Thank you guest blogger, Motormouth from Ipoh, for this delicious post!
Have you seen my last post on claypot crab ‘tanghoon’ (glass vermicelli noodles) at Rasa Lain Restaurant (Chinese name : “Mei But Tung”) in Bercham? That same restaurant has garnered enough attention of its own, with appearance in the tube courtesy of the food show named Taste With Jason (you can read about it from Axian’s blog HERE).
Fueled by sufficient promotion, a myriad of reviews on the net, plus Rasa Lain’s already famous reputation amongst the Ipohans, it is no wonder the place is packed on most evenings, especially weekends and public holidays. There was once when we could not even get a seat at Rasa Lain, and had to take a detour to Hoy Tin Lau for dinner. But that was a week or so after the restaurant was featured on Axian’s show on Astro AEC channel. So, as the Chinese saying goes; “New Toilet” (San Si Hang) may ring true after all.
Slithering down one’s throat, the braised glass vermicelli soaked up all the flavours from the thick and peppery broth
But just like the war between the Tauge Ayam (Nga Choy Kai) outlets, and the lesser-known battle between curry mee proprietors, Rasa Lain is NOT the only restaurant in Ipoh, or Bercham for that matter, serving the famed Claypot Crab Tanghoon. Another equally popular restaurant, named Same Taste (or ‘Ya But Tung‘ …. correction : it should be Mei Ya Tung (thanks CPK!)) garnered enough following on its own, and recently has even moved to the main road of Bercham, promising ease of access, especially those exiting from the North-South Expressway …..
Steamed Soon Foong Fish with wolfberries, garlic cloves, ginger, carrots and spring onions (RM38.00)
Previously, the two shop-lots were occupied by another ‘Dai Chow’ (Chinese cuisine of dishes with rice) restaurant, named Chap Heng which held its ground rather well, dishing up some rather tasty dishes. But no chance to share them on my blog here with you , for I stashed the photos in the backlog section since a year ago, and has completely forgot about them. Oh well.
Back to the present, Same Taste Restaurant is actually run by the brother of Rasa Lain Restaurant, and seemingly started the claypot crab tanghoon extravaganza BEFORE Rasa Lain ever did. Take it with a pinch of salt though, for I heard it all from the grapevine, this one. Hehehe …. Not from the horse’s mouth, but from one of the staff in Same Taste. Though she did look a LOT like the lady boss herself, running the place with ease.
Thai-style Braised Pork Trotter (RM15)
Comparing head to head between the claypot crab tanghoon was no easy feat, when my last dining experience at Rasa Lain was more than a year ago. But I can attest to the fact that Same Taste’s version was much less peppery and salty, and even the last few spoonfuls of the gravy was scooped and relished without the urge to pump water (or in this case, Chinese tea) into one’s throat soonafter. Unlike Rasa Lain’s highly flavourful broth, which was a little too much to stomach when the claypot was being polished clean, being a tad saltier than desired.
But one minor gripe was the lack of pork bacon in Same Taste’s version, a disappointing fact for I prefer some porky bits at the bottom of the pot for that extra oomph. Rasa Lain’s claypot crab tanghoon included these babies, and the pieces of bacon lent a nice smoky aroma to the overall ensemble. There were at least two crabs being served with the noodles, readily-cracked and brimming with sweet flesh, so one does not have to gnaw, bite, and risk losing a tooth or two like the experience at Suang Le River’s.
Nothing beats a tummy-warming, pepper-infused concoction on a chilly, rainy evening ….
The steamed Soon Foong fish (Not sure of its English name. Anyone?) came in smooth and succulent cuts, steamed in a slightly tangy soy sauce mix with a dash of vinegar (I think) and sesame oil, bits of wolfberries (gei chi), and garnished with ginger and carrot shreds, coriander leaves and spring onions. There were even garlic cloves in the sauce, and the method of steaming the fish reminded me of Teo Chew style, with a twist.
The Thai-style Braised Pork Trotter was passable, but none of the flying colours criteria. We ordered a plate of greens as well, to balance out the calorie-laden dishes. (P/S : The trotter was FAT, mind you).
The meal came to RM120 for the 5 of us, inclusive of rice, and tea.
Address & Contact Number :
Same Taste Restaurant
No 222 & 224, Jalan Bercham,
Taman Ria, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Tel No : +6012-502 1132 (Arun Tan), +6012-506 6111 (pH Lim) and +6016-531 6679 (L.M. Tai)
Here’s the GOOGLE MAP TO SAME TASTE RESTAURANT
Directions : Exiting the North-South Expressway (PLUS) at Ipoh Selatan exit (coming from the south, you’ll first reach the new TAMBUN exit, then only reach the Ipoh Selatan exit, but bear in mind that the signboard indicates only IPOH, Tambun and Tanjung Rambutan. Once you reach a T-junction traffic lights, turn right towards Bercham and Tasek. At the next traffic lights, turn right and you’ll pass by Tesco Extra hypermarket on your left. Go straight until you reach another traffic lights. Go straight again, and you’ll see a row of shops on your left. Same Taste Restaurant is in the midst of that row.
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