Choong Kee "Pokok Besar" Restaurant — Restaurant in Perak

I went to Ipoh with my old Convent school friends . With my colleagues recommendations, we headed straight to this famous n very popular Yong taufu shop in Ipoh , looking forward to a really good hearty lunch. As we all know Yong taufu in KL n Petaling Jaya is usually rather costly n lately it has increased in price as well. Just one small piece of Yong taufu costs RM 2.20! Before it was RM 2.00. Here in Ipoh , there was no such price increase at least not at this moment. It's only RM 1.40 per piece. So we had better enjoy n eat as much as we could while in Ipoh. The fried brinjals n fried stuffed taufu n fried fish paste meat are all so so fresh, crunchy , tasty n delicious! They put a lot of fish paste as stuffing inside the brinjals, lady's fingers, chillies n bitter gourd. The steamed Yong taufu is just as yummy. We ordered n ate a lot of these foodstuff to our hearts ' content. Some of us wanted to try their laksa n curry noodles n chee Cheong fun too. Oh boy! We were so happy n satisfied with our wonderful lunch. Then before leaving for KL , we bought as takeaway for our family, packets n packets of fried Yong taufu n fried stuffed bean curd rolls . We didn't buy any steamed Yong taufu cos these won't remain fresh under such hot n humid condition during a long journey back to KL. If only they could renovate the shop n air condition the whole place , we would have enjoyed eating there more. Moreover the broken floor tiles n the wet, slippery n greasy floor is a real hazard to all young n old customers. Wish they would make these improvements soon. I assure you all customers will flock to your shop for your yummy...

Choong Kee's "Pokok Besar" Restaurant offers a delightful culinary experience with a diverse menu featuring Yong Tau Foo, curry noodles, dry noodles, noodles in clear soup, and Chee Cheong Fun. The food is a standout, earning a perfect 5 out of 5 for its unique tastiness and freshness. Each dish showcases a delightful blend of flavors, making it a must-try for locals and tourists alike.

The service at Choong Kee is equally impressive, earning a solid 5 out of 5 for the workers' friendliness while serving food. The staff's hospitality adds to the overall positive dining experience, creating a welcoming atmosphere for patrons.

However, the restaurant's atmosphere receives a less favorable rating of 2 out of 5 due to a persistently oily floor that never seems to get mopped. This may pose a potential hazard, especially for elderly individuals who could slip while walking. The cleanliness concern is a notable drawback that impacts the overall dining environment.

In summary, Choong Kee's "Pokok Besar" Restaurant, although more fittingly described as a food court, earns a commendable overall rating of 4 out of 5. The exceptional food and friendly service make it a recommended spot for tourists seeking an affordable and satisfying breakfast or lunch. Despite the cleanliness issue, the culinary offerings and service quality contribute to a positive dining experience for those willing to overlook the atmospheric shortcomings.

Edit: Caution....

Look. This is it, the king daddy of liu fun (or meatball noodles) in Ipoh. With more than 30 years' history and a time-honoured menu that took decades to perfect, every item here showcases the simplicity and full flavour of liu, with fish paste as the chief ingredient. I literally ate this growing up. Now a tourist trap, but still.

Each liu is fried fresh and served immediately, and turnover is fast because customers are aplenty! To order, stand in line, grab a basket and a pair of tongs, pick whatever liu you fancy, and tell the staff what noodles you'd like to have. I recommend the assam laksa for a full-on taste explosion.

Must-try liu include the Foo Pei or beancurd skin (the flat ones), the fried Wonton (shaped like little pouches), and the signature Sar Kok Liu or yambean (large coin-shaped). The yambean is only found in Ipoh so don't miss out! Also the go-to drink is the red bean ice. A thick milkshake concoction to cool you down since most of the liu are deep-fried. A fine match indeed!

This place is home to tourists and locals alike, so expect difficult parking and crowded seats. But I assure you, it's all worth it. Every other liu fun is just fighting for second place. If you are stopping over from KL on the way to Penang, this is the place to go to. If you have just an hour to spare in Ipoh for lunch, this is it. Your liu fun pilgrimage starts...