Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Raw Fish Porridge (RM5)

The densed “shopping area”, selling various fashionable bags/shoes/clothes are intermittently parked among some pretty good find for interesting food & beverages. If you’re visiting at night, the place is a hive of activities, customers (mostly tourists/foreigners) bargaining at peak volume, and locals hanging around for some food and relaxation.

Hon Kee Porridge Stall @ Jalan Hang Lekir (Nvm the shoes temptation)

But strolling around on a fine morning does not promise boredom either, eventhough most stalls are closed. Hon Kee Porridge Stall is one of the rare finds, though adequately covered in the media, from TV shows, to newspapers and blogs. Their signature porridge include the one with raw fish slices in sesame oil, garnished with julienned ginger, spring onions and coriander.

No, you DO not eat the fish ala sashimi style, but rather dip them or ‘swish‘ them for a while in the hot porridge, and cook them freshly on the spot. Delicious, and this coming from someone who refrains from ordering porridge on most days. =)

Koon Kee Wantan Mee Stall @ Jalan Hang Lekir

Right next to the porridge stall is this wantan mee shop/shack (Koon Kee) that has been in business since forever. This stall has been in the limelight for an enviable amount of times, and most KL-ites would know this place for good wantan mee.

Char Siew Wantan Mee (RM4 for small)

A bit on the pricey end, the serving is quite generous for a small portion. The Char Siew (Barbecued Pork Slices) were passable, definitely not on par with some of the best, but the noodles are good. Very fine, and springy. However the wantan (pork+shrimp dumplings) are forgettable. So much for a WANTAN mee. Hehe ….

Scoop your own pickled green chillies for added kick … not spicy.

Still hungering for more, I jaywalked around and came to this curry puff stall, with sizeable number of patrons, and a few assistants kneading the dough and frying them on the spot! And the sheer number of puffs being freshly made persuaded me to walk over, and embrace the hype.

Old Lim Curry Puff – A contender for Old Chang Kee?!

They sell curry puffs with or without eggs. RM1.30 and RM1.10 respectively, I think. The stall was interviewed by Ho Chak, a local programme on 8TV promoting good food across Malaysia. (Both the porridge and wantan noodles stalls were on the show once, btw).

Hot, spicy, curry puff with potatoes and egg (RM1.30)

Tastewise? Not bad, as I had them while they’re still HOT. Crisp on the outer layer, and savoury fillings. Great with tea, though you can’t really find a spot for teh tarik around the area. On normal days, right beside this stall is the famous lady selling deep-fried sweet potato balls, also a perennial favourite of mine, and the stall was ‘licked’ by the media as well. However, as luck would have it, the lady went for holidays on that very day. Hmm …. *_*

The simple, yet divine stall serving Air Mata Kucing (Longan Drink)

To down them all, hop over to this very famous stall selling a beverage named Air Mata Kucing, or Winter Melon with Longans (RM1.20). Perfect for a hot day, refreshing and sweet. Sooth that battered throat anyday! This simple stall has evolved into a small entrepreneur of some sort, opening a branch in Midvalley. Though the price is scaled accordingly. =)

Regurgitating aliens?

And last but not least, I ended my breakfast crawl with some durian puffs from Kafe Happy Meal, on Jalan Tun HS Lee. Refer my old post HERE for directions and such. But sadly, an unfortunate event happened, that prevented me from raving a second time about these babies. No, not that the price has increased to RM2.80 for 4, as I still find them reasonable.

But rather, by the time I took a bite, a good 5 hours after purchasing and left to bask in the sun, the puffs rebelled and decided to transformed into inedible materials. In short, they were spoiled. >o<

Do take note, if you’re not placing them in fridge, consume within 2 hours or so. The fresh durian cream is indeed, FRESH, and no preservatives added.

Location : The porridge, wantan mee, curry puffs and air mata kucing stalls are all located in the same area, a short walk from each other. Jalan Hang Lekir is a road parallel to Jalan Petaling, and also infested with various stalls. Pretty easy to locate. Coming from the huge entrance arch of Petaling Street, walk into Jalan Petaling until you reach a crossroad. Turn left, and you’ll find the Air Mata Kucing stall on your left, and the porridge/wantan noodles stalls on your right. The curry puffs stall is further down on your left.

Eiffel Restaurant … the posh-iest of names?

