Nasi Padang @ Restoran Simpang Tiga, Ipoh
September 18, 2009 | 2,019 views| 30 Comments »Restoran Simpang Tiga is a famous chain of Nasi Padang restaurants originating from Indonesia, with five branches operating over in our neighbouring country. Nasi Padang resembles our very own Malay rice with dishes, or “Nasi Berlauk”, albeit with a little tweaks here and there. The Nasi Padang moniker actually pays tribute to the origin of the food;, whereby Padang is in fact a city in West Sumatra of Indonesia.
Clean & spacious ambience, with decor reminiscing of Minangkabau influences. Even most of the staff are from Indonesia. The Bergedil is a potato patty with minced meat, while Tempe Kacang is an addictive side dish, yet supposedly pose healthy benefits
Nasi Padang is the epitome of Minangkabau cuisine, but most of the dishes have already been incorporated into the array of Malay dishes commonly found in rice stalls all over Malaysia. The spread of dishes at Simpang Tiga was mind-boggling to an extent, with not less than 20 dishes being offered on the afternoon we patronized the outlet.
The huge space occupied by the restaurant (at least 4 shoplots in Greentown Square of Ipoh – a new business centre in the heart of the city) allows a large seating capacity, perfect for functions, or dinners to be held at the premise. The design of the restaurant exudes a traditional, rustic charm, with two main seating areas being Indoor (with air-conditioning) and Outdoor (al fresco style).
Nope, they ain’t truffles. Nor any variants of the fungal family.
The restaurant is opened from 11am until 11pm daily, and you can either order from the menu, OR choose to have your plate of rice with dishes served together, ala typical Nasi Berlauk style.
Restoran Simpang Tiga was launched with much hype and fanfare, with the utmost honour of being officiated by the Sultan of Perak, back in August 2009. My guess is that this restaurant may seem like a promising chain,with high possibility of branching out to other towns, or even states in the near future.
Steaming white rice served in the rattan basket lined with banana leaf, the signature chicken dishes, Tempe Kacang (Fermented Soybeans stir-fried with Peanuts, Chillies and Onions) and Daun Ubi Tumbuk (Ground/Pureed Cassava Leaves)
They serve Ayam Kampung, or free range chicken which is widely acknowledged as the superior choice when it comes to chicken, for the meat is prized for its naturally firmer texture.
A total of seven ways of serving the chicken are available at Simpang Tiga, with the signature Ayam Bumbu Kampung, Ayam Goreng Pop Kampung, Ayam Goreng Gebok Kampung and even Ayam Penyet being highly recommended choices. Sad to say, the latter two options were not available on the day we had our lunch there, hence we settled for the Ayam Bumbu and Ayam Goreng Pop instead.
Ayam Bumbu Kampung, Ayam Goreng Pop Kampung, and Avocado Juice with Chocolate Syrup (Jus Apulkat)
Both the chickens are priced at RM5.50 per piece, and much to our chagrin, had similar resemblance amongst them. Both were deep-fried, but the Bumbu version was served with the ‘Bumbu’ (or paste I think) made up of strands of ginger, chillies and spices, almost like meat floss. The firm yet tender meat was thankfully moist enough to be eaten without accompanying sauce or sambal (which by the way, is NOT complimentary with the dishes, and every small plate cost RM1 each).
The side dishes of Daun Ubi Tumbuk (RM3.80) and Tempe Kacang (RM2.80) completed our lunch ensemble, with the former outshining the latter, for the rich, creamy and rather raw concoction reminded me of Palak Paneer (Indian dish of mashed spinach with cottage cheese). The pungent, green and raw taste of the ground cassava leaves may not suits everyone’s tastebuds (eg. my lunch companion, Mr Z for one), but personally I felt the spoonfuls of greens grew on me as I got accustomed to the flavours.
The Tempe, or Tempeh (fermented soybeans) fared not too well in my books, with the pre-cooked tempe kacang lacking in the freshness department, the peanuts softened and offered not much of a bite.
The front facade of the Nasi Padang restaurant – Easily located, with ample parking spaces around the vicinity
Most of the other dishes are meant to be shared amongst, say, a table of four and above. Ranging from the average Gulai to various seafoods cooked in a myriad of ways. A definite hit amongst the lunch crowd due to the strategic location of this restaurant, plus the ample parking spaces (Greentown Square charges parking fees from RM0.60 and above, if I remember correctly).
Restoran Simpang Tiga
D-G, Greentown Square,
Jalan Dato Seri Ahmad Said,
30450 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Tel No : +605-255 1220/1180
Here’s a GOOGLE MAP for easy reference.
