Motormouth From Ipoh – Malaysian Food & Travel

Kong Sai-style Stuffed Beancurd Pouch with Minced Meat & Fish Paste (RM12/USD3)

Writing anonymously behind this ‘Motormouth veil’ has granted me immunities; escaping from awkward moments of being recognized when religiously snapping photographs (it’s a mental illness, supposedly) of the same plate of noodles or inducing crazed stares from passerby when lying belly first on the ground while shooting a flower, fungi or a bug.

But of course, out of these five-odd years of continuously feeding you with my doses of sumptuous poisons, there were those infrequent times when the random uncle/auntie manning the stall reacted in unpredictable ways.

I got reprimanded. Shooed away. Scolded. Laughed at. Ignored. Yet, I was happy about it. This burning, indomitable spirit of a ghost writer.

Somewhere, somehow … things ran slightly off track. And I guess, something’s gotta give. It’s a delicate balance of being myself vs this brash, forever-hungry Motormouth.

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1. Fraser’s Hill’s most iconic clock tower in the centre of town

Always a  pleasure to enjoy extended weekends; a privilege not many counterparts in the other countries can boast of. Indeed, when push comes to shove; at least we still have a cause to rejoice for and proudly proclaiming ourselves to be citizens of Malaysia. In spite of the recent (and ongoing) political spat, I felt glad seeing Malaysians from all walks of life gleefully soaking in the summer air (it’s always summer …) while seeking respite from the heatwave up on the hills of Fraser’s.

Fraser’s Hill has been one of the most popular hotspots for tourists visiting Selangor for decades now; albeit I have to admit that this was my first visit and the general interest is dwindling amongst the younger generations; instead opting for the “Big 2 Highlands”; Genting and Cameron before looking at alternatives like Fraser’s and Maxwell.

2. The Selangor Dam that you will pass by before you reach The Gap; the foot of Fraser’s Hill.

To bring us closer to the end of May, allow Motormouth to relive the memories of Fraser’s Hill and the journey to Kuala Kubu Bharu town and beyond. Once again, if you’re itching for a bite, holding off on that pertinent nature’s call or within minutes from a meeting appointment, by all means, please read this during your leisure time.

Dozens of photos ahead. And a very liberal dose of rants and ramblings. Motormouth-style.  Read the rest of this entry »

Gone were the days when we used to see old ladies pushing trolleys and carts filled with piping fresh dim sum from the kitchen; shouting on top of their lungs …”Har Gau! Siew Mai! Char Siew Bao! Lor Mai Gai!”.

It’s no secret that I love dim sum. Could be the love for communal dining; seated at a round table where everyone’s eyeing for the same basket of dainty morsels, all the while chatting away in a loud yet not obnoxious fashion (every single soul around you is doing the same) and at times, vultures standing behind you wondering aloud when are you going to stop ordering platefuls of food.

It’s the experience. Of gathering a group of 3′s (since most dim sum come in triplets) or hoarding an entire table with food for photography sake or plain gluttony. Of waking up during the wee hours of the morning just so you can taste the freshest Har Gau or Char Siew Bao, instead of cold/reheated items. And how eating dim sum brought back extremely fond memories of breakfast at the old Foh San with my late grandpa.

The story continues with an early breakfast last weekend at Clan Dim Sum Restaurant @ Seri Petaling; famed for their Chicken Nest Bun (Gai Woh Bao). Read on for more ramblings on dim sum and life. Read the rest of this entry »

A short distance away from AEON Maluri (previously known as Jusco) is this territory named Pudu Ulu almost uncharted by yours truly aside from passing by while on the way Pandan Indah last time. If you know where Menara PGRM and Petronas station at the crossroad traffic lights are, then you are on the right track.

Yap Chong Restaurant is one of the few highlights along this road named Jalan Pudu Ulu; housed in an almost shack-like environment built under zinc roof, yet with air-conditioning and spanning at least 3 shop lots on your RIGHT if you are coming in from Menara PGRM’s direction.

Their specialty? Hakka cuisine at its best and most humble. Think various porky dishes presented in no holds-barred manner; cooked in a claypot and placed on an aluminium platter.

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Hakka Minced Pork Ban Tiao (RM6/USD2) – Yes, for only RM6 per bowl and substantial portion too. And this .. was at Pavilion’s Ying Ker Lou.

Affordable eating in malls sounds so distant nowadays. Especially when you add cheap, delicious food and Pavilion to the mix.

Ying Ker Lou Restaurant has a few branches in the Klang Valley; all of them located in shopping malls. Naturally, the true Hakka food connoisseurs shy away from the rapidly commercialized brand. Paying almost RM20 for a bowl of Lui Cha rice is one thing, being served a feeble attempt of a classic Hakka fare is another story altogether.

Thankfully, the ‘yum cha’ session during high tea was met with rapturous applause. Though it was only two of us. But the vast selection of dim sum; coupled with reasonable price tags made it all so tempting to go crazy on the orders. Read the rest of this entry »

 Claypot Bak Kut Teh @ Ah Sang in Sungei Way, PJ; an old neighbourhood with an astounding number of foreign workers residing within; plus a few good finds that you might not have heard of.

 But still … Ah Sang Bak Kut Teh deserves the compliments and respect for doing what they still love and believe in after all these years.

A bunch of my ex-colleagues brought me here two years ago. The first bak kut teh restaurant in KL/PJ that managed to make a lasting impression …. not that I have been to many anyway.

Reservation is almost always a must during lunch hours, but you can expect almost God-like speed in churning out pots after pots of the famed Hokkien-style herbal broth laced with chunks of pork (almost every part imaginable) here at Ah Sang.

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A big portion of claypot chicken rice for RM13/USD4.30 that can feed 2-3 pax; with optional salted fish (RM0.50/USD0.20), waxed sausage slices (RM0.50/USD0.20) and egg (RM1.00/USD0.30)

Short of swaying 180 degrees and going infinite rounds, I’d better stick to what I should be doing her on this page. Writing food reviews. Plus maybe a small dose of sarcasm and wittiness in my ramblings. A wee bit, tiny shot only …. okay?

Anyway, this is officially my first review of an eatery in Seri Kembangan or Serdang. Yup, 5 years plus and this is the first time I am stepping foot into the neighbourhood. It sure felt like an entire world of gastronomic delights opened up to me like an oyster baring its pearl.

Let’s stir things up a bit with a review of this particular restaurant named House of Claypots at Taman Equine, Seri Kembangan; the commercial area opposite of AEON Equine Seri Kembangan. And no .. horse meat is NOT on the menu. (Lame, I know … but still)

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