Durian | Motormouth From Ipoh - A Malaysian Food Blog

Attack of the Killer Durians

July 21, 2010 | 1,394 views | 27 Comments »

DURIAN - Thorny, pungent, repulsive, sweet, creamy, addictive, impulsive, offensive, formidable …. whichever adjective you choose to brand them, the KING of FRUITS shall not be dethroned anytime soon.

We are in the midst of the durian season (June-August) here in Malaysia, and yet I have NOT touched a single seed until now, and probably won’t be maiming the delectably sweet, ‘fragrant’, creamy and rich flesh anytime soon.

Some lamented that the rainy season destroyed the prospect of getting good harvest this season. Even in areas densely packed with durian trees (they grow in their natural habitat; mostly in orchards or ‘dusun’ in the rural areas, though cultivation of durian is more and more common now), the produce ain’t satisfactory yet. Maybe the durian boom will be a little late this year – I can only cross my fingers.

Are You Salivating yet?! OR … have you fainted from the sight or the imaginary whiff?

All the pictures in this post were taken prior to the 2010 durian season. I scavenged, cracked my head, and dug deep into the archives; all the while drooling incessantly. From a formidable, most mysterious fruit (they’re even banned in hotels and elevators!) with a thorny husk and a pungent aroma, durians have been used extensively in various culinary delights such as beverages, desserts and even savoury dishes. So strap yourself in, and join me for a ride on the journey to commemorate the fruit so-deservedly crowned; The KING Of Fruits ….. CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

Comments: 27 Comments »
Categories: Gerik/Pengkalan Hulu Food, Kuala Lumpur/Selangor Food, Melaka 2008, Motormouthing, Perak Food
Tags: Durian, Durian Cendol, Durian Desserts, Durian Egg Tart, Durian Orchard, Durian Pancake, durian puff, Malaysian food, Motormouthing
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Pengkalan Hulu – Chalet Air Panas

November 9, 2009 | 2,246 views | 23 Comments »

Tranquility reigns supreme in the town of Pengkalan Hulu, in northern Perak

Pardon the hiatus. Been up and down Perak so often lately I’m having recurring nightmares. Really. In a short span of two weeks, I have been to Kuala Kangsar for four times, Taiping for three, and eventually culminated in the ‘grand finale’ of 4 days spent in Gerik-Pengkalan Hulu (both northern-most towns of Perak, with the latter sharing the border with our neighbour Thailand) last weekend.

And NOT for holidays, mind you. All in the name of work. See? J2Kfm REALLY, REALLY works lah …. unlike what most of you might be thinking, reading posts after posts of outstation travels.

Chalet Air Panas, aka Hot Spring Chalet in Pengkalan Hulu. The newer chalets with the most classic, wooden ‘kampung’ house setting. And to tickle your fancy, do consider skinny-dipping in the hot water canal running around the middle of the chalets!

CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

Comments: 23 Comments »
Categories: Gerik/Pengkalan Hulu Food
Tags: Chalet Air Panas, Durian, Motormouthing, Pengkalan Hulu, Travel
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Motormouth in Betong, Thailand – 2 Countries in 1 Day

August 4, 2009 | 1,046 views | 22 Comments »

For the sake of first-timers, or the newly-poisoned (followers) of this blog, Betong is a quiet (depending on how you look at it, really) town in southern Thailand, that shares its border with the even smaller and serene town of Pengkalan Hulu in northern Perak.

WHERE again you ask?!!! Just refer to my old posts (Betong – The Town Over the Border). Still reeling from the day’s stretched-out meeting. And the after-effect of Monday blues.

Lenggong’s Famous Loh Dee Wan Tan Mee – Notice even the press has covered this small, almost barely noticeable hut along the main road of Lenggong. Blink and you’ll miss it.

CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

Comments: 22 Comments »
Categories: Betong 2009
Tags: Banana Desserts, Betong, Betong Clock Tower, Betong Food, Desserts, Durian, Gerik, Lenggong, Lenggong Fishballs, Pengkalan Hulu, Thai Food, Thailand, Travel, Wanton Noodles, Wat Phuttathiwat
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DURIAN-ized @ Sri Karak Restaurant, Section 52, PJ

February 11, 2009 | 242 views | 24 Comments »

Man, Ipoh is HOT !!!! In every sense of the word. The weather is scorching, the STILL-chaotic and volatile political fiesta still threatening to throw the citizens into lunacy, etc etc …..

