What to eat in Ipoh, Malaysia

It’s safe to say that in any discussion regarding great foodie destinations in Malaysia, Ipoh is a constant presence. Here are the most delicious things to eat in Ipoh for a taste of foodie heaven!

Bean Sprouts Chicken

Ipoh’s most famous dish consists of two of the most common ingredients around: chicken and bean sprouts. As the name suggests, this popular dish consists of crunchy bean sprouts and tender chicken, usually steamed and drizzled with light soy sauce and garnish.

Also known as nga choy kai, it is often served with either rice or hor fun (flat rice noodles). The fragrant chicken and juicy bean sprouts combine well in terms of flavour and texture, easily cementing it as Ipoh’s most iconic culinary gem.

Gai Si Hor Fun

While Penang has its famous koay teow th’ng, Ipoh certain has its own popular noodle dish in the form of gai si hor fun. Loosely translated, it means chicken slices with flat rice noodles. It is usually eaten as a breakfast dish although, in true Malaysian fashion, gai si hor fun is also enjoyed during lunch, dinner, and supper.

Gai si hor fun is served in a piping hot bowl of prawn shell-infused chicken broth. The savoury broth blends well with the springy rice noodles topped with shredded chicken, shrimp, and chives. If you’re looking for a less soupy meal, you can choose to go for a dry version of the dish as well.

Hor Hee Noodles

Another breakfast staple in Ipoh is hor hee noodles. Despite sounding like a toothless toddler’s failed attempt of trying to say “horsey”, hor hee noodles make for an exceptionally hearty meal. Served in a flavoursome fish-based broth and topped with various fish-based ingredients, hor hee is almost exclusively only found in Ipoh.

It comes in a variety of noodles and the usual accompanying ingredients include springy fish balls, sliced fish cakes, fried shallots, and spring onions. The star of the dish is the fish dumping: minced fish paste wrapped in chewy dumpling skin. An excellent start to the day if I dare say so myself.

Chee Cheong Fun

Chee Cheong Fun in Chinese means pig intestine noodles (well, directly translated anyway). But don’t worry, this is not some twisted Malaysian version of haggis. It is named such because of the way the steamed rice rolls resemble pig intestines. In most parts of Malaysia, these silky smooth rolls are topped with a generous serving of various thick sauces.

In Ipoh, the dish takes on a lighter touch. Drizzled with some soy sauce and sesame oil, chee cheong fun here is topped with sliced green chilies, sesame seeds, and fried shallots. It is delectably simple and makes for a good snack suited for any time of the day. According to the locals, the best chee cheong fun in Ipoh can be found at a hawker stall in Canning Garden.

Nasi Ganja

Despite the name, you actually won’t find any illegal substances mixed in with the rice. That being said, the flavours on the plate alone are enough to make this one of the most addictive dishes in the city (hence its name). Operating out of Yong Suan Kopitiam, the nasi ganja stall is often packed during lunch hours and long queues are to be expected on most days.

The key ingredient of nasi ganja (apart from the fluffy rice) is the ayam masak merah, fried chicken braised in a spicy tomato sauce. Make sure to also ask for “kuah campur” (mixed gravy) for that extra kick in flavour!

See more: 10 destinations to visit in Ipoh, Malaysia

Source: Internet

Explore the cuisine in Bui Vien street, Saigon

Bui Vien Street in Ho Chi Minh backpacker area is one of the most hustle and bustle places in the city. The crowd from all over the world gather in the street every night for eating, drinking, chatting leisurely. Eating and drinking are the things to do in this street which is overwhelmed with many budget restaurants.

Ong Cao

Ong Cao is in in Bui Vien’s top 5 the street’s first craft beer tap room, with beers from 7 of the city’s brewers. They serve decent food too. Opened by Jeremy and May, a Vietnamese couple with French origins, the goal was for a beer bar with a distinct French bistro feel. Somewhere welcoming, where locals could relax, drink a beer, snack on cold cuts.

Located at the far end of Bui Vien in a building that has been in the family for 70 years, the bar’s decor combines vintage classic design with a modern, hip ambience. Home-fashioned wood tables are set against black and white walls covered with graffiti from Vietnam’s first generation of graffiti artists. It all combines to develop a distinct and welcoming environment, appealing to mixed generations of beer drinkers.

