Home Cook Recipe Restaurant in Ipoh - Good, Cheap & Satisfying

Things are slowly getting out of hand now. With the menacing H1N1 in full force, it almost felt like Armageddon at times, with news on people dying for no reason day in, day out. Sure, those immuno-compromised or with co-existing illnesses are comparatively easier to succumb to the looming pandemic.

Why are things out of hand you ask? Well, for one, I think almost everyone in Ipoh (at least, those with handsets, or not in hibernating mode) has received a viral SMS circulating, about a worker (or more) in Jusco Kinta City whom had contracted the disease. And even subsequently dying. Yup, that tragic, that worrying, and makes one wonder, where's a safe place to be now?

As far as air-borne diseases go, NOWHERE. Even if you choose to self-quarantine at home, or hide under your bed, you're bound to be in close proximity with your family members, or relatives, or even friends at one time or another. Hence, practise self-hygiene, avoid spreading the disease if you're not feeling well, or diagnosed with the flu.

I could go on and on and spoil your day, OR I can shift your attention to something that brings us back to reality, and a smile to one's face ......

F-O-O-D !!!

Stir-fried Roasted Pork with Chillies @ RM12

There's a rather new restaurant in town, near to Woolley Food City. Yup, in Ipoh Garden again. (Click HERE for the previous post on Kam Hor Ayam Tauge, within spitting distance from this place I'm reviewing). Not spanking new, but still in its infancy stage for sure. However, come dinnertime on weekends, and you'll be surprised the crowd spills to the sidewalk on the outside.

Egg with Choy Pou (preserved radish) @ RM7

Looking for a good restaurant in Ipoh ain't tough, but tricky. (I'm sounding contradicting, eh? It's the end of the world aura, I tell you .....). This restaurant named Home Cook Recipe seems unassuming, but proudly unfazed by the heavy competition in the forms of Woolley Food City (more than 20 stalls) and the evergreen Tung Koo Thing aka Mushroom Stands (?!) or Aneka Selera.

After repeated take-aways of Salted Fish Fried Rice and Singapore Fried Beehoon, I was hooked. And swore to give this place a try, and was astonished at the immense reaction from the Ipoh crowd one fine, Sunday evening.

Stir-fried Shu Miu (sweet potato leaves) @ RM7

Aside from the typical 'dai chow' dishes commonly found elsewhere, Home Cook Recipe offers some tricks up its sleeve as well. Notable signature items include the Herbal Steamed Chicken, Tilapia steamed in various sauces (Batong sauce - Spicy/Sour combo, Indonesian style, Thai style and more), Pork Ribs, and even frog legs. Yup, those sweet, tender and firm flesh. Delectable stuff, I tell you ........

The Fried Roasted Pork with Chillies was magnificient. Really, really delicious stuff, paired with white, fluffy rice. One of their forte, the roasted pork (siu yoke) was stir-fried with lots of onions, scallions, ginger and green capsicums, rendering the dish sweet-ish from the caramelized onions and pork combination.

The Choy Pou Dan (Egg omelette with Preserved Radish) was good, nothing spectacular, as was the Shu Miu (sweet potato leaves), but with enough oomph in the form of 'wok hei' to lift the simple greens up a notch.

Steamed Tilapia with Spicy bean Sauce @ RM18

"Cheong Ching" (literal translation : Sauce Steamed) Tilapia fish/African fish is a perennial favourite of my grandma's, and never failed to make an appearance on the dinner table when we dine out. And at Home Cook Recipe, their version was devoured with much relish, and satisfaction. Slightly spicy, a little sour, but very flavourful gravy complemented the firm, and sweet flesh of the tilapia. Rest assured NO unpleasant (even repulsive?) muddy, earthy taste.

Three Taste Chicken @ RM15

We initially intended to order the Herbal Steamed Chicken, a specialty of theirs. Sadly, the last chick was stolen right from under our noses. Hmm. Then substitute came in the form of fried chicken with a sweet, sour and spicy sauce, concocted from Thai chilli sauce, lots of curry leaves, and whatever else that achieved the right balance of flavours. A tad sweet, but the crispy chicken made up for the minor flaw.

Single portion of Salted Fish Fried Rice @ RM4

And I could not resist ordering a single portion of their fried rice, which I adore to bits. Fluffy, not too wet, yet every grain separated and fried with much 'fire'. Ingredients thrown in include tiny bits of salted fish, Chinese waxed sausages, eggs (duh), and prawns. And don't forget the fiery cili padi to numb that tongue. Oh, blisssss ......

This restaurant opens on both ends as well. So park anywhere you want.

A meal for 6 came to RM72, including drinks and rice. A reasonable sum to pay for a comfortable meal here in Ipoh, with true home-cooked fare.

Location : Home Cook Recipe Restaurant @ 28 & 28A, Lengkok Canning, 31400 Ipoh Garden, Ipoh Perak.

Here's a GOOGLE MAP of the place, also within walking distance from Woolley Food City, Aneka Selera and Kam Hor Ayam Tauge. Opens for lunch and dinner. Days off not sure, but 2 days in a row each month. Call before arriving, to avoid disappointment.

Tel No : 012-656 8046 or 012-453 8323.