Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Kong Sai Signature Poached Chicken – The condiments make all the difference

If you have been irritated by the fact that I respond to your e-mail or comment with a generous dose of tardiness lately, I sincerely apologize.

Or you’ve been deprived of the frequent doses of Motormouth’s ramblings, I felt bad too.

Been working my @$$ off the past few weeks, and I foresee no relenting until the fasting month. And that’s another month to go. Even my camera has been stashed away most of the time, only making periodic appearance in instances like this gathering at Kong Sai Restaurant in Paramount Garden last week.

Or maybe the week prior. Sorry, I’m in another dimension altogether. Let’s drool over some Guangxi cuisine this hazy Monday morning. Read the rest of this entry »

Wondering what’s Travel Blitz? Read the first 3 chapters and find out then. Trust me, even if you’re a staunch detractor of travelling to local destinations, there has to be at least ONE small town somewhere out there that will entice you with its charm. 

A Hainanese-style Chicken Chop @ The Cottage Restaurant, Kuantan, Pahang

For tonight, I will not bore/overwhelm/drown you with wordy descriptions and lengthy/elaborate grandfather stories like normal. Although the mind is highly-tempted to do so, the hands and these lethargic pair of eyes started to shut down and the longing to lie flat on the plush, warm bed this rainy Thursday evening just got so much stronger as the minutes go by.

Where am I taking you this time around? Kuantan; the capital of Pahang. Ready? Read the rest of this entry »

Stir fried ‘kampung’ chicken in black bean sauce with bitter gourd (RM21/USD7) – A mess of a presentation, but you’ll love this to bits. We did.

Let’s talk about the finer things in life. Or rather, the bitter things in life. When weeks flew by without you even noticing, when the heart pumps adrenaline-fuelled blood into the stream ever so continuous; so perpetual to sustain the intense stress, and in a flash, March was all but gone.

Still remember how I started this month vowing to finish up all the older posts stashed to oblivion, for I knew I can’t just go on like this. This blog will die a slow, painful death.

But when things started going the downward spiral route, hence the ‘bitter’ side of life ….. sunshine comes in the most unexpected shade. A ‘sweeter’ nudge from knowing that there ARE still people passionate about eating, reading about good food and searching high and low for potentially boundaries-shattering stuff. The people I met over dinner a few hours ago were all that. And more.

Read the rest of this entry »

Claypot Indonesian Prawns – Irresistible right? Imagine the utmost sins of devouring fresh and succulent prawns cooked in a creamy gravy with a tinge of curry and spices.

Wan Chai Kok Restaurant near to Merdeka Garden (that famous garden in Ipoh; renowned for the curry mee stall come the darker hours of the day) has been featured in the paper once (an article by Alexandra Wong in the Star, but sorry the link is broken), and also occupied a page in Eatpoh, a brief yet comprehensive food guide to the best eats around Ipoh.

Still remember how in her article, Alexandra gushed lyrical on the new-found favourite of her family’s; the Claypot Indonesian Prawns from this restaurant. Had me salivating reminiscing about the delectably creamy/sinful/spicy creation back in Pengkalan Hulu sometime last year.

Read on to find out more about this perennial favourite of residents around the area …. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re down to Ipoh for a daytrip, overnight sensation excursion, or even if you’re a permanent resident (like yours truly) here in this exceptional, one-of-a-kind quaint town with those killer limestone caves, fat bean sprouts and (as they say …) pretty girls – you’d be scratching your head wondering where to go for breakfast.

Truth is, after the umpteenth dim sum feast in Ipoh, deep down inside, you’d be wishing for something much simpler, as tasty, but not the average wantan noodles or fish ball noodles you can get in the other states.

40 Years+ of Legacy speaks volume of its tenacious following ….

I was poisoned by a few posts before, on Ngan Woh Coffee Shop. (Click HERE, HERE or HERE for the doses of poisons). Surprisingly, throughout my stay in Ipoh, and very near to Bercham for that matter, I have never tasted, nor even heard about this shop on the main road of Bercham with an outstanding 40 years plus of history.

Goes to show that I am NOT a bulldozer who had demolished every single eatery in Ipoh. Really. 😉

For really good, homemade Sar Kok Liew (crispy stuffed yambean/’sengkuang’), try Ngan Woh.

Read the rest of this entry »

How does it feel to be dining in the compound of someone else’s house? If you think that’s awkward, well …. think again.

There’s this restaurant (or as close to a restaurant as this premise can be) in Taman Chi Liung of Klang, which was opened by a former cook from a restaurant (pardon me, but sources unknown and not verified). The name of the restaurant is Seafood Paradise, and I tell you, the array of dishes listed and pictured in their menu is not shabby at all. An impressive range of seafood, meats, vegetables, rice and noodle dishes numbering in the realm of 80-100 items, if my memory serves me right.

Which on most days, it does not. Oh well …….

Don’t let the miserable patronage deters you, for it was rather early on that evening we went for dinner ….. A second visit revealed the sheer number of customers Seafood Paradise usually has. Crowded to the max.

If you’re thinking, nah …. just another run-of-the-mill ‘Chu Char’ (Chinese style of serving dishes and rice) restaurant, you’re in for a surprise. The innovative dishes conjured up by the proprietor himself (fondly known as ‘Kong Tau Loh’ or Botak/Bald Guy) sounded very inviting, and you just have to browse the menu for vividly-coloured shots of the dishes, paired with descriptions in both Chinese and English, for a general idea on what they serve.

From crabs to prawns and fish, as well as chicken and pork, the manner of serving them is pratically endless, what’s more with the seldom available Crispy Yam Ring (‘Futt Poot’) with a variety of fillings, such as Marmite pork ribs, chicken, etc. Guaranteed you’ll find something for everyone – Sweet & Sour/Butter Cream dishehs for the younger ones, Spicy Assam and Curries for the adults, and softer Tofu (beancurd) and greens for the elderly.

Read the rest of this entry »