Han Chin Pet Soo is open! Book now at www.ipohworld.org/reservation
Han Chin Pet Soo is open! Book now at www.ipohworld.org/reservation

May 2023

Coffee Shop Licence, from 1963

By |2023-05-24T16:06:23+08:00May 24th, 2023|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, tourism|

This is a licence from the Municipality of Ipoh to Hung Chin Ling, i.c. PK.028579 of K-2, Kepayang, Fair Park, Ipoh who has a coffee shop. The license, of course, was issued in accordance to the Sales of Food and Drugs Ordinance 1952. There were also the following conditions, which had to be adhered to:

  • This bill should be presented intact for payment to the Municipal Cashier at the Municipal Office between the hours of 8.30a.m and 3p.m on any working day except Saturday when the hours are from 8.30a.m to 11.30a.m
  • Cheques are to be crossed and made payable to the Municipality of Ipoh
  • All queries should be addressed to the Municipal Treasurer, Municipality of Ipoh,
    P. O. Box 1009, Ipoh
  • No pin tables are allowed on the licensed premises and failure to observe this condition may entail cancellation of licence by the Council. 

 

I wonder if Hung’s coffee shop is still in business…

February 2023

November 2022

October 2022

September 2022

July 2022

June 2022

May 2022

March 2022

November 2021

October 2021

July 2021

‘finest milk chocolate’

By |2021-07-28T17:49:03+08:00July 28th, 2021|Categories: childhood, famous brands, food|

Here’s a virtual treat for you – Van Houten’s finest milk chocolate 🙂

While doing a little spring cleaning at home, I stumbled upon this tin (which my late grandmother used for her trinkets). I’m going to make a guess and say that this tin probably dates back to the 1970s. I could be wrong though…

October 2020

Dining at the…where?

By |2020-10-26T13:05:04+08:00October 26th, 2020|Categories: food, history, Ipoh Town, Memories, tourism|

The Ipoh Bodega was the first European restaurant to open in Ipoh. Its doors opened on the 6th August 1904. Initially catering mainly to the lunchtime crowd, it began serving dinner shortly after and a month later began to stay open until 11pm, with music to entertain the liquor-drinkers. The weather was the death of the restaurant though. Heavy rains in October resulted in the flooding of Belfield Street, the premise of Ipoh Bodega. Accessible only by sampan, Ipoh Bodega was nicknamed the Bog. Less than a month later it closed down and changed hands. The new proprietors faced a different but equally fatal quandary – the night-soil collection carts. These “honey carts” pulled up opposite the Bodega nightly between 8 and 9 pm to engage in their odoriferous task. Angry Ipohites urged for the collection hour to be pushed to midnight but to no avail. The Ipoh Bodega shut its doors for good in early 1905.

The above extract was taken from an article, from the Ipoh Echo (issue 021, 2006). Has anyone heard of The Bog? Where (in Ipoh) would it be….if it were still open today?

February 2020

January 2020

December 2019

November 2019

October 2019

Popular Snack

By |2019-10-24T10:33:28+08:00October 24th, 2019|Categories: festivals/celebrations, food, Identify Photographs, Memories|Tags: |

Murukku is a savoury, crunchy snack originating from the Indian subcontinent, popular in southern India, and Sri Lanka. The name derives from the Tamil word for “twisted”. Murukku is typically made from rice and urad dal flour. The flours are mixed with water, salt, chilli powder, asafoetida and either sesame seeds or cumin seeds. The mix is kneaded into a dough, which is shaped into spiral or coil shapes either by hand or extruded using a mould. The spirals are then deep fried in vegetable oil.

The above information was taken from Wikipedia. Yes, with Deepavali around the corner many of us will be looking forward to savouring this ever popular snack.

In case you’re wondering what the murukku mould looks like, here are two pictures:

How to cook rice

By |2019-10-18T15:29:10+08:00October 18th, 2019|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, Memories|

No, we’re not teaching you how to cook. Instead, we’d like to know how YOU prefer to cook rice – the traditional way (with the wooden steamer, like the one on the left) or using the modern rice cooker?

Milo Tricycle?

By |2019-10-07T16:36:19+08:00October 7th, 2019|Categories: childhood, food, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Long before the famous Milo Vans, there was the Milo Tricycle. We believe this was the brainchild of an innovative Indian gentleman in the late 1950’s. He lived in Buntong but kept his tricycle in a shop in Old Town. The picture featured on today’s blog is a replica of the Milo Tricycle, made by our contractor Y Cheng Thymes.

There is also a bit more about the men behind the Milo Tricycle, on this Ipoh Echo link.

