ENJOYING IPOH'S FAMOUS CHICKEN TAUGEH BEFORE ATTENDING DATO WENDDI-ANN'S 51ST BIRTHDAY BASH AT HER RESTAURANT MARIANI'S AT MEDAN IPOH

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

DATO DR WENDDI-ANN CHONG CELEBRATED HER 51ST BIRTHDAY AT HER NEW RESTAURANT MARIANI'S IN IPOH!

Around 50 top KL socialiates drove to Ipoh since it is only two and half hours' drive if you don't speed and 2 hours if you do.

My friend Hon Tian Haur drove me while Nancie Foo and 13 year old precocious daughter Wong Ai Lee went in her BMW 3-Series.

Kee Hua Chee loves bananas
Wong Ai Lee, mum Nancie Foo and Hon Tian Haur after lunch and shopping

Ai Lee was so shy...

Ai Lee blowing a kiss to me

We left KL at 9 am and reached Ipoh around 11.30am and of course went straight to lunch. We sampled the world famous Ipoh Ayam Taugeh and there was such a massive queue we thought it was free since it was the second day of Hari Raya!

Hon Tian Haur, Wong Ai Lee and Nancie Foo trying Ipoh's famous Chicken Taugeh. Hon paid RN 53 for the meal for 4

We had to eat on the road as it was so packed and no, the food was not free either

The meal was very delicious though the service was atrocious and the food came late and worse, one after another! So we ate the chicken and fish/pork ball soup without the rice which took ages and we assumed the owners were out harvesting, minnowing and polishing the grains.

The meal for 4 was RM 53 which I think is rather pricey but it included soft drinks. The restaurant is named in my honour Onn Kee so I guess the price was OK since my name is associated with  it.

In fact, most restaurants are named in my honour and I saw Wong Yew Kee, Tuck Kee and Hong Poh Key which is a locksmith actually.

The road is Jalan Yau Tet Shin or just drive round a few times and you are bound to slow down and see the restaurants since there is a permanent jam.

Luckily the heat was not so killing as we had to eat outdoors!

For dessert we went to Taste Good restaurant which also offers Chicken Taugeh but apparently not as good as Onn Kee.

Taste Good was airconned which was a major relief but did not live up to its name Taste Good as the food did not taste good. 

I thought my icecream platter and kaya bun were fine but Nancie Foo and Hon Tian Haur complained about their lychee, jagung and ice cream.

But I am glad I don't live in Ipoh as I am bound to be fat as a pig, cow and whale! I love the chicken taugeh (bean sprouts) and of course Mariani's food is world class for the prices charged! 

After lunch which we over ate, we drove to MH Hotel and booked in. MH hotel is near Medan Ipoh where Mariani's is located. 

Nancie Foo and daughter went to fix their hair while Hon Tian Haur and I collapsed and slept.

Hon Tian Haur paid RM 53 for these plus drinks! Bit pricey I think considering the chicken had more bone than meat! But very delicious


I was very flattered many restaurants in Ipoh were named after me


That's my name KEE!






This Lou Wong is even more famous and so packed we decided to eat our Chicken Taugeh nextdoor at Onn Kee


Ipoh is also famous for its pomelo, one of my favorite fruits and this shop is also named after me, so nice of them

At RM 15 per fruit it is not dirt cheap

Any business named after me enjoys good business due to Buddha's intercession

My fish and pork ball soup

Nancie Foo's kuay teow soup came long before the chicken!

But it was very tasty though Nancie Foo suspected some ajinomoto had to do with it!

At last the main dish arrived! I liked the chicken but it was more bone than meat! So we had a raw deal

The taugeh (bean sprouts) were excellent and fresh and crispy

Ipoh's famous Chicken Bean Sprouts


The taugeh with slivers of bacon was delightful!

Nancie Foo checking out the menu for cendol

Don't have...


Inside Gamba Teh

Packed!



We tried the self-proclaimed Taste Good



At least Taste Good had free wifi

The Geek tries to hide her face


This is the road



We checked out the other shops

An Aladdin's cave of goodies

Ipoh's famous Menglembu groundnuts

Matching colours some more



People were queuing for tables...never knew Ipohans were so rich

Lanterns add a festive air

Hon Tian Haur buying goodies


Chinky!


Preserved durian

Instant kitsch and noodles!

Auspicious boxed goodies

Ipoh's famous coffee!

Ipoh's famous white coffee ready to go!

Everyone ordered the same dishes

I don't think the tent helped with the heat as it was rather humid

Rivals or maybe they are owned by the same person or clan or gang!

The tables spilled onto the road where cars are double parked!


Wong Ai Lee, Nancie Foo and Hon Tian Haur

Tucking in

Service was slow so this diner served her family

Delicious chicken

Delicious bak chang





Salted chicken and duck are favoured delicacies

Mobile pop-up store

Packed with salted chicken and duck


That's Nancie Foo's BMW


BELOW ARE MORE PHOTOS OF INTERESTING IPOH TAKEN WITH MY LEICA CAMERA GIVEN BY HER ROYAL HIGHNESS SULTANAH KALSOM OF PAHANG



So nice and rare to see the big blue sky




Even McD also patronised which is strange as I wouldn't eat burgers when there is chicken taugeh

This shop also is named after me, I never knew Ipoh loves me so much



I am fascinated by these topiaries! So well cut and carved!

So de nice








This is where Mariani's is

Nancie Foo's hotel

View from Nancie Foo's room on 18th floor

The limestone hills and karst fomations are beguiling like Guilin, China