Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Many a times I have lamented over the lack of a good nasi lemak stall in Ipoh; this probably stemmed from an omnipresent urge to indulge in the most sinful, aromatic, fluffy nasi lemak boiled with a heavy dose of coconut milk at every opportunity presented.

Although my earliest memories of eating nasi lemak back when I was still a toddler (yes, me and my brother developed a penchant for all things spicy, fiery and tongue-numbing since our tender ages) was the nasi lemak bungkus version sold at the wet market; the Pasir Puteh wet market to be precise; gradually the evolution of modern nasi lemak sellers took the experience to hawker stalls within coffee shops, air-conditioned cafes and even gourmet (read: overpriced) version in 5-star hotels.

However, save for a few passable options (Nasi Lemak Allongs in Ipoh Garden, that nasi lemak stall in front of Maybank Ipoh Garden), most of the others in Ipoh faltered – either the rice was lumpy, lacking in flavour from the infused coconut milk (santan), or the sambal was tasteless or too spicy, or the anchovies hardened and imparted an impression of biting into rocks or twigs. Sometimes, it could be hellacious combination of all the above, plus the trader substituting the rice with plain white rice with the excuse of serving a ‘healthier choice’ (this happened to me at least a couple of times in Ipoh, mostly in the more modern kopitiam setting.

Hello? If I feel like eating steamed white rice I won’t patronize a nasi lemak stall, okay? Read the rest of this entry »

A plate of dry curry kuey teow (sar hor fun) from Yat Yat Seng; loaded with extras such as cockles and pig’s skin (additional charges), in addition to the already sinful ensemble of steamed chicken, boiled shrimps and roasted pork. (MYR7.80/USD2.50)

The recent surge in interest over curry mee from Ipoh (read my story on Yee Fatt; where I had my first taste of really good curry noodles back in the 90’s) was more or less attributed to the dire lack of comparable options over here in Kuala Lumpur. I don’t deny that there are a few places serving above average curry soup noodles, yet nothing that has yet tantalised this palate growing up with the taste of excellent dry curry noodles from Ipoh.

And so, the Qing Ming homecoming had me listing down the safe options; my favourite street foods from across all corners of Ipoh. Thanks also to the dedicated driver bracing the traffic and listening to incoherent (more like non-sensical) rants from this Motormouth. Leaving my hands free from the wheels, I started taking down notes and reminiscing on the true vision and foundation of Motormouth From Ipoh; the wealth of splendid hawker fares.

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Butter Croissants, Mille Crepe Cakes, Pies & their signature brew made from fresh roasted coffee beans sourced from all over the world @ Espressolab Ipoh Garden 

Espressolab was established in July 2011 with emphasis beyond running retail cafes. The full story can be read from that link, but safe to say that their best bet is the coffee (served in all manners imaginable; espresso, macchiato, cappucino, latte, piccolo latte, mocha, etc) and to some extent, their cakes.

Espressolab Ipoh Garden started operating a few months ago; taking over the premise of the previous Aussino (FYI, the cafe is still run by the same owner of Aussino; talk about diversifying your business), which in place was Dai Fang coffee shop few years back. A rather risky choice of location; as compared to the usual safer route of picking shopping malls for their other retail operations over in Klang Valley.

Taking a break from the Hong Kong & Macau 2013 stories, Motormouth is kicking back in Ipoh; relenting to temptations of this lazy, charming hometown of mine.  Read the rest of this entry »

Lamb Stew (RM19.90/USD6.80) – Traditional English style of stew with potatoes, carrots, onions and green peas. Served with a piece of toasted baguette

After what seemed like an eternity … Motormouth’s back for the festive break! So bring back that passion to eat, the hunger and cravings for all things gluttony and let’s kick things off with a hearty lamb stew @ Denis Jazz Bistro this Thursday evening!

Denis Jazz Bistro – The neighbourhood bistro with a ‘jamming’ area and continuous lullaby of smooth, jazzy classics over the airwave. Come on Fridays (correct me if I am wrong) and weekends for jamming sessions.

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CRUNCHY GRAVEL  (RM9.60/USD3.20) – Almost like the (Banana)Split, but not quite. They do have a Banana Boat/Split variety with a split banana (duh!), cornflakes, Coco Crunch, cherries, crushed peanuts and chocolate sauce.

For 21 years (a reasonably lengthy period for myself, and I’m sure some of you readers were not even born yet!), an ice-cream lounge has set foot in Ipoh Garden and has not budged an inch since then. The setting; featuring an ambient, almost dreamy-like interior with a brush of nostalgia, soft lighting and paraphernalia infused with a lingering sense of old-school feeling; has successfully lent the cafe an irresistible charm.

So effective was this combination of elements that you’ll always be assured of the same wave of feelings washing over you as you step into a lounge like how it has always been since the 90’s.

Sidewalk Ice-Cream Lounge @ Ipoh Garden

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“Here Comes the Kacang Putih Man!” A very generic; instantly recognizable tray of Indian snacks displayed on the green-painted compartments on the back of his motorcycle.

MotorWHAT?! Don’t throw rotten tomatoes, brickbats, durians or slippers please … Just a very random phrase that sprang to mind when I was contemplating on a catchy title. Plus, aren’t you curious on what ‘kacang putih’ really is?

If you’re a Malaysian baby, then guaran-damn-teed you would have heard of, tasted, loved or abhorred (why should you?!) the classic Indian snacks usually sold by the roadside, or in school canteens.

But any idea WHY they’re named as such? Read the rest of this entry »

And I am back in Ipoh (hurray?!) for this weekend. A relatively short homecoming, for work purpose more than play. But every minute spent at home would be treasured immensely. I mean, as much as I would like to commit myself for food hunts and reviews in the metropolitan on steroids, somehow the presence of heavy traffic, time constraint, and lack of directions (in every sense of the word) barred me from the real intention.

A pot of braised goodness; Blocks of beancurd, whole eggs, slices of pork belly and pigs’ offal swimming in the dark elixir with a distinctively concentrated flavour. Heavenly when paired with the oil rice.

Thus, the short 2 days will be spent in an intelligent manner; good time management is essential and strategic planning is deemed to be of utmost importance. After all, I can only squeeze in 6 meals a day.

Or more. Depends on my appetite. And till now, you know Motormouth can really wallop everything in sight, and then some.

Let’s start with lunch (after a serious bingeing session on Simee Market’s delicious fares earlier!), at this inconspicuously low profile eatery named Sun Kam Wan in Ipoh Garden; yet this particular stall serves possibly one of the BEST version when it comes to braised chicken in soy sauce, and various other braised dishes. Get your napkin ready, and here we go ….. Read the rest of this entry »