A YUM(my) Lou Sang Experience? (Yum Yum Restaurant @ Ipoh)

The net connection's acting up lately. Ever since b4 CNY, the line's been throwing tantrum, possibly in a holiday mood as much as I'm in now.

Btw, it's another public holiday in Perak today. Envious? =P

The myriad of colours, shape and sizes look appealing .... but WHERE'S DA FISH?!!!

A little on our (somewhat) compulsory annual get-together lunch. Last year it was at Assam House in Greentown. This year it was 'destined' to be at Yum Yum Restaurant in Greentown, serving delectable Nyonya/Thai/Chinese cuisine. Ipohans would recognize this restaurant which has been in operation for a good many years. (Yup, another one of those oldies but goodies place in Ipoh .... for those wondering)

Crazy tossin' a plenty, swearing's a no-no, but "flowery" words are compulsory ....

The set for 10 pax cost RM298 nett, including rice, and chinese tea. 6 dishes (VERY large portion!) plus 'Yee Sang'. Google that up, for those in the dark. But serenaded by the Chinese New Year's sense of camaraderie, one can't help but wonder, "What else can the restaurants come up with, as an alternative to the good ol' traditional Yee Sang?"

Here at Yum Yum, we were rather surprised (shocked's more like it!) to discover a platter of Yee Sang, WITHOUT the slices of raw fish!!!!! The horror of it all. Explanation was demanded promptly, and the lady nonchalantly explained that since Yum Yum's a HALAL (or pork-free, I'm not sure) restaurant, they can't serve raw fish but instead substituted with chicken meat floss! Ahem, OKAY .... but doesn't that completely forsake the true meaning of Yee Sang? Or Lou Sang?

Yum Yum Fried Chicken

But not one to complain during the festivities (LOL), we concurred and tossed, flinged, and crossed swords (chopsticks, I mean!) and hoped/prayed for a fruitful year ahead. And meat floss with Yee Sang ain't too bad either. But I still prefer my fish, TQ.

The chicken can be cooked in a variety of ways, and we picked Yum Yum Signature style ala Inchi Kabin fried chicken. Crispy, marinated well and tender flesh, each had at least 2-3 pcs.

Assam Golden Pomfret

Fish was cooked in assam gravy, not spicy at all, but rather sour with extra tamarind juices added for good measure. However, the fish failed to deliver, with a rather fishy taste and somewhat watery gravy. Served with plentiful of ladies' finger and half a tomato atop the fish.

Sambal Prawns

De-shelled prawns are good, no matter how you cook it. Reason being I'm rather lazy to peel them off myself. Hahaha .... Though the sambal gravy was seriously in need of a kick, a notch up in the spiciness/tanginess department would do fine by me. But minor consolation came in the form of fresh, succulent prawns.

The Greens? .... Choy Tam.

I can't sing praises for the greens, can't I? But the portion's definitely scary. HUGE pile of greens sufficient to feed a cow. Or ox, being the auspicious animal of the NIU year!

Brocolli, Mushrooms, Button Mushrooms and Beancurd sheets

Disappointment comes next, the platter of brocolli and friends was nothing to shout about, and the beancurd sheets (foo chuk) was a little off, with a faint hint of staleness. Half a plate was left untouched for the duration of the meal.

Nyonya Pineapple Squids

Best dish in my opinion was the squids cooked in a sweet, spicy and tangy sauce, with pineapple cubes, red chillies, and capsicums. Bouncy, fresh squids are perfect with the complementing sauce.

With some hits, some misses, and some surprises, the meal at Yum Yum served as a bonding session with friends and ex-colleagues, more than a feast. But sometimes, it's the thought, and company that matters, right?

Location : YUM YUM RESTAURANT @ 5, Persiaran Greenhill, 30450 Ipoh. Tel : 605- 253 7686. Got MAP !!!

Still, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR .... !!! We're merely at the halfway mark now, so there's no reason to let up and not celebrate away !!! ^_^