Motormouth From Ipoh – Malaysian Food & Travel

I remember a reader asked me recently;

“Do you know where the famous (maybe legendary) Hakka mee stall at the shady food court (Tai Hwa Food Court @ Osborne Street; better known for the toddy/coconut wine and seafood at night?) has moved to?”

After a full two years away from Ipoh (yup, celebrated the occasion with a week-long homecoming!), I admitted that I have no idea. Heck, I could not even remember whether I have tried the Hakka mee at the original stall before!

But commitment is commitment. Through various reconnaissance tactics, we finally managed to seek out its new location; opening for business since 15th December 2012.

Today, on this beautiful Christmas morning, let me be Santa for once and share with you this 20+ years old Hakka mee stall with a rich legacy, strong following and damn good chili sauce …..

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Disclaimer (Sept 2012) – Apparently, Restoran Jack Fah belongs to the owner who runs the Teochew porridge stall next door, and this Nyonya kueh + lok-lok stall should not be in any way, affiliated with Jack Fah. Hence, short of renaming this post, take note that this stall in Restoran Jack Fah does NOT belong to the owner of the restaurant. Hope this clears things up.

Just look at the well-preserved facade. And no, this was NOT taken by my late grandfather … in case you’re curious to know. The shot was snapped two nights ago, albeit treated with a layer of old school filter.

It’s scary sometimes, whenever I return for an eating spree in Ipoh and noticed that one by one; the newer cafes/bistros/restaurants had closed down. And more so when the thought of having to update the relevant post(s) with the appropriate tag;

“Closed”. “Relocated”. “Temporary renovation”. “Long vacation” (?!).

Very charming layout of various colourful “Nyonya kuih” laid out on the pieces of banana leaves in the glass display cabinet, tempting one into a frenzy of making choices.

Though all hope’s not lost. Not with good old Ipoh; burning spirit of the hawker souls still lighting up the light at the end of the tunnel. Those true blue classics from decades ago; some over half a century’s old (!) yet still drawing hordes of people on a daily basis.

Case in hand; Jack Fah Restaurant off Anderson Road; near to the roundabout where Sri Maju Express Bus Company is and the famous Embassy’s Hor Hee stall still operates until late night.  Read the rest of this entry »

Teochew-style Deep Fried Pork Patty with Salted Fish

And you go WHAT?!!! Not fair for Motormouth to kick start HIS week with such a sumptuous feast and in Ipoh some more!

My dear, since when has life been fair?

Nah, but seriously … this is work. But just so happened that the cravings for Teochew food reached an all-time high last few days; culminating in an outburst of one utterly saliva-inducing shot posted on the Facebook page.

And voila! MM was back in Ipoh within 2 hours and tucking in into some menacing Teochew dishes (with a pinch of Cantonese, or so claimed the proprietress) for dinner. Read the rest of this entry »