Short Ipoh Trip

Assalammualaikum wbt,

Referring back to my previous Singapore post, after I have touched down my precious Malaysia, my husband picked me up and we went straight to Ipoh. It still the first week of Raya and we haven't visit most of our relatives yet. The reason we went to Ipoh is to actually visit late Ayah's sister. She is too old now to travel, so us as younger generation, it is our turn to pay a visit to them. Who knows how long they will be around..

The journey took almost 2 hours, it was raining but not so heavy. Traffic was ok, but there were accidents and from the scene, it looks quite bad :( I hope there is no fatal. We booked a humble hotel in Tambun area, near to Starbucks and Giant. I've been to Ipoh before when I was small but I don't have much memories because I have no relatives here, so there is no reason to come. Back to the hotel, the hotel is quite nice and modern but oh boy, we had quite a severe bed bugs effection! We were so itchy and keep on scratching that it became so bad especially on our last day there. There is no kettle provided, but you can actually collect water from the sharing dispenser. No iron too, but they prepare one iron board and an iron outside, with sharing concept. Such cost effective! 

On the next day, we went to my husband's aunty house for beraya and were served the BEST EVER IN MY LIFE NASI AYAM! Honestly, I've never tasted Nasi Ayam this good. I did ask her, what is the recipe and she told me it's very basic but it's her touch that make it special and delicious. Yeah, definitely I can't beat that. 

After the visit, we were thinking to visit around Ipoh town but that day it was so hot to stay outside. We don't want to stay in our hotel because that's what losers do. So guess where we went to...

We went to Cameron Highland guyssss!! But only at the bottom part, from Simpang Pulai. We just had a delicious tea treats and some scones. I thought because of Raya, there won't be much people, but I was wrong! I guess, they're all just like me, to visit Cameron Highland before heading back to home before starting working next day. After the delicious Vanilla Tea treats, we took a walk around tea plantation area and taking pictures before heading back. That's it. And oh, we bought some vegetables my mother instructed us to when she saw where we were on my InstaStory (-___-)

That night, we had dinner at Miker, one of the famous retaurant in Ipoh based on what I Googled. This restaurant located near the Padang Ipoh. Actually we wanted to try the famous Nasi Ganja but unfortunately when we got there straight from Cameron, it's already closed :( This restaurant is open until 6pm only.

So that night, I mentally already set in my mind that we would have Nasi Ganja breakfast. Initial plan was to have a breakfast at the famous New Hollywood restaurant. Everybody who've been to Ipoh uploaded the ever so mouth-watering menus from this restaurant. So, I already planned to have our breakfast here specifically on Monday because I thought, people is already started working by then, so there won't be so packed as most visitors always claimed to be. Yeapppp, it is indeed very much true because there were no people at all as this restaurant is closed every Monday!!!!! I am so smart guys.... I only realized this the night before when I Googled the map to go there. 

So, on Monday, we checked out from our hotel earlier that morning and heading straight to Kedai Kopi Yong Suan in the centre of Ipoh town. Actually, the Nasi Ganja stall is located inside Kedai Kopi Yong Suan. Very much of 1 Malaysia, a mamak stall in Chinese Kedai Kopi with all races diners. When we got there at 10+am, all tables are already occupied. I asked my husband to queue while myself asking one table after another should they have finished eating so I could take their table. It's all about teamwork guys. I am so determined to dine there that I put away my shame, and finally managed to get one. If you want to have Nasi Ganja, for in-house dining, you no need to queue as they'll take your order and will serve it to you like almost immediately. The crazy super long queue is for take-away, which later I found out if we take away the Nasi Ganja is much better as the rice and gravy are well mixed. 

If you guys don't manage to get a table, worry not as there is one fruit juices shop on the same row that you could eat your tapau-ed Nasi Ganja there, but of course you have to order their drinks. Basically, Nasi Ganja is consist of white steamed rice, special recipe Ayam Goreng Merah, mixed curry gravy and some special spicy chutney. More or less like Nasi Kandar but with less kuah. You could request for 'Banjir' though. At first suap, you think 'Ah.. it just another Nasi Kandar' but the next suap after another, the flavour started to blended well, it gets better and better! I especially love the chutney, it's not really like normal chutney, it is orange in color but has its spiciness, sweet and tanginess. Taste like curry but refreshing at the same time. Ahh.. I don't know how to describe it guys, you have to try it yourself! For Hanif Aiden, we ordered rice and Ayam Goreng but he seemed more interested to play with Daddy's drink by pouring the rice inside it rather than eating it (-___-)

We left the restaurant feeling full and satisfy. It doesn't cost a bomb but to secure a spot, patience is the key. By the time we left the restaurant, the queue has taken about 3 shop lots long! And it's not even Noon yet. Service is fast, so worth the wait. We should've take-away Nasi Ganja to bring home for our dinner but we were full and so happy that we couldn't think effectively lol. Before we went back, I insisted my husband to drive us to New Hollywood Restaurant to check should there is any magic that it would open that day.....but it did not. But at least we know the location for our next visit to Ipoh. We went straight home after that and reached Subang Jaya at about 2-3pm. 

There are lot of other things to do in Ipoh that I think we should return soon especially for Nasi Ganja & New Hollywood restaurant. We already planning for a day trip to ride the train, ETS, had breakfast and lunch, and ride ETS again home. Such determination and crazy appetite Hahaha. Until then, Ipoh!