Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum @ Ipoh
December 4, 2009 | 1,312 views| 32 Comments »
Dim Sum Spread @ Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum, Ipoh
Talk about dim sum in Ipoh, and a few outlets come to mind. The grand-daddy of them all has to be Foh San Dim Sum, which has recently moved to a spanking new premise on Jalan Leong Sin Nam; the undisputed “Dim Sum Street” of Ipoh. But of course, along the same road, you’ll find two equally famous names, being Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum, and Yoke Fook Moon, all within walking distance from each other. Of course, if all these restaurants are packed like sardines, don’t give up hope. You can find a few others scattered within the vicinity, such as Chef Fatt and Chang Keong opposite of each other on Cowan Street (Jalan Raja Ekram). Wanna know the exact location of each? Here’s a GOOGLE MAP to all the dim sum restaurants mentioned above.
Pork rolled in beancurd sheets with sweet and sour sauce – One of my favourite type of dim sum ever. Since I was a small kid, really.
It’s been aeons ago since I’ve paid Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum (it’s spelled as that) a visit. Reason being? The relentless wait for an empty table, or in most occasions, vacant seats to be shared with some other strangers. Yeah, the ‘Thap Toi‘ (tumpang meja/sharing tables) tradition is alive and kicking at Ming Court, not unlike Foh San. The fully air-conditioned restaurant can seat quite a number of patrons, but pale in comparison to the gigantic Foh San across the street.
So comparing Ming Court head to head with Foh San’s dim sum, which restaurant fares better?
Ultra-attentive, very prompt, and overwhelming service summed up our experience at Ming Court
Unlike Foh San’s sometimes in-dire-need-of-adjustment level of service (sometimes when the capacity’s maximized, you need to carry your own plates of dim sum from the trolleys), at Ming Court once comfortably seated on your chair, you’ll be swarmed by the staff carrying trays of dim sum from all directions. It was indeed an overwhelming experience, but a positive one at that for this ensures that you’ll be served instantly; cutting down waiting time, and eliminating the need to flag your hands around for attention. Not to mention good for them business-wise, for this increase the turn-over rate of customers.
“Sek Lau Mai” – Minced pork dumplings with peanuts and Chinese chives
As the saying goes, once you’re presented with more options in life, you’ll tend to lose yourself and make your choices recklessly. Which was exactly what happened to us that morning. Not even a second was wasted, after choosing our desired tea leaves, we were surrounded. And within a flash, trays after trays of dim sum, intermittent with plates, bowls and all, miraculously appeared on the table. And take note that we were even sharing a table with a family of 7. Pandemonium, no joke.
Malai Kou – Steamed Chinese sponge cake
Ming Court serves dainty portions of dim sum, the Har Gau (Prawn dumplings) and Siew Mai (Pork dumplings) were of comparatively smaller sizes than Foh San’s. But tastewise, the dense, firm and sweet filling was tastier than Foh San’s inconsistent quality. Especially noteworthy was the “Suen Juk Quen” or minced pork rolled with beancurd sheets, then steamed with a tangy sweet and sour sauce. Can’t be found in Foh San, my preference for Ming Court’s version actually dates back to the 80’s, when we went for breakfast on Sunday mornings. You MUST try this if you’re here, an instant hit with the children, no doubt.
Hong Kong Chee Cheong Fun
Clockwise from top left : Steamed pork ribs, Crispy Spring Rolls, Fried Prawn Rolls, and “Ham Sui Kok” with Char Siew fillings
The other delightful morsels we enjoyed include the simple dumplings with minced pork, chopped Chinese chives (kuchai), and boiled peanuts, aptly named ‘Sek Lau Mai’ or something like that. The fried prawn rolls were tasty, though it took them forever to bring us a plate of mayonnaise. On the other hand, the less than satisfactory items include the “Ham Sui Kok”, a chewy puff with juicy Char Siew fillings, and the disappointingly bland steamed pork ribs. The other selections fell somewhere in between.
