Motormouth From Ipoh

With a name as FUNKY as Let’s Rock, you’d be hard-pressed NOT to be tickled pink when discovering this most famous eatery in Ipoh is in fact, a HAWKER STALL (though not anymore) specializing in Yeong Liew (or Yong Tau Foo/Stuffed Fish Paste) and noodles.

Die-Hard Fans/Aficionados/Purveyors of good old Yeong Liew in Ipoh would be torn for choice, as the extensive alternatives to the almost world famous Fried Yeong Liew under a most legendary tree, simply named “BIG TREE FOOT” in Ipoh is delectably mind-boggling. Okay, some prefer to call these combination of noodles with stuffed fish paste as Fishball Noodles (aka Yue Dan Fun), but I’ll skip the noodles on most occasions, be it in Big Tree Foot (Dai Shu Geok), Gunung Rapat’s Kwong Hong, Tai Kar Rock (which coincidentally, is the place where I place more emphasize on the noodles more than the liew themselves) etc etc….

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UPDATED (12.1.2012) – New Pictures from the Second Visit

Macoy European Restaurant – Still surviving after two years, and going strong. This could be one of the staple of Ipoh’s Western cuisine in years to come.

 A refreshing breath of fresh air, lifting the veil on one of the better place in Ipoh for quality European fares. The last we visited was way back then …. about two years ago when everyone was still gathering around the same table; only sharing stories from the similar working environment.

Two years later, and so many things have changed. People getting hitched, friends venturing down south for greener pastures, some started their own business, while I’ve changed my job twice over the last two years.

That’s just the rebel in Motormouth, I guess.

I’m updating this Macoy post, for I do not wish to rewrite another separate post for this. Read on, and discover what else we had after two years …. Read the rest of this entry »

Tom Yam Seafood Noodles (RM5.50 / USD1.60), Saito Fishballs (RM0.40/USD0.10 each), and a small serving of Pork Beads (RM4/USD1.20)

Fai Kee Restaurant is a household name of sorts in Ipoh, an eatery associated with excellent seafood and fish head noodles in Ipoh. And since someone has commented about me being extra long-winded lately, I’ll just elaborate ever so slightly (promise!) on each item we ordered this afternoon, okay?

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Very down to earth motto printed on the menu, and the vibrant decor inside of Vnam Kitchen.

A new restaurant serving Vietnamese cuisine opened its door to the public recently in Ipoh, at the same spot occupied by the previous Soon Fatt Restaurant on Jalan Seenivasagam around Greentown. Click on the link for the post on the NEW Soon Fatt Restaurant.

Vnam Kitchen is in fact, owned and run by a couple who had been operating various stalls and outlets serving delectable and authentic Vietnamese cuisine in the Klang Valley, located in several food courts by the name of Vietnamese Cuisine.

Vietnamese Drip Coffee (RM4.50)

Since then, they’ve ‘surrendered’ their premises in the Klang Valley to their sons, and subsequently moved to Ipoh and opened up a stall by the name of (what else?) Vietnamese Cuisine in Woolley Food City in Ipoh Garden.

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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).

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Btw, it’s another public holiday in Perak today. Envious? =P

The myriad of colours, shape and sizes look appealing …. but WHERE’S DA FISH?!!!

Crazy tossin’ a plenty, swearing’s a no-no, but “flowery” words are compulsory ….

Yum Yum Fried Chicken

Assam Golden Pomfret

Sambal Prawns

The Greens? …. Choy Tam.

I can’t sing praises for the greens, can’t I? But the portion’s definitely scary. HUGE pile of greens sufficient to feed a cow. Or ox, being the auspicious animal of the NIU year!

Brocolli, Mushrooms, Button Mushrooms and Beancurd sheets

Nyonya Pineapple Squids

Soon Fatt advanced from a simple ‘Dai Chow’ restaurant to a full-fledged Chinese dining restaurant over in Greentown

When I was working near Greentown aeons ago, we used to have lunch over at Soon Fatt, back then a simple ‘Dai Chow’ restaurant on the same road as Oversea Restaurant near Hotel Excelsior. The price was cheap, the food was good, though the place was noisy, usually congested, and definitely NOT for long conversations.

I was impressed at the transformation ….

Stir-fried Asparagus with Prawns in Sambal Belacan

Pork Knuckle with ‘Kai Choy’ in spicy & sour gravy

Steamed Tilapia in Taucu Sauce

The fish was fresh, flesh was firm and sweet, completely lacking in unpleasant muddy taste usually feared when it comes to fresh water fish. The thick, spicy and savoury sauce complemented the fish to a tee. But wanna know what’s THE secret ingredient?

Yeah Baby! A handful of these, and come running to a pharmacy …. Want some Statins?

Lots and lots of crunchy, sinfully addictive pork lards!!! Seldom do restaurants nowadays incorporate these babies in their dishes. Unhealthy? Yes. But once in a blue moon, who cares?! The meal costed the four of us RM74.50, including rice and drinks. No service charge/gov tax.

Location : SOON FATT RESTAURANT @ 42,. Jalan Seenivasagam, 30450 Ipoh, Perak. Tel No : 605-243 6864. Got MAP !!!

P/S : They’re having CNY dinner sets as well. Do call for enquiries. And no, I’m NOT paid for this, LOL.