Pasta House @ Ipoh
July 19, 2010 | 13,760 views
Singapore Pasta is but one of the 10 pastas from “10 Countries” – Wacky fusions that may sound weird on the menu, but somehow might just be their make-or-break creations.
Pasta House opened in Medan Ipoh Baru few weeks ago, on 3rd of July 2010 to be exact. Still in its infantile age, the restaurant prides on their pasta creations; a whopping 33 in all. Separated into different categories, namely Cream Sauce Paste, Tomato Sauce Paste, Tomato-Cream Mix Sauce, Specially Fried Pasta, and 10 Country.
Read on to find out about my experience at Pasta House and the prices as well as varieties of pasta dishes there ….
A little underwhelming, considering that this was a Sunday afternoon. But let’s not throw judgment without giving them a chance to impress.
Rather strategic location to be at, Pasta House occupies the lot previously held by Sushi Jun, and before that a steamboat restaurant with kaiten belt concept; MP. One can even see this restaurant that faces the North-South Expressway, especially if you’re slowing down to exit at the Ipoh Selatan (Ipoh-Tambun-Tg Rambutan) exit, whereby you will see this restaurant on your left.
Fried Pork Pasta (RM11.80/USD3.60) – Which was probably the BEST choice for us that afternoon. And the fact that it’s non-halal may appeal to pork-lovers who might be craving for a porky-pasta fix.
Walking into the air-conditioned restaurant/cafe reminded me of the exact same feeling I had during my first visit to Cafe Takahashi in Jusco Kinta City. The ambience, soft lighting and cushioned benches exuded a chic, classy yet none-too-intimidating aura. I expected nothing much from Pasta House initially, for this exact premise seems to be doomed in view of two unsuccessful ventures (MP Steamboat & Sushi Jun) back to back, within a span of a year or so.
Browsing through the menu, it was without a doubt Pasta House excels (or rather, put emphasis) on their pastas. Several creations got my mouth watering – Pasta House Carbonara (bacon, asparagus, cream sauce), Spicy Eggplant Bolognese (with minced pork), Bacon & Mushroom, Soft Shell Crab Pasta, and of course the 10 dazzling fusions from ’10 countries’. From the more common pastas such as Japan Pasta (Teriyaki chicken) and Italy Pasta (capsicum, olives, mix bolognese) to funkier renditions such as Korea Pasta (Kimchi, Chicken), India pasta (Curry Fish) and even Malaysia Pasta (Chicken, Squid, Egg, Onion, Tomato, Sambal Chili).
Seafood Basil Cream Pasta (RM14.90/USD4.50) – Prawn, Fish, Squid & Clams in a creamy carbonara sauce with basil
The pastas were okay, nothing that stood out like say, the pasta carbonara laden with pork bacons from Michelangelo’s, or Italia Mia’s exquisite (and exorbitant) creations.
The Fried Pork Pasta was topped with lots of tender fillet of pork; lightly pan-fried cutlets of pork. The Singapore Pasta came with one solitary piece of soft shell crab deep-fried to crispy perfection, and the sweetish chili sauce drenching the pasta was redolent with sauces from the crab; slightly repulsive especially if you’re not a great fan of seafood. But acceptable, considering that the strands of spaghetti was rather bland in their own; and not cooked to ‘al dente‘ (springy texture) as desired.
The Seafood Basil Cream Pasta came with four medium-sized prawns, fillets of fish, clams (la-la) and squids. Not as creamy as claimed, but still passable. If you’re seeking for good carbonaras in Ipoh, try Italia Mia, Michelangelo’s Pizzeria, or even Denis Jazz Bistro. All of them serve NON-halal version with real pork bacons.
Looks pathetic right? Only one solitary soft-shell crab for RM17.50/USD5.30. Hmm, they could do better with a more aesthetically-pleasant presentation.
From the All About Ipoh Facebook page, someone commented positively about the mushroom soup, while the others lamented about the soft pasta. Which got me wondering, do they even serve other varieties of pasta aside from spaghetti? For I did not see any options given, nor asked about my preference when making my orders.
