Siamese Laksa @ Family Cafe, Ipoh
June 15, 2010 | 7,862 views
Siamese Laksa @ Family Cafe in Ipoh (RM6.80/USD2)
Ever since the ‘demise’ of Sharon’s Laksa recently, I have been receiving comments, queries and mails asking about where to go for Siamese Laksa in Ipoh. Most suggestions point to this place, named Family Cafe situated in Taman Ipoh Permai, off the main road from Jusco Kinta City leading to Tambun of Ipoh.
I have tasted Family Cafe’s Siamese Laksa once (which is only available on weekends), before Sharon’s Laksa even came into the picture. Yes, I do agree that I prefer this type of richer, less sour and spicy, yet equally as satisfying bowl of laksa, than say, its counterpart the Assam Laksa, or Curry Laksa.
So how did this bowl of Siamese Laksa at Family Cafe fare? Read on …..
You can see what’s their specials of the day (or week) written on the blackboard fronting the kitchen segment
Family Cafe is certainly NOT new to the scene. Situated on the same row as Min Sin Yie Vegetarian Restaurant, right before you reach Citrus Wine & Dine on your right, this homely cafe has been around since about 4-5 years ago, if I’m not mistaken.
We went there on a weekend’s night, and I was surprised at the rather poor crowd. We were the ONLY table there on a Saturday night (or Sunday, hmmm …. amnesia strikes again?!).
The Siamese Laksa arrived in a mouth-watering and promising presentation, reddish with a slight orange hue, the broth reeked of fragrant coconut milk and spices, with mashed mackerel (was it mackerel?). Just like a bowl of delicious Siamese Laksa should look like. However, tastewise, the bowl of Laksa did not have the wow factor. Unlike the first time I slurped on Sharon’s creation, leaving me hankering for more.
Don’t get me wrong here. Family Cafe still serves a decent version of the Siamese Laksa, but not the type that will get me craving every now and then. Even Mum agreed on this fact. Though to be fair even Sharon’s Laksa had their off-days back then, when the laksa came tasting almost uncannily like their Assam Laksa. Not creamy/rich enough to pass off as the Siamese/Nyonya variety.
Chicken Cordon Bleu (RM13.80/USD4.20)
Fish & Chips (RM9.80/USD3)
Sambal Fried Rice (RM5.80/USD1.80)
Siamese Laksa debacle aside, how about the other dishes served at Family Cafe?
Sad to say, none that managed to appeal to us. I vividly remember back then (about 3 years ago), I enjoyed their Cordon Bleu, served crispy on the outside with an oozing core filled with melted cheese and a slice of chicken ham. But this time around, not only was the portion smaller, but the cheese was bland and the whole ensemble was soggy, and very greasy.
The Fish & Chips and Sambal Fried Rice did not succeed either. The former arrived in a batter that was too thick, though the dory fish was thankfully devoid of any unpleasant earthy/muddy taste. The Sambal Fried Rice was spicy, and that’s about it.
A pale shadow of its old self? The empty premise on a weekend proved that they seriously need to buck up on the quality of their food.
The meal was below average. Maybe I set my expectations too high? Or maybe that was one of their ‘off-days’? Whatever it was, this Family Cafe is certainly nothing like the Family Cafe I once knew back in their glory days.
Anyone wants to share their experience with Family Cafe here, or anywhere else for Siamese Laksa that you want to recommend?
FAMILY CAFE & CATERING
No 19, Laluan Ipoh Permai Satu,
Taman Ipoh Permai,
31400 Ipoh, Perak,
Malaysia.
Telephone : 6017-570 2898 (John Yee), 6016-524 1848 (Christine)
Business Hours : 7.30am – 1.00pm, 6.00pm-11.00pm
Closed on Tuesdays.
A GOOGLE MAP to Family Cafe is attached.
Ooh can’t say any of this looks too enticing. A shame! While we’re on the subject, I need to know where to get a slammin’ bowl of Siamese laksa in KL! Anyone??
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 16th, 2010 at 8:09 am
Siamese Laksa in KL? No idea, really. But it’s hard to find even a good Assam Laksa in KL. Nyonya Laksa (or Curry Laksa) can be easily ordered in most cafe, but none that I know in particular that is outstanding.
