Monday, August 6, 2012

Malaysia - Ipoh

Ipoh updated *6Aug2012
+8 GMT

Where one can stay
Heritage Hotel
This basic amenity hotel is located just at the outskirts of the 'New'& Original Ipoh Old Town. Big rooms greet guests, however, room floors have a sticky residue. No gym or swimming pool available. A 5min drive or 15mins walk gets you to the main township. Hotel is also located 2.5km away from Ipoh Sultan Azlan Shah Airport.

Free Wifi is available however you must get a 24hr-Validity wifi access card from the concierge. Connection is available for a single device at a time. Disconnecting from devices completely, prove difficult.

Parking at hotel is also free, however you need to have your coupon validated at the front desk before you leave the hotel.
Complementary Breakfast Buffett with an extensive and diverse spread available every morning. Fresh egg stations, cereals fruits and option of local or western breakfast options.
ABBATip:
- Go to the concierge to obtain a map indicating food places. All the more famous eateries are clearly listed and you can be well on your gastronomical adventure.
To Do:
Ipoh Township
The eateries map shown previously, pretty much highlights all the must try places for a foodie. Parking is easy and plentiful. Lots of wholesale mini shop lots, selling toys, goodies, snacks, arts and crafts and various trinkets. Plenty of shops laden the area, selling instant Old Town White Coffee, Pomelos, local biscuits and delicacies, readily packaged for travel.
Can Do:
Gua Tempurrung Caves

For the leisure hiker, to the spelunker in you, the Gua Tempurrung caves offers an outdoor adventurer, a few hours worth of activities. Located some 22km from Ipoh town,  an approximate 30min drive would get you to location.

Tour prices range from 6RM to 22RM per person. Tours start from the basic hike, to having to crawl in tight spaces and even through underwater systems for approx 22RM.  Be in awe at the massive caves spaces, stalactite and stalagmite fixtures. A variety of tours is able to bring out the inner-adventurer in you.
Click here for ABBA details, tours and prices of Gua Tempurrung Caves

ABBA Note:
- Have proper foot wear, with ample drinking water. Not for the claustrophobic
- The most basic of 'tours' available, constitutes a 20mins hike up and down stairs but requires a U-turn back. Don't expect new scenery.

To Eat: 
Lou Wong Ipoh Bean Sprouts Chicken
*Indicated in Eateries Map*

Due to the unique calcium carbonate waters in which, the Bean sprouts are grown, it results in bean sprouts being extra crisp, short and sweet,. Full flavored, and blanched to perfection.
What was ordered:
Steamed White Chicken.
Chicken Feet *Steamed in a herbal broth and
steamed till tender. A first time having it
served in this fashion. a nice flavor profile.*
Served with a choice of either Fragrant Chicken Rice or Silky Ipoh Hor Fun
Click here for ABBA location of Lou Wong Ipoh Bean Sprouts Chicken

Ipoh Fu Shan Dim Sum
*Also Indicated in Eateries Map*

A two-tiered Dim Sum house, resembling that of a modernized traditional Chinese tea house, with a windowless facade, overlooking the streets below.
What was ordered:
1 Century Egg porridge and 1 Fish Porridge
2 plates of Chee Cheong Fun with crispy onion
Har Kow (Prawn wrapped in white flour)
Siew Mai (Pork wrapped in yellow dough skin)
Black pepper Siew Mai
Char Siew Pow (Sweet pork bun)
Green dough wrapped dumplings
Kong Ba Pow (Pork Belly Bun)
Yong Tau Foo (Assortment of brinjal and chilli with fish paste filling)
Phoenix claws (Steamed Chicken Feet with chilli)
Steamed, soft pork ribs with yam
Meat Balls
Fried Carrot Cake
Portuguese Egg Tart. 
Fed 8
Overall good flavor, atmosphere and variety.
Total:RM120
Refer to Eateries Map for location
ABBATip: More kid friendly than MingCourt Dim Sum
Orders sheet are given after service of tea. Upper floor, to my knowledge is self-service. Order what you want and pass order cards to staff.

Oversea Restaurant:
There are several branches available which serve up fine Chinese cuisine.
What was ordered:
Roasted Meat combination. 
*Excellent caramelization, good fatty distribution, 
juicy and succulent, all in a single piece of Char Siew. 
Double up orders are a definate*
Stir Fried Tang Hun & Bean Sprouts
 *Not too oily and served with the signature, 
crisp, sweet, Ipoh bean sprouts is always a winner.*
Claypot salted fish and pork belly.
*Fatty-pork's natural sweet flavors are beautifully
 enhanced by the dry chilli as well as the salted fish*
Large Fresh Water Prawns steamed in egg white.
 *Steamed to perfection. Just done right, with flesh springy and delectable.*
Bean curd with hairy cucumber
Order as per required for PAX present
A great place offering a good selection of Chinese dishes executed perfectly. During time of visit, they were also selling their in-house brand of various moon cake flavor profiles.

Funny Mountain Soyabean*Also Indicated in Eateries Map*
Long queues, no seating but excellent silky smooth bean curd await the patient. Packet to go or eat on the spot. Both equally enjoyable, and a great way to cool down with an order of cold soybean or grass-jelly packed chin chao drink. 1.5l sized takeaways are available at RM4+.
Click here for ABBA details on Funny Mountain Soyabean