Which leads me to a rather puzzling situation. I asked the male staff that attended to our orders on what type of bacon they use in their pasta dishes. He hesitated then unconvincingly said they’re using BEEF bacon. I wish to clarify this as I prefer PORK bacon instead. Anyway, I can go on and on about the service that afternoon (not in a negative vibe, but a rather amusing revelation) but I’d rather keep that to myself.
It’s a MONDAY after all, and nobody wants to read another person whining and crying now …. do we? 🙂
PASTA HOUSE @ Bandar Baru Medan Ipoh – Besides Voodoo Pub, and a short walk away from Waraku Japanese Restaurant.
Aside from serving more than 30 types of pasta, Pasta House also serves 3 types of pizzas, two type of rice, and some snacks. The pastas are priced from RM8.90 – RM17.50 (USD2.70 – USD5.30) each.
PASTA HOUSE
No 4, Jalan Medan Ipoh 9,
Bandar Baru Medan Ipoh,
31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Telephone : 605-546 3218
Business hours : 10am – 10pm
Off days : For the time being, they are opened 7 days a week.
Here’s a GOOGLE MAP to Pasta House
My sons will love this but not so for me.. i prefer asian food anytime.. 🙂
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 19th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Really? I like both. And that’s how I became this size. 🙂
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italy pasta? that’s almost redundant, rite? heh.
wondering what china pasta would be … pasta with dim sum pieces? pasta with bak kut teh? 😀
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 19th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Haha …. if they had listed all the other pasta from all countries, except Italy .. then maybe someone might be fuming mad. Or stating the obvious is cool?
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the pasta seems to have more liew than pasta :p esp your fried pork pasta!!! btw what time you were at Su’s last Friday? I left at 8pm!!!
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 19th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Hey Babe … I was there around 8.40pm already. Damn late as we departed from Ipoh after work.
Some more KL … jam here jam there on a Friday evening.
Su’s place was crowded, and she sold off most of her items.
Nice, strategic place to be at. And more choices than The Gardens’ outlet.
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Well dude, as you know wat most food bloggers would say… they’re just opened on 3rd July… so expect to give them some time to settle down first.
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 19th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Yeah true. But this story about the waiter rather awkward. Tell you later lah.
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both my gf and i like pasta very much… haha.. i see there are many choices of pasta at there, we’ll go there with someday and try them out 🙂
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The best Creamy white sauce pasta is Ipoh has to be at Indulgence! Try their signature Seafood pasta with with sauce!!!! U’ll love it! ; )
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 19th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
At Indulgence ah? Ohhh … I never tried their pasta. Will look into it. Been some time since the last visit. They’re supposed to change their menu this July. Wondering if they really did.
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ahhh,look unique in style pasta served there worl…
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Haha! Another of this 1/2 past 6 restaurant… Ok! Will give it a try next time I am back in Ipoh… Looking at your blog, I think this one will not be a good one but nonetheless let’s give them the benefit of the doubt..
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 19th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Offering something different for a change. At least they dont proclaim to be a Pasta House and instead sell chops, rice, cheesebaked rice, noodles etc.
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Gee like our localized version of Pasta de Gohan
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I just had my pasta today during lunch! 😀
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i don’t think pastas can go well with soft shell crab in that condition. LOL. it looks really dry
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
I also thought so, but the crab was moist, albeit a little soggy. But good thing was … there was roes!
Surprisingly. If only they decided to put two crabs and some garnishing instead,
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From the photos above, the spaghettis really look so-so only.
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Hmm, really not as spectacular in terms of presentation.
Or maybe my photography skills did not do the pasta justice?
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They just open then u’ve tried dy, u r fast.
Btw, what relationship between Singapore & soft shell crab?
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
I have no idea. Closest I could think of? Chili Crabs. 🙂
Of course they can’t be giving real mud crabs, or flower crabs to go along with the pasta.
Nobody wanna eat crabs with a fork, nor pasta with fingers.
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Interesting. The food in ipoh is getting more cosmopolitan! I am intrigued by the pork pasta!
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[…] Pasta House @ Ipoh | Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog […]
hihi,
what happen with t waiter?
curious about it..
can you tell me??