Nice to know that there are Padang restaurants in Msia
Here in Indonesia we called daun ubi as daun singkong. Ubi is sweet potato. Perkedel is Bergedil (so funny the name, hehehe).
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
September 19th, 2009 at 11:33 am
singkong? hehe, sounds like cantonese for ’success’ ……
it’s called bergedil here, if I’m not mistaken.
but love them nonetheless.
[Reply]
Perkedel? Bergedil? All I know is that it’s real yummy!
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
September 19th, 2009 at 11:34 am
indeed! mashed potato patties, with bits of chillies and meat. yummy stuff.
[Reply]
makanan nampak sedap!
.-= jolene´s last blog ..Streamyx Combo Smart Savers Plan =-.
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
September 19th, 2009 at 11:35 am
there are so many other dishes to be tried, probably in the next visit.
[Reply]
Didn’t know that there is a restaurant selling authentic Minangkabau food in Ipoh…
Those food look really yummy…
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
September 19th, 2009 at 11:35 am
it’s rather new, opened since August, if I’m not mistaken.
at least offering something different from the norms of nasi with lauk.
and endless tom yam outlets everywhere.
[Reply]
Wow, Raya is coming & thinking of Malay food after seeing your blog especially
the ayam goreng….Have a good holiday
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
September 19th, 2009 at 11:37 am
same to you!
timely post, i guess?
[Reply]
I am really happy to see this restaurant in Ipoh. Reminiscing my good food times – ayam pop avocado pulp with chocolate.
[Reply]
Oh is in Greentown???
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
September 19th, 2009 at 11:44 am
yup, in greentown square, on the same row as David’s Diner and Guardian Pharmacy.
[Reply]
hey..finally giving this place a try ha..
must have my lunch here one fine day..
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
September 20th, 2009 at 1:12 am
yeah … and remember to drag me along ok?
no more excuses about ulcer or whatever. =P
[Reply]
… the avocado juice looks like very creamy satisfying milkshake… so was it nice?
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
September 20th, 2009 at 1:12 am
it was so-so. A rather tall serving at RM5.50 each, but the chocolate syrup was almost too artificial.
not a recommended order.
[Reply]
in all honesty .. this place isn’t very good .. had quite a few people complain about diarrhea after eating in Simpang Tiga .. i’d say the better place for a wide variety of muslim food would be at the place opposite Stadium ..
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
September 20th, 2009 at 1:59 am
diarrhea?! guess they could improve on the hygiene matter.
we merely tried a few dishes, with both chicken dishes resembling each other in some ways,
hence I could not say for the other dishes Simpang Tiga offers.
i do agree that Tasek Raban (oppo Stadium Ipoh) offers more dishes at cheaper prices,
however, that’s purely Malay food, while Simpang Tiga serves a mix of Indo/Malay cuisine.
[Reply]
Bergedil!! I know what I need to battle this mother of a hangover I’m having now! Now that I’m in KL, not Ipoh, where do I find me some bergedil!?
[Reply]
I love to eat Nasi Padang with lots of curry gravy!
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
September 20th, 2009 at 10:57 am
yup, ended up we asked for extra gravy, for the fried chicken and plain rice combination was a little dull.
[Reply]
i am going to ipoh soon… by bus… where is greentown square? city centre? wish not too far as i will just walk around for half a day.. i wanna try this restaurant!! pretty much looks like Indon food… damn i love the chicken!!
then the next day will head to taiping =p
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
September 20th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
if you’re taking the bus to Ipoh, I think most probably you’ll stop at Medan Gopeng.
then go Gunung Rapat nearer.
Greentown Square is in town centre, near to Ipoh Parade and Greentown Mall.
[Reply]
Such a HUGE restaurant, I must say. And so many varieties of chicken too. Do remember to try out the other versions and blog about them next time.
[Reply]
How about Nasi Lemak Ayam Kampong Restoran, Jln Ali Pitchay, Ipoh…. hv u all try b4…
Any comments fr U… my rating is 3star
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 10:11 am
that one not bad, hot rice kukus and served with good ayam kampung.
i’ll blog about that in later visits ok?
[Reply]
I remember susgesting u to this outlet the last time. Finally u tried & I havent. Me pals says is very expensive..2 different friends tried out & curse for its bloody expensive dishes.
I fear eating there…I’ll stick with Ayam Penyet at KL, cheap & nice.
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
yup, very pricey lah, depends on how many dishes you order, and you’re eating with how many people.
as most dishes (if not all) come in one portion only.
so if you’re going in two’s, like me, we had to fork out roughly RM15 each for a meal of chicken, white rice and vegetables, and drink.
[Reply]
I had a bad experience there… just wrote about it in my blog…first and last time to visit Simpang Tiga…
[Reply]