Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Look at those stacked up slices of pre-smoked dried meat @ Seong Kee in Simee, Ipoh; a very RED (‘ong’) sign of things to come this Dragon Year?!

Yay! Live updates streaming on a day to day basis (I hope). Motormouth reached home extremely early this morning (almost uncharacteristically me, some may say), and thankful for that as I was informed that the traffic jam this afternoon on the North-South expressway was REALLY bad … about 20-30km/hour at best. So, if you’re one who’s sunbathing (terribly scorching today!) out there, drive safe. You know you do not want to miss the onslaught of mega-lip-smacking stories throughout the week …..

Imagine having to smoke every single piece manually, at a rate of thousands of pieces everyday! I would have thrown in the towel LONG before the tenth basket!

An air of festivity is definitely in the air, was grinning from ear to ear catching a glimpse of MH Tower (next to the drive-thru McDonald’s near to Jusco/Tesco in Medan Ipoh Bistari. Then the spanking new row of shops fronting Ipoh Hometown Restaurant that looked promising, yet I wonder what else can they open (new coffee shops, Japanese restaurant, fast food chain again?) that’s a cut above the rest.

Now, read on for the impromptu food run @ Simee in Ipoh …… Read the rest of this entry »

Trays of freshly baked, flaky golden brown puffs filled with delightful ‘kaya’ (sweet coconut jam) from Sin Eng Heong on Clare Street (Jalan Mustapha al-Bakri) in Ipoh.

In a matter of days, Sin Eng Heong would be celebrating its 50 years in business. Yup, you’re not dreaming. It’s not 5, 10, 15 or 30 years anniversary. Half a century on, and the brand’s stronger than ever.

Not only that, they’re even expanding to the adjacent shoplot. If you’ve been there before, joining the snaking queue come weekends/public holidays (sometimes only to be turned away regrettably because the not-so-selfless one in front of you bought the last 50 pieces!), and survived to tell the tale, then you would have borne witness to their unparalleled popularity.

Modern technology? What technology?

Read on for more revealing shots of the stripped-down-to-its-finest-core manner of manufacturing/baking, and a revelation of this Ipoh’s legacy in the making.

Read the rest of this entry »

A Meat Floss Puff now? Something different from Sin Eng Heong for a change, in case of the legendary “Kaya Kok” (Kaya puff; a type of pastry filled with a smooth, creamy and sweet coconut and egg jam)

To imagine I started this post way early this morning, waking up early and more refreshed than the projected complete devastation of Motormouth’s spirit and soul after a weekend in the Klang Valley.

Today’s a public holiday in Selangor too, hence the whole day of rest. Can’t say I am pleased and fully adapted to the traffic in KL, and the general speedier pace of life.

For someone hailing from good old Ipoh, this is a very, very jarring difference …..

And yup, you read that right. This post took me a good 16 hours to complete. Not that I wrote a whale of a masterpiece. In fact, that is so far from the truth. Do read on for more incoherent nonsense from Motormouth, and the new creation from Sin Eng Heong; hands down one of the top confectionery in all of Ipoh. Frankly, how often do you see Yee Hup, or even Ching Han Guan crowded to the sidewalks?! Read the rest of this entry »

Gorgeously Golden; the buttery and fragrant Cempedak Cake from Hoong Tho in old town of Ipoh

If you’re an avid fan of Secret Recipe’s, JJ Cakes or Gold Vision, then you’re probably cursing under your breath now, or soon to be loading your ammunition and warming up your artillery in anticipation of bumping into Motormouth on the streets.

For what you’re about to read in this post won’t fit exactly into the mould, YOUR mould to be exact. We have a possible candidate for the one and only “Cempedak Cake” in Ipoh, a sweet Teochew biscuit named “Lar Pia” (or literally translated into WAX biscuit!) and a fluffy kaya puff that has already reached legendary status amongst the locals and tourists to Ipoh. Read on to find out …. Read the rest of this entry »

I was sour. I felt disappointed. But yet I concurred and paid a visit to Ipoh famous “Tong Sui Kai” aka Dessert Street (Pusat Makanan Rainbow City yesterday night (anyone bumped into me there?), for the inaugural Ipoh Hawkers’ Fest/Karnival Penjaja Ipoh, lasting from 25th-27th December 2009.

I can’t hide the fact that I felt short-changed when first laying my eyes on that piece of flyer distributed prior to the launching of the event yesterday. But Christmas SHOULD be a time for forgiveness, joy and a resounding cheers, instead of jeers.

So, just sit back, embrace the long weekend, and enjoy the shots of the event mentioned ……

Menteri Besar of Perak – Dato` Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir making his rounds, buying some HEONG PENG?!!!

Read the rest of this entry »

Sin Eng Heong – They moved a few shops away from their original location, expanding their business in an air-conditioned shop

Anyway, I’m still stressed out from the drive to oblivion (somehow the images of the underworld in Hellboy II struck my mind, but rest assured it’s not THAT bad). And haven’t sort my photos yet. Probably tomorrow I’ll share my experience staying at Sg. Klah Hot Spring Resort, and of course, some of the food we ate along the way.

For now, be contented with something I’ve wanted to share with you for a long, long time. =)

Lady in Red : Which one you want? This, this, this, or that?

Lady with handbag : Ish, hmmm …. (pondering).

I’ve always been a fan of Sin Eng Heong‘s kaya puffs, and various pastries, from mini mooncakes to lou por peng (wife’s biscuits). Mum had been buying them since years ago, before Ho Chak (a food programme in Malaysia courtesy of 8TV) and various media started raving about their kaya puff.

Fresh from the oven, fragrant and crispy delights ….

Previously operating two doors away, they moved to this new location, and revamped the ambience, albeit increasing the price by a minimal margin. However at a mere RM0.60 per piece (5 April 2010 – Now it’s RM0.70 per piece), the puff may look mini, but in fact packed with flavours from the awesome kaya (egg jam) fillings, and the flaky, crispy-when-hot pastry.

A box of 5 delicious kaya puffs to satisfy those cravings for something sweet and flaky.

Fragrant, and sweet egg-licious “kaya” filling

Perfect when consumed hot, or fresh from the oven, the puff retain their crispiness even after several hours. Some may find the kaya filling a tad too sweet, but for me, it’s perfect. Pair them with a piping hot cup of frothy milk tea, or white coffee, and tea time ain’t boring no more. 😉

There’s no denying their pulling power, ya?

Situated within the vicinity of the old Foh San Dimsum, Lou Wong Ayam Tauge, Funny Mountain Soya Bean/Tau Fu Fa, Yin Yau Kui Hakka Mee (relocated to New Paris opposite the road), Xin Quan Fang’s Curry Noodle, Aun Kheng Lim’s Salted Chicken and various other popular eateries, this area smacked in the middle of Ipoh town is an ideal spot for food crawl, for locals and tourists alike.

On weekends and public holidays, the acclaimed pastries may run out fast, therefore give them a call before you go, to avoid leaving empty-handed and sour-faced. v_v But their other pastries are equally nice, and should satiate your cravings for some snacks.

Location :
Sin Eng Heong Foodstuff Manufacturers
No. 64, Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakri (Jalan Clare)
30300 Ipoh, Perak.
Telephone : 05- 2439659, or 012-4534596 (Elaine).