Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog

Campbell Street - The most beautiful street of Georgetown, personally. Take a stroll, and immerse yourself in the unbeatable heritage quality and charm.

Why Penang food all of a sudden?! No reason in particular. But this Sunday brought back memories from last year, when I intended to have my breakfast at Toh Soon Cafe on a beautiful Sunday morning, but the place was closed, ironically.

Toh Soon Cafe looks more like a rundown shack; pardon the lack of a proper description, as the eatery looks more like a stall sandwiched between the colonial structures of Campbell Street.

Not the most savoury of sight, to be eating your breakfast at a congested backlane next to the drain? You’re so wrong. Just look at the crowd ……

A famous breakfast haunt amongst the locals, tourists and shutterbugs alike; Toh Soon prides on their charcoal-toasted bread with own-produced kaya (creamy egg jam with a whiff of coconut milk), half-boiled eggs served in a transparent plastic cup, and a cup of coffee or tea to complete the experience. What sets them apart from the other toast-and-eggs coffee shop is how they literally “get down to business” and painstakingly watch over the bread over charcoal fire …… CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

In search of the BEST Nasi Lemak in Ipoh (bear with me people, for I am rather slow in getting to them all!), I started the ball running with a visit to Allongs Restaurant in Ipoh Garden, within walking distance to Woolley Food City and directly behind of Medan Aneka Selera (aptly named Tung Koo Thing aka Mushroom Stand?).

And no, this is NOT a piece of chicken feet, or a duck’s webbed feet. But instead, a chewy and utterly addictive piece of dried cuttlefish cooked in a spicy chili paste, aka Sambal Sotong Kering.

Allongs Restaurant is famous for their Nasi Lemak, hands down THE epitome of great Malaysian breakfast. You can opt to have your coconut milk-laden fragrant rice to be served with any of the condiments, or side dishes available at the counter, or just trust them on their best bet; aka their signature – Nasi Lemak Sotong Kering.

Aside from Nasi Lemak, the crowd goes for Allongs’ equally delicious Lontong, which is a typical Malay dish consisting of boiled compressed rice (ala ‘ketupat‘), served in a watery yet decadent broth that tasted redolent of ‘santan’ (coconut milk), turmeric, chili paste and various spices.

So does Allongs’ Nasi Lemak deserves to be in the Best Nasi Lemak in Ipoh list? Read on to find out …. CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

Darting across the jam-packed restaurant spanning a few lots, this ‘macha’ clearly threw all caution to the wind, oblivious to the snapping camera, daggering stares, and erm ….. matter of hygiene.

Since I was ranting on a strong contender for Ipoh’s best chapati in my previous post, kindly allow me to follow up with this restaurant tucked in the midst of a residential area in Pandamaran of Klang. I.V. Restaurant is the name of the restaurant, and there is no doubt as to what they’re famous for.

The words ‘Roti Canai Pandamaran‘ was emblazoned on the apple green signboard, proudly/patriotically flagged (literally) with our beloved Malaysia’s and the state of Selangor’s flags in an alternating manner.

Good thing was, the Teh Tarik (Frothy Pulled Milk Tea – A Malaysia’s favourite beverage) was never earth-shatteringly sweet nor reeking of condensed milk. Rather, all the beverages at I.V. Restaurant were of reasonable level of sweetness. Possibly thanks to the largely Chinese clienteles?

I first read about this comparatively-obscure Halal Indian restaurant from Criz Lai’s blog. I did not think much of it, but after a good many extravagant Klang Bak Kut Teh meal for breakfasts, one can’t help but to seek for a simpler, fuss-free (preferably meat-less) breakfast.

And was I grateful enough for reading that post from Criz …. !! CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

Not the most generous of portion, but this plate of Nasi Lemak Kukus (freshly steamed rice with coconut milk) with pieces of fried Ayam Kampung (free-range chicken) got tongues wagging for years now …

This place, named Restoran Nasi Lemak Ayam Kampung on Jalan Ali Pitchay has been the talk of the town (Ipoh town, of course) for about 7 years or so now. Previously operating from their original outlet situated on the next street (Jalan Che Tak), they moved to this spanking new, much more spacious premise to cater to the growing clientele.

Opens only for dinner/supper daily, Nasi Lemak Ayam Kampung also prides on their freshly-grilled/fried seafood, especially their famous Ketam Masak Serbuk Kari or Stir-fried Crabs with Curry Powder

In reality, this was my first visit to the restaurant. Yes, after repeated reminders, guilt-ridden porky affairs that led to a serious lack of ‘Halal’ food posts, and of course …. procrastination, a Motormouth’s trademark !! So, did the famous Nasi Lemak manage to impress, or vice versa? Read on to find out ….  CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

IF you have to vote for ONE particular Malaysian breakfast of choice, to be eaten everyday of the week, and to represent the concept of 1Malaysia-ness, which would it be?

A sinful, creamy and spicy bowl of curry noodles (in this case, it was “kuey teow”, but unlike Ipoh’s “sar hor fun”, the noodles resembled Thai’s version of rice noodles), cockles, chicken, bean sprouts and potatoes.

A fluffy, thick, yet crispy at the sides with slight charring piece de resistance of Roti Canai. Served with the ingenious combination of sambal sardin, dhal curry, and curry gravy.

OR a dainty portion (so you can wallop more than one pack?) of meticulously wrapped Nasi Lemak in banana leaf, with a dollop of anchovies with sambal, a not-so-conventional piece of salted fish, and half a boiled egg.

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This was first posted sometime back in 2008, yet still I find myself periodically going back for the same yummy yam rice in Taman Chi Liung in Klang. A corner coffee shop by the name of Restoran Tien Chuan, this outlet has been serving their patented brand of yam rice for more than 20 years.

Of course, one may argue that to travel all the way down to Klang, and NOT having Bak Kut Teh (BKT) for breakfast is pure sin. Yeah, but once again (remember the post on Klang Food Centre’s pau for breakfast?) continuous BKT assaults not only can gain you some spare tyres, but I tend to feel lethargic throughout the day after such a darn heavy breakfast.

Okay okay …. just some silly excuses I know. Yam Rice NOT rice meh?!!!!!

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