See Foon Chan-Koppen

Ask any Chinese food connoisseur in Ipoh if he knows Tuck Kee and chances are a positive nod of the head.  In fact if you drive down Jalan King, off Pasir Pinji you’ll notice a queue beginning to form from around 12 noon onwards outside number 1, where Tuck Kee is located.  They’re all lining up to purchase the takeaway roast duck, char siew (roast pork), suckling pig, and roast pork for which Tuck Kee has solidified its reputation as one of Ipoh’s leading Chinese restaurants.

Unbeatable Duck’s Breast

Smoked duck breast

I have been so busy raving about the noodles that I am putting the cart before the horse literally. I must go back to the beginning, the starters. Here again forgive me if I wax lyrical. Ah Tuck’s smoked duck breast will beat any ‘Magret de Canard’ (same duck’s breast in French and a very popular dish served in a myriad of ways) hands down. Using fresh duck breast, he marinates and smokes them before putting a slight crust on by grilling. Served on a bed of lettuce still slightly pink, this is one dish I can eat ad infinitum. RM18

Following this was another appetizer with Frogs legs, smoked garlic and onions. The frog was fresh and succulent with the garlic and onions lending flavour to what is usually a bland meat. RM40

This was followed by a ‘fusion’ dish, that of Foie Gras (imported from Hungary), pan fried and served with a brown sauce. I found this an unusual offering from a Chinese restaurant and testimony to Ah Tuck’s creativity. RM35 per portion.

Piece de Resistance

The piece de resistance of the evening had to be the dessert. Fragrant coconut steamed with a still -quivering egg white custard inside. This suited my palate to a T as I don’t have much of a sweet tooth and the custard was just sweet enough to be a dessert without the usual cloying sugary mouth feel that accompanies most desserts. For RM8.00 per portion, it’s great value considering that just buying one of these coconuts at the supermarket already costs around RM3-4 without the other ingredients and if you consider labour and the time required for steaming (at least 2-3 hours). Another wonderful dessert is their homemade almond cream, a combination of US almonds and apricot kernels. RM12.

Egg white custard

So if you’re into experimenting or have a jaded palate do go to Tuck Kee and experience their ‘laboratory’ and reinvent the gourmet wheel. Speak to Ah Tuck or one of their experienced staff who’ll be more than happy to help you.

Tuck Kee Restaurant

1&3 Jalan King, Off Pasir Pinji,

31650 Ipoh

Tel: 05 2553870 or 05-2419071

Seducing Traditionalists

In the early days when I first arrived in Ipoh 14 years ago, I used to go to Tuck Kee for their braised Sharks fin Tureen which at that time was a great value at RM45 each. These days as it is politically incorrect to eat or order sharks fin, I have reluctantly eschewed this dish and moved on to other gustatory explorations. And since Ah Tuck has returned to his roots in Ipoh after learning all the tricks of the culinary trade in Kuala Lumpur over a period of 20 years and taken over the kitchen and restaurant from his father; new epicurean delights beckon to me as Ah Tuck applies his wizardry in the kitchen, reinventing the culinary wheel to woo new fans while working on seducing the diehard traditionalists who have patronized his father’s restaurant for years.

Braised beef short ribs

And he is succeeding. Judging by the raucous ambiance, every square foot of both the upstairs and downstairs area was packed like sardines on the two occasions when I dined there recently.  And for good reasons too. Tuck Kee today does not print an ala carte menu. Yes there was a menu of sorts for Chinese New Year with various options for tables of 10 but for the rest of time, one can sit down with the serving staff or Ah Tuck himself and discuss what they’d like for their meal, tailored for individual tastes.

Hawker Dishes Upgraded

On his own, Ah Tuck has upgraded two popular local hawker dishes and brought it up to ‘Michelin’ (the yardstick by which the cream of restaurants around the world are rated) status.  His ‘Har Meen’ or prawn noodle soup, commonly available at most hawker stalls for a mere RM4.00 is now served in his restaurant for a whopping RM13.00.  But what a dish and worth every ringgit we pay! A meal by itself, two very large prawns sit on top of velvety smooth rice noodles complemented with the addition of two bunches of the Japanese crunchy ‘shirataki’ yam noodles, garnished with local chives, the soup base redolent with prawn essence. Totally addictive!  Ah Tuck assures me that his soup base is pure stock, made without the slightest smidgeon of MSG, that scourge of Chinese food and often the reason why I seldom eat this dish at hawker stalls.

Beacon Point

41 Lintasan Perajurit 6, Taman Perak, Ipoh.   Tel: 05-5469916

www.beaconpoint.com.my

Valentine’s Day Dinner on Sunday, 14 Feb.

Citrus Wine & Dine

38-46 Laluan Ipoh Perdana, Ipoh.   Tel: 05-5451010

Chinese New Year a la carte Specials. From 16 Feb.

Valentine’s Day 4-Course Set Dinner. 14 Feb – RM80⁺⁺ per person. Call for reservations.

David’s Diner

B-G-1, Greentown Square, Jalan Dato Seri Ahmad Said, Ipoh.   Tel: 05-2425733 (Reservations: 019-5575733)

Chinese New Year & Valentine’s Dinner Specials. Main Course: Set 1 – Grilled shrimp; Set 2 – Pan-fried Cod fish; Set 3 – BBQ Rib; Set 4 – Rack of Lamb. All sets include: appetizer, soup, sides, drinks & dessert.

