A Pre-CNY Post : (Not The) Teluk Intan's Famous Chee Cheong Fun & Lana Tea House

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR !!!! Ushering in the Year of The Ox, let's hope all things auspicious come our way, and may there be an endless slew of fantastic restaurants opening soon in good ol' Ipoh ......

Or I can be delusional. But still, one can be hopeful, ya? ......

The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Not!!!

Still embracing the holidays in all its glory, I'm suffering from writer's block. Thus, might as well write bout something recent, to minimize diminishing of my already declining grey matters.

Suddenly ... we felt so out of place.... =P

The other day our excursion (1st REAL travelling for 2009!) took us to Teluk Intan, and Hutan Melintang. Never heard of them? The former may ring a bell with most, as Teluk Intan is one of Perak's larger town, aside from Ipoh, Taiping, Seri Manjung and Sitiawan. And foodies will relate the town with its famous Chee Cheong Fun (stuffed with dried shrimps, and liberately drizzled/doused with oil), Hiong Peng (courtesy of Sin Joo Heong, with a branch in Ipoh even), Ah Chai rojak (famous for its sweet sauce, yet nothing spectacular), Gulam Rasul and Mastan Ghani (both being Malay-Mamak outlets), etc etc .....

Chee Cheong Fun - NOT the famous Teluk Intan one from the factory, but different from Ipoh's nevertheless

Bear in mind Hutan Melintang is NOT a forest, nor it's beyond civilization. It's a small town, right after Teluk Intan, on the way to Sabak Bernam, Sekinchan, and Kuala Selangor. Any idea? But foodwise, I faltered, hence the breakfast and lunch in Teluk Intan instead.

Initially planned for breakfast at Teck Kee Foodstuff (on Jalan Raja) that supposedly serves the REAL deal, CCF from the famous factory, which btw, opens ONLY from evening onwards. But due to the CNY season, Teck Kee chose to display ornaments and festivities galore, than seating area for food. No CCF. =(

But all's not lost, as opposite the road at a corner houses a classic coffee shop named Keng Heng, with patronage from mostly the elder ones. OK, so maybe it's a working day, and who else got time for a cuppa other than the retired ones, and (loyal) civil servants like us. =)

The broth's so clear, you'd be thinking this bowl of noodles would be perfect for one feeling under the weather

The shop houses 3 stalls; One selling Wantan Noodles, another selling erm, Noodles in Soup with Condiments (refer pic above) and a third one dealing with ... what else? CCF!

I was initially stumped as the auntie was packing up and preparing to close. FINISHED?!!! Shucks .... But auntie was kind enough to let me have a packet of CCF, that she's packed for someone, I guess. Hahaha ...

It's different from the usual CCF. And yet, different from even the Teluk Intan's famous one. Instead of rolling the rice noodles up to be served, the noodles are served just like how Ipohans have them; merely chopped up, and with green chillies, fried shallots, and lots (I mean, LOTS!) of dried shrimps. That's it. No sauce at all, aside from soy sauce. A bit dry to be taken, hence I requested for chilli sauce. Not bad, but the noodles is not as smooth as I like them though.

TallGal's bowl of noodles in soup, with Char Siew, Siew Yoke and Chicken looked .... a little too healthy. But I didn't hear her complaining, so should be good as a tummy-filler, before lunch.

Location : Keng Heng Coffee Shop @ 42, Jalan Raja, 36000 Teluk Intan.

And talkin bout lunch ......

Lana Tea House @ Taman Indah Jaya

Rather secluded, behind a row of shops off Jalan Sultan Abdullah, is this quaint tea house-cum-cafe-cum-restaurant. It's pitch black inside. OK, maybe not as dark, but the dim lighting was a huge contrast to the sunny weather. You can't even determine whether this place is open or closed, judging from the non-existent of signs on the outside. Just push your luck, and push the doors open. ;)

Spaghetti with Chicken Meat (RM6.50)

Seafood Fried Rice (RM6)

Sambal Squid Rice (RM5)

Prices are dirt cheap. For less than RM10 per pax, one can get a satisfying meal plus drinks. The choices varied from the usual fried rice and noodles, to spaghetti and salads, as well as chops and desserts. All reasonably-priced, and the quality ain't too shabby either.

The fried rice was surprisingly good, each grain fried with sufficient 'wok hei', maintaining the fluffiness of the grains. With ingredients such as squids, prawns, etc, the portion's not stingy either. The sambal squid was spicy, unexpectedly. The squids were good, fresh, bouncy and served generously. The spaghetti was .... well, like the norm. Don't expect the sky when you're paying rockbottom prices.

*Pardon the pics as the interior was way too dark for my phonecam.

Location : Lana Tea House @ No 1, Jalan Teratai J4/8, Taman Indah Jaya, 36000 Teluk Intan, Perak. Tel No : 605- 621 8996.

Motormouth wishes those who celebrate, and those who 'tumpang' holidays, a very, very Happy Chinese New Year !!!

Eat more, Snap more, Blog more !!!