 

June 2019

April 2019

Ipoh Food Festival

By |2019-04-25T15:45:57+08:00April 25th, 2019|Categories: Events, festivals/celebrations, food, Ipoh Town, tourism|

Heard about the Ipoh Food Festival? Check out the posters below:

Here’s a message from the organisers:

We have many exciting workshops and experience for tourist to sign up. Some are also free.
Including

1) Dine in the Dark (rm15 per pax)
Register via WhatsApp name > 012-4128038

Rattan Basket Weaving Workshop [1 seat left]
27 Apr | 4:30pm (2 hours)
https://loka.fun/ft-rattan-basket-weaving-27apr

Fruit and Vegetables Bouquet Workshop [8 seat left]
27 Apr | 7pm (2 hours)
https://loka.fun/ft-fruit-veggie-bouquet-27apr

Cultural Dining Experience – Malay | Chinese | Indian [28 seat left]
28 Apr | 6pm (1.5 hours)
https://www.lokalocal.com/tour/3737/cultural-dining-experience-malay-chinese-indian

Ipoh Echo Food & Heritage Trial with Vivien Lian (Halal and Non Halal) [13 seat left]
28 Apr | 7:30am (5 hours)
https://www.lokalocal.com/tour/3735/ipoh-echo-food-heritage-trial-with-vivien-lian-halal-and-non-halal

Liberica White Coffee Roasting Workshop [8 seat left]
4 May | 4:30pm or 8:30pm (1 hour)
https://loka.fun/ft-liberica-coffee-roasting-4may

Malaysia Local Coffee Roasting Workshop [9 seat left]
4 May | 4:30pm or 8:30pm (1 hour)
https://loka.fun/ft-msia-coffee-roasting-4may

Bees Wax Wrap Workshop by A Bit Less Bulk Store [7 seat left]
4 May | 4:30pm (2 hours)
https://loka.fun/ft-beeswax-wrap-4may

Coffee Scrub Workshop [10 seat left]
4 May | 7pm (2 hours)
https://loka.fun/ft-coffee-scrub-workshop-4may

Ipoh White Coffee Story & Heritage Tour [57 seat left]
4 May | 8am or 4pm (2 hours) | English & Chinese session
https://loka.fun/ft-ipoh-story-heritage-4may

More info is at Ipoh Food Fest Facebook page
https://m.facebook.com/theipohfoodfest/

 

Well, what are you waiting for? Come join in the fun 🙂

February 2019

…’pulled’ coffee?

By |2019-02-27T15:20:34+08:00February 27th, 2019|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, Memories|

When was the last time you saw these objects in action? This was before those fancy coffee-making machines became popular, of course. However, some local coffee shops still stick by this method of brewing your perfect cup of java.

Here’s a Google photo of how these objects go together.

The perfect menu?

By |2019-02-25T17:06:54+08:00February 25th, 2019|Categories: food, Memories|

The above menu was chosen for Mr & Mrs Michael Lim’s Golden Anniversary. Judging from the list of dishes, I dare to say no one went home hungry that night 😉

Let’s ask the “married ones”…what was YOUR wedding menu like?

January 2019

August 2018

July 2018

Cathay Cold Creameries?

By |2018-07-09T16:07:55+08:00July 9th, 2018|Categories: childhood, famous brands, food, Identify Photographs, ipoh|Tags: , , |

blog125

Could this have been a branch of Cold Storage? Or, perhaps Cold Storage’s competitor? We don’t know, so we’re hoping someone out there could help us out. Our anonymous donor didn’t say much about this photograph (and unfortunately, we are no longer in contact with this person). I’m sure someone out there visited 47 Cockman Street at some point in their life…

April 2018

March 2018

February 2018

…you know what this is?

By |2018-02-08T10:45:09+08:00February 8th, 2018|Categories: festivals/celebrations, food, Identify Photographs|

I’m sure many of you can guess what this is 🙂

blog71

Yes, these are cake pans used to make the famous Nian Gao – which is made from glutinous rice. While it can be eaten all year round, traditionally it is most popular during Chinese New Year. It is considered good luck to eat nian gao during this time, because nian gao is a homonym for “higher year.” This sticky sweet snack was believed to be an offering to the Kitchen God, with the aim that his mouth will be stuck with the sticky cake, so that he can’t badmouth the human family in front of the Jade Emperor.

Legends and myths aside, how do YOU enjoy Nian Gao? I like it sandwiched between two slices of yam, which is then dipped in batter and deep fried 😉 (all this talk of food is making me hungry now)

January 2018

Dinner with Royalty!

By |2018-01-17T16:48:20+08:00January 17th, 2018|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, ipoh, People|Tags: |

blog63

special thanks to Anonymous

 

Do you know these VIPs? Ok, we’ll make it easier for you 😉 Seated on the extreme right is none other than S P Seenivasagam.

