Motormouth has moved !!! (http://www.j2kfm.com)

Thanks fellow bloggers, faithful readers of Motormouth From Ipoh since day one (you know who you are!!) and those who had stumbled upon this highly infectious/viral yet humble blog of mine.

I have successfully ended my run over here at Motormouth From Ipoh (erm, version 1?), and from now on, will be permanently blogging over at my own domain :

http://www.j2kfm.com

So, what to do next?

1) PLEASE click the link above, hop over and have a look at my new "home"

2) Drop a comment over THERE, at www.j2kfm.com, indicating you've seen Motormouth's transformation/evolution, and most important of all ...

3) UPDATE YOUR BOOKMARKS, LINKS, BLOGROLL, and whatever else necessary. Why?

Because I won't be updating this blog here anymore, but instead continue to spread my poisons over at  

http://www.j2kfm.com.

Thanks again everyone !!! So what are YOU waiting for? :)

Bangkok Street Food - Grilled Fish @ Pratunam

Third and last (LAST?!!!) day of the 3-Days-Long-Weekend here in Perak. Time flies when you're minding your own business, chomping on some good grubs here and there (delightful Big Tree Foot/Dai Shu Geok's  Fried 'Liew' aka Yong Tau Foo comes to mind, naturally. Just had 10 or so pieces of those absolutely scrumptious stuffed fish paste deep-fried to oily/greasy perfection!), attended a "Thankfully-we-survived the 3 years in service" feast over at Mun Choong Restaurant in Pasir Puteh , Ipoh yesterday night, and mentally preparing myself for the impending doom (aka work+travels+meetings) on the subsequent 4 days. 

And the much-dreaded thought of working during Raya, which to our dismay, might come into fruition after all, and high probability of shattering our dreams of a 4 days long weekend on the week after next. Shucks, BIG time .....

Grilled Tilapia, rubbed with salt and wheat flour, and served with a side dipping of fiery & tangy dipping sauce

Highly recommended by both Jason and sc, this was without a doubt, one of the top must-try in our itinerary. And the strategic placing of the rows after rows of stalls lining the side of the street between Central World and Platinum Shopping Mall in Pratunam, made it all better, since we're staying somewhere around the area and dining at eateries inside the malls can be a rather taxing affair.

If you're wondering how to locate these stalls, selling delightful and cheap grilled seafood and meats when for one, you probably can't read Thai, and two, the stalls do not even have any signboards for a start. Don't worry, as this glutton row of Bangkok cheap eats is directly outside of Central World Shopping Centre, coming out from the Isetan exit, walking towards Platinum Shopping Mall, which is directly behind Central World, across the river.

Our order consisted of a grilled whole fish (tilapia), which was encrusted with sea salt and wheat flour on the outer layer of the skin, then subsequently grilled over charcoal-fuelled fire. The skin is not meant to be eaten (who would, after some serious charring over the grill?!), but the sweet and firm flesh underneath is the glorified loot, to be dipped into the fiery dipping sauce concocted from cili padi (bird eye chillies), lime juice, etc. Though came with a mild earthy tone, typical characteristic of a river fish, we devoured the tilapia like a hungry pack of wolves. All the while sipping/guzzling on some much-needed Coke. (The soft drink, mind you).

The other dishes paled in comparison, with notable exception of the kerabu chicken feet salad, otherwise known as glass chicken feet salad, referring to the translucent, gelatinous layers of skin incorporated into the piquant appetizer. 

The Tom Yum was a meagre affair, lacking in both taste and presentation departments. A little too bland to our liking, as we expected a more robust flavour, given the fact that this is after all, a thorough street food feast. The fried rice was passable, being at the right balance of fluffiness, though a little more ingredients thrown in would be a welcoming touch.

The meal came to 540 baht/RM54 for the four of us, a reasonably-priced feast, and we were eating alongside the locals which were considerably more than the number of tourists/foreigners dining there, which is a good sign in itself.

Appreciate the remaining hours of the holiday, fellow bloggers/readers .....

For it's almost unheard of in other countries, to be granted with so many public holidays back to back, within the span of a month.

