Good Ol' Teochew Porridge @ Yew Ming, Old Town

Somehow people get the perception that eating in Old Town, Ipoh boils down to white coffee and toasts. Or the occasional satay and popiah from Kong Heng, and some random curry noodles. Seldom people come to Old Town for lunch, not to mention dinner (when most of the shops are closed anyway).

YEW MING TEOCHEW PORRIDGE RESTAURANT @

83, Jln Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh.

Working in Old Town of Ipoh, I've been exposed/pampered to various cheap yet delicious choices when it comes to breakfast, or lunch. It's been a year, and we've been crossing our fingers for more eateries to open up, else we'd be having the same "Kam Chau Fan" (Golden Char Kuey Teow), Nam Chau's Dry Curry Noodles & Egg Toasts, Kong Heng's Popiah, Hwang Chao's Singapore Chicken Rice, the white coffee originals (Sin Yoon Loong and Nam Heong), Thean Chun's "Kai Si Hor Fun" (or Chicken Kuey Teow Soup) and many others.

Wow, with that long list of temptations, and yet I'm still complaining? =P

Stir-fried Salted Vegetable and Pork

Yup, imagine cracking your head day in and day out deciding on a place to eat, trying desperately to keep things fresh and avoid repetitions. Tough job we have, really.

Plain ol' porridge

The other day me and TallGal were the only poor hungry souls left in the office, as FCOE & KYT were roaming in space. I meant, relaxing at home. Thus, we opted for a light yet substantial lunch. And so we picked Yew Ming, a mere stone's throw from our office, famed for their porridge and simple home-cooked dishes.

Fried Egg with Preserved Mustard (Choy Pou)

The place is usually packed during lunch, spanning 2 shoplots, directly behind Hwang Chao,and at the same side as Kong Heng. On your left, before you reach the towering Maybank building in Old Town.

You can either pick rice or porridge to go with the dishes, but the latter's more popular with the crowd, obviously.

Homemade Fish Cakes with Chilli sauce

The dishes resembled home-style of cooking,; simple, tasty and flavoursome. Some may comment they're a bit salty, but the dishes actually complement the bland porridge all too well. Especially the addictive signature fish cakes, fresh and devoid of unpleasant, lingering fishy taste, dipped into their concocted sweet chilli sauce. And the fried egg with preserved mustard greens was excellent, albeit a tad oily. But wash all down with a glass of herbal tea or Chinese tea, and you won't feel the grease thereafter.

Popular with those working in Old Town

Total damage for two? RM15.60, including drinks. Worthwhile; a rejolting, detoxifying meal for the senses. (Well, I CAN lie to myself, can't I? =P)

So what if you're not fond of dishes TOO simple, and avoid porridge like the plague? Then you can walk a short distance, and find solace in Wong Koh Kee (click HERE for previous post).

WONG KOH KEE RESTAURANT

Situated at a backlane, opposite of Kong Heng; arguably the most famous coffee shop in Old Town

Individual portions of Sweet and Sour Pork Rice, Kung Pou Chicken Rice, Tofu & Roasted Pork Rice, and Ginger/Spring Onion Chicken Rice (RM3.50-RM4)

Be patience. The crowd can be overwhelming from 12pm onwards. Come as early as possible, and pray for an unoccupied table.

Their Ku Lou Yuk (Sweet and Sour Pork) is one of the best I've ever tasted. Crunchy batter enveloping the tender pork meat, cooked in the tangy and sweet gravy.

Wong Koh Kee @ "Concubine Lane" (a moniker given to the historical lane ... guess what's the reason? =P), a small lane opposite of Kong Heng, on Jln Bandar Timah.