Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Nothing short of a typhoon, earthquake, Armageddon or political meltdown (hehe) will stop me dead in my tracks when I set my mind to it. I’m talking about a food hunt of course; in particular this trial & tribulations of covering a small, almost non-descriptive shop in Pasir Pinji of Ipoh selling Nyonya kuih for more than two decades.

Yes, Khoo Eng Chee‘s the brand that has since been categorized as one of the stalwarts of Ipoh’s Nyonya kuih scene, though even many of the locals are not aware of its existence. Can’t put the blame on you, really. Since apparently, their main source of business comes from wholesale of their sweet creations to various kuih stalls around Ipoh.

Ready for the lowdown? (And can you say FINALLY?!!)

Read the rest of this entry »

Life’s a freaking carnival @ AEON Station 18, Pasir Puteh, Ipoh; the new and easily largest shopping mall in all of Perak. (And no, the Golden Retriever does not come with the experience)

A few posts back, I was actually very keen to explore this brand new shopping mall in Ipoh; a new Jusco (now a blanket rebranding to AEON across all outlets). I still vaguely remember how back in 1997 the first Jusco opened its doors in Ipoh, effectively burying the ghost of Super Kinta’s past. Although one might say that the Jusco Kinta City has seen better days, yet the shopping mall is rarely empty even on weekdays. Try to visit on weekends or public holidays, or worse … the festive season (CNY especially!) and you’ll be wondering what the fuss was about over this two-floors departmental store.

Then, AEON Station 18 arrived on the scene. A good 15 years later, and I guess folks staying around Ipoh Barat must have been overjoyed at this development. Rather than bracing an astounding 10km drive (don’t laugh, here in Ipoh every km feels like miles …) to Ipoh Garden East, they can literally hop over to Station 18 instead.

And I know a post without any food will sound dry and bland. So here’s a menu featuring 20 types of noodles (!) to tie you over @ The Mia Eating House; within a short drive away from AEON Station 18.

As usual, if you’re ready for the insanity, jump on the bandwagon ….. Read the rest of this entry »

Sar Kok Liew (Stuffed yambean/jicama) has been featured on this blog countless times before. But if you have not been enamoured by the droolworthy stories, what’s holding you back?

I remember how we used to look forward to Chinese New Year back when we were kids. And slightly beyond the age of toddlers; bordering on being adolescents. The moments when we would happily shopped for new clothes (Kiko, Kiki-Lala, and even the random Thundercats shirts from the morning market!) and shoes (always with velcro, since I was pretty bad at tying knots with shoe laces).

Then the sheer joy of eating the festive cookies; of which most notably … the Kuih Kapit (“love letters”; a crispy biscuit folded into a fan-like shape made from a batter of eggs and coconut milk) comes to mind.

A refreshed touch of glam in the coat of purple paint. Where is this, you asked? Old town of Ipoh. As in the oldest portion of the vicinity, I reckon.

And here’s a story on where we bought our ‘kuih kapit’ for years … Read the rest of this entry »

The address and contact number printed on the menu for easy reference …

Yesterday (yes, this IS recent) me, TallGal and FCOE were running around the whole of Kinta district, from Lahat to Tasek. Strangely when the time was nigh for lunch, we discovered the intended destinations were all closed on Mondays. Suffice to say, hunger pangs overpowered rationale, and we ended up at a vegetarian restaurant in Taman Ipoh Permai, at a corner shoplot next to Citrus Wine & Dine (click HERE for my review on Citrus).

Vegetarian Fried Rice Noodles (Char Kuey Teow) RM3.50

Some of you might have realised that I have never reviewed any vegetarian food, for being the omnivores (or rather, carnivores) that we are, going vege without special occasions somehow did not cross our minds. But I vaguely remembered Mum claimed this newly opened restaurant had my aunt’s seal of approval (my aunt being a rather picky eater, btw).

Loh Hon Chai (Mixed Vege) Rice RM3.50

The lady boss practised a different approach when it comes to ordering. How? She SITS on an empty chair at your table, uninvited no less, and slowly take your order. Too close for comfort? Nah … Maybe she anticipated our indecisiveness, and would not risk standing for hours while we oogle at the items on the menu.

Butter Milky Chicken Chop with Rice (RM5)

TallGal had the Penang Char Kuey Teow (recommended by our “friend”, the lady boss), FCOE chose the Loh Hon Chai Rice, while I was still hoping to satiate the carnivorous appetite by picking the Chicken Chop Rice (also suggested by “her”).

All in all, the dishes were quite delicious, being vegetarian food and all. Which kind of explained the nearly fully-patronised outlet even it was way past lunch hour. Total for 3 including drinks came to RM18. Reasonable enough. They serve an impressive range of dishes as well as individual meals, such as fried rice, noodles, and etc.

Min Sin Yie Vegetarian Restaurant

Location : 39, Laluan Permai 1, Taman Ipoh Permai, 31400 Ipoh. Tel : 012-5322856. Closed on Wednesdays, unless it’s the 1st or 15th of the month in Chinese lunar calendar.

Now, don’t go yet, for something slightly different, I need some ‘professional‘ opinions here :

LULU : Aahhh … Where’s my knight in shining armour????

BOB : Ahem ahem. I’m the perfect candidate! (At least I hope to be one …. )

My Golden Retriever, LULU, is looking for a life partner. Muahaha … What do YOU think? =P

Yummylicious Wu Kok (Yam Puffs) @ RM1.10 each

For now, I’ll just share a simple snack that I’ve had the privilege to relish, courtesy of my aunt who visits the Bercham morning market often. My aunts are food connoiseurs in their own rights, as you might have noticed in my older post on Choy Kee’s egg tarts where another aunt of mine buys them and drops them at my doorsteps on Saturday morning, ala Santa Claus style. LOL.

Anyway, these babies (the yam puffs/wu kok, not my aunts) are delicious especially when served hot, the outer layers of yam crispy and full of yam-my flavours, while the solid fillings of green peas, char siew etc delightfully moist, and scrumptious. Better than most of the dim sum outlets, EVEN Foh San’s. Really.

Location : Bercham morning market. One of the stalls I guess. Sorry, never bother to ask for directions, but will be glad to do so if anyone is interested to get their hands on them.

On a side note, let’s side track and see what my Golden Retriever is currently up to ….. =P

Eeeeee ………………

CHAK !!!!!

Oh, hide-and-seek? But not from a hiding position. She’s grown too big and lazy to be running around, like she used to. Muahaha ….. (whoops, I guess she’s taken a resemblance to her owner, probably? =O )

hehehe …. don’t i look happy?

A break from the usual indulgence. One of these days i will run out of things to blog, therefore saving some precious food pics for dire hours.

As a filler, look at how Lulu had grown over the year. Slightly one year plus, her estimated birth date to be Feb 19 2007, she had grown to be one fine Golden Retriever, still extremely naughty and playful, but very very gracious and obedient (only at certain times – MEAL time). Everybody loves her, even those who are afraid of dogs, as she has this particular aura of friendliness and easy going attitude. Not to mention every guest who came to my house would be ‘licked’ and ‘pounced’ at least once. No exception. 😉