The Eccentric Bangkok

Previous installment - Once Upon A Time in Bangkok ....

It's a long, 3-days weekend, therefore I'll spare you the endless rantings, and instead let the pictures do the talking ..... 

Theme for the day? Bangkok, best described as Quirky, Wacky & Eccentric? ......=)

#1 - The Relentless Traffic Jams - 5 lanes vs 1 lane?

#2 - Talking Eggs searching for lurve Loft in the mall ....

#3 - Fans cheering for the guys & gals doing the Macarena

#4 - Dun pray pray .... Eyelashes longer than your fingernails !!

#5 - Of Knights and Wizards ... POSERS.

#6 - How nice if our politicians dress down sometimes, and live out their fantasies like the Thais ....

#7 - Fairer than your SKII/Shu Uemura/Bedak Sejuk ambassadors

#8 - Want some of my BALLS? No thanks, my hands are stuck to my cap. The politically-incorrect, WHITE Michael Jackson

#9 - Even the staff of the restaurant were dancing for no reason! Wui, mogok ah?!!

#10 - MK Platter - Lacklustre at best. C'mon, they thought we're dumb enough to fall for the fish-impostors?!!

#11 - Green, mean and lean noodles, Saviour in the form of the spicy/tangy dipping sauce, and the pot of vegetables in clear (bland) broth

MK Steamboat Restaurant has many chains all over Thailand. One of their most famous chain,alongside Fuji Japanese Restaurant, and Bar-B-Q Plaza, which one can find in most major shopping centres in KL.

At 12.30pm sharp (not sure about the other 'performance' hour), the whole restaurant will come into a standstill, with every single staff dancing to the music, with some tongue-in-cheek, and rather cringe-worthy moves. FOC, don't worry. They don't ask for donations either.

The meal was rather disappointing, with an almost tasteless soup base. The set with mixed seafood and meats, as well as another that came with an array of vegetables, were nothing out-of-the-ordinary. Total damage = 492baht/RM50 for the four of us, which although was reasonable, but left us craving for more.

#12 - Get your Sugar Fix Here .... Khanom Buang @ 10baht each (MBK Shopping Complex)

#13 - Trudge Strut along the Walk of Fame .... Siam Paragon-style.

And with that, Happy Weekend everyone. 

P/S : This has gotta be my shortest post ever.

*Ahem, I see you clapping back there .... !!

Seng Kee - The Ipoh's Heong Peng Story

Heong Peng, or Heong Peah, or Heang Peah (literally translated to Fragrant Biscuits) is one of Ipoh's most famous pastry (if not THE most famous), widely marketed and commercialized thanks to the commendable efforts of Yee Hup, one of the most popular brand of Heong Peng originating from Gunung Rapat.

"Sweat ... sweat .... why this fella snap my picture one?!! Now lemme stack em up and build a Twin Tower from the biscuits, fit for a Spiderman from France ..."

I unabashedly admit that I grew up on Yee Hup's traditional Heong Peng (those crispy/flaky pastry skins with sticky and sweet maltose + shallots filling) produced by broiling/roasting the biscuits in an enclosed oven-like clay jar (think how they make Naan bread, and you'll get a rough idea), fuelled by burning coconut shells.

The production site - See those cute, round-ish biscuits 'attached' to the walls of the oven? And the dried coconut shells as fuel to broil those pastries.

But as time goes by, success breeds contempt, and after awhile, contempt turns to greed. Nolah .... just that Yee Hup was doing such brisk business, it's practically unpractical (aiks, metaphorically speaking?) to mass produce the well-loved biscuits the traditional way from home, with orders and walk-in customers pouring in relentlessly.

On a side note, ironically, another confectionery is facing the same problem as of now. Sin Eng Heong (click HERE for the review) that produces delectable kaya puffs is on the receiving end of customer's wrath day in and day out, for they're trying desperately to cope with the huge amount of orders, and constantly mistaken for being arrogant for turning people away. Soon, they're gonna go the machinery/modernized route, and then we'll see another long-lost tradition in the making.

