Gua Tempurung Round 2 & Ipoh Food Trail, Perak
It was a public holiday and we were searching for a place to visit. The idea of exploring Gua Tempurung surfaced, and having much said and shared about my experience at the popular cave, we were excited. After some convincing, we pushed for this day trip- tiring but fun, with our stomachs full, through Kampar and Ipoh.
Medan Selera Makan, Kampar Morning Market
Arriving in Kampar after slightly more than two hours of drive from KL (exited at Tapah), we were hungry and excited at the same time. This food court is no stranger a place to us- we visited this place numerous times, sometimes in the afternoon. In the morning, it was different and there were many people because of the morning market nearby. Parked by the roadside, along the river, i can't help but to be amazed, and afraid, at the many monitor lizards roaming the bank or swimming in the water- i could easily spot five. There was one with relatively big tummy, as if it's just eaten breakfast.
One of the popular food here is the Fried Kuay Teow. It is special partly because it is fried with the cook sitting down. I have tried, it felt okay to me, and because of the usually long wait, i gave this a pass this time. Instead, i ventured to its neighbour's stall number 32- selling Chee Cheong Fun, with equally long queue. I enjoy eating Chee Cheong Fun and this was delicious. The ingredients are already cooked in curry and the choice is up to us to decide to have it completely in curry or with the sweet, reddish brown gravy. Since i was going for sport later, i chose the sweet sauce. The main ingredient, the Fun (noodles), is smooth and silky, and the sauce has an ideal mix of sweetness and saltiness for a satisfying breakfast. The additional ingredients complement the dish. My plate of Chee Cheong Fun with two ingredients costs RM 3.
Other recommended food here is the Wan Tan Mee, stall number 45, opposite the Chee Cheong Fun stall and for snacks, the sticky rice opposite the Wan Tan Mee stall. I have yet to try the others.
Gua Tempurung
As this post is titled, this was my second visit to the cave in the same year- and i don't mind returning for more. My thoughts towards this cave, or caving in general, has never changed- i thoroughly enjoy this spot and this sport. The cave or the route may be the same but the experience with different company is always something new. The only difference was that this time, i went to Stage 3- Top of the World and Short River Adventure. In my humble opinion, if just to give caving a try, this is sufficient to fulfill that desire. Because to me, the Grand Tour- twice the price and an hour longer, is just repetition to the tried challenges. On the plus side, the Grand Tour allows you to spend more time in the cave- which i like, see another end of the cave and the satisfaction that you've completed the toughest level open to public.
In this adventure, the water level in the cave was relatively higher- i bet it on the rainy days. At some point, the chilly water reaches almost knee height. As it was a holiday, the group we were in was large- sometimes, i enjoy the company of other people because i get to see their interesting and funny characters while completing the challenges. The slide was less frightening granted the experience but less not in fun. The cave echoed with laughter as a comment to 'push' was made to my sister- word choice at the moment. Another highlight was all the crawling under low roofs of the limestone rocks, military style.
I find that the tours offered, both this tour and the Grand Tour, are well priced and well worth the money paid. Fun and adventure are redefined when you've experienced caving. Needless to say, there are rooms to improve such as the public toilets outside and have proper scheduling or time intervals to enter the cave instead of waiting for more 'cavers' to form a group. Proper scheduling also makes for better planning for the tourists to plan ahead and be at the entrance on time. A highly recommended thing to do in Perak.
Kafe South Point, Taman Ipoh Selatan (previously as Kafe Sentosa Ria)
Whenever we are on our way north, we never fail to stop by this kopitiam serving one of the best 'Tai Lok Mee' Hokkien Thick Mee. Especially with a raw egg added to a cooked plate, the gravy becomes smoother, slimier then thicker, and tastes even better. The thick 'mee' noodle is one rarely found around KL. The shrimps are fresh and bouncy, and the sliced pork meat is tender and soft. The crispy lard is just a guilty pleasure- perhaps, after a 'workout' in the cave, one or two wouldn't hurt. Very reasonably priced, from RM 3.70, and highly recommended.
Medan Selera Makan, Kampar Morning Market
Arriving in Kampar after slightly more than two hours of drive from KL (exited at Tapah), we were hungry and excited at the same time. This food court is no stranger a place to us- we visited this place numerous times, sometimes in the afternoon. In the morning, it was different and there were many people because of the morning market nearby. Parked by the roadside, along the river, i can't help but to be amazed, and afraid, at the many monitor lizards roaming the bank or swimming in the water- i could easily spot five. There was one with relatively big tummy, as if it's just eaten breakfast.
One of the popular food here is the Fried Kuay Teow. It is special partly because it is fried with the cook sitting down. I have tried, it felt okay to me, and because of the usually long wait, i gave this a pass this time. Instead, i ventured to its neighbour's stall number 32- selling Chee Cheong Fun, with equally long queue. I enjoy eating Chee Cheong Fun and this was delicious. The ingredients are already cooked in curry and the choice is up to us to decide to have it completely in curry or with the sweet, reddish brown gravy. Since i was going for sport later, i chose the sweet sauce. The main ingredient, the Fun (noodles), is smooth and silky, and the sauce has an ideal mix of sweetness and saltiness for a satisfying breakfast. The additional ingredients complement the dish. My plate of Chee Cheong Fun with two ingredients costs RM 3.
