Motormouth From Ipoh – Malaysian Food & Travel

Wait, you mean ANOTHER post on Teochew cuisine in Ipoh? The last one was barely half a month ago (read the Ah Jik’s decades old story). Have I gone insane? Or mellowed from the aging process?

Throughout the 3+ years of blogging, I showed close to no love for Teochew food in Ipoh; save for one other popular porridge shop in old town. And now I’m bombarding you with almost back to back posts?!

In fact, yes. And had I told you that this lunch happened on the SAME day that we had Ah Jik’s stuff for dinner, would you have rolled on the floor, laughed at the sheer silliness (or irony), or are you already smacking your lips in delight?

Even if you absolutely detest Teochew cooking (boring, bland and lifeless?), you should consider giving this restaurant a chance …. Read the rest of this entry »

I look forward to the monthly homecoming more and more. Ipoh means so much to me; for more reasons than one. Yes, I was born in this beautiful town (to me, this is never a city … only my beloved hometown) and raised with the resplendent of resources from this town built on tin mining activities. Tin mining was HUGE back in the glory days, when Ipoh was barely tainted with the brush of development and mass commercialization.

This past weekend was different. Instead of going all out like I usually did, and hunt for new restaurants/cafes in town, I adopted a significantly different approach in capturing the essence of what made Ipoh famous; the incomparable street foods and the magnificent sights.

For a start, let’s hear a story from this Teochew uncle already in his 60′s (presumably); running this stall selling Teochew-inspired dishes with rice or porridge for more than three decades now ….  Read the rest of this entry »

Plain Porridge with “Kung Pow” (Dried Chillies) Eel

It was with much irony, that I posted a question on the All About Ipoh page about where to go for good porridge in Ipoh, and later on that same evening, I discovered this new eatery named Porridge Hut Restaurant in Greentown.

Seemingly, they started distributing flyers since a week or so before. Appearing spanking new; with a décor not unlike the common kopitiam, the restaurant was crowded on several occasions.

Guess the dearth of good porridge (congee might be the other familiar word that you’re searching for) places in Ipoh, especially come nighttime started to take its toll on the many porridge lovers in town. Or are we so enticed by NEW outlets sprouting every now and then, that we’re drawn in to their allure like fireflies to the flame; however temporary the sensation may be?

Read the rest of this entry »

A bowl of chilled and crunchy collagen-fuelled fresh skin from the fish (read from somewhere that this was a species of grass carp or something) lightly dipped in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, and shallot oil with julienned ginger and fresh scallions. (HKD16/RM6.40)

Essentially, the body runs out of steam. Or the mind. Or the passion/spirit/whatever.

Anyway, this week has not been easy for me. Thus, the slightly disparaging thoughts that went into the posts. Lacklustre words with no substance? Nah …. I would have imagined a more bitter, sharp tang to the edges of my articulation, but then again … maybe not. It’s THURSDAY anyway, and damn I desperately pray and hope for the week to end on an immediate basis.

With that, let’s talk about congee. AGAIN.

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A more than four decades old establishment in Sheung Wan of Hong Kong island; Sang Kee Congee Shop has been one on the list of most MUST-TRY places in Hong Kong for congee.

Congee, also known as porridge has always been known as a poor man’s food, or a bowl of tummy-warming delight usually served at home, especially when someone’s under the weather.

Okay, I was being liberal with my words. I hate congee/porridge/nasi bubur/’jook’ whatever. But I can’t deny the fact that Hong Kong folks LOVE their congee to the max. Even on a blistering hot day during lunch hour.

Beats me as to why they would submit themselves to such torturous ordeal, but after a bowl or two, I  began to see the light. So to speak.

Don’t laugh. You don’t get leg space as much in most Hong Kong eateries.

And so, I skip the posts on Mong Kok and its vicinity temporarily, and let’s see what Central, Sheung Wan and Wan Chai on the island have to offer. Ready?

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Wing Hoong Lapan Porridge Restaurant @ Yang Kalsom Road – Mixed Offals (Innards) lovers will love this place to bits. But don’t cross them out if you’re not a fan of porridge/congee. They have several rice dishes up their sleeves as well!

Let’s say you’re craving for a piping hot, hearty bowl of porridge lusciously injected with porky-power (sorry, another NON-halal post this one) from the pork liver to meat balls and crispy deep-fried intestines of the pig’s. Where will you head to for your fix in Ipoh?

This shop is perpetually packed during dinner hours, especially on weekends. We had to share a table with some random but equally as voracious (appetite-wise, of course) strangers.

One of the more popular spot for porridge at night time will be Restoran Wing Hoong Lapan Nasi Bubur on Jalan Yang Kalsom; a timeless classic of a porridge haunt that sports a new and brighter signboard now. Pardon me for missing out on the finer details (the history, the owners and such) but if you’re seeking for a simple, tummy-warming serving of pork/beef/chicken/fish porridge for dinner or supper, this place sure does NOT disappoint.

So what else do they have, aside from porridge? Read on to find out …. Read the rest of this entry »

Ah Weng Koh Hainan Tea @ Bukit Bintang Market

Toasts with Kaya and Butter, and Hainan Milk Tea

Bear with the sun, the crowd, and the shouting staff … and you’ll be duly rewarded …

Fancy some REAL charcoal-toasted bread?

Finger-licking GOOD toasts. Albeit the wait.

Thick, and strong Kluang coffee – HOT ….

or COLD.

Yam Rice + Bouillon Soup (RM6)

Location : One Nite (19) Restaurant @ Jln Pandan Indah 1/22, Pandan Indah, Kuala Lumpur.
Same row with Steven’s Corner, an exceptionally popular Mamak outlet.

Some freshly-brewed latte with biscotti

Beef rasher, scrambled eggs and toasts

If you’re in no rush, sit back, read a mag or two, and sip on your cup of coffee, while watching the world goes by ….

So, where’s YOUR favourite haunt for breakfast? =)