The Malaysian Insider

The charming setting looks more like a warung... complete with the requisite two trees.

DEC 12 — In Malaysia, one great meal often leads to another. At least, that’s how I discovered a hot new “liew” heaven in Bercham, Ipoh.

While waiting for my curry mee at Kafe Tim in Ipoh Garden, I am joined by a retired couple since the shop is packed to bursting with the morning crowd.

In the spirit of breaking the ice, after exchanging a few bashful smiles, we naturally struck up a conversation, and the topic turned to food, naturally. Eyeing my bowl with interest, the auntie asked: “So what’s good here? How is your bowl of noodles?”

“The curry soup is great, though I will say that the mother of all great kap liew is at Taman Desa Rishah, have you been there?”

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NOV 14 — What do you talk about when you’re stuck at a table with strangers?

In a culinarily diverse country like Malaysia, the answer is food, naturally!

The Malay-style wa tan hor is absolutely yummy.

During the lunch provided after a society meeting, Mm and I sat at the same table as a Malay family of five. Naturally, I asked them you could find good Malay food in Ipoh — the one thing that has always stumped me here. (more…)

OCT 10 — “So what’s good there, Nga Choy Kai?”

I hear this cliche so often that it makes me want to tear my hair out in frustration. Yes, people I meet for the first time say this out of a genuine desire to establish a common ground — I am not blaming them — but heck, there’s so much more to Ipoh than just bean sprouts chicken!

At the risk of inundating the stunned listener with TMI (Too Much Information, not The Malaysian Insider), I always ensue with a random list of my favourite foods in my hometown (and you’ll notice Nga Choy Kai conspicuously missing): (more…)