Lady in action preparing a plate of Chee Cheong Fun.
Homemade Wan Tan Mee noodles.
As this post is titled, this was my second visit to the cave in the same year- and i don't mind returning for more. My thoughts towards this cave, or caving in general, has never changed- i thoroughly enjoy this spot and this sport. The cave or the route may be the same but the experience with different company is always something new. The only difference was that this time, i went to Stage 3- Top of the World and Short River Adventure. In my humble opinion, if just to give caving a try, this is sufficient to fulfill that desire. Because to me, the Grand Tour- twice the price and an hour longer, is just repetition to the tried challenges. On the plus side, the Grand Tour allows you to spend more time in the cave- which i like, see another end of the cave and the satisfaction that you've completed the toughest level open to public.
In this adventure, the water level in the cave was relatively higher- i bet it on the rainy days. At some point, the chilly water reaches almost knee height. As it was a holiday, the group we were in was large- sometimes, i enjoy the company of other people because i get to see their interesting and funny characters while completing the challenges. The slide was less frightening granted the experience but less not in fun. The cave echoed with laughter as a comment to 'push' was made to my sister- word choice at the moment. Another highlight was all the crawling under low roofs of the limestone rocks, military style.
Family photograph almost reaching the end of the tour.
Kafe South Point, Taman Ipoh Selatan (previously as Kafe Sentosa Ria)
Whenever we are on our way north, we never fail to stop by this kopitiam serving one of the best 'Tai Lok Mee' Hokkien Thick Mee. Especially with a raw egg added to a cooked plate, the gravy becomes smoother, slimier then thicker, and tastes even better. The thick 'mee' noodle is one rarely found around KL. The shrimps are fresh and bouncy, and the sliced pork meat is tender and soft. The crispy lard is just a guilty pleasure- perhaps, after a 'workout' in the cave, one or two wouldn't hurt. Very reasonably priced, from RM 3.70, and highly recommended.
A fulfilling lunch plate.
Serving hot is this friendly couple.
One can never go to Ipoh and not have white coffee. This shop serves good white coffee!
Other recommended food in this shop is the Hong Kong Style Chee Cheong Fun mixed of char siew and shrimps, sandwiches from the only Western food stall, and the Wan Tan Mee.
Pumpkin Dessert, Kafe All In
This dessert is so good- and since i find such good one only here, i decided to label and describe this shop as the Pumpkin Dessert shop.
Tempting... and salivating just looking at it. Sweet but not too sweet; smooth with bite sized pumpkin chunks.
Restaurant Cowan Street Ayam Touge & Koitiau
Translated as the famous Ipoh chicken Kuay Teow noodle with beansprout, located at Jalan Cowan, near Excelsior Hotel. They say Ipoh beansprouts are different from anywhere around Malaysia- they are bigger, fatter and juicier, because of the water they are grown from. Whether it is true, i'm not sure, but one thing for sure is that the 'touge' beansprouts here tastes better. This restaurant serves one of the best Ipoh chicken kuay teow or Ipoh Hor Fun- even from KL we thought of this little restaurant. One reason? The broth is really lip-smacking! Another? The kuay teow is fine and smooth yet strong when picking them up with chopsticks. Need more? The chicken meat... and its other parts.
Plain, but never short of taste, this bowl of noodle and soup (RM 1.50) go well with the chicken and tauge.
Simple dish yet tastes good (RM 5). The sauce may be a tad too salty for me.
Not for me, but yes, you can get chicken feet, among other parts of the chicken, here (RM 7). And according to my family, it is good.
This, i'll take. Steamed half chicken for RM 20.
Opens around 6, this restaurant is worth a visit.
Tong Shui Kai, Dessert Street
Known to the locals, translated as Dessert Street, this street is no short of other heavy meals. It is strategically located opposite the petrol station next to Ipoh Parade Shopping Mall; right next to Sam Tet School. The Cheong Kee Beef Noodles serves good beef noodles. The meat is soft and tender, and the soup is flavourful. The neighbouring Wan Tan Mee is also good eat. When i come to this street, i usually get a packet of the famous Chee Cheong Fun at the end of the road. The aromatic mushroom gravy with tender chicken meat are the reasons i go back for more- i'm a mushroom lover. However, my family did not share the same enthusiasm as i when i first tasted the gravy. On the time of our visit, the usual dessert shop i go to was just opening when we were leaving. Next time then.
Beef noodle stall at the front of the street.
This grumpy man likes to talk, complain or share his experience with the other stall owners. Sometimes quite boastful. But i really liked his mushroom gravy Chee Cheong Fun, at RM 3.50 per packet.
The day-long getaway, of great adventure into nature once more and good food, comes to an end. The journey back in the rain took us nearly two and a half hours, the grin wiping off the exhaustion on our faces.
For more readings or reviews on some of the places mentioned above, check the links below:
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