Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog

From Chapter One …. The perilous journey continued ….

The Archway to the Highlands

Did the mythos reveal anything of relevance, about this place? Gunung Mat Chinchang, standing tall, amidst the clouds in the sky, overlooking the western coast of this equally exotic island?

This poor boy’s artillery exclude a History textbook. (And of course, a dictionary’s unheard of, as well as Morale Studies textbook. Does he even need one?) Hence no recollection whatsoever on this highland, at the western end of Langkawi, requiring about 30 minutes of travelling by bullock cart (car) from Kuah town, and a RM15 flying carriage (Cable car) ride to the top.

A map to the treasures in Oriental Village CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

Once upon a time, there lived a young, innocent, and naive Ipoh boy who has never stepped on the soils of Langkawi; a mystical island to the north of Peninsula Malaysia, filled with myths, legends and many more stories untold. Seven generations cursed, the island (now branded as Geopark) has now achieved considerable fame, and fortune.

Then, opportunity knocked on this poor boy’s door. He was offered a fully-paid ‘trip‘ of sorts, for a full 5 days in Langkawi, the island destination he was hoping so much to visit, deep down in his heart. Though the journey was smooth (thanks to the sparkly & propelling Firefly), the stay wasn’t so. Trapped in a dungeon with looming threats, from toads-infested loo to 40-suicidal-feet of towering doom, and rations polluted (poisoned) with giant flies’ eggs. CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

Since we’re on a roll here, let’s review another restaurant serving banana leaf curry rice (BLR – sc’s the one who coined this, not me!) in Ipoh …. but feel free to look away if BLR’s not your thing. But Malaysians being Malaysians, who can say NO (!!) to heaps of white rice on a banana leaf, generously doused with curries, served with a meat of choice, and unlimited servings of vegetables. And a piece of those addictive, crunchy papadom for good measure.

Unlimited gravies, and vegetable side dishes, one can have a VERY heavy lunch and suffer the consequences. The post-lunch syndrome x 10 = Logs @ Work.

Previous experience at Samy’s left us wanting for more, Mr Z & FCOE recommended this outlet on Maxwell Road in Ipoh, simply named NS Curry House, an unassuming choice given the far from city location, as well as the lack of publicity thereof. But wait, since they’re foodies in their own rights (=P), we took their words for it, and ventured to this outlet one fine afternoon. (P/S : See? Mr Z/FCOE ; I’m skipping all backlogs for this post, dedicated to you guys …. hehehe …)

Chemor, in case you’re wondering, is a small town in Perak, about 25 km from Ipoh, and near to Sungai Siput, and Kuala Kangsar. Previous entry on Chemor’s food (and the only one, as far as I can recall!) was on Hoong Wan’s Fish Noodles, and that was ages ago.

A name most food enthusiasts in and around Ipoh would be familiar with ….

Samy Restaurant is one of the household name, a force to be reckoned with, so to speak, in this part of Kinta district. Serving delectable Indian banana leaf cuisine, the place is routinely packed with factory workers from the various industrial parks within the vicinity, namely Tasek, Chemor, Kanthan and Sungai Siput. On weekends, even tourists stop by for a finger-licking good meal while on the way to Kuala Kangsar (using the trunk road).

Red, fiery, and tantalising curries in claypots for your choosing

Be there early, before 12pm if possible, to beat the crowd. But the patrons here do not mind sharing their tables, given the fact that the set up mostly consists of long tables (ala canteen style), thus strangers may be sitting next to each other, licking their fingers while seemingly in trance from the addictive curry dishes.

White rice served on a banana leaf, with various vegetable dishes; Pickled cucumber, pineapple and onions, Curry potatoes, carrots and long beans, & The Usual …. Cabbage

First up, march into the shop, all the while stealing glances at the counter up front, picking your dish of preference. From curry chicken to dry mutton curry, as well as crabs, de-shelled prawns curry and squids, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Lest you come here with a few companions (makan kakis?), you’ll be better off picking ONE dish, rather than being ambitious and try one of each!

Drench your rice with the vegetable curry, complemented by a cup of Rasam and a crispy Papadam. To douse the fire (don’t worry, the dishes ain’t spicy), wash it all down with a cool, and sweet glass of Cow’s Milk

Curry Mutton with Potatoes

Curry Chicken with Potatoes

People tucking in to their serving of banana leaf goodness, completely ignoring the intrusion of privacy in the form of licking one’s fingers on the side

a sweet ending …. in the form of Laddu (50 cents)

RM28.90 for 16 mini ‘bottles’ of chocolatey goodness ….. with a twist

Makes REAL perfect ornaments for display eh? Pity they can’t weather the calls of nature …. as in the threat of EXPIRING.

Oozing REAL liquor … from vodka, to cognac and such. Blissful stuff.

Wondering where in the world Motormouth’s been these past few days? Sorry guys, I was literally ‘trapped’ in Langkawi Island, for a good (tormenting?) 5 days. Normal reaction to a 5 days break from work, plus spending that period on one of the most popular island destination in Malaysia, could only lead to EUPHORIA.

A plane with propellers …. now, that’s a new one.

Rather ashamed to admit, this was my virginal visit to the island. Yup, disgraceful I know, being a born-here-bred-here Malaysian and all. But the same held true when I left my initial footprints on Teluk Batik beach about a week or so ago. =)

Guess I’m covering new grounds …. domestically.

Of banana, chocolate and vanilla …. Kenny’s best offerings. CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »