Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

How’s the CNY preparation going? Reached your boiling point yet?Or you’re still playing cool cucumber, and neglecting the chores, the cooking, the cleaning and … the shopping.

Whatever it is, DO NOT forget the eating. Hahaha … coz that’s what people do during the festive seasons, and live to regret the binge right after the celebrations. Oh well … a continuous spiral of gluttony, then crash diet, then foodhunting again …….

Cafe Takahashi @ Jusco Kinta City, Ipoh

Sometime ago, I wrote about this new Japanese fusion cafe in Jusco Kinta City, when it first opened its door back in the middle of 2009. Combining elements of traditional Japanese cuisine and modernized ‘kissaten’ (Japanese cafe) concept, Cafe Takahashi has seen its following building up as time goes by, and even has a Facebook fan page of their own now.

Recently they launched a new menu, with various interesting items added into their repertoire, namely lamb racks, fish and chips, beef steak with wasabi mayonnaise (the same killer gravy they use in their signature chicken chop), various sushi rolls, and most prominent of all, a whopping 30 or so promotional sets priced reasonably at below RM20 each.

The Spaghetti Aglio-Olio with Prawns and Chillies was a delicious treat, as I have always find that Cafe Takahashi does their pasta best, compared to the other items. The sirloin steak was a little too raw to my liking, and I  was not asked about how well should my steak be. Still, the Wasabi Mayonnaise gravy saved the day somewhat, albeit the continuous flow of blood oozing from the slab of meat.

The sets come with rice, miso or mushroom soup, a dollop of Korean kim chi, and a palate cleanser in the form of sliced peaches. You can choose from a variety of items, such as salmon steak, mixed tempura, unagi and so forth.

And another interesting addition to their line up is the various sushi rolls, and as recommended by Kenny himself, the salmon sushi with mentaiko (marinated pollock roes with a slightly spicy tinge) was something different from the norms.

Since most would be spending time in the malls during this festive season, be it for the last minute shopping, or a ‘Hor Sui Pin’ (Chinese New Year movies) or two, consider hopping over to Cafe Takahashi for a sumptuous fix. And they’re offering a 1Malaysia 50% promotion everyday, including items such as burgers, pasta, rice and pizzas. Value for money indeed, as the burger starts from RM3.45, and pizzas from RM7.95 onwards. But do take note that this promotion is valid from 2-6pm only.

For address and contact numbers, please refer to my older post – Cafe Takahashi @ Jusco Kinta City

And on a side note, if you’re growing weary and sick of the same old, same old kopitiam fares in Ipoh (the umpteenth outings to Old Town White Coffee may be a little … dreadful), consider the newly opened Pappa Rich at De Garden Mall, within walking distance from Jusco Kinta City. If you’re not sure where De Garden Mall is, hop over to my posts on TOS Coffee Bistro, or Restoran Ayam Penyet AP for a clearer idea.

Pappa Rich Kopitiam has many outlets in the Klang Valley, and its business is indeed expanding to the other states. Its main selling point? The quality offerings, an array of local and traditional delights, and something which the other kopitiams do not offer. At a slightly premium price compared to the usual (Old Town White Coffee, for instance), I find that Pappa Rich serves better toasts, and a wider variety of beverages, especially their deadly Cendol-Gula Melaka-Soy Bean Milk combinations.

And of course, they did revamp their menu, and offers various savoury dishes now, such as noodles, rice, and even dim sum (yes, read that right!) This outlet at De Garden is their 32nd in Malaysia, a far cry from the 100-200 (I think) outlets of Old Town White Coffee. But the latter has better buck up, for the invasion of Pappa Rich in Ipoh may just change the mindset of the locals – Old Town White Coffee may have originated from Ipoh, but Ipohans are rather picky when it comes to good food.

Pappa Rich @ De Garden, Ipoh (HALAL)
G-R-11 to G-R-13A, No. 3
Persiaran Medan Ipoh, Medan Ipoh
31400 Ipoh, Perak
Tel & Fax +605 545 2266

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR TO ALL THE READERS OF MOTORMOUTH FROM IPOH !!!