Next to him is of course Sultan Idris and the lady beside him is his Consort (Che Puan Negara Aminah). And how can we forget Lau Pak Khuan – seated in the centre!

Do you know any of the others in the photograph? Or…perhaps you recognise the background and are able to tell us WHERE this photo was taken?

11 kilos?

By |2018-01-08T16:36:16+08:00January 8th, 2018|Categories: food, Identify Photographs|Tags: , , , |

blog59

Yes, that’s what I’d like to ask our local coffee drinkers out there. How come this particular bag of coffee came in 11 kilos? I always thought such goods were packed in either even numbered weights or in multiples of 5 (or basic 1 kilo or 1/2 kilo). Could it be a misprint? Or, did this factory just want to stand out and be different…by selling coffee powder in 11 kilo bags 😉

October 2017

Time for…..ICE KACANG!

By |2017-10-25T16:32:19+08:00October 25th, 2017|Categories: childhood, food, Identify Photographs, Memories|Tags: |

blog37

Yes, one look at this machine and all that comes to my mind is: a bowl of shaved ice, drenched in brown sugar syrup and topped with jelly (of various shapes, sizes and colours), kidney beans, sweet corn and peanuts. Oh, and not forgetting a dash of santan too!

Ah, bet some of you are already salivating 😉

What better way to cool down on a hot day, eh?

September 2017

Eel Soup?

By |2017-09-15T14:08:55+08:00September 15th, 2017|Categories: food, ipoh|Tags: |

blog20

No, we’re not joking. This delicacy can be found right here in Ipoh – at Restoran Nasi Lemak Ayam Kampung, Jalan Ali Pitchay. Have any of you tried this? Do tell us about your culinary adventure!

July 2017

Scenes at the kopitiam

By |2017-07-31T17:29:40+08:00July 31st, 2017|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, Memories|

blog4

When I visit the local kopitiam, I can’t help but stop and stare at such hawkers (like in the above photo). It’s fascinating to watch them cut up the meat with their ever-sharp cleaver, and they are really quick (I wouldn’t dare attempt such a feat at home, lest I loose my fingers!). Is it an inherited skill?

May 2017

Can you believe it?

By |2017-05-03T17:08:59+08:00May 3rd, 2017|Categories: childhood, food|Tags: , |

60_cmhas130129

This steamboat is ‘powered’ by charcoal. Yes, I kid you not! This brass object is divided into the base, pot and lid. The soup is placed in the pot, which is heated by the charcoal in the base. I’ve never eaten out of one of these…have you?

March 2017

February 2017

January 2017

Chopsticks!

By |2017-01-30T20:51:05+08:00January 30th, 2017|Categories: festivals/celebrations, food, history, Memories, Natural Heritage|Tags: |

20170114-001

“Commonly made of bamboo, plastic, wood or stainless steel, Chopsticks were first used by the Chinese. This later spread to various parts of the world through cultural influence or through Chinese immigrant communities. How does one use chopsticks? Well, the lower chopstick is stationary, and rests at the base of the thumb, and between the ring finger and middle finger. The second chopstick is held like a pencil, using the tips of the thumb, index finger, and middle finger, and it is moved while eating, to pull food into the grasp of the chopsticks….” (Wikipedia)

Some of you may have seen this video, but since we’re still in the CNY mood…I thought I’d share it again with you!

 

 

Birthday Party at Kam Loong

By |2017-01-25T17:14:00+08:00January 25th, 2017|Categories: festivals/celebrations, food, ipoh, Memories, People|

party1

This photograph – from Sybil de ROQUIGNY-IRAGNE – was taken at Kam Loong Restaurant, back in the 1960s. They were celebrating a relative’s 60th birthday!

Yes, the Year of the Rooster is upon us…and some of us are already in a party-mood 🙂

Does anyone have a funny story to share…about something that happened during a party?

November 2016

October 2016

For the chocolate lovers…

By |2016-10-21T16:41:42+08:00October 21st, 2016|Categories: childhood, food|Tags: , |

They say chocolate is comfort-food. Well, as a chocoholic myself I agree with that statement. It’s either a few pieces broken off a big bar, or even good ‘ol chocolate ice cream. Sometimes, it’s a nice cup of rich, hot cocoa (with some marshmallows, if I can find them at the store!). How do YOU enjoy your cup of cocoa?

On that note, do you remember this brand of cocoa powder?

20160927-008

September 2016

August 2016

July 2016

Did you know….?