Of course, floggers get together equals food. Nothing more, nothing less. LOL. Jason was kind enough to set up a destination somewhere near Cheras, at record time, I might add. (Thanks, Jason, owe u another one! =P). The instance I heard the name Eiffel Restaurant, an image of French cuisine in a swank high-end restaurant was projected in my mind. Gulp …. *o*

Vietnam Chicken Pan Mee (Flour Noodle) (RM12)

But pleasantly surprised the restaurant he had chosen is a down to earth one, serving Chinese cuisine. Pasted on the walls were paper cuttings of reviews by various local papers, mostly Chinese media, but a reason to gloat, nevertheless.

Seafood Pan Mee (RM15)

One of their signature items include pan mee, or flat flour noodle, cooked in a variety of broth, and garnished with various ingredients, from chicken to seafood, and everything in between. (Hehe, I was lazy to check the options, sorry).

We ordered two types to be shared, one being the Vietnam style chicken while another being a new item NOT on the menu yet, which was the Seafood crab meat version (I think). The former fared better in my opinion, with generous servings of fried chicken fillet, cooked Vietnamese style, though the lemongrass somehow deterred me from fully enjoying the dish. (sorry, Lyrical one if you’re reading this, but I DO avoid lemongrass at all costs).

The other version of the noodle was a disappointment, as the stock was too thick and gooey, drowning the pan mee, though the prawns and whatnot (fish roes?) did save the dish somehow.

Thai-style Chicken

The Thai-style deep fried chicken fillet was a safe choice, with crunchy young mango/apple (once again, my memory failed me … ) strips delivered an amalgam of tastes, being tangy, sour, spicy and sweet at the same time.

Fried Rice with Salted Egg (RM6)

Jason personally recommended two dishes, one being the fried rice with salted eggs. Unpretentious in appearance, but sadly, the same applies to the taste. Don’t get me wrong, the rice was fried to perfection, not soggy nor too dry, but lacked the oomph we all expected. Jason himself commented that previously the dish was better.

Money Bags? (RM10)

Another one of recommendation impressed us, the fried dumplings-thingy (sorry forgot the name) were delicious, and required no dipping sauce (though chilli sauce was provided if I’m not mistaken). A must-try!

Reeking of mango-mania …. (RM4.50)

The desserts are the shop’s specialty as well, judging from the options available, and the restaurant is approriately named Eiffel Restaurant and Dessert House. Though you might be forgiven if you’re expecting hot Chinese sweet soups (eg. Bubur Cha-Cha and the likes), as you won’t find them here.

Reasonably priced at RM4.50 per humongous bowl, the snowy mountain ice blended with fruits (a nick I created myself, as I did not bother to check the menu, =P) will definitely refresh you till no end, quenching thirst, and dare I say, even appease hunger pangs. I had the mango variety, and only realized when my bowl was nearly empty that, surprise! surprise! They added an EGG or two into the dessert! No wonder so creamy and milky.

Mint Chocolate Milk Shake … or at least it looks like one to me! (RM4)

The meal was a reasonable RM77.50 for 5 of us. The place is air-conditioned, but with a homely setting.

Location : Eiffel Restaurant @ 159. Jalan Lancang, Taman Seri Bahtera, Cheras. Tel : 03-91304234. Very near to the roundabout in Cheras, situated near Tesco Extra. Do ask the KL-ites (eg. Jason/Tummythoz/Foodcookies for directions).

P/S : It was a pleasure meeting you guys, and looking forward to the next one! ^o^

Situated in the middle of a row of heritage shophouses

Meng Kee Char Siew has a following of its own, probably due to slightly higher exposure than any other Char Siew stalls in Kuala Lumpur. Yup, various TV shows had done coverage on this simple unassuming shop, famed for its Char Siew, and steamed chicken.

Glistening, caramelized pork …

During lunch hours, the place is usually packed to the brim. Even more so on public holidays, when tourists from all over would drop by, just for the one single dish that had brought so much fame (and fortune) to the proprietors with such an amazing culinary delight.

Rice cooked with chicken oil

Probably I did not request for a specific cut, therefore only lean meat was served to us. Tough and chewy, the Char Siew did not manage to impress me, more so due to my previous (absolutely) positive visit to Famous Seremban Favourites. Comparison is unavoidable. Though coming in a close second, the Char Siew served here still trumps the other stalls in Ipoh that I’ve tried so far.

Classic, nostalgic feel of the interior. Notice the crowd?