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Chew Reply:
November 14th, 2016 at 11:47 pm
Makan time cafe at Kota Damansara. Yummy Siamese laksa.
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Siamese Laksa in Ipoh @ Family Cafe…
Only available on weekends, Family Cafe serves Siamese Laksa to cater to foodies here in Ipoh. Previously, Sharon’s Laksa serves the laksa as well, but sadly has closed down….
hello,
check out that jimmy laksa. some random makeshift stall in front or perak timur coffee shop. operates thursday – sunday pm only . english speaking fler.
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Ailisa Reply:
September 19th, 2018 at 9:30 pm
Okaylah the Siamese laksa or the Assam Laksa… If you’re living in Section 14, PJ area then go to the food court on the halal section…look for Lum Kee stall (you can even Google it)…Been around for more than 30 odd years…Their Siamese Laksa or Assam Laksa by far is the best, for me…
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I disagree with Tan, Jimmy laksa is not great at all. Also another case of “used to be good”.
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 16th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Thanks tan and poisonkagero for the information.
Maybe I will check out this stall. In front of the Ipoh Timur?
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the siamese laksa looks great! but too bad the cafe isn’t at kl =/
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I am so damn hungry right now. 😀
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i agree with U, my friend highly recommended this place, in fact. It was last year, I went there, damn disappointed, coz both western n rice fried were bad! but no idea about the laksa…..
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The Siamese Laksa so different from what we have in Thai …. so soupy … in Thai so dry …. lol
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I prefer asam laksa , more spicier & more sourer pls~~
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The laksa sure looked impressive but looks can be deceiving at times right? 😛 It was until the end when I saw the front facade of the place did I realize this is just another bistro down the road… normal food, small portion and high pricing. I guessed only drinkers would frequent that place rather than normal diners now.
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I like their decor – homey and understated. Like they aren’t trying too hard to be what they are not. That’s refreshing. 🙂
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Try the lamb shank at Family Cafe…it’s one of the best
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 16th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Oh their lamb shank is good? Never tried that. Thanks.
I was crossing my fingers in hope of finding a good Siamese Laksa there, but sadly …..
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[…] almost consecutive posts on noodles (Beef Noodles, Siamese Laksa, Laksa Pak Ngah, Mee Hailam & Mee Goreng) […]
[…] Family Cafe @ Ipoh Garden East – Siamese Laksa […]
I remember the best tasting Siamese laksa was sold at the old Super Kinta food court. Can have bowls and bowls afterwards. Now, the second best Siamese laksa is one located at the Hollywood restuarant at the Canning Garden corner.
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 15th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Wait, Hollywood Restaurant got laksa stall?! Eh, never noticed lah. Usually have the Indian curry rice, nasi lemak, and of course… the various fritters.
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CherylHew Reply:
June 19th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Sadly, the Hollywood stall has closed XDD It was there for maybe 1-2 years? Oh, have you tried Yum Yum’s Siamese Laksa? Only available on Fridays, and it comes in a set with crispy foo pei and a dessert (mine was hak loh mai red bean, wonder if it’s the same every week?)
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 20th, 2011 at 9:35 pm
Oh yeah! I have put that Yum Yum laksa on my list for some time now. But sad to say, did not manage to try that.
And now that it’s Friday only special, only makes things harder as I am in KL now.
Check out : facebook.com/makantime
Makan Time cafe by Little Yum Yum in Kota Damansara. This cafe is the 3rd outlet branched from the famous Yum Yum Restaurant in Ipoh. They serve delicious Siamese Laksa.
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Just want to say that both shops – super kinta and canning gardens are Owned by my parents . They have retired over a decade. We have their Siamese Laksa at home now! Much to our delight.
Thanks for agreeing that it is the best. They were the first to make it!
Mr and Mrs Peter Wong is their name. My moms name
Is Alice !
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Ailisa Reply:
September 19th, 2018 at 9:39 pm
The Dip-dip stall in Hollywood belong to your dad, Ann??… If my memory serves me correctly, Mr Peter Wong had a Siamese Laksa stall in a restaurant in Ipoh Garden South & the famous Ipoh Turf club laksa in a stall in Gourmet Square, right??… Why don’t you learn the recipe from him & set up your stall in Hollywood or Vegas restaurant… I would certainly be your ever loyal paying customer :-)…
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