On Malaysia Day, “Balik Kampung” & A “Kai See Hor Fun” Specialist in Ipoh Garden East
September 15, 2012 | 2,666 views
Ipoh’s famous “Kai See Hor Fun” (Chicken Kuey Teow/Rice Noodles); the picture above shows a dry version of the noodle commonly served with soup; a savoury broth not uncommonly flavoured with chicken and prawn shell stock.
Wondering whether Motormouth has vanished into thin air, hibernating like a polar bear or meditating in Tibet? As inviting as those thoughts might have been (the last two, at least), sadly, reality snaps back with no mercy.
Spent the first half of the week at a convention centre in the city attending to a marketing event; followed by a series of meetings and training session for the team; and the finale aka icing on the cake?
I was down with viral fever two days ago; capped off with a visit to the clinic and bed rest yesterday. Life can give you lemons in successive episodes before you even have time to squeeze them into lemonades!
Anyway, all’s well at the right moment! Bracing myself for the extended weekend ahead (it’s the Malaysia Day celebration on 16th Sept 2012), I drove myself back to …. heaven on earth early this morning, and here’s a story to be shared.
Now, I don’t know why but the famous hawkers are unusually grumpy in Ipoh. Case in point? Read THIS, THIS and THIS. And you can add Macy’s Ipoh Chicken Kuey Teow brothers to the mix.
Not many visitors to Ipoh know about this stall in Ipoh Garden East; housed inconspicuously at the front portion of Macy Cafe & Restaurant, and has been serving their signature Ipoh Chicken Kuey Teow for years. More than a decade at least; and that’s not taking into account the years of experience they had selling bowls after bowls in another location.
They are actually siblings; according to Dad who knew them from his schooling days. Uncharacteristically grumpy with a blank expression most of the time, they are actually good people trying to keep the tradition alive; doing what they have always been doing best ….
Spreading the lurve for Ipoh’s “Kai See Hor Fun”.
Ultra smooth flat rice noodles aka Ipoh “Hor Fun” coated in a greasy mix of soy sauce, dark soy sauce, a dash of shallot oil, and just a light hint of chicken oil. Strips of boneless chicken blanched to tender perfection, four shrimps, lots of bean sprouts, chopped scallions, fried shallots, and a sprig or two of coriander completed the ensemble.
For years since moving in into our current home (18 years and counting!), we had our breakfast here, or more routinely, Dad would take away packets of his ex-schoolmates’ wonders for brunch on lazy Sundays. Come early to avoid the wait on weekends, and for a refreshing start to the day go pick a seat on the outer portion of the coffee shop; catching up on stories with family members while reading the dailies.
Since they usually sell out by noon (correct me if I am wrong, as I have not been to Macy for some time), plan to have your breakfast or brunch here instead.
Frothy iced milk tea to counter the heat; and maybe tamper the fiery kick from the cili padi (bird’s eye chillies)
Opt to have your “Kai See Hor Fun” in soup, or the “Kon Lou” aka dry version. Both are equally good, but since Thean Chun in old town serves a wonderful soup version; my vote for favourite DRY chicken kuey teow will be Macy’s. Unless proven otherwise.
Today’s version was slightly saltier than normal, but you can’t help but marvel at how meticulous the preparation processes can be. Hint : Pick a seat nearer to the counter and observe.
Look at the first shot. The aesthetics count after all; with all ingredients plated in an orderly manner; down to the position of the spoon, the chicken and shrimps, and even the vibrant sprigs of coriander at the side. And no, they don’t do this because I was lugging around my DSLR, but every portion served throughout the years was served in such an arrangement.
A visual feast before tantalizing the palate, perhaps?
If the name of the restaurant somehow strikes a chord, it’s because I wrote a feature of their daily special ‘tong sui’ (sweet soup) before. Yes, do NOT miss their Bubur Cha Cha; though they only serve that on specific days only.
RESTORAN & KAFE MACY (non-Halal)
1, Jalan Perajurit,
Taman Ipoh Timur,
31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Google Map can be found at the end of this post.
“Happy holidays dear fellow Malaysians, don’t drive recklessly on the roads and always remember to save your stomach space for only the BEST Malaysian food!“
Yup, their kai see hor fun is quite good (if you can bear with their moody attitude towards customer). no need to go until the famous one in town to enjoy a good bowl. i feel their soup version is better than the dry, with orange-y hue of prawn oil. reasonably priced also (though i think it should be 4 “halves” of shrimps, making it actually 2 pieces of shrimp only for one plate) =)
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:56 am
Thean Chun’s soup is slightly better for me though, but well .. to each his own.
I like their dry version, and still believe that it’s the best.
Aside from the greasiness.
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Haha I went there yesterday morn for bfast and had this. I found it a little too oily for my liking and they were pretty stingy on the shrimps. Grumpy ? I thought they were rather quiet people. They didn’t even respond/acknowledge me when I made an order. Bubur Cha cha is available on Saturdays. People should try the “Sei tai tin wong” it’s some kind of tong sui with 4 different types of beans…my all time fav !
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:53 am
4 Tai Tin Wong?!! That’s something new. Let me try that the next time.
Yeah, usually for the chicken kuey teow, place your order in a reasonably loud tone and get seated.
They don’t bother to look at you or even acknowledge your order sometimes.
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My personal favourite.
I eat there almost every Sunday morning.
After a while the “grumpy” uncle actually started joking with me! They only appear to be grumpy but they are all heart.
Bu bo cha cha also on weekends.
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:45 am
Yeah, they are actually good people, like I said. Only emotionless and a bit … erm, grumpy on days.
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You should also try the Mee Rebus at the same shop. Served by a chinese couple! Delicious.
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J2Kfm Reply:
October 6th, 2012 at 9:55 pm
Really? I never though. Thanks for the info.
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This stall has been my all time favourite but recently I found out they moved. Do you happen to know where this stall had moved to?
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