By |2016-07-15T16:35:00+08:00July 15th, 2016|Categories: childhood, food, Memories|

20160629-001b

 

….that Ovaltine was actually Ovomaltine? And that the name changed because it was spelt wrongly when the trademark was registered? Here’s a extract from Wikipedia:

Ovaltine was developed in Berne, Switzerland, where it is known by its original name, Ovomaltine (from ovum, Latin for “egg,” and malt, which were originally its main ingredients). Soon after its invention, the factory moved out to the village of Neuenegg, a few kilometres west of Berne, where it is still produced.

Ovomaltine was exported to Britain in 1909; a misspelling of the name on the trademark registration application led to the name being shortened to Ovaltine in English-speaking markets. A factory was built in Kings Langley, which exported it to the United States as well. By 1915, Ovaltine was being manufactured in Villa Park, Illinois, for the US market. Ovaltine was later manufactured in Peterborough, Ontario for distribution in Canada.

Originally advertised as consisting solely of “malt, milk, eggs, flavoured with cocoa,” the formulation has changed over the decades, and today several formulations are sold in different parts of the world. [click here for more!]

Let’s hear from the Ovaltine fans out there 🙂

Still In The Raya Mood…

By |2016-07-11T11:21:14+08:00July 8th, 2016|Categories: festivals/celebrations, food, Natural Heritage, tourism|

p2_mprk_dz_0807_p2_dz_1picture courtesy of: Star Online

Lemang Kelamai is said to have originated from Pagar Ruyung, Indonesia.  What gives it this lovely shade of brown? Gula Melaka, of course! The other extra ingredient is kerisik (toasted coconut).

This variant of Lemang is also quite popular in the villages of Gopeng. Have you tried this variant before? If you have, do tell us about it. I’m more familiar with the usual type of Lemang. I usually enjoy Lemang with some rendang and a little peanut sauce. How do YOU like your Lemang?

April 2016

Something for the choco-holics…

By |2016-04-13T15:02:49+08:00April 13th, 2016|Categories: childhood, food, Memories|Tags: , , |

20160409-007

I remember the first time I tried Cadbury’s chocolate. At that time, it seemed like the most delicious snack for a 5 year old. I also remember eating more than half the bar, and then being really ill 😛 It didn’t put me off chocolates though…I just learnt (the hard way) to eat in moderation 🙂

We’d like to hear from the chocolate lovers out there…where ever you may be!

March 2016

Comfort Food?

By |2016-03-24T15:24:52+08:00March 24th, 2016|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town|

dry curry mee_edited-1

 

Some go for sweets, some go for salty snacks. Yet there are others who crave something like this (picture above) – Dry Curry Noodles!

Our photographer had this (at RM 5.30 per serving) from the Ma Jie curry mee stall in Restoran Yee Lock, opposite Bridal Collection along Anderson Road.

So, dear Readers……what’s YOUR comfort food?

December 2015

November 2015

Ban Guan Foong Bakery

By |2015-11-24T16:01:50+08:00November 24th, 2015|Categories: childhood, food, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories|

Bread shop copy

Our donor (Lee Seong Yan) shared this little story with us:

“Remember the ’50s when you can get a bun with scraped coconut in brown sugar as fillings costing only 5 cents to 10 cents? For those interested in buns with scraped coconut fillings, there is a shop in Pasir Pinji, Ipoh selling them for 80 sen each. Besides those with coconut fillings, they also sell buns without fillings and also those with kaya (egg jam). They also have the regular size loaf. If you think 80 sen is expensive, try going to the cake shops in the shopping complex. Anyway, this shop is only open from Mon to Fr at 6.00 pm and on Sunday at 2.00 pm. It is closed on Sat. I went once at 2.30 pm on Sun. and found that the buns with coconut filling was sold out. The shop is Ban Guan Foong Bakery. The signboard in inside the shop and you will not be able to locate it until you are in the shop. The address is 50, Jalan Sultan, Pasir Pinji, Ipoh (near the market). The difference between the buns sold and those sold in the local bakeries and cake shop is that you buy it fresh from the oven and they are still hot and smells good. The oven is at the back of the shop and it does not look like it is run by electricity. The queue is long and you find people buying as many as 25-50 buns though you may buy one. From the signboard and the premises (single storey semi concrete and wooden walls and zinc roof) it looks as if this bakery (family run) has been around for over 50 Years.”

So folks, have you heard of Ban Guan Foong Bakery?

October 2015

The Humble Curry Puff!

By |2015-10-15T09:51:56+08:00October 15th, 2015|Categories: food|

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

Breakfast, tea time, supper…no matter what time of the day (or night) there’s nothing like a couple of warm curry puffs to accompany your tea/coffee. The one shown above are chicken curry puffs, the one cut into 3 pieces has a cheesy filling! Our photographer bought these at a road side stall along Jalan Canning Estate; the chicken curry puff was 50 cents, the one with the cheese filling was RM 1.50 🙂

What’s YOUR favourite curry puff filling?

