Calefe Hauz Gastro Cafe

For a 1950s feel and ambience, this is a very decent cafe. Food and drink are excellent. Price of its food and beverages are low to mid range.

Parking tip: 
Park at the top of Lebuh Victoria which joins up to Gat Jalan Prangin. It is not far to walk from there.

Ribena yogurt drink - RM12 

 Mushroom soup - RM10

(the best after Cheers Bierhouse (already gulung tikar) but a bit salty)

 Latte and cappucino - RM8.00 and RM9.00 respectively

The best durian goreng ever!!!!!!!!! Deep fried durian paste served with watermelon, mango, raisins and honeydew salad! the white sauce is its milky dressing.  - RM15.00

Bananalicious! served on pancake and dusted with almond flakes and topped with herb. 

Calefe Hauz Gastro Cafe
51 Gat Jalan Prangin
10300 Penang
Phone 016-494 2886

Mie Atep Belitung

I was in Indonesia last May for a trip to the island of Belitung a.k.a. Negeri Sejuta Pelangi / Negeri Lasker Pelangi (Rainbow Troops). I enjoy travelling to places less travelled and so this island was perfect for exploration. 

So, upon arriving at Belitung, our driver/guide took my friends and I for breakfast at a local shop famous for their noodles, Mie Atep Belitung. It is something like what we Penangites would call Jawa Mee as its broth is a bit sourish and it is served with crackers. The place is already packed with people even though it is not opened for business yet. So, we were lucky to be seated without having to wait as we ventured further inside the establishment into the living room of the restaurant owners. 

You will also noticed that a lot of local Indonesian celebrities including the former President, Megawati Sukarnoputri, also dined here before. Each plate of noodles is prepared beforehand and whenever there is an order, then only the broth is poured in. So, it is not always you get the "fresh" plate each time. Nonetheless, since we got there early, our plate of noodles were delicious. 

When ordering for a plate of Mie Atep Belitung, do order the "es jeruk kunci" or lime juice with sour plum.

Mie Atep Belitung
JL. Sriwijaya, No. 27, Tanjung Pandan,
Kepulauan Bangka Belitung 33411, Indonesia

Big Tree Trunk (大树脚)

When in Ipoh, best to travel out of the usual eating places in the old town and come here, to Pasir Pinji for some local hawker food. Situated under a very old tree, lots of food stalls congregate around it and it also attracted a lot of locals and tourists alike. 

During my visit, I noticed it is not just the Yong Tau Foo that this place is famous for, but also for their drinks, too. Yong tau foo in English means "stuffed vegetables". Vegetables like aubergines/brinjal/egg plant, ocra/lady's fingers, chillies, bitter gourd and not forgetting tofu or beancurd skins are filled with fish meat paste. They are then deep dried which is oily and scrumptious all at once. 

Check out the queue for the yong tau foo, out to the busy main road. It's dangerous! 

Tip: Don't queue politely like how we did. But to swarm in front of the stall and pick the food. It might involve some patience but you'll get your chance. 

Just like that. You grab your food at the front counter and move down to this lady who will then sort your orders. You can also order some noodles to go with your yong tau foo. I highly recommend the laksa! The laksa noodle is silky smooth and al-dente! 

Not forgetting the waiting time for these yong tau foo in view of its large number of orders at one go. You had to wait about 45 mins to an hour for your order to reach you. 

You washed all that oil down with these jumbo sized drinks. Dragon fruit juices, mixed fruit juice, ice blended with red bean or corn. Green tea ice blended. All yums! That's my dad by the way. =)

Big Tree Trunk (大树脚)
652, Jalan King,
Pasir Pinji,
31650 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.