Char Siew Pau – Steamed buns with barbecued marinated pork
The Char Siew Pau at Ming Court was okay, being neither here nor there. On a side note, the other day I packed some Char Siew Pau from Yoke Fook Moon (the restaurant further down the road), and they tasted absolutely fabulous. The “Dai Pau” (BIG buns with chicken, mushrooms, salted egg yolk, boiled eggs and crunchy radish) was equally lip-smacking stuff.
Not as creamy, but smooth and addictive stuff.
Ming Court also serves sweet soups as desserts, or Tong Sui. Especially noteworthy is the black sesame dessert, (Chi Ma Wu), which can easily be shared between two. Whereby normally in dim sum outlets the only desserts come in the form of egg tarts, or beancurd jelly with longan, at Ming Court you can find Tong Sui, to end your meal on a sweet note.
See the vultures instantly eyeing for our vacant table?
Bring your family, friends, relatives, strangers ….. or even J2Kfm (wishful thinking) to Ming Court for dim sum. But avoid the weekends/public holidays.
Since there were only three of us going for breakfast that morning, on a working day nonetheless, we held back on our orders. Though the stray thoughts and greedy eyes kept on challenging our willpower. Bring a larger group to sample more of their dim sum, and maybe you will realize that Foh San may NOT be the only KING of Dim Sum in Ipoh, after all.
The breakfast came to RM42.60 for the three of us. Each serving of dim sum is priced from RM2.20-RM2.80. Some more expensive items are priced at RM4.20.
Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum Sdn Bhd
32,34,36 Jalan Leong Sin Nam,
30300 Ipoh, Perak,
Malaysia.
Tel No : 605-255 7134
Closed on Thursdays.
Here’s the GOOGLE MAP to Ming Court, and the other dim sum restaurants.
Here are some other reviews on Ming Court :
Kampungboycitygal who still thinks that Ming Court’s the best in Ipoh.
Cynthiafoo loved the Lor Mai Kai (Glutinous Rice) to bits.
Best Food Network’s Yvonne didn’t like the Yu Mai (Fish Paste)
Xjion of My Little World did a comparison between Foh San and Ming Court
Thanks for the link.
What a weird name. Kakak…but actually if you...
oh man… looks very the yums… =.=””
*gonna go makan Dim Sum for breakfast tomorrow*
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Suddenly you make me wanna eat dim sum ler. :p
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i dont think i ever seen rm2.20 per dish dim sum in KL..
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J2Kfm Reply:
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Yeah, mostly RM3 and above. Normally flat price though, to ease calculation.
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During my previous trip to Ipoh, it was not open.
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wa… im so hungry edi.. T___T just had dim sum last weekend but im still craving for it… T___T
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J2Kfm Reply:
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Ever craving eh? I just had them 2 days ago. And now I am craving again.
Perfect brunch food.
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Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum @ Ipoh | Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog…
Ming Court is one of Ipoh’s more established dim sum restaurant. Serving great dim sum at affordable price, this restaurant on Jalan Leong Sin Nam of Ipoh is opposite the legendary Foh San Dim Sum….
AHHHHH! must.go.dim.sum. But really Foh San is overrated ceik!
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Frankly speaking, I preferred Ming Court than Foh San. Food here is dainty and pricing is quite okay
but this place is forever full to the brim…hard to find a parking space for the butt :p
.-= Elin´s last blog ..Japanese Teriyaki Roast With Wasabi =-.
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Actually I love Ming court, but an unfortunate incident happened in the early 2000s turned us off it… hahhaa… but since then i frequented there once or twice… i like the size of their servings… small and nice…
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omg i must not look at this T___T I love ipoh dimsum!! and ming court is my fav!
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I had dim sum this morn too but not as delicious as yours. Although not as tasty, it has a different concept, tar is, u can choose wich dim sum u like individually n if above 10 items, tea is FOC.
