Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

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.

Though Yat Yat Seng did not exactly fall into my good books from the first visit, and subsequently hampered by a scorching remark made by Mum no thanks to the arrogant lady behind the counter, they still managed to whip up a plate of dry curry noodles that brought back a deluge of warm memories from my early schooling years.

Gelatinous slice of pig’s skin soaking up the robust flavours of the dry curry paste, and a spoonful of juicy cockles added dimensions and character to the already packed with ingredients plate of noodles.

Yat Yat Seng serves possibly the most expensive plate or bowl of curry mee in Ipoh thus far, operating from a hawker stall. At MYR6/USD2 per serving, theirs was easily MYR1 more expensive than most stalls out there. Still, the curry mee loving crowd of Ipoh Garden and Canning Garden patronise the stall from the get-go, especially on Sunday mornings where you literally have to put on your most stubborn demeanour and thickest mask and endure the wait for a table within arm’s length of the customers.

For me, this was still a far cry from Nam Chau, Xin Quan Fang or Yee Fatt; still the trio of magnificent curry mee stalls from Ipoh for me. Maybe the dry curry paste was not prominent enough; leaving the concoction of soy and dark soy sauce to overwhelm the noodles. But given the distance to home, Yat Yat Seng possibly wins hands down as we could easily drive the negligible distance, park at the many spaces behind the shop and chow down a plate of curry mee within a good half hour or so.

Chee Cheong Fun with Curry Pig’s Skin; garnished with lots of fried shallots and toasted sesame seeds and served with condiment of pickled green chillies from a neighbouring stall.

If you’re still feeling peckish, the CCF stall also sell nasi lemak bungkus with sambal ikan bills and quarter of a half boiled egg (kinda made us wanna roll our eyes … how much does half an egg or even a full egg cost?)

And what better way to complete the breakfast than a cup of Ipoh’s signature white coffee brew?

YAT YAT SENG RESTAURANT (non-Halal)
83, Lebuh Ipoh (off Jalan Dato Lau Pak Khuan)
Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
*The curry mee stall also sell chicken rice for lunch, and opens from breakfast until late afternoon only
Next to CIMB Bank of Ipoh Garden, facing the round about of Ipoh Garden where you can find Maybank, Courts and the post office.
GPS : 4.612001, 101.109253

*Craving for more? Look out for All About Ipoh’s Curry Noodles