Monday, May 11, 2015

IPOH TOWN PERAK | Part 1 Perak North Road Trip Food Trail By Best Restaurant To Eat

Ipoh Food Trail
View of Sungai Kinta at night (Ipoh)
 Once in a while, we enjoy a food trail expedition to other states in Malaysia; one is to satisfy our cravings for authentic, original and some real tasty treat in hidden places. The second reason is also to take a break from our many local food reviews and to add some diversity to our blog.

Familiar queue in most of the makan place we went
After doing some research and many recommendations from people who have tried from these makan outlet, we embarked to make a head way to the northern states of Perak specifically Ipoh and a pass by visit to Kampar.

Another long queue - but this one not worth it here. Details in Part 2 Ipoh Outskirt
This Perak food trail post is divided into 3 parts i.e. the first part is the Ipoh Town Central while the second is the outskirt of Ipoh and the third part is Kampar Town. For this food trail, since we have to covered so many outlet, our review will be very straight forward – we will named the food and rate it whether it is good, worth the try (so so) or overrated (since all the outlet are already quite popular).


For Breakfast - we went to Sun Yuan Foong located at 17, Jalan Bandar Timah, Ipoh which is located in Ipoh Old Town - this is a very popular breakfast place in Ipoh and where the famed White Coffee is from,


Here we also tried their toast bread with poached egg (RM1.90). The bread is buttered up before toasting it. Verdict : Good.


Next, we had the signature White Coffee. Verdict : So So, have tasted better one else where.


Followed by the Chee Cheong Fun in the front portion of the coffee shop. The sauce is a mushroom sauce with mince pork. Verdict : So So. Later in part 2 we had one that is of much better taste and quality which is at Pasir Pinji. You can scroll down to go to part 2 to read about it.


followed by the Yong Tau Foo. The fried Yong Tau Foo was very smooth and at 80 sen a piece it was worth it. The fish paste was chewy and have the bouncy texture. You can also tried the other stuff items like the Ladies Finger and Brinjal. Verdict: Good.


After that we move over to the opposite shop which is Nam Heong


and order the Fried Kway Teow. The noodle was fried to the right wok kei, This is really good although serving is quiet small. We had to order another plate to satisfy our craving.


After that, we went to the other part of old town, where we came across this Tau Foo Far shop which is opposite the Thean Chun Coffee shop. We tried previously the Funny Mountain Tau Foo Far, which was over priced and overrated. So, this time around we are not going for it but tried this new place.


We have eaten much smoother Tau Foo Far and this one does not fare better. The place is quiet nicely decorated though and have an air-conditioned top floor.


Our lunch brought us to 2 restaurant the first of which was to try the famed "Nasi Ganja" in Kedai Kopi Yong Suan located at 2, Jalan Yang Kalsom, Ipoh.


When we arrive, slightly after 12 the place was already having a long queue.


We had the Nasi with Ayam Goreng (taste wise it was so so, nothing spectacular about it except the price which was at RM4.60. If you really love this kind of food, we had tasted one in Petaling Jaya that serves much better. Click Here.


the add on was the Mutton Curry. The meat was chewy and not so gamey, taste wise it was not bad although it lacks the fragrant spice aroma and taste which I love. We wanted to order the Squid, but it was finish by then.


When we were having our Nasi Ganja, we had a recommendation to try out a Fish Meat Noodle which is further down the road. We made our way to the Lucky Ipoh Restaurant located at 266 Jalan Pasir Puteh, Pasir Puteh.


What was good is the Fish Meat Noodles i.e. the noodles are made from fish paste and then cooked in either Fish Fillet, Prawns or Crabs.


Thru the recommendation, we tried 2 dishes which were the Fish meat noodles with Garoupa fillet slice (RM50.00). It is cooked using a clear broth and it was very tasty and the flesh of the fish fillet was firm and cooked to the right texture.


Next, we had the steam Yue Mai (RM13.00), from what we understand this is the Sai To fish which gives a firm and bouncy texture. Since it is steam, you can really enjoy the natural taste of the fish paste used to make this fishball.


For dinner, we didn't want to have the usual Lou Wong and Onn Kee Taugeh Chicken as we find that these 2 places are pricey and their quality have dropped in recent years. Thru some recommendation, we tried out Tuck Kee Restaurant located at No 61, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, 30300 Ipoh, Perak instead.


Tuck Kee is famed for its Fried Noodles especially the River Moon Flat Noodle (RM12.00). This dish is similar to the Wan Tan Hor but it is different in taste compared with the KL version, in that it has a funny flavour here and lacking in the Wok Hei and the gravy was quite bland, although it is the top selling in this restaurant.