Notice the 8TV’s Ho Chak’s endorsement? Gotta be good, no?

I’m a sucker for anything with durian in it. Be it Durian Cendol from Melaka, Durian pancake from Seri Petaling, Durian Ice-cream with Ais Kacang (or, the other way round, most probably) from Kek Seng, Penang Road, Tempoyak with or even the REAL DEAL, fleshy & thorny raw form. The title given, the undisputed “King of Fruits” well-deserving for a fruit that’s not only versatile for desserts and savoury snacks, but the infinite potential of harm the thorny exterior can impose to others … Muahahaha …. Makes Tear Gas sounds wimpy now, eh? =P

Durian Egg Tart @ RM1.60

I somewhat stumbled upon this outlet in Petaling Jaya’s Section 52, an area I’ve never even been to previously. Yeah, makes one wonder is PJ really that HUGE of an area, exceeding 52 sections?!!! Geez. I’ll just clasp my hands and pray for a GPS. C’mon now ….. -_-

Durian Bomb @ RM1.80

Sri Karak Restaurant originates from Yik Kei Restaurant in Karak town in Pahang. The HALAL restaurant serves mostly Chinese dishes, from their famous steamed fish (including patin with tempoyak!), as well as Freshwater Prawns Noodles (Sang Har Meen).

But of course, that’s not their main pulling factor, nor the reason for our patronage. We were there for their tempting durian desserts, previously covered by 8TV’s Ho Chak programme, and then some.

Durian Pancake @ RM6.50

The egg tart was rather cheap, at RM1.60 per piece, with pastry that doesn’t crumble, but more to cookie-like, ala John King’s style. But lacking in pungent durian aroma and flavour, I found it rather mild. My vote goes to John King’s version, no doubt.

The Durian Bomb is actually durian flesh enveloped by crispy pastry skin, much akin to a Yam Puff (Wu Kok), but on the smaller scale. All the pastries are prepared freshly everyday, and no leftovers are being sold on the next day.

Durian Cendol @ RM6.00

The Durian Pancake’s not on the menu, so you gotta ask if they’re preparing them. One layer of durian ice-cream, one layer of sponge cake, and another with durian flesh, the pancake skin was thin, and highly advised to let the pancake warmed to room temperature first before consuming, so that the ice-cream layer will thaw slightly before one gets brain freeze.

The Durian Cendol has way more ingredients than Jonker 88′s, with Gula Melaka syrup served at the side. A wise choice, as not many would prefer their cendol to be extra sweet. The bowl of colourful concoction resembled Ais Kacang more than Cendol though. The Durian Ice-cream served atop was creamy, but lacking the punch somehow. Maybe I’m used to stronger Durian flavour in my desserts.

Location : SRI KARAK RESTAURANT @ No 17, Jalan 52/8, Section 52, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel No : 603-7958 3240.

Comments: 24 Comments »
Categories: Kuala Lumpur/Selangor Food
Tags: Cendol, Desserts, Durian, Kuala Lumpur/Selangor Food, Petaling Jaya
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Melaka – Durian Cendol @ Jonker 88 & Largest Pineapple Tart in Malaysia?!

January 19, 2009 | 594 views | 12 Comments »

YES !!! Another 7 days to CNY !!! To kick off the 7 days countdown, here’s something sweet (again?!) to tempt your tastebuds ….. all the way from Melaka !!!!

A sense of festivity already in the air ….

Notice the grave for a prominent warrior WAY back then? Hang Jebat’s the name.

For a brief introduction of Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Street), here’s an article. A stroll around the streets will bring back memories of days of yore, …. not to mention heatstroke, if you’re not careful. =P

Feeling dehydrated? Here’s the perfect antidote ….

Jonker 88 Desserts @ Jln Hang Jebat

Right smack in the middle of Jonker Street, this outlet selling various type of desserts (mostly ais kacang and cendol in various forms) and some savoury options eg. laksa, is a popular spot amongst the tourists.

CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

Comments: 12 Comments »
Categories: Melaka 2008
Tags: Cendol, Desserts, Durian, Melaka, Pineapple Tarts, Travel
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Durian Pancakes @ CAPRI Dessert, Sri Petaling

December 16, 2008 | 421 views | 29 Comments »

Stranded in the office for another day. Lunch alone; people-watching and counting the hours before 5 …. And a damn cold day. Breakfast was McD’s BIG Breakfast (not so lah … like exaggerated only, but BIG in terms of price : RM9.65 per set!) in Manjung. So here’s today’s dose of poison :

Colourful, vibrant, promising …. yet did it deliver?

The other day we were circling Seri Petaling, searching for food, as I’d thought the place would be somewhat like Salak Selatan, or Pandan Indah, brimming with good food and such. But was kinda disappointed to see the sparsely-populated area, in terms of people, restaurants, and buzz.

Some restaurants looked promising, there’s one Chinese restaurant serving fish heads, another Middle-East cuisine, and some random vegetarian cafe, organic cafe, and the everyday cafes. But one particular outlet caught my eyes, bearing the same name of a previously-reviewed, yet not too positively Italian restaurant in Lumut; Capri. But that was Capri Italian Restaurant (click HERE for that less-than-stellar outing). This Capri in Seri Petaling has no connection whatsoever to Italian cuisine, but instead serves mostly desserts and snacks.

Jackfruit and Sea Coconut with Ice (RM3.90)

Nothing like what I had in mind, but still with lots of sweet sea coconut flesh and jackfruit strips. Passable, but too much ice = teeth-numbing experience. They could’ve gone easy on them.

Chives Crepe (RM3.90)

The selection of snacks and mains are impressive. Just like typical Hong Kong-style Char Chan Teng, everything from baked rice to noodles, to toasts and such. The Chives Crepe caught my attention, as I’ve tried a very good one, a traditional pancake with chives and lots of dried shrimps, eaten with the garlic chilli sauce. GOOD stuff, but in Ipoh.

This one from Capri was served with a dollop of mayo (*_*) and very thin, a bit oily, but without the dried shrimps. VERY light snack, and even a 3 year old can finish the whole plate in 3 seconds. OK, maybe not. But there were bits and pieces of ham, if I’m not mistaken.

Custard Cheese Rolls (RM4.30)

The custard cheese rolls was recommended by the waitress. Oh, BTW, the place was empty. KOSONG like a Milo Kosong. No customers at all. Hence service was very prompt, and the wait for the food was negligible. The interior of the shop was very cleverly design, utilizing every bright and cheery colours as you can possibly imagine, the place suits youngsters coming for a drink or get-together, more than a family coming for a decent meal.

Back to the rolls, hehe ….. They were NOT good at all. Breaded rolls filled with orange-coloured custard and none of the creamy,oozy cheese I’d hoped for.

Butter Milky Fish Fillet (RM6.90)

Dry, tasteless, and the finely shredded egg yolk was not crispy, but soggy. Another one of the supposedly ‘Best-Sellers’ according to her is the Butter Milky (Nai Yau) Fish Fillet. The deep-fried fish fillet was equally disappointing, with no taste whatsoever, and came in measly 6 or so pieces. Thumbs down to this ….

Durian Pancake (RM6.30)

Now this Durian pancake roll is DA BOMB! Mimicking the current trend of everything-durianized, and suspiciously a mirror image of the ones sold at The Garden’s Sumptuous Desserts stall in front of Rak Thai. Mimicry = best form of Flattery?

Creamy and fresh durian flesh and cream stuffed into the green-coloured pancake skin, rolled up and served chilled. Portion may be on the smaller end, as when cut into halves, each half can be walloped in one mouthful. But nothing satisfies a durian-lover more than a sweet, creamy dessert made from the king of fruits.

On the whole, I will not return for the food in the future, as Seri Petaling too far for me, and the food’s a disaster. Except, the Durian Pancake. Hmmm … I may just be crazy enough to return for them. Or anywhere else I can get my hands on them?

Location : CAPRI DESSERT @ 33, Jalan Radin Anum, Sri Petaling, 57000 Kuala Lumpur. Tel No : 603-9057 1268