Imagine if I'm not restrained, I would've popped a few at one go ..... Nothing beats hot & fresh Heong Peng from the 'ovens'

Back to the Heong Peng story, Yee Hup proceeded to expand successfully, with branches opening left and rights, but the modernized method of baking the pastry in ovens, losing the traditional touch, as well as the authentic, smoky fragrance of the Heong Peng from days of yore. Not that I'm THAT old, mind you.

But along came Seng Kee Food Trading, an exclusively-hidden gem in Gunung Rapat, STILL producing and selling the delightful biscuits in the same, old way (in the compound of a house), and had yet to venture towards the commercialization route, aka the BANE of tasty & traditional foods (Yik Mun's pau, anyone?) and drinks (think Old Town White Coffee).

You'd probably wheeze past without even noticing what-in-the-world they're selling!

Coincidentally, this is not the first time I'm writing about Seng Kee. Citygal was the 'culprit' (Hehe .... much, much grateful for the recommendation!) who brought me and Jason over to this house on Lorong Gunung Rapat 3, after a food run at Kwong Hong Yong Tau Foo/Yeong Liew, and Kee Poh Laksa. (Salivating? Click HERE for the post)

The array of local delicacies, from biscuits to snacks, and 3-in-1 beverages to their very own products @ Seng Kee Heang Peah Enterprise. The upper right is the nicer, individually-packed Heong Peng, at RM6.50 for 9 pcs.

But back then, I was not aware of their other shop (a REAL shoplot, a short distance away) in Ipoh Jaya, which opens for business daily except Wednesdays, and far easier to locate than the house I mentioned previously.

Now comes in two forms - The normal Heong Peng, and the low-sugar option, for the healthier ones. Both retail for RM6 per packet, but the low sugar version comes in a much bigger pack

Say, if you're lost in Gunung Rapat trying your desperate best in search of the house (Seng Kee Food Trading) manufacturing these sweet babies, don't lose hope just yet. Return to the main road, and within minutes ...Voila! You'll find Seng Kee Heang Peah Enterprise at a corner of a row of shops in Ipoh Jaya.

The shop has been opened since August of 2008, and sells other products aside from the ubiquitous Heong Peng of Gunung Rapat. Other confectioneries produced by Seng Kee include the 'Yat Hau Sow', a crumbly cookie-like creation not unlike 'Hup Tou Sow' aka Walnut Biscuits.

Smooth, almost flawless 'skin' that's flaky, crispy and delectably sweet & addictive

Words can't describe the exact sensation or taste of the Heong Peng produced utilizing the old, broiled with coconut shells method. The roasted, smoky fragrance is evident (that's why they're called HEONG peng, I supposed?), and the pastry remains crispy even after a few days. Sesame seeds are sparsely sprinkled atop the biscuits, and the sticky, almost too sinful filling of maltose, shallots, sugar and oil is irresistible.

Full monty in action - Fully-clothed, Half gone. And discovering the sickeningly-sweet/tooth-numbing filling in the centre. The word BLISS comes to mind, naturally.

Have them for breakfast, or tea time with a cup of tea or coffee, and watch the hours flowing by, effortlessly. Aaaah ...... I'm soooo in the weekend mood NOW.

Location : Seng Kee Food Trading (the house) @ 177, Lorong Gunung Rapat 3, Gunung Rapat, 31350 Ipoh, Perak.

Tel No : 605-312 0972. H/P No : 6012-507 0728.

Location : Seng Kee Heang Peah Enterprise (the shop) @ No 2, Selasar Rokam 11, Taman Ipoh Jaya, 31350 Ipoh, Perak.

Tel No : 6012-563 0717.

Opens daily except Wednesdays. From 9am until 7pm. On Mondays, the shop closes at 9pm, due to the night market in the area.

Here's a GOOGLE MAP to both places, within the vicinity of Gunung Rapat in Ipoh, Perak.

Men Lok Seafood @ Hutan Melintang, Perak

Hutan Melintang in Perak remains as a mystery to most. Not exactly a forest, although not without its fair share of palm oil plantations lining the trunk roads leading to Sabak Bernam and Bagan Datoh. A small town in the Hilir Perak district in southern Perak, this town had us keeping our fingers crossed, all the while scratching our heads and wondering; "How did Hutan Melintang got its name?!"