The second dish was the Moon Flat Noodle (RM6.50), this fared much better as the raw eggs when mixed with the hot noodles, gives it a silky finishing to the noodles.


The third noodles dish is the Soft Noodle (Yee Mee) RM6.50 cooked much like the Hokkein Mee, Taste wise, it was OK.


What stands out in Tuck Kee for us is the side dishes that they had, the first is the Chicken Feet (RM5.00). The soya sauce used to stewed the chicken feet was very aromatic. Although a side dish, the soya gravy is best eaten with white rice.


Next, we had the Poached Octopus (RM8.00) in soya sauce. This dish is excellent as the springy octopus was very fresh, gives a chewy feel and best eaten with this soya based sauce. We had to order another one as it was really very tasty.


Finally is the Taugeh- bean Sprout(RM5.00), which in Ipoh is one of the must have dishes. The taugeh in Ipoh are usually of the fat size, which gives it a crunch when you eat it.

Having difficulty in locating these location. You can click here to follow this trail on GoogleMap

Read about our Part 2 Ipoh Road Trip Food Trail from the link below :

Ipoh Town Perak Part 2 Perak North Road Trip Food Trail 

Explore Best Restaurant Other Food Trail

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Ramadan Buffet At SOI 23 Twenty Three Pacific Regency Hotel Suites - Buka Puasa Over KL Skyline Review By Best Restaurant


Most restaurants and hotels that offers Ramadan Buffet does not have any spectacular view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline. One hidden gems that was discovered by Best Restaurant To Eat was at SOI 23 Twenty Three, Pacific Regency Hotel Suites located at KH Tower, Jalan Punchak, Off Jalan P.Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia., next to the Menara KL.


It offers a panaromic view of Kuala Lumpur, while dining in the holy month of Ramadan, offering a feast not only to your tummy but also your eyes.


For 2015, The theme for this Ramadan Buka Puasa is Memori Selera Desa - A reminiscent of the sumptuous traditional Malay delicacies inspired by Chef Zairul’s memories of his mother’s homecooked meals.


With more than 20 years experience in Malay and International Cuisine; Chef Zairul will be serving an array of more than 100 selections and 6 rotating menu; you will be hard pressed on which you should feast on. 


Be treated to Malaysia’s original menus such as Gulai Telur Itik, Belimbing Buluh, Gulai Pisang Muda, Tenggiri Gulai Bendi and Ayam Masak Lemak Dauk Cekur among others served with piping hot steamed white rice accompanied with a variety of ‘ulams’ and an array of spicy sambals that would make the perfect meal!


For our review, some of the highlights are the Ikan Tenggiri Gulai Kampung


not forgetting the original taste of the Daging Masak Hitam


or the Udang Sambal Petai for seafood lovers;


The roast section offers roast lamb with black pepper sauce on the Nasi Briyani. 


or you can try out the Ayam Percik under the roast section.


or the Pasembor/Rojak selection


while there were an array of desserts from cakes, puddings and etc 


to traditional Malay Kuih.


and fruits offering both of locals and overseas fruits.


Other traditional dishes like Nasi Dagang are also featured at Soi 23.


while you can't missed out on the Satay offering.


‘Memori Selera Desa’ buffet is available at RM103 nett per adult and senior citizen / children get to enjoy it at RM59.00 nett for the whole month of June. Seize this opportunity for something different while you dine in the comfort of the stylishly furnished SOI 23 that offers a panaromic view of the city’s skyline. For reservations, please call +603 2332 7777 ext. 6807 or email at fnbadmin@pacific-regency.com


Advanced booking is encouraged to avoid disappointment. Pacific Regency Hotel Suites is currently offering an Early Bird Promotion of RM78 nett which can be purchased from now till 31st May 2015.


Overall, you will be pleasantly happy by the ambience, the environment and of course the kampong style food offering of SOI 23 Twenty Three. 


It will definitely makes a special lasting impression and treats for you to entertain your guest or family members. Make a date for this Ramadan with Soi 23 Twenty Three at Pacific Regency Hotel Suites for your Buka Puasa.

Friday, May 8, 2015

Sekinchan Kuala Selangor Sg Janggut Road Trip Food Trail by Best Restaurant To Eat

Once in a while, it is nice to take a short break from food review in Klang Valley and goes outskirt to places to search for food that locals go for. With that in mind, Best Restaurant To Eat, exploration to the fishing town of Sekinchan, Selangor; a further distance up north of Kuala Selangor to try out some of the specialties there.


Our first stop was at Cha Po Tion located at 9990B Jalan Besar Bagan Bagan Sekinchan 45400 Sekinchan Selangor. This is an unassuming restaurant; all in the traditional fare of the kampong style.