Lost in Saigon

Image Tya

Lost in Saigon is a frequently-packed dive bar along Bui Vien Street, where you can enjoy Vietnamese and Mexican-style fare as well as strong cocktails, beers, and liquor until late. Located in the bustling Pham Ngu Lao, there are plenty of tables on the open-air sidewalk with views of local vendors, street performances, and pedestrians.

Highly recommended dishes include cheese nachos (VND 79,000), pho with beef or chicken (VND 65,000), and banh mi bo ne (VND 129,000), which is a Vietnamese-style sizzling steak served with bread. For drinks, classic cocktails are priced at VND 130,000, while whiskies start at VND 70,000 per shot and VND 1,500,000 per bottle.

Chicken Coop

Home of Phat Rooster beers, this unassuming, hole-in-the-wall dive bar offers an unpretentious, no-nonsense place to sink an above average craft beer at a below average price.
As Phat Rooster’s unofficial tap room, they have a choice of 6 craft beers, including Saigon Blonde, a refreshingly drinkable session beer, and their Phat Shiv, a 7% ABV German beer with a flowery aroma and a distinct hint of berries.

Owned and run as a family business, expect to see the owners’ child and young relatives interacting with customers as they enjoy their food or beer. Managed by Don, a Chicago native who understands the meaning of customer service, the staff are friendly and welcoming.

Pho Quynh Saigon

Pho Quynh Saigon is a fuss-free dining venue that is heavily frequented by the local population thanks to its quick service and generous portions. Occupying a busy corner on Pham Ngu Lao Street, a bowl of pho costs about VND 65,000 and although it is pricier than other local venues, you get a substantial amount of beef slices, meatballs, brisket, and fresh greens. Another must try at Pho Quynh Saigon is pho bo kho, which consists of rice vermicelli with a thick and flavourful beef stew.

Sandos Restaurant Saigon

Sandos Restaurant Saigon boasts a good selection of local and western cuisine, cheap beers, fresh fruit juices, and efficient service in Pham Ngu Lao Street. Exuding a casual and cosy setting, this quaint eatery features a spacious patio section with plenty of colourful wooden furnishing while its indoor dining section is ideal for those looking to escape the city’s often scorching afternoons.

Read more: Top things to do in District 1, Saigon

Source Internet

Halal restaurants you can find in Shanghai, China

Are you one of those who always bring an extra pack of instant noodles just so you won't go hungry without food in China? Here's a good news, there's an easier way to locate the nearest Halal restaurant.

Xinbada Xinjiang Restaurant

Located in Pudong area, one block away from 1st Yaohan Building in Zhangyang road. The building is actually a food hall. This restaurant is situated on the 3rd floor. It serves Xinjiang food. The Xinjiang Big Plate chicken taste nice, better than the one I tried in Guangzhou before. However the price here is quite expensive. The Xinjiang Big Plate itself costs about RMB68.

Beef Noodle shop near Yuyuan Garden

Actually I don’t know the exact name of this stall since it’s written in Chinese. Located just a few minutes away from Yuyuan Garden area and the mosque, this is just a small stall and that specialises in beef noodle. The menu is written in Chinese, but they have a wall showing the photos so I just ordered via the photos. I did not try the beef noodle here, but I tried the friend lamb plus the fried rice. The lamb costs RMB40 and is in quite a big serving.

Pleasant Smill Beef Noodle

I found this shop by coincident while walking from Nanjing road towards the Bund area. This shop doesn’t have any photos on it’s wall and the menu is purely written in Chinese. The beef noodle here is marvellous and it only costs RMB10 per bowl. Oh, they don’t serve any drinks here, so you might need to get your drinks elsewhere after the meal.

Qian Wei Ramen

This shop is situated in front of Radison Blu hotel in Pudong. It is just 5 minutes walk from the IBIS Lianyang hotel, the place I stayed at. It serves Xinjiang food. The lamb shashlik here is delicious. We also ordered the fried rice plus some ginger beef. Price is reasonable. One lamb shashlik cost only RMB3.

See more: 5 noodle dishes you must try in Shanghai, China

Source: tripzilla