Men Lok Seafood Restaurant - A small gem amidst the quaint fishermen's village

Literally translated to 'Horizontal Forest', the moniker may sound unflattering at times, and makes an exceptionally worthy joke whenever someone's behaving like an ape; Throw him to Hutan Melintang ... and never be seen again .... Muahaha!!! (How I wish)

To get to this town, that connects Teluk Intan in Perak, and Sabak Bernam of Selangor, one must resort to trunk roads as no highways serve the route. Of course, you can't even travel on highway to Teluk Intan, although widely recognized as one of Perak's larger town (after Ipoh, Taiping and Seri Manjung).

Ginger Chicken

A reader of Motormouth From Ipoh once recommended Men Lok Seafood in Hutan Melintang, a Chinese seafood restaurant that has been operating for a good 30 years, situated right before the river banks of Sungai Bernam, lining the borders between Perak and Selangor.

Since work took us to Teluk Intan and Hutan Melintang today, we grabbed this opportunity and wondered over to Men Lok Seafood (Makanan Laut Men Lok in Malay), a humble one-storey shoplot on the main road, right before the road curves to the right, leading to Bagan Datoh.

Stir-fried Kailan with Salted Fish

Arriving a little before lunch hour, the place looked a tad deserted, with only a few tables seated with patrons. But do take note that after awhile, the capacity swelled to its fullest, and evidently, most customers this afternoon were not locals, judging from their outlook.

Of course, I spoke for ourselves as well; all decked in shirts and suits, and having lunch in a coffee shop-like ambience, which exudes a certain nostalgic charm & tells of its legacy throughout the years.

Claypot Grouper Fish Fillets with Spicy Sauce

Almost every table had a portion of either fish head, fish fillets, or even baby shark's meat served in claypot, a signature dish of Men Lok's. We chose the grouper (Sek Pan) fish fillets, which came in abundance in a claypot, cooked with some dry spicy sauce resembling 'sambal' but with a generous amount of caramelized onions, bird's eye chillies, and garlic, and probably curry paste. Though I find the dish a little dry on the whole, without sufficient gravy, the sambal went really well with the thick, succulent pieces of grouper.

Their signature Crispy fried mantis prawns and baby squids in a slight piquant sauce

But do remember to order the mantis prawns, or baby squids or a combination of both (which we had today) cooked in their Special method. Deep-fried mantis prawns and baby squids resulted in a very crunchy, almost snack-like dish, then lightly stir-fried with the sweet and spicy sauce, almost resembling 'Kung Pow' style.

"Don't be such a baby ...."

The chicken for the Ginger Chicken dish was filleted, a welcoming touch as I don't prefer my chicken with lots of bones. The dark & thick gravy belied its true flavour, which was punctuated with slight nuances of ginger slices and chopped scallions. The greens for the meal came in the form of stir-fried kailan with salted fish, a homely approach at best.

Don't write them off, yet.

The meal came to a reasonable RM58.50 for the four of us, including rice and Chinese tea. They serve various other seafood dishes as well, in the form of prawns, crabs, and such. But we held our horses this afternoon, not wanting to see someone's lips in an exaggerated, hyper-allergenic mode. ;)

Location : Men Lok Seafood Restaurant @ No 21, Main Road, Hutan Melintang, Perak.

Tel No : 605-6411484.

Opens daily from 12pm until 9pm. Closes on Fridays.

Here's a GOOGLE MAP of Men Lok Seafood.

And to burn off some calories, we went for a short, VERY short leisurely walk over to the banks of the river ....... about a stone's throw away. LOL. Wait, you can't expect us to stroll all over the place under the scorching sun now, can you?!

Pakcik in a fishing mode. He caught some prawns in a net soon after.


A fishery village in Hutan Melintang - We embraced the serene lives of the fishermen, really.



Sometimes, all we need in life is a moment of reflection.
(Selangor is on the other side of the banks)