When we arrive it was a already packed with customers. But surprisingly, it didn't take that long before our first dish arrive.


As Sekinchan is popular for fish (fishball too) and seafood, the first dish was the Spicy Sour Vermicelli or Meehoon Seafood Soup (RM20). 


It has a tinge of spiciness in it. A nice start to our meal. The bouncy fishball has a firm texture and each bite gives you a fulfilling taste.


Next was the Baby Shark Soup (RM14). If you are one of the naturalist, you can skip this dish. Anyway I find this dish a little too bland for me. The baby shark meat has a flat taste. We have never eaten shark meat, so this dish is to try out the taste of this fish meat.


Next on is the Seafood Porridge (RM25) - it consists of a combination of fresh seafood; like prawns, lala, fish meat in a teochew style porridge i.e. one that is very watery with rice like porridge. Note: all the 3 dishes are using the same broth to cook it.


This is then followed by Deep Fried Calamari - nothing fanciful, but the calamari was very firm, fresh and bouncy. Didn't really like the chilli sauce. Would have been better if they use the Kampong Koh Chilli Sauce from Sitiawan instead.


and on to one of yours truly favorite seafood; Superior Soup Lala with Ginger (Xiong Tong Lala). The lala that was used is the thick shell type and the Superior soup was tasty with a strong aroma of freshly cut ginger. 


After our meal, we went to the Sekinchan beach; the beach here is not suitable for swimming as it is quiet muddy and a little polluted. There are many small shop along the beach serving fried lala, deep fried mantis prawn and lala (not oyster) chien. Didn't really try it as we just had our lunch earlier.


The other attraction in Sekinchan, Selangor is the temple with a wishing tree. 


On weekend Sekinchan is bursting with tourist from all over the place. We then decided to take a short drive to town and saw this stall along Jalan Bahagia selling fried stuff. 


Since there was a small crowd lining this stall, we decided to buy some cucur udang. It is quite crispy and nice as an afternoon snack food. After munching on these snack, we head over to the Sekinchan rice museum.


After the tour of the rice museum and padi fields exploration, we made our journey toward Kuala Selangor as we planned to have dinner there. On the way, we stopped by at Sg Janggut where a restaurant named Kedai Kopi Sin Lok is famed for its woo kok;


We were told that there is only one set left and we took it; it was very crusty and the filling was very delicious as the char siew sauce was nice while the taro was soft. Too bad, we really had to share this little last piece among us.


We then head over to the fishing village of Sg Janggut where there is a restaurant called Sg Janggut Seafood Restaurant at Lot 139A, Batu 15, Jalan Bagan, Sungai Janggut, 42200 Kapar, Selangor.


The first dish that we ordered was the Coconut Tom Yam Prawn - The tom yam was not over powering and since it was made from the fresh coconut juice, the sweetness of the coconut juice is very different; it tasted more refreshing and one have to eat this with white rice. 


The prawns was very fresh and succulent.


Our next dish is the Kam Heong Bamboo Lala; we were indeed very surprised by the size of this bamboo lala, we had not eaten bamboo lala of this size.


We were spot on to order this bamboo lala to be cooked in Kam Heong style as the aroma from the dried prawns and sauce was just too good to be missed. We had one too many bowl of white rice to be accompanied with this dish.


The next dish has a very funny name which is Germany Pig Foot - it should be German Pork Knuckle instead. We were very glad to see the size of the pork knuckle when it arrive on our table. Imagine we could not finish this dish and have to pack back to be enjoyed at home the next day.


Although it was just plain deep fried knuckle, the crisp was excellent, the meat was tender and would be great for beer lovers' to eat it with their favourite cold beer.


Next, we had the Crab Meat Tofu; which was way off from our standard. You can skip on this dish.


We cannot go back without tasting crab and with that we ordered the Steam Crab.


As with the prawns, the crab was very fresh. Unfortunately one of the crab was not that good. The  other 2 crabs; it's meat was so good that we literally had our finger licking good. I always believe that the best way to enjoy crab is to eat with the steam version. This way you are able to enjoy the pure natural sweetness of the crab taste or likewise. 


We had a complimentary dish which is the Fried Anchovies - A very crusty and addictive dish; once you start to eat this dish, you really can't stop eating one after another. I believe that if you order to a certain amount the boss will give you a complimentary dish. Let's hope they still keep to this tradition but you can always check it out. If you don't get it as a complimentary dish, you can consider ordering this dish too.


And with that; our tummy has been filled to the brim, we made our journey home there after. Overall it has been a nice trip to eat some of these local favourite dishes. Stay tune for the next food trail by Best Restaurant to Eat.

You can view some of Best Restaurant To Eat food trail from the link below.