September 2015

Ipoh’s not short of desserts…

By |2015-09-17T15:40:26+08:00September 17th, 2015|Categories: food, ipoh|

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

We’re all very familiar with the sweet and tasty ang kuThe one shown above comes red AND green – giving it a more interesting taste to compliment the green-pea filling. It costs anywhere between 60-80 cents a piece (if you can get it cheaper, let us know!).

July 2015

Something ‘fishy’ this way comes…

By |2015-07-30T09:18:36+08:00July 30th, 2015|Categories: food, ipoh|

food3

 

Our photographer found this dish at Wah Nam Coffee Shop. At RM 4.30, it was quite tasty. We’d like to know from the Fish Paste Noodle lovers out there….where is the best place to find YOUR favourite dish?

June 2015

The Ever Popular Chicken Rice!

By |2015-06-12T17:16:52+08:00June 12th, 2015|Categories: food, Identify Photographs|

chicken rice

Since we missed our food blog yesterday, we decided to feature a rather popular dish – the famed Chicken Rice!

Apparently, this simple yet delicious dish comes in many varieties. The common type being rice served with the signature roasted chicken or steamed chicken; some stalls offer other side dishes together with the chicken rice.

Which is YOUR favourite variety?

The Tambun Cafe

By |2015-06-10T17:01:45+08:00June 10th, 2015|Categories: food, ipoh, Memories|Tags: , |

tambunreceipt from Charlie Choong

 

The last I checked, Tambun Inn seemed to be undergoing renovations…perhaps a new management has taken over? Well, we hope someone out there can tell us more. We’re also curious to know WHO ran the Cafe back then (when it first opened).

Remember the time when a bowl of chicken porridge cost $ 3.00 at Tambun Cafe?

Tales from the School Canteen

By |2015-06-02T17:38:10+08:00June 3rd, 2015|Categories: childhood, food, Memories, People|

batu_gajah_1956_23_at_the_canteenpicture from: Danial Doutriaux

Some school canteens sold food which were a crowd favourite. Some were known for their cheerful hawkers. Food aside, some canteens became a ‘meeting place’ for friends (and enemies too!). The picture shown is that of the Batu Gajah Convent’s canteen, back in 1956.

May 2015

“Mobile” food…

By |2015-05-25T16:12:09+08:00May 25th, 2015|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, ipoh, People|Tags: |

moto-monday-jm

For those of you who remember, we featured this photo in our Falim Exhibition two years ago. What’s fascinating about this hawker on wheels, in that he’s determined to peddle his wares – in spite of the traffic along the road 🙂

I wonder what he was selling. On another note, does anyone recognise the building in the background?

Time for some good ‘ol Chee Cheong Fun!

By |2015-05-21T10:47:18+08:00May 21st, 2015|Categories: food, ipoh|Tags: |

DSC_0815_kedai kopi 16

This dish is from Kedai Kopi Enam Belas (near Eu Yan Sang in Old Town). Our photographer had this char siew and prawn combination for Rm 3.50.

Usually, Chee Cheong Fun is served with mushroom and sweet sauce whereas some places give you the option of curry instead of mushroom sauce but the one in the picture above is a variant of the usual Chee Cheong Fun; this one is the made-to-order Hong Kong Chee Cheong Fun that comes with sweet soy sauce and sambal on the side.

Chee Cheong Fun lovers out there, how do YOU take your favourite dish?

Another Famous Cafe…

By |2015-05-19T08:53:50+08:00May 19th, 2015|Categories: childhood, food, ipoh, Memories|

cafe_receipt2

Since we had such an interesting discussion about The Nautilus Inn (our previous blog), we decided to put up another receipt from yet another cafe in Ipoh. How many of you remember Long John’s Tavern? It used to be along Jalan S.A. Lingam (in Ipoh Garden South).

Who Remembers the ‘Nautilus Inn’?

By |2015-05-15T14:04:10+08:00May 15th, 2015|Categories: food, Ipoh Town, Memories|

cafe_receiptreceipt courtesy of: Charlie Choong

 

Back in the 1980s, there was a place called The Nautilus Inn along Leong Sin Nam Street. As shown in the receipt (above), a seafood cocktail cost $3.90 – it’s probably 3 times the price today!

Does anyone remember Nautilus Inn? Who owned this place? What was their specialty?

Pulut Kaya

By |2015-05-14T11:51:54+08:00May 14th, 2015|Categories: food|

pulut_kaya

After a rather long hiatus, our Food Blog is back with a feature-of-the-week! For those of you who don’t recognise the photo, this is pulut kaya – sticky rice with egg-jam.