A meal for two, including rice came to around RM12. Yup, definitely not hawker level of pricing. But you’re paying for its history, a legend in its own league, slightly over-rated I’d say, but satiated my carnivorous appetite nevertheless. Least this provides me an opportunity (and excuse … =P) to embark and continue my search for the BEST Char Siew there is in Malaysia?

Choose your favourite ambience. Inside the shop, at their corridor, OR at the sidewalk. LOL

Location : Tengkat Tong Shin, a road that is parallel to Jalan Alor. A short walk from Bukit Bintang shopping paradise.

Documenting their success over the causeway …

Fast food outlets are a dime a dozen in Malaysia. But one that serves traditional Indonesian food in a modern setting is quite unheard of.

Write down your order on a piece of paper provided, then pay at the counter before the food is served at your table …

Ayam Penyet (RM7.90)

Their signature dish is their Ayam Penyet, or Indonesian style Flattened Fried Chicken. Supposedly flattened to tenderize the meat. Unlike the usual ayam goreng from Nasi Kandar stalls, or Malay style fried chicken, the one served here is marinated with some special sauce, before deep-frying, and served with crunchy batter. Expected the meat to be dry, but luckily it wasn’t. The sambal is fiery, but you can request for milder version if desired.

Gado-Gado (Indonesian salad in peanut sauce) RM5.90

The gado-gado however, was a disappointment. I expected the peanut gravy to be chunkier, and nuttier. Too diluted for my liking.

Indonesian Milk Tea and Soda Gembira (Happy Soda .. Wa-Hey!!! =P)

Tempted to try their avocado juice, but the streaky chocolate sauce put me off. Probably next time. Haha …. The milk tea was good, at only RM2.50, while the Soda Gembira is a mixture of F&N Strawberry Soda, and evaporated milk. (RM3.50). Surprisingly, their drinks menu is quite extended, and a cute warning stating : “Caution! some of these beverages are addictive! Enjoy at your own risk. ” Oopps …. Guess I gotta go satiate my cravings soon …. 😉

Their menu covers various other penyet-able items, such as beef, pomfret, prawns, chicken wings etc. They also serve grilled items, as well as stews and soups. Worth a try, before the novelty wears off?

Location : The Curve, 1st Floor, Unit 132, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya. Tel : 603-77106761. Log on to http://www.waroengpenyet.com/ for more information.

Wanna get penyet (flattened) further? Check these other reviews out :

masak-masak

VKeong

KYSpeaks

Jackson‘s

Funny name for some fancy cheese cakes?

Since reading various posts by other floggers on The Loaf’s amazing Japanese-style cheese-cupcakes, I knew I had to try them someday. Ladies & gentlemen, D-Day has arrived, in style.

??? Orange – Forgot the full name, but citrus-y, tangy, and sweet. (3.5/5)

Durian Obsession – Probably the most obnoxious/smelly/fragrant/flavourful of the lot, sure to attract durian-lovers. The soft, crumbly layer on top has an uncanny resemblance to pavlova/meringue texture. (4/5)

Tangy Lemon – The plain Jane of the pack. Slight hint of lemon aftertaste. (3/5)

Refreshing Longan – Bland, with a pair of longan fruits embedded underneath, but the crunchy almond flakes save the day. (3.5/5)

Glitzy Strawberries – Presentable, dazzling, albeit stingy pistachio bits, no doubt the superstar of the lot, stealing the limelight from the otherwise dark/gloomy/pale colours of the others. Sweet, typical strawberry jam flavour. (4/5)

Luxurious Chocolate – Luscious, decadent, not run-of-the-mill type of cocoa powder. Possible best of the lot. Simple, but got the job done. (4.5/5)

The whole half dozen of fluffy goodness (RM25)

A saving grace, after the Alexis episode. RM5 per piece, but BUY 5 FREE 1 promotion. Get them while they’re still around. Various flavours available for picking. Sweet tooth FINALLY satisfied. Time to move on to some meatier deals in following posts …. G’nite. v_v

Location : The Loaf @ Lot 3.13.00 on 3rd floor of Pavilion, 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

Al fresco dining option @ alexis

But of course, this blog aims to please the inner foodies in everyone, NOT rants on political matters. Blogs of political nature are ample enough to go around in the blogosphere for years to come, or possibly until the next election. Hehe ….

Selection of delights to please the sweet tooth …

Searching high and low for a spot for tea break, we were torn between Cova, Alexis, SBread and Nyonya Colors. Nah … Drop the last one. Over-rated pricey nyonya kuih. (Flamers still welcomed. Fanboys anyone? =P) Ended up at Alexis on 1st floor of The Gardens. Pretty easy to locate, though hidden in one corner.

