, giving them the benefit of a doubt.
Yet, I don’t find them adding any value to the tart, which was not so good to begin with.
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[…] are great stuff. Priced at RM3.80/USD1.20 each, I would say the mango desserts here are better than Tong Yan Gai‘s at De Garden. The Or Nee (Teochew style Yam Paste) has been one of my personal favourite […]
Suddenly hop into your blog here when google~ing about The Brownies location.
this shop is really attractive in outlook. Even having other best-tasting desserts there, I would not recommend my friends to there anymore. Tried that bird nest egg also. Ermm..no comment..XD
By the way, their services and location is nice. =)
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[…] there), Ipoh has been cursed with a severe lack of dessert houses. The last one I reviewed was this Tong Yan Gai dessert place at De Garden which has since closed. Strawberry Moment called it a day sometime late last year […]