The one our photographer had (above) cost RM 3, from Keng Nam coffee shop (along Cowan Street).

We’d like to hear from all of you with a sweet-tooth 😉 Or, if any of you have the recipe DO share it with us….

March 2015

Relief on a hot day!

By |2015-03-19T16:21:47+08:00March 19th, 2015|Categories: food|

floatpicture taken by Christopher

Nothing like an ice cream float on a scorching day, eh? Well, this thirst-quenching float was bought at Loke Wooi Kee Cafe (@RM3.10), along Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakri (formerly known as Clare Street).Incidentally, we found out that the cafe has been in business for four generations.

 Any fans of ice cream floats out there? From past blog comments, I know there are quite a few root beer float lovers…

 

February 2015

A Chinese New Year must-have….

By |2015-02-17T16:58:01+08:00February 20th, 2015|Categories: festivals/celebrations, food|

test2CNY

For those of you who don’t know what’s on the plate, it is none other than the famed Chinese New Year dish Yee Sang – a Teochew style raw fish salad. It consists of strips of raw fish and shredded vegetables, tossed together with a variety of sauces and condiments. This dish is also known as the ‘Prosperity Toss’ (Lo Hei) and considered a symbol of abundance, prosperity and vigor.

The one our office had (picture above) featured salmon; I do wonder….what fish was in the original dish back then?

Also…is there a specific assortment of vegetables used, or can we prepare this dish with any combination?

 

Hoong Tho Restaurant

By |2015-02-09T16:19:20+08:00February 9th, 2015|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories|

This is not part of our food-column….rather, we’re just curious to know more about Hoong Tho Restaurant (see picture below).

20091213-001picture courtesy of: Yuen Chie Onn

This picture was taken on 8th September 1957 –  when the restaurant was decorated to celebrate the Mooncake or Mid-Autumn Festival.

From what we were told, this business (whose premise is along Leech Street) is still running. Anyone know what was their specialty?

November 2014

Another famous brand?

By |2014-11-26T08:34:04+08:00November 26th, 2014|Categories: childhood, food, Memories|Tags: , , , |

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

It is said that the story of Horlicks began with James & William Horlick from Glouscestershire, who came up with the idea of a malt milk drink (as an artificial infant food).

History aside, what was YOUR Horlicks memory like? I remember drinking this during my pre-school years. Later, this malt drink (and the famous Milo) kept me company during my university days – especially when studying late into the night (coffee never seemed to work!). Was Horlicks part of your life too? Is it still part of your life? 😉

October 2014

Oyster-Egg?

By |2014-10-09T12:42:38+08:00October 9th, 2014|Categories: food, Identify Photographs|Tags: |

I don’t know the actual name of this dish, but I do know that many enjoy eating it – especially for a late supper!

oyster_egg

Our photographer visited this stall in Taiping. Apparently, the dish he ate (right) cost him RM 11. I’m sure there are similar stalls in Ipoh which sell this treat. So we put this question to you, dear Foodies – Where in Ipoh can we find this ‘Oyster-Egg’ / Kuih Tiram dish? And how much does the average plate cost?

September 2014

‘Koay Kak’ at Bercham

By |2014-09-11T10:25:27+08:00September 11th, 2014|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, People|

CharKoay1

If you happen to drive by Persiaran Bercham Selatan 1 (just behind 7-11), you might see this man hard at work! He may not be as vigorous as the famed ‘Spiderman’, but I’m sure his dish has its own unique taste. Here’s a closer look (picture below)

CharKoay2

Our photographer told us that this dish – Koay Kak, as the hawker calls it – costs RM 2.3o (RM 2.80 with egg). Has anyone tried it? If you have…you know what to do 😉

August 2014

A Different Type of Pancake?

By |2014-08-28T15:54:59+08:00August 28th, 2014|Categories: food|

DSC_0538

I was told by our photographer that this dessert is known as Dai Gao Meen. Some people call it Apam-Balik. What ever YOU call it, what matters is that it  tastes GOOD, right? Crispy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside…with a little crunch from the peanuts. Dear Foodies, do any of you know how this dessert came about?

Tea-time Snacks?

By |2014-08-14T11:44:30+08:00August 14th, 2014|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, tourism|Tags: , |

snacks1

Fellow Foodies will be very familiar with this restaurant. On our food blog today, we’d like to feature an all-time favourite snack – the tasty, crispy Yau Char Koay (or Chinese crullers, as some may call it). Yes, for those who didn’t already know…there is a stall in New Hollywood which sells Yau Char Koay, along with Ham Chim Paeng (salty doughnut) and horse-shoe doughnut.

snacks2

I personally enjoy Yau Char Koay with some porridge. How do YOU enjoy your Yau Char Koay?

