Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

This article was originally published in the Malay Mail Online HERE.

More than just a meal for those feeling under the weather, a Teochew porridge feast can be a comforting affair especially after a series of guilt-ridden feasts (i.e. food excursions and post-travel blues anyone?).

I usually avoid eating hot, soupy food unless ­I feel under the weather. Call me impatient, weird or just plain picky, but eating porridge cooked with softened (almost to a pulp) carrots or noodles cooked in a light, anchovy-flavoured broth will never evoke spectacular memories for me. Instead, these “comfort foods” only serve to remind me of the painful ordeal of recovering from chicken pox when I was still a toddler. That could be the reason why I have stayed away from porridge or even anything remotely soupy (even curry noodles; which explains why I prefer dry curry noodles instead) most of my life.

But how times have changed. I guess one’s tastebuds change with age; and gradually I learned to be receptive towards foods that I could never be bothered to eat, let alone crave. Brinjals, bitter gourds, offal and yes… rice porridge. Although Teochew porridge stalls can never match the number of economy/mixed rice stalls all over Malaysia, if you search hard enough you will find a handful in most neighbourhoods in the Klang Valley, especially the older residential or commercial areas.

The affable proprietor of the Teochew porridge stall has a smile and greeting for every customer.

My favourite stall thus far has been this nameless one located within Sun Fatt Kee Restaurant in Seapark, Petaling Jaya. The name might sound unfamiliar to you, but most locals know this shop for the Bumbung Nasi Lemak (or more fondly referred to as the Seapark Nasi Lemak and their crispy fried chicken) that operates only in the evenings. By day, the Teochew porridge stall shares the crowd with a pan mee stall, a pork noodles soup stall and an equally noteworthy curry noodles stall as well. The elderly duo running the porridge stall put out a delectable Teochew spread that is usually consistent in terms of selection and taste, yet reasonably-priced for the masses. You will need to arrive after 9am to treat yourself to a splendid and complete feast of Teochew delights, but avoid the lunch crowd if possible to mitigate the risk of having your favourite dish run out. And trust me; the lunch crowd can be a little bit intimidating during the peak hours given the density of residences and offices around the vicinity. Read the rest of this entry »

A’han Nyonya Kuih @ Seapark, Petaling Jaya – Colourful variety of Nyonya kuih made freshly everyday at the premise itself

Always a delight to have closure to every chapter in life. Here’s a follow up to the Seapark fried chicken rice story last two days. Since it can prove to be somewhat a challenge to park within the internal perimeter of the Seapark wet market area, we inched our way further and parked near to A’Han Nyonya Kuih shop; facing a row of terrace houses. And yeah, that famous burger lab is situated directly adjacent to this. But the ‘lab’ only opens in the evening. And A’Han should be closed by late afternoon (if I am not mistaken).

Tough luck huh? 😉

Read the rest of this entry »

Ain’t no KFC …. but Hoe Fong’s Crispy Fried Chicken tastes good; sans the batter. Just like how grandma used to fry the chicken with minimal marinade; soy sauce, five spice powder, sugar and possibly a dash of sesame oil.

Let’s take a break from the Saigon stories. The endless strings of chapters and ramblings will probably last you from Raya to Merdeka to Malaysia Day and then some. For today, let’s visit one of our frequent haunt for lunch in Seapark, PJ; Hoe Fong Chicken Rice.

Blame it on the strenuous nature of the current job. I lost track of how many wonderful stories that I wanted to share with you guys. Like today’s for instance. This brunch took place at least more than a month or two ago. And I vaguely remember how I capped off the rainy day’s feast with a banter with the owner of the place; whom took over from his uncle who started this establishment back then in the 80’s.  Read the rest of this entry »

Ipoh’s signature “Kai See Hor Fun” (Chicken Kuey Teow) @ Soo Kee served both ways; in a savoury broth boiled with various parts of the chicken and a light dash of prawn oil, and the dry version tossed in a greasy mix of sauces; garnished with lots of fried shallots and chopped chives

Since the previous post was on Annie 1; a kopitiam in Damansara Uptown serving pretty delicious Ipoh hawker food like wantan mee, chee cheong fun and even a caramel egg custard that vaguely reminded me of Thean Chun‘s, let’s continue the theme here with Soo Kee; an old classic in its own right here in Seapark.

For decades now, Soo Kee capitalizes on the lack of honourable hawker fares in KL/PJ that bring forth the sense of rendezvous to one who misses Ipoh food; “Kai See Hor Fun” (Ipoh’s style of chicken noodle soup; served with Hor Fun/flat rice noodles ONLY) to be exact. Read the rest of this entry »