Lucky Ijok, Selangor
Ijok, a tiny town just outside Kuala Lumpur held an epic by election in 2007 when its State Assemblyman died of a heart attack. In panic mode, the ruling party poured in millions to defend its seat from the fast rising opposition, much to the delight of the residents.
Roads were widened & tarred for miles around & the deadly winding roads on the outskirts straightened. Sure enough, raining dollars ensured a win for the BN, with lacklustre beggar chicken restaurants booming from wing to wind. Sadly tho ( or happily) ,in the follow up general election in 2008, the previouly defeated opposition candidate triumped the second round & went on to secure the coveted post of Menteri Besar of Selangor.
We always remember this humble restaurant facing the bus station, with its simple dishes.
~sights & tastes of Malaysia~
Mountain of food
At Malaysia’s first & only casino/playground situated 5000 feet high up in Genting Highlands, some 40km outside Kuala Lumpur, there is really abundant food.
Just be prepared to pay 3 times more for similar items at ground level.
This solid highland wanton noodles/bbq meat cost a hilly RM17 ringgit, but pretty good with the crisp cool mountain air
~sights & tastes of Malaysia~
Tanjung Tualang, Perak
Local green vegetabless RM8
Steamed catfish -paksukong RM25
Signature prawns-udang galah RM45
Situated within Perak’s previous tin mining belt with its left-over mining ponds & barren land, the little Chinese kampung town with a few shophouses has become a gourmet center of sorts & synonymous with fresh water prawns & fish. The more than 10 “seafood restaurants” here attract hungry food hunters from near and far.
If you are unsure what to order, try the most popular items shown above at this big corner lot ( you can’t miss it! ) for RM80.
~sights & tastes of Malaysia~
Little India, Ipoh
The little street just beside “kopitiam zone” Ipoh old town with its cluster of Indian shops (see the proudly displayed “Chennai” signs? ) & distinctive flowery aroma in the air is now known as Little India. You should walk around the old backstreets to feel the atmosphere. And also to admire some oldie backlane artists reminishing about the broken buildings. Then hop on over for your colorful Indian banana leaf rice, with exciting curries.
Still pretty reasonable starting from RM5 a head.
~sights & tastes of Malaysia~
Eatpoh old town?
Much has been said about Ipoh Old Town, such as de most unbelievable best of da best to die for shops run by the founder’s 2nd/or 3rd generations. Which is to say anything that old must be authentic & therefore good ( sorry youngsters ).
Still, some do not convince us. This one here adorned with affectionate newspaper cuttings certainly doesn’ t have what it takes to take the crown as the best beef noodles. No doubt the meat looks medium raw tender & fresh but the all important soup base giving the concoction its unique taste falters.
Best beef noodles in Ipoh? No sir, we have to look elsewhere.
~sights & tastes of Malaysia~
Ipoh Specialist Hospital, Ipoh Perak
Private hospitals are bursting at the seams, from people seeking the best medical treatment & willing to pay more than they would at overcrowded Governmnt Hospitals. This popular specialist hospital near the Raja Nazrin roundabout (near Ipoh Parade) is a good example. For hungry visitors, the cafetria at ground floor serves the usual Malaysian favorites, like nas lemak1. Only RM2.70 like the one shown here. Rapper Namwee would surely love it!
~sights & tastes of Malaysia~
The other chicken rice shop
The bright lights
White rice
Nga choi aka Ipoh bean sprouts
White chicken cuts
Its neighbor is more well known & seemingly attracts more customers, what with hungry tour groups as first stop to Ipoh’s ubiquitous chickens & bean sprouts.
Opposite Lou Wong tho, this other shop keeps the numero uno in check while proudly keeping its tradition as no 2, no less… intact.
Together the white poultry duo light up the streets and has infact spawned a carnival atmosphere in this part of Ipoh town!
Restoran Ong Kee
Jalan Yau Tet Shin
Ipoh, Perak
Malaysia
~sights & tastes of Malaysia~
Looking for Tapah Fish
Exiting from the Slim River North South Highway toll booth, we turned left to look for the fish & the frog we missed the last time. Tough luck again! The rain the past few days still couldn’ t bring the hopeful catch in.
So we settled for the other signature claypot specialty + the usual ying yang.
Surprise! The 3 above + 2 plates of rice & 1 pot of Chinese tea a top value RM36!
We will be back!
Restoran Fook Seng
slim River
Perak
sights & tastes of Malaysia
Dumplings of Pusing, Perak
The old Ipoh – Lumut 80km trunk road (now considerably widened but with around 30 awful speed throttling traffic light junctions! ) is dotted with nostalgic tiny outposts, along the flattened pot holed beautiful lakes wasteland reminiscent of the glorious heydays of tin mining Perak, Malaysia. They have their own distinctive communist culinary history & secrets tho.
On most days you will find some small roadside stalls selling the usual Malaysian snacks eg crackers,kuihs etc & in this particular instance, Pusing’s signature Chinese dumplings.
The assortment of glutinous rice in the usual triangular or rectangular leaf packets are filled with beans, walnuts, salted egg yolks plus meat & glorious fats!
There are a few different types & sizes, but make sure you ask for the ” less beans more meats” version which costs around RM3.50 each.
Goes very well with the famed Ipoh old town white coffee.
White Chinese Chickens
Whether Hainanese or Cantonese, they are all pretty fair. Either steamed or boiled, they are as tender as can be. We have 2 lovely examples : one Hainanese chicken rice in Jln Bukit Bintang, KL (beside Sg Wang Plaza) the other Satellite Chicken rice in Jalan Gasing, PJ (beside the notorious Gasing Ipoh chicken rice shop).
2 of the best white chicks chickens in the business!
Try them yourself ya
what to eat !
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