On that note: Does anyone know the origins of these well-loved snacks?

Thum’s Burger

By |2014-08-07T14:27:26+08:00August 7th, 2014|Categories: childhood, food, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

burger

I wonder if anyone out there remembers this young man (first picture). These pictures were part of an article which appeared in the Star (26th July 2014); according to the writer, this white van (second picture) was usually parked under a tree (around Canning Garden) while the many customers waited in line to be served. I’ve not come across Thum’s Burger (as advertised on the van) – perhaps it was before my time? 😉

Could anyone shed some light on this? We’re curious to know more about this mobile burger stall.

July 2014

The 4 Ipoh-Born “kids”

By |2014-08-01T10:48:38+08:00July 31st, 2014|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

RasaSayang

When we talk about meeting up with old friends, more often than not we end up at a local cafe/restaurant. Can’t help it, we Ipoh folks love our food, don’t we? 😉 Hence, we at ipohWorld also decided to start a little ‘food-section’…to highlight some all-time favourites which are both tasty and affordable.

We’ve decided to do something different for our food-blog today. Here’s a photograph of Ruth Iversen Rollitt (wearing a light blue top) having a meal with 3 other Ipoh ‘natives’, namely: Daniel Choo (an architect in Luxemburg), Mariam Mokhtar (a well known writer) and Ming. According to Ruth, they met up at Rasa Sayang (a Malaysian restaurant along Macclesfield Street, London). Ruth also mentions that the food at Rasa Sayang is quite authentic.

Here’s a thought for you Ipoh-natives around the globe: have you been lucky enough to sample good Malaysian food in a foreign country?

Time for some Bubur Cha-Cha!

By |2014-07-24T17:42:47+08:00July 24th, 2014|Categories: food, Ipoh Town|

This stall is along Cowan Street….some of you may be familiar with this place.

bubur1

It’s known for their desserts – or thong sui, as the locals call it. One of them is the famous Bubur Cha-cha (pictured below). Our photographer paid RM 1.70 for this 🙂

bubur2

Wonton Noodles, in Buntong

By |2014-07-17T17:29:26+08:00July 17th, 2014|Categories: food, ipoh|

Some of the Foodies out there may have heard of Cheong Kee, in Buntong. We’ve also had Blog Readers mention it. This is a family firm that has been running for many more years; and as family members have passed away, the children simply step up one position in the production line to keep the show on the road. You can see them in action (below).

wonton1

wonton2

Ian and his wife visited this place recently. If any of you do intend to eat there, you can choose to sit either inside or outside the shop (al fresco style?). There are two areas to eat, outside under an awning or inside. The white plate with one and a half noodles and the orange with single. Both bowls contain 10 Wonton each. The white plate with double Wonton cost RM7.60. The Winter Melon drink was RM1.50.

“Friend” or “Foe” ?

By |2014-07-10T15:39:15+08:00July 10th, 2014|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, People, tourism|Tags: |

durian

Love it or hate it, this beauty is regarded the King of Fruits in this part of the world. The durian may have a strong odour which puts people off, but once you get past the smell to taste the creamy flesh – well, need I say more? 😉

Leong (our photographer) managed to capture this man in action. He usually sets up his stall along Jalan Canning Estate. Incidentally, Osbourne Street was once known as ‘Durian Street‘; do they still sell durians there? I haven’t seen any stalls there lately….

Craving for Nasi Kandar?

By |2014-07-03T17:12:29+08:00July 3rd, 2014|Categories: food, Ipoh Town, Memories|Tags: , |

nasi_kandar

According to our photographer (Leong), this place is near the Birch Memorial Clock Tower. Judging by the crowd, I’d say this is a very popular stall 🙂

Could this be the same Nasi Kandar stall which once started out under a shady tree in the same vicinity? We’ve heard stories about the old stall; one tale states that a former judge from the nearby court house was a regular patron – often sending a ‘runner’ to pack some lunch for him.

June 2014

Rojak!

By |2014-06-24T16:17:40+08:00June 24th, 2014|Categories: food, Ipoh Town|

Could this be the once famous Ipoh Padang Rojak stall?

rojak

We think it is….perhaps the Foodies out there might know better 😉

Tasty Snacks, at Leech Street

By |2014-06-12T16:56:54+08:00June 12th, 2014|Categories: food, tourism|

OCK1

Between the first (curry puff) and second (siew pau) picture, which one is YOUR favourite savoury snack?

