art – Life.in.Shots

Next morning saw us going to Thean Chun 天津茶室 to try the raved caramel custard.

Either I do not know how to appreciate caramel custard or bloggers are exaggerating. I read it will be sold out by noon time if we do not come early. Maybe I can grudgingly say it tasted like creme brûlée but cheaper version which is good if you like creme brûlée. It is not my favorite dessert.

There was this old lady who insisted we eat her homemade stuffed chicken wings. We bought one to share and also the chee cheong fun which was supposed to be popular too? But I don’t know why? Another normal dish except maybe they stuffed theirs with turnips and chives?

After a rather disappointing breakfast, we headed out to look for street photography.

This picture supposedly depicts the evolution of Ipoh.

Kopi-O (coffee without milk) anyone?

The picture is too faded now but you are supposed to see birds inside the cage (not an illusion!)

The famous Ipoh white coffee Ah Pek is supposedly drinking.

You have to be a good map reader and observant to find the images. Towards the end of the search, I was getting a bit grumpy because the map next to the street art were not clear and the weather was hot. It took rather long to find the pictures. Have to walk through alleys and up and down the uneven terrain before you get to see it.

It was difficult to find sim cards to use data in Ipoh. We were asked to go to many convenience shops which sell the card but do not register for you. More unnecessary walking! 😦 In the end, we were directed to this pseudo shopping complex and got the cheapest one. It’s difficult not to have data as you need to confirm the places you find with Google Maps. But I think there must be an easier way than only data, will explore next time.

We asked the saleslady who was telling us the Big Tree Foot Roadside Hawker (大树脚) Yong Tau Foo has changed owners so must eat the new one instead of the old one. It became a confusing set of info as a taxi driver told us the new one was not as nice as the old one. Initially we could not see the old one so settled for the new one.

I ate in a skeptical fashion, not sure was I eating the right one or not though the YTF was good. I was also rather sad that I did not get to eat the good one after traveling for so long during the initial stage. It was so funny my perspective changed when we realised that we ate the right one. Lol, so brand conscious! So remember, the old one is still under the big tree but the old owner has set up a new shop next to the big tree called 忠记. The fried YTF was not oily and tasted delicious when you dipped it into the assam gravy. The assam gravy needed to be ordered separately and the potent sourish tang made me very hesitant to finish the whole bowl as I had reflux disease. But thumbs up to them for concocting such a delicious gravy!

We decided to book a taxi for few hours to continue the journey. Imagine my horror to know after traveling for so long, this famous hainanese bread shop only opens after 6pm! *cries*. Wasted journey indeed!

Our taxi driver was rather amused we were in pursuit of good food and brought us to this inconspicuous house where uncle was selling rojak inside. Nobody will know he sells rojak as there are no signboards and you do not normally go to someone else’s house to buy food. The only sign that will tell you is the people you see sitting around waiting. I am not even sure how to go to this place. But I think the rojak was ok only. I have tasted nicer ones in SG, his was too sweet IMHO.

Though we were full, we still had one last place to conquer which was Sin Yoon Loong. White coffee originated from here. Lai Wah said it was one of the best kopitiam coffees she ever tried. I had a slice of their kaya toast and regretted I was so full because it was the best kaya toast I ever tried too! The kaya had this mesmerizing caramel flavor that complemented the butter very well!

A must visit if you come to Ipoh!

We were too full to eat a proper meal so we ate this salt baked chicken that the taxi driver recommended. Another good recommendation. The chicken were baked till tender and it was perfumed so beautifully with the herbs used. I love the chicken. We also bought one egg tart from Hong Kee Confectionery Trading Company. The crust was nicer than the egg custard; soft, crumbly and melt in the mouth kind. The kaya puff from Sin Eng Heong was really fortunate. We were told it was sold out and next available ones were one hour later. We were disappointed and while thinking what to do, another customer started to kick a fuss as he could not get his kaya puffs even though he came at 2 timings as proposed by them. The owner suddenly whipped out freshly made ones from the oven and we were blessed because we were the second in line! It was nice piping hot from the oven, the homemade kaya was not too sweet and the puff was soft, melty and buttery fragrant. I had too much food in one day and decided not to eat anymore of the puffs though it was nice 😦