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I love the black sesame dessert at Ming Court. Do they serve egg tarts? I didn’t see any the last time I went.
So which do you prefer? Ming Court or Foh San? =D
.-= Bangsar-bAbE´s last blog ..Nadeje Patisserie @ Plaza Mahkota, Malacca =-.
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Ming Court is my favorite place to have dim sum since i was small. I like the taste there, although the potion was small, but the taste is fantastic ^^ i like the Xiu mai, Ha Gao, Ha Kuen, Ha mai & etc. But recently there are really very hard to find parking, i went there last few week, turnaround for 6 to 8 round end up to park at the private parking place RM3.
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perhaps i should go for makan here next monday hehe…
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to me… wont wait so long for it…. especially when i go with my whole family……
mum and dad will nag…….
but the malai kou…… cannnnnnnnnnot tahan liao,,,,,
this weekend go down…..
.-= PenangTuaPui´s last blog ..The Braserrie – Festive Semi Buffet Lunch – Traders Hotel =-.
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Ipoh is Dim Sum heaven! But i hate the wait, the crowds and grabbing of tables! Unless one goes early on a week day – which never happens to me becos whenever i go back to Ipoh, it’s usually a weekend, or worse, public holiday!
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Looks good… fresh indeed. I like those that do not premake everything and kept frozen overnights… they would then come out much more fresh and nicer to eat.
.
.-= ladyviral´s last blog ..Doughnuts =-.
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arrrgh… i need dimsum! and hot tea!
.-= cumidanciki´s last blog ..O Gourmet, Champagne Breakfast @ Bangsar Shopping Centre =-.
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oooohh…i luv dim sum!
But the last time we were there Unka dragged me to the Yoke Fook Moon one, urghhh….
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this mot as famous as Foh San hor…. but the dim sum look decent enough to make me drooling~~
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the prices are really unbeatable lah. where to find rm2.20 dimsum in kl???
.-= xin´s last blog ..Part II:Pocket-friendly Latin American Food- The Shepherdoo Restaurant @ CentroMall Klang =-.
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My favourite dim sum place in Ipoh! <3
.-= iamthewitch´s last blog ..Hong Kong Day 5 – Dim Sum, Stanley Market, Yung Kee & Lan Kwai Fong =-.
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I prefer Foh San and Yoke Fook Moon. But the food here look very good too.
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It is deadly to visit Dim Sum Street on Sunday ….. you have to fight for your tables and food …. potong stim to the max
.-= email2me´s last blog ..International Celebrity Chef Martin Yan Cooking Live in KL Starhill Gallery =-.
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there was one rare occasion when me and my dear went there really early in the morning
that was the time we can really “than chah” (enjoy the tea) and read the star
until, of course, the crowd arrives and start asking for “thap toi”
.-= MP_cillin´s last blog ..Photography tips from Alex Majoli =-.
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A few years back, I made a very rare maiden visit to Foh San and loved the dim sum served. It was at the former location. Alas, it was my first and last visit at that location.
Yet to make my vovage to Ming Court though. Or Yoke Fook Moon. Or any dim sum restaurants nearby…
Hate the crowds, and if that makes me anti social, that can’t be helped…
A few months back, I went to the Hillcity Hotel for some dim sum break fast and the crowds here are more manageable, no need to rush. No need to endure strangers standing behind, looking over your shoulders…etc.
.-= ahlock´s last blog ..Man Slept Next To Dead Wife for 5 Years =-.
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Yummy yummy dimsum! Wonder why is the chinese sponge cake called malai kou? Is malai as in Malay?
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how in the world can you share a table with a family of 7????? wow!!!
for kl folks like me… can only go during weekends and public holiday, so definitely going to be packed!
.-= zewt´s last blog ..I did it! =-.
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Agree agree. Foh Sun is not the only one.
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As a local, I prefer Yoke Fook Moon and Ming Court along the Dim Sum Street.
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