Black and White Chocolate Cake (RM11)

The place was strangely quite empty. But it was a weekday’s evening, after all. Ushered to a corner and seated. The ambience exudes a cool, cozy, and modern aura at the same time. Perfect for a chattering good time. Walked over to the cakes counter, picked 2 slices and whipped my tool out. My phone, I meant. Hehe …

Chocolate Nutty Meringue (Rm13)

I was snapping at the wide array of cakes at the counter, when I noticed the waitress whispering to another. Then as I was about to shoot the beautiful wine display rack, a waitress warned me not to, as it’s in their ‘policy‘ not to let customers take photos, and I’d have to request permission from their manager. Huh? WTF …. I explained that I was snapping the photos for personal use, nothing more. Still she insisted that I talk to the manager first.

Ridiculous. To sum up my feelings at that moment. What if I’m celebrating a birthday/anniversary at that time, and cameras are clicking away, as expected. Must I put my hands up (ala primary school students) and apply for a written attestation? Not one to create a scene, I retraced my steps and waited ‘eagerly‘ for their prized desserts.

The ambience … supposedly dimmed yellow lights, but credits to my hp. Haha!!

The meringue cake fared better IMO, as the abundance of macadamia nuts did the trick. The black and white chocolate cake sucked, big time. To pour salt to the wound, that was a recommended item by the guy manning the counter (who BTW, was not fluent at all when suggesting recommendations). Plain water was NOT served, until we requested for them, although the bunch of waiters were chatting away near the counter. And don’t even wish for them to refill your water without prompts. Yeah, and service charge is 10%. Go figure.

Location : Lot F209, First Floor, The Gardens, Mid Valley City. Tel : 603-22872281.

Other branches at Bangsar Baru, Bangsar Shopping Centre, and Ampang’s Great Eastern Mall. For more info, click HERE.

Crispy Prawn Puffs

Vague memories of masak-masak‘s previous posts on various food outlets in Taman Bukit Maluri, Kepong guided us to the aforementioned garden, and once we saw a few row of shops, our food-hunting instincts instantly sprang to life, and our eyes darted the area for potential target.

Prawn and Scallops Dumplings

Tuck Kee Restaurant …. sounded familiar. Not to be confused with the one in Ipoh, this restaurant was reviewed in The Star’s Sunday Metro sometime in May 2008, and famous for a special dish of braised shark’s lips. Yup, heard that right. But I decided to be prudent, for fear of over-spending (“,), thus chose to order their dim sum instead.

Char Siew Pastries

The variety available for order was neither impressive nor little. Other than serving dim sum, you can opt for noodles, or dishes with rice if you’re in a larger group. As there were only 2 of us, we decided to order a portion of their Fried Vermicelli with Clams (La-la) at RM6.

Fried Beehoon (Vermicelli) with La-La (Clams) RM6

A Klang’s specialty, the noodles were fried with generous amount of small clams, eggs and bean sprouts. Though a bit bland, addition of the Kampung Koh’s chilli sauce would do the trick and perk the dish up. Not a fan of beehoon, I have to admit they fried them quite well, not too soggy nor too hard. Wished it was a little more flavourful.

Loh Mai Kai (Glutinous Rice)

The Loh Mai Kai was a slight disappointment, a tad oily, and not dry enough. Somehow, I prefer Ipoh’s dim sum joints’ version of the Chinese delicacy.

Wu Kok (Yam Puffs)

Overall, the quality of the dim sum paled in comparison with some of Ipoh’s better offerings. But surprisingly, to be seated in air-conditioned environment, and restaurant setting, the dim sum are priced rather reasonably. A meal for two, including Ti Kuan Yin (Chinese tea) came to RM27.30 only, after tax. Plus, we get desserts, on the house!

Mixed Fruit Platter and Jelly

Strangely, I liked the jelly. They were made from either Sunkist orange cordial drink, OR extracts from lime, OR whatever ingredients they put in. The texture was akin to konnyaku type of jelly. Lovely. Plus, they were FREE. Need I say more? 😉

Location : No 39, Jln Burung Jentayu, Tmn Bukit Maluri, Kepong 51200 Kuala Lumpur.

For other floggers’ take on Tuck Kee, do hop over to :

Babe in the City

The Star’s Sunday Metro