Buntong's Cheap Eats

I've a funny story to share with all of you. Or wait, I think the right word should be ...... Frustratingly-funny story.

You see, Buntong in Ipoh consists of a predominantly Indian community (and to a certain extent; Chinese as well), famous for all sorts of cheap and delicious hawker fare, notably the famous Buntong Beef Noodles (here's a branch in Ipoh Garden South), Kacang Putih from Kampung Kacang Putih in Buntong (HERE's one of the outlet selling freshly fried Kacang Putih from home), and even Ipoh's outstanding Nga Choy Kai (Ayam Tauge or Poached Chicken served with Bean Sprouts & Flat Rice Noodles).

Deep in thought, and hands in perpetual chopping mode .....

But the one dish, that made Buntong stood out (and still does, in fact), is the Buntong Wan Tan Mee. Yup, coined as the 'heaviest' meal in the world (not calorie-wise, but the 'One Tonne' moniker), Buntong's Wan Tan Mee has been living its legacy for many years now, and recently moving back into its own premise, renovated and spanking new, but still on the same road. Jalan Sekolah in Buntong.

The name of the shop (or rather, stall, as it has always been affectionately known as) is Cheong Kee. Though I doubt the wan tan mee at Cheong Kee has garnered enough attention and limelight in comparison to Ipoh's Nga Choy Kai, Dim Sum, or even Chee Cheong Fun.

To cut a long story short, I went not once, not twice but THREE times; on different days of the week, and yet failed to sample the legendary homemade egg noodles with slivers of barbecued pork (Char Siew) and dumplings (Wan Tan). Tough luck .... First visit the shop was closed. Second visit was slightly better, as Cheong Kee was preparing for its erm ... RE-opening ceremony on the following day, after moving into the newly renovated premise. Okay ..... so third time's the charm they say?

Nope. Rotten luck clouded my hunt again, the shop was even closed for business on a Sunday night!!! (By the way, Cheong Kee Wan Tan Mee was ONLY opened for business at night, after around 7.30pm. Though I'm not sure of the current opening time after relocating)

Restoran Ayam TAUKE?! Not typo, but definitely easier to remember compared to Ayam Tauge .... is it not?

And there you have it. My pathetic wan tan mee hunt in Buntong. Faltered miserably, I might as well get their number the next time. But wait, I can't do that when they're NOT EVEN OPENED, right?! Geez .......

So on two of those occassions, I seeked solace in the forms of back up plans. First being the rather famous Ayam Tauge/Nga Choy Kai at Restoran Ayam Tauke (hehe, Chicken Boss?), on Jalan Guntong in Buntong. Location map to come later at the end of the post.

Smooth & VERY oily poached chicken, Hor Fun (smooth, flat rice noodles - an Ipoh specialty) in both soup and dry forms, and the crunchy & fat bean sprouts.

Typical Nga Choy Kai meals in Ipoh consist of 3 items. The chicken (poached, NOT roasted nor grilled), blanched bean sprouts (the Tauge), and the slithering-down-one's-throat-with-ease Hor Fun (flat rice noodles). They said it's the water from the limestone hills of Ipoh that 'fattens' the bean sprouts, and resulted in unbelievably smooth Hor Fun (or Kuey Teow, as it's commonly known in other states). Myth or fact?

Aside from the greasier than desired chicken (no thanks to liberal dashing of sesame oil), and the not-so-fat bean sprouts (used to the plump, juicy and crunchy ones from elsewhere), the meal was decent, at best. The Dry Hor Fun which was tossed with soy sauce, dark soy sauce and some sesame oil fared much better than the soup version. As I find the soup rather bland, instead of the usual sweet and flavourful version, from the chicken stock/bones/whatever-else used in boiling the clear broth.

Notice the restaurant is anything but one. You're actually dining in the compound of someone's house. Hahahah ..... So what?

Another surprising find, a stone's throw away from the Ayam Tauke Restaurant

Okay, so you may not be in favour of the bland, simple and some said 'over-rated' Nga Choy Kai in Ipoh. Fine, if that's the case, go jump building. ;)

Or not. OK, OK .... in that case, walk your stoned arse over to ANOTHER house next to the Nga Choy Kai, for some even cheaper, pedestrian food. The omnipresent, ever reliable, Liew Fun stall, also operating from a house. Guess the cheaper operating cost got people opening up restaurants, eateries and whatnots right smack inside their houses' compounds, huh?!

(Liew Fun = A term we Ipohans use to label the fishball noodles stall, serving a combination of noodles and Liew aka Yong Tau Foo)

The almost made for each other combination of noodles and "Liew". What's a "liew" you ask? It's Yong Tau Foo, or Stuffed Fish Paste.

Don't look down on this unassuming outlet. The throngs of people patronizing this stall piqued our interests, and we waltzed in after the initial disappointment of failed Buntong wan tan mee hunt.

You first walk over to the counter (or stall) where they're preparing the noodles and sides almost clock-work like, and pick your favourite pieces 'Liew'. Then choose a noodle of your choice, and the way you want it to be cooked, either in soup, dry, or in curry. They even serve Laksa on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.

Hearty serving of Buntong Beef Noodles @ RM4.30.

Take note that when the crowd swells to its full capacity, the wait for your food may get tedious. My advice? Order some fried Liew, which requires no preparation. And munch/nibble/swallow/throw them at unexpecting customers or staff to vent your frustration.

The pieces of "Liew" were nothing spectacular, pale in comparison to the almighty Big Tree Foot @ Pasir Pinji, or even the astonishingly endless varieties at Kwong Hong in Gunung Rapat.

The beef noodles came in a rather big portion, with generous servings of tender beef, offals, and soft radish. The broth did not pack a punch as I preferred, bordering on being rather bland, but filled up the tummy rather well.

Location : Restoran Ayam Tauke @ No 849, Jalan Guntong, Buntong, Ipoh, Perak.

Tel No : 05-255 7469 or 017-5787251. Closed on Tuesdays. Opens only in the evening.

Location : Liew Fun Stall @ No 851A, Jalan Guntong, Buntong, Ipoh, Perak.

Closed on Wednesdays. Opens from 7-10pm.

Here's a Google MAP to both the places. Realise that both places are within walking distance from each other.