Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog

Almost categorized into “Beer Food”, the crispy ‘salted fish’ (RM10/USD3) at Yishen got us hooked, after a squeeze of lime onto the morsels cleverly disguised as “ham yue”, yet made from overlapping layers of beancurd sheet only. This IS a vegetarian restaurant, after all.

Before you go and lay the smackdown on poor Motormouth here for being biased towards the carnivorous fares, and completely ignoring the pleas, desires and lust gluttony of a vegetarian’s, be aware that occasionally, I DO go for vegetarian food. Once in a blue moon might befits the phrase I’m searching for, but I have no qualms about going vegetarian for a full day, or even a whole week.

IF … I’m not expected to adhere to the stringent rules of being a pure vegan (no meat, no dairy products, and even no onion/garlic for some! See the different categories of vegetarianism here)

Curry “Mutton” for a spicy change from the mundane greens and beancurd?

Yishen Vegetarian Restaurant started in Kampar, and then Ipoh since back in the late 80′s. The outlet in Ipoh was opened in the late 90′s, or early part of the millennium,  if I’m not mistaken.

They even branched out to two slightly upmarket branches named Yishensu – A Vegetarian Connoisseur in One Utama shopping centre and another in Bandar Bukit Tinggi in Klang.

Since an occasion called for a vegetarian feast earlier this month, I was at lost on where to choose. Of course, Ipoh has quite a few vegetarian restaurants spaced out everywhere in town and the outskirts. From the famous Sin Meng Kee and Chuk Lum to the newer Shi Fang Zai, Fu Tien and Min Sin Yie. But one restaurant stands above the rest, in terms of legacy, standing history and being more commercialized than the rest; Yishen (Yat Sum in Cantonese) in Medan Ipoh Baru … CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS ENTRY »

Min Sin Yie Vegetarian Restaurant

Still remember this place? Click HERE for my previous visit with FCOE and TallGal. On the 1st and 15th of every month in the Chinese lunar calendar, grandma will go vege (though half day only), and as time goes by, the options become more and more limited. She being a picky eater doesn’t help either. So, after a few visits to Min Sin Yie at Taman Ipoh Permai, my family was hooked. The food is good, the service satisfactory, and the location’s very near to our house.

Clockwise from top left : Salted “fish” with “Minced Pork”, Butter Milky Mushrooms, Curry Vegetables, and Watan Tofu.

They have set menu, on top of the ala carte dishes. The sets cater to any amount of people dining along, and we picked the one for 4-6 pax. At only RM48/set, rice and chinese tea is included, and there are 4 dishes and one soup.

What we like about their food is they are not oily, nor salty, yet closely resemble the taste of the REAL deal (read : meat !!!). Most notable in my books would be the Butter Milky (Nai Yau) Mushrooms, deep-fried to crispiness heaven, and drizzled with a rich, creamy butter gravy,with curry leaves and some chillies. Highly recommended.

4 Heavenly Kings (RM8)

But of course, if there are more of you, and you do not wish to order the sets for 7-10 pax, you can opt for the RM48 set, PLUS any ala carte dish you desire. For instance, the aptly dubbed “Four Heavenly Kings“, with brinjals, stinkbeans (petai), long beans, and French beans, topped with some vegetarian minced pork, and garnished with strips of red chillies. Slightly spicy, the dish goes really well with white rice.

Crispy beancurd skin

If you’re eating individually, and in a rush, you can pick any dishes you like from their wide array of dishes available at the counter, economy rice style. The vegetarian roasted geese and deep-fried beancurd skin come highly recommended.

For address and contact, refer to old post HERE.

” There are times in life when we weep in sorrow, Wailing our hearts out till it’s all hollowed,

But persevere my dear friend, do not stay mellow, For after the storm, the calm will follow ….. “

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