Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Blissful – To be breathing in the crisp morning air of beautiful Ipoh once again. Although yeah, Ipoh’s far from the days of being a painting of one exceptionally serene old town now, yet the old saying’s true;

“There’s no place like home”

This dim sum restaurant in Bercham of Ipoh, located directly in front of the new Giant hypermarket is new. Well, relatively, since this has been operating for at least 3 months …  yet this was the first time we managed to hop over for a taste of their supposedly superior dim sum.

More details …. after the jump.

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Shanghainese Minced Meat Dumplings aka Xiao Long Bao (RM4.70/USD1.60 for 3 pcs) – Not many places in Ipoh serve XLB, and Qi Yuan does a passable version; with a proportionately filled dumpling with moist and firm minced meat and savoury soup that’s not scalding hot.

And ladies & gentlemen …. I AM BACK !!!

To imagine the longing for good old Ipoh food; to experience the slower-paced lifestyle … where cars travel at 30km/hour and yet don’t get honked at. No double parking even in the most congested of business centres (else risk being awarded with a piece of beef jerky aka “Ngau Yoke Kon”). No rushing to anywhere and everywhere as rarely roads got flooded, and travelling in the car for more than an hour seems almost unheard of.

Unless you’re going all out to Tanjung Tualang for some freshwater prawns, or Sitiawan for good old toddy + cheap seafood combination, then that ONE hour is well worth the travelling time.

And no, one hour spent on Federal Highway to get from PJ to Cheras is NOT a conducive move, in comparison!!!

Szechuan Famous Dan Dan Meen (RM5.00/USD1.60) – Slightly spicy from the addition of chili oil, the savoury mix of minced pork and finely-chopped wood ear fungus added much dimension to their own-produced noodles. Probably not enough to be shared amongst two, I reckon you should order the various noodle dishes to accompany the many dim sum fares.

Now let’s neglect that crash diet for one week. Let’s indulge in some of the BEST street food Ipoh has to offer. And not forgetting the abundance of newer eateries sprouting up here and there; rendering this Motormouth restless (helpless?) in seeking for them.

But no fear, for today …. let’s read about a new dim sum restaurant in Greentown Business Centre (next to Yeong Wai Greentown, same row with Maria’s Cafe and Laksamana Cheng Ho) …….. Read the rest of this entry »

Shanghai @ JW Marriott – Opulent dining environment, a touch of class and elegance reminiscent of scenes from movies filmed with influences from Shanghai during the pre-war days.

Thus, folks … tis the season to be eat, drink and be merry again. The Lunar New Year is dawning upon us; approximately half month to go before the firecrackers got unleashed from all illegal sources, the Shandy’s and the beers got guzzled like as if that’s the right thing parents should do to educate the next generations to drink responsibly (hehe) and open palms all around coupled with an indestructible ego asking for red packets to minimize the inflation blues ……

Standard Chartered is offering their credit card holders an irresistible deal to divert them from their strict diet regimes, and instead go all out by choosing from not one, not two, not even five, but EIGHT renowned dining establishments all around Kuala Lumpur to sample the limited time only, customized Extravagant 8 Menus for RM888+ per table for 8 pax.

If y our mouth’s agape and you wonder why the premium price for the special deals, bear in mind that these restaurants are in a class of their own; Li Yen @ Ritz Carlton, Shanghai @ JW Marriott,  Elegant Inn @ Menara Hap Seng, Tai Zi Heen @ Prince Hotel & Residence, Zing @ Grand Millennium, Gu Yu Tien @ Chulan Square, Chynna @ Hilton KL and Celestial Court @ Sheraton Imperial.

Felt like you’re being ‘stork-ed’? 🙂

My first official ‘Lou Sang/Yee Sang‘ experience this year was at Shanghai @ JW Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 8 mouthwatering creations; some ONLY available during this festive season, were presented to us.

Read on to see just what authentic Shanghainese cuisine epitomes, and how extravagant exactly was this Extravagant 8 fiesta …..

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Tai Woo Hong Kong Dim Sum @ Ipoh Garden South – A dim sum restaurant with a twist.

Tai Woo Hong Kong Dim Sum has been operating since 2008 in Ipoh, but has gone under the radar for much of the duration. Previously they opened for a short 3 months stint in Sunway of Tambun, then proceeded to relocate to the current premise, right smack in the middle of Ipoh Garden South.

Xiao Long Bao aka Shanghai Soup Dumplings (RM4.50/USD1.40)

I previously wrote about the Xiao Long Bao’s from Dragon-i and Din Tai Fung, and a reader recommended this place for XLB (xiao long bao) in Ipoh. Truth be told, not many place serve XLB for dim sum, or Shanghai cuisine here in good old Ipoh. Hence my interest was piqued, and we found ourselves there for breakfast on a Sunday morning …. Read the rest of this entry »

DIN TAI FUNG RESTAURANT @ THE GARDENS

Skilfully folded, artfully crafted into an exquisite morsel of soupy delight – 18 delicate folds on the skin that can sustain the tension of a pair of chopsticks, before being rested on the porcelain spoon.

Din Tai Fung, Dragon-i and Canton-i are three household names when it comes to Chinese restaurants in Malaysia. A newer generation of chain restaurants with prominent branding, the younger crowd may not even recognize the Tai Thongs, Esquire Kitchens, and Hee Lai Tons from the days of yore.

Not to mention Sek Yuen, Hong Ngek or Yut Kee. Puzzled? You should be. Unless you’re from the Jurassic age like me. 🙂

Clockwise from top left : A cold appetizer of various finely-julienned ingredients, Perforated hole on the XLB (Xiao Long Bao) so one can sip on the warm, delicious broth from within, The dessert named “Or Nee” or steamed yam paste, and Fish Dumplings in trios; part of the RM19.80 Value Set.

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