HOTELS

Heritage

Jalan Raja DiHilir, Ipoh.   Tel: 05-242 8888 ext 2

www.heritage.com.my

Chinese New Year Set Menus RM888 nett per table (complimentary 1 30ml bottle Brandy) & RM688 nett per table. CNY Yee Sang Promotion – raw fish/jelly fish/salmon/abalone – RM168 per portion & RM88 ½ portion.

Valentine’s Day 5-Course Western Set Dinner (Polo Café, Level 2). 12-14 Feb, 7-10.30 p.m. – RM138 per couple with complimentary glass of sparkling juice & rose for ladies).

Impiana

18 Jalan Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, Ipoh.   Tel: 05-255 5555 (Reservations: ext 8009)

www.impiana.com

“Fatt Choy” Hi-Tea.13-16 Feb, 12-4.30 p.m. – RM45 nett per person; RM28 nett per child below 12 years.  Properity Buffet Dinner. 13-16 Feb, 6.30-10.30 p.m. – RM68 nett per person; RM45 nett per child below 12 years.  Family Reunion 8-Course Chinese Set Dinner. 13 Feb, 6.30-10.30 p.m. Imperial Set – RM888 nett per table of 10 persons; Diamond Set – RM688 nett per table of 10 persons.

Valentine’s Day 5-Course Candlelight Dinner (The Bistro). 14 Feb, 7-10.30 p.m. – RM188 nett per couple consists of: appetizer, soup, granita, main course & dessert and a complimentary glass of wine.

Tower Regency

6-8 Jalan Dato’ Seri Ahmad Shah, Greentown, Ipoh.  Tel: 208 6888 (Reservations: ext 6148)

Chinese New Year Dinner (Grand Ballroom, Level 1) Set Menus at RM688, RM788 & RM888 nett per table with complimentary 2 bottles house red wine and door gifts.

Valentine’s Day 5-Course Dinner (Cinnamon Hall, Level 6). 14 Feb. 7-11 p.m. – RM170 nett per couple with complimentary pint of red wine.

Christmas Day Carvery Set Lunch

Christmas Day Set Dinner

New Years Eve Set Menu

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR FARE

RESTAURANTS

Beacon Point

41 Lintasan Perajurit 6, Taman Perak, Ipoh.

Tel: 05-5469916     

www.beaconpoint.com.my

Christmas Eve buffet dinner or Christmas Day set lunch. Special set dinners on New Year’s Eve. Orders for turkey available.

Citrus Wine & Dine

38-46 Laluan Ipoh Perdana, Ipoh.   Tel: 05-5451010

Christmas Eve Dinner, Christmas Day Lunch & Dinner. Traditional Roast Turkey; or Australian Tenderloin; or Pan-seared Threadfin. Call for reservations.

David’s Diner

B-G-1, Greentown Sq, Jln Dato Seri Ahmad Said.  

Tel: 05-2425733/019-5575733

Christmas Eve/Day Lunch & Dinner – RM49.90++. Turkey lunch/dinners available for 8-20 pax ranging from RM350 onwards. Call for reservations.

Denis JaZZ Bistro

26 Persara Ipoh 1, Ipoh Garden, Ipoh.  

Tel: 05-5467926/

016-4841403   

http://denisjazzbistro.blogspot.com

Christmas Dinner Set: RM49.90 nett. Appetiser – tomato & mushroom Brushetta; Soup – three mushroom or tomato sweet basil; Main course – Roast American Turkey with cranberry sauce or smoked duck with honey mustard sauce; served with: green bean casserole, roast potatoes & candied yams, cauliflower cheese, old fashioned salad, garlic bread or corn bread; Dessert – Trifle, Christmas Brandy Fruit Cake, coffee/tea.

Indulgence

14 Jalan Raja DiHilir, Ipoh.   Tel: 05-2557051

Christmas Eve: Pumpkin & Crab Cannelloni + Kataifi Prawns & Cod; or An Arty Lamb + A Christmas Strudel – RM95++. Christmas Day: Plump Pearl Prawns + Mullefeuille of Wild Mushrooms; or Duck Confit + Orange Chocolate Pudding – RM95++. New Year’s Eve: Hokkaido Scallop + Herb Infused Barramundi + Harlequin Berries – RM95++. New Year’s Day: Oysters & Pumpkin + Twelve Night’s Lamb Rump + Grilled Turkish Figs – RM89++.

HOTELS

Impiana

18 Jalan Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, Ipoh.  

Tel: 05-2555555

www.impiana.com

Christmas Eve: Buffet Dinner & 5-Course Set Dinner. Christmas Day: Carvery Set Lunch, Hi-Tea, Buffet Dinner & 4-Course Set Dinner. New Year’s Eve: Set Menu, Buffet Dinner & Supper. New Year’s Day: Hi-Tea & Buffet Dinner. For reservation, please contact extension 8009. See also pages 5 and 17.

Tower Regency

6-8 Jalan Dato’ Seri Ahmad Said, Greentown.  

Tel: 05-2086888 inquiry@towerregency.com

Christmas Eve Gala Buffet Dinner (Cinnamon Hall Level 6, from 7pm) – RM68 (adult), RM48 (child). At Café@6 (Level 6), Christmas Brunch Buffet – RM38++ (adult) RM18++ (child); Christmas Day Buffet Dinner – RM48++ (adult) RM28++ (child); Christmas turkey – RM45++.  New Year’s Eve (Grand Ballroom Level 1) – RM600 nett (normal table) RM800 nett (front table).