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Hmm, I just had dinner there yesterday with my brother, after much frustration of choosing a dining place and remembering your post XD I have to say it was mostly underwhelming though. We had the Aglio Olio clams and Bacon Carbonara, with really small lalas and.. a not so fragrant carbonara sauce compared to what I’ve eaten before. We left mostly disappointed and wished we went to Takahashi instead XD;; They also gave me ice lemon tea instead of honey lemon ==;; Overall, a place we won’t return to unless we hear that they’ve bucked up big time haha XD
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:21 am
Haha, that was also my sole visit.
I wanted to order the Vongole, with clams.
But I asked if the clams are the small local la-la, and I got confirmation.
Hence I opted for the others.
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i had just tried it yesterday..it’s so nice as i couldn’t found any in ipoh before the Pasta House. Although the price is a bit higher, their food are worth its value. i think they have fired the weired worker as i couldnt saw any ppl as u image. Anyway, I would say their cream sauce is absolutely good. I tried their signature dish ‘Pasta House Carbonara”, and WOW it was really special, though only bacon and asparagus, but they added a special egg which makes it really different from the usual ones. On that day itself, there was a ‘mat salleh’ and a local chinese sitting next to the table of mine. I overheard him ( the mat salleh) told their waitress “wasabi bean” to tell the chef that the food was good. And the friend sitting in front of him was saying the same too, and he added very good. I guess their pasta are not that bad afterall. Maybe they have bucked up and I personally don’t really agree with the comments that were posted earlier…haha…
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[…] Pasta House @ Bandar Baru Medan Ipoh (NEW!!) – 33 types of pasta; fusion cuisine […]
Plan to visit this place for a while, but my “food-hunt kaki” refused to give it a try, so have to go with my colleague. I was a littke skeptical at first with their countries creation pasta, who knew, our best choice of that day was New Zealand pasta. Very creamy but not too thick. My only complaint was the presentation, the meat really looks like doggie drops.
Mushroom and bacon fried pasta is too much like chinese noodle. Pasta house carbonara is tasteless, don’t bother to order it, just go to Italia Mia for the Ipoh (and probably Malaysia) best carbonara. The Garden’s Yogi Tree come a distant second.
Their creme brulee is too thick, too creamy, too much. Three of us almost cannot finished ONE. Aren’t creme brulee should be a little light and soft and moist with the crispy top? Yes, their creme brulee lack the crispy top.
But still will revisit this place, have yet to try their mix source and maybe Malaysia pasta! LOL. And their price is really affordable.
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[…] Hokkaido Fusion of raw ingredients topped with caviar (!). The Grill Bacon Pasta reminded me of Pasta House’s version of the Fried Pork Pasta, albeit with more ingredients. Combining the earthy abalone mushrooms and […]
food is ordinary and portion is small. drink is expensive. ambience is good, but that’s the only plus point. disappointing….
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J2Kfm Reply:
October 11th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Small portion – Yes. Ordinary? Don’t think so, for the pastas were all funky stuff. But some that did not work so well, I might add.
Passed by a few more times after that visit, and the place is not doing so fine.
Novelty runs out?
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would be good to have a place that serves authentic pasta stuffs rather than ‘funky’….that’s my opinion.. I used to cook fried spaghetti myself – added in sliced western sausage and vege. maybe my expectation went too high…. :). first and last visit.
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J2Kfm Reply:
October 13th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Wanna know a secret? That was my first AND last visit too.
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i went Pasta House for more than 2 times in one week. its pasta is quite nice and i brought my family to pasta house to have a birthday celebration. all my family members were satisfied and we will come again soon. Those Pasta is special, ya it is not a Pure Italy sphagethi but i think it is more creative than the Italy one. im sure even other places may not have such Chinese and Western Pasta!!!!!!!! GOOD JOB PASTA HOUSE!!!!!
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J2Kfm Reply:
August 30th, 2011 at 9:08 pm
Hi SL! Yeah, it’s been some time since my last visit. Was skeptical as to how they would cater to the picky Ipohan’s tastebud,
but surprised at their tenacity. Good on them.
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hello, is Pasta House relocated or what? I went there for a few times and when I was planning to go there again, i realized that the shop had closed down. I wonder whether they move to another place or completely stop the business.
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yes… was moved and name changed to William IX, is beside Voodoo now
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????? loop
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