Food Exploration

Here comes another food review from the M Makan Kakis. In this episode, we discovered a quaint and cosy restaurant which serves Peranakan (Nyonya) Delights with a Twist. Dong at Hale Street, located at the heart of the city, just a street away from the hustle and bustle of Concubine Lane. Dong is a place where one can partake in local dishes whilst enjoying a glass of wine. Opened by a team of well known F&B operators of cafes in Ipoh, they challenged themselves to take on local cuisines, differing from their other cafés. The concept was to create a laid-back and chill environment for millinieals to appreciate our food history.

Nestled in the historical town of Ipoh, sits a small traditional restaurant along Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar (Osborne Street) that serves one of the best Hainanese Chicken Chop. At first glance, the shop does not attract your attention but don’t be fooled by its outlook. For decades, they have been pampering the taste buds of Ipoh Mali for generations. I first heard about this restaurant from our baby boomer family member who is an avid foodie, who used to come here when he was just a child. It’s a delight for a youngster like me to see how the restaurant has been holding up. Decked with marble tables and tiled walls, it was a trip back to the 70s. Cathay Restaurant offers Hainanese chops, steamed bread, French toast, half boiled eggs, Chinese dishes with rice, coffee and tea. There are also food stalls which are open for breakfast. Surrounding the restaurant are office blocks, and knew that we had to beat the lunch crowd.