Our photographer took these pictures at Jalan Bandar Timah (Leech Street) in Old Town. Besides the ones pictured above, they also sell other treats.

ock2

Yummy Seafood Noodles!

By |2014-06-05T14:32:41+08:00June 5th, 2014|Categories: food, ipoh|

seafoodnoodle

This stall is at Soon Hoong Restorant (Lebuh Bercham Selatan). According to our photographer, this dish tastes lovely. Is seafood noodles an Ipoh specialty? Or, could it have been ‘adopted’ by the Ipoh folks as part of their menu?

Foodies out there, you tell us 🙂

May 2014

Cendol!!

By |2014-05-30T15:36:50+08:00May 30th, 2014|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories|

photo 2No prizes for guessing what this man is up to!

photo 3I’m sure some of you are already salivating at this picture. Yes, folks…this is the one and only Cendol! Perhaps not the most famous one in Ipoh, but this stall is quite popular – judging by the crowd (see below).

photo 4

What we’d like to know is: WHERE in Ipoh can you find the best Cendol?

A Well-loved Snack

By |2014-05-22T15:00:19+08:00May 22nd, 2014|Categories: food, ipoh, tourism|Tags: , |

For today’s food-blog, we’re featuring the ever popular Popiah.

IMG_6788_edited

IMG_6789_edited

Does anyone know the origins of this delicious dish? Is it uniquely Malaysian?

On that note, do you know the best place (in Ipoh) one might find this dish?

April 2014

Where’s Ipoh’s Best Satay?

By |2014-05-05T11:37:44+08:00April 30th, 2014|Categories: food|

satay

These pictures (above) are said to be from a stall at Kopitiam Gui Lin, Jalan Perajurit in Ipoh Garden East. According to our photographer, the satay here is quite tasty.

What do you, dear Readers, think? Does anyone know the best place (in Ipoh) for satay? That is the question we’d like to ask all you Foodies out there!

A Handy Gadget?

By |2014-04-25T16:02:04+08:00April 25th, 2014|Categories: childhood, food, Identify Photographs, Memories|Tags: |

At first glance, it probably looks like a stool. But it’s really an ice shaver – look closely and you can see the blade 😉

20070413-015

An ice block is run over the blade repeatedly while the shavings are collected into a bowl underneath. Have you seen your ABC / Cendol seller use this? Or, have YOU ever tried using this gadget before?

Kaya Puff for Dessert?

By |2014-04-15T14:27:50+08:00April 15th, 2014|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, People|Tags: , |

kayapuff1

I’m sure some of you have seen this shop….some of you may be regular customers too! This shop, located at Jalan Mustafa Al Bakri, is said to be famous for its Kaya Puff – a light and fluffy pastry with egg-jam filling.

kayapuff2

Ideal for those with a sweet-tooth, don’t you think? Have you eaten one of these tasty treats? Or, perhaps you know of yet another place which serves this particular sweet.

We’d love to hear from you 🙂

Did you know…

By |2014-04-07T16:38:23+08:00April 7th, 2014|Categories: food, Memories|

20070802-006

…that pineapples were once grown under coconut and rubber trees? This 1920 postcard shows a bullock cart used in transporting pineapples. I do wonder how much a pineapple cost back then 😉

Could THIS be the famous Hugh Low Street Curry Mee?

By |2014-04-03T15:43:24+08:00April 3rd, 2014|Categories: food, Memories, People, tourism|Tags: , , |

In previous blog posts, we’ve had Readers talk about the famous ‘Police Station Curry Mee’. I do wonder if this (Restoran Xin Quan Fang) is the place you guys were talking about.

food1

If you answered yes to the above query, then perhaps you know these gentlemen. [And they in turn will know you as a ‘regular’ and probably also know your order 😉 ]

food2the ‘chef’ and his assistant

food3the final product!

March 2014

Here Comes the SPIDERMAN!

By |2014-03-17T16:08:15+08:00March 17th, 2014|Categories: childhood, food, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

Mano asked if we could start a food blog page and after discussing it we have decided to intersperse our traditional style heritage photos with some food photos and invite comments on certain well-known local foods. If there is sufficient enthusiasm from our readers this will become a regular feature of ipohWorld’s World.

So what could be better than to start this new venture with the famous dish Sar Hor Fun and a picture of the most famous purveyor of this wondrous food – Spiderman.

Spiderman

We were fortunate to get this picture from Ms Ong Su-ming when she wrote her growing-up stories for our book “Ipoh, My Home Town”. As you will appreciate, like others in the book, it is a very rare picture and we are very happy to share it with you all.

But now it is your turn – Who remembers Spiderman, were his noodles really that special and where else on Kinta Valley could you get Sar Hor Fun in days gone by? Where can you find it now?

Go to Top