Dinner With Neighbors We’ve Known For Over 40 Years @ Exquisite Seafood Restaurant Ipoh

Yesterday, I joined my parents for dinner with our neighbours — people who have lived on the same street as us for more than 40 years.

I’ve actually known some of them since I was just a 12-year-old girl, but funny enough, I had hardly ever spoken to them back then because we seldom crossed paths. Then, at 17, I left Ipoh for the big city to pursue my studies and later my career. In what feels like the blink of an eye, 35 years have flown by.

Thankfully, now that I’m back in Ipoh, I’ve had the opportunity to reconnect with them.

Over the past decade, my parents and these neighbours have become quite a close-knit group. Once everyone retired and had more free time, they started travelling together, both locally and overseas, and going on lots of foodie trips. 😄

Now that I’m back home, my parents have started bringing me along too.

This time, our foodie outing was at Exquisite Seafood Restaurant, where we tried their RM49.90++ à la carte buffet dinner. One of our neighbours had tried it before and highly recommended it to the neighbour who usually organises all our outings, so a date was quickly fixed for everyone to go and try it together.

For RM49.90++, we could order an unlimited number of dishes from the buffet menu, with one important rule: any unfinished food or wastage would be charged at the original à la carte price. Each table is also given 1 hour 45 minutes to dine.

But honestly, 1 hour 45 minutes was more than enough time — especially for a group of oldies with our tiny appetites! 😂

My absolute favourite was the fried fish skin with salted egg yolk. The fish skin was incredibly crispy, not oily at all and seriously addictive. I ended up eating quite a lot of it, which unfortunately filled up my little stomach and left me with less room for all the other dishes.

The fried freshwater fish cooked in a claypot was also very good, as was the stir-fried prawns with celery. There were so many yummy dishes on the menu that I wished I had a bigger stomach. In the end, I could only manage about one piece of each of the meat dishes I tried. 😆

There was also a buy 10, get 2 free promotion. Since there were 11 of us, we qualified for it — yay!

For my parents and me, our total “damage” came to just RM144. Not bad at all for three people!

We enjoyed the food so much that when my brothers and daughters are back in Ipoh next week, we’re planning to bring them there too.

It’s quite special to sit around the same table with people who have been our neighbours for more than four decades, especially when I remember being that little 12-year-old girl living on the same street all those years ago.

So yesterday was a night of good food, lots of laughter and, most importantly, good bonding with our neighbours of over 40 years. ❤️

Sometimes, life really does bring you back to where you started — and gives you a chance to reconnect with people you never knew you’d become friends with.

You can watch the video on my YouTube channel or Facebook page.  The two videos are slightly different on different channels.

Bucket Lists

Today, one of my daughters messaged me to ask for my opinion about dyeing her hair pink — a full head of pink hair! 🩷

Of course, I supported her decision wholeheartedly, especially since she is paying for it herself with money from her part-time job.

For the longest time, I have wanted to dye my own hair too — either blonde or pink. And pink is my all-time favourite girly colour! Even my car was pink at one point, as were many of my handbags, dresses, sports shoes and even my bedding. 😂

So when she mentioned pink hair, I think I got even more excited than she was! 😅

There are actually many things on my bucket list that I have always wanted to do. Besides dyeing my hair blonde or pink, I have always wanted to get a tattoo on my hand or leg, and join dance and singing classes, as dancing and singing are two of my favourite hobbies.

Now, I am learning Zumba, which involves plenty of dancing, so I can finally tick one item off my bucket list! ✔️💃

I also once dreamed of becoming a cabin crew member. In fact, I received an offer from MAS in 1996 and was about to go for my pre-employment medical check-up when I suddenly changed my mind. At that time, I was still working as a bank officer.  Don't ask me why I changed my mind. I still regret that decision until today. 😭

I have also always wanted to learn scuba diving... and there are many more things on my bucket list!

Perhaps this is one reason why I have never stopped my three daughters from doing the things they truly want to do. One is a globetrotter, another is a competitive dancer who is still attending dance lessons and taking dance examinations on top of her architecture degree, while another is a competitive figure skater despite being busy with university.

A few years ago when two of my daughters got semi-permanent tattoos on their hands, I was so excited for them — and secretly wished I could do the same too! 😂

One day — hopefully in the very near future — I know I will finally dye my hair in my favourite colour and get myself a non-painful, semi-permanent tattoo on my hand or leg too!

Don't ask me why I never did all those things on my bucket list. I am too lazy to explain. 😂 Perhaps one day, when I feel like it, I will tell you.

For now, I simply enjoy watching my daughters live their lives to the fullest. They work hard for the things they want and pamper themselves with their own hard-earned money. I am proud that they rarely ask me for money, except for their university tuition fees. 

Throwback photos, taken 2 weeks ago when my younger brother was back in Ipoh. 

Lunch and dessert at Dong Cheng Dessert House @ Medan Ipoh, Ipoh Garden East and dinner at Sam Po Restaurant, Bercham.

Sago pomelo mango dessert with bursting balls, peach gum and grapefruit @ Dong Cheng Dessert House

Wanton noodles with fried pork ribs, braised pork knuckles and marinated king oyster mushroom appetizer @ Dong Cheng Dessert House

Stir-fried sambal belacan pucuk paku @ Sam Po Restaurant Bercham

Fried soft shell crab @ Sam Po Restaurant Bercham

Salted egg yolk baby French beans @ Sam Po Restaurant Bercham

Stir fried garoupa fish with scallions and ginger @ Sam Po Restaurant Bercham

Claypot tofu

Affordable & Delicious Chap Fan in Ipoh

Our lunch is usually chap fan, while Dad takes care of cooking dinner. Depending on the day, we'll either tapau our lunch home or eat at the shop.

Today's lunch from Resipi Chong, Ipoh Garden came to just RM23.90 for the three of us. That's pretty good value!

We only dine in when it's Resipi Chong because it's air-conditioned, clean, comfortable, and has a pleasant ambience. They also provide free soup, drinking water, tea, ice cubes, and tissues.

One thing I really like is their wide selection of dishes—there are easily 50 or more to choose from. Every dish has a price tag, so you know exactly how much you're paying before you fill your plate. Fish can be a little pricey, ranging from RM7 to RM16 per piece, so we usually choose carefully.

We often stop by for lunch here after fetching Mum from her physiotherapy session.

Economical, tasty food, a comfortable place to eat, and best of all... no cooking, no washing up, and no cleaning the kitchen afterwards! 😄

 

Dad took two dishes + plain congee, mum took 3 dishes with rice and mine, as you can guess, is without rice, almost keto.

Delicious Curry Noodles and Lam Mee at Restoran & Kafe New Weng Fatt, Ipoh Garden South

After the gym today, Mum and I headed to our favourite kopitiam for brunch. ❤️

Mum ordered her favourite Lam Mee again, while I had curry "noodles" without the noodles. 😄 My keto version was loaded with chicken, roast pork, char siu and extra crunchy bean sprouts.

I paired my meal with a warm, unsweetened barley drink. 

There was a time when milk tea was my absolute favourite. I loved it iced, unsweetened and with lots of evaporated milk! But as I've gotten older, my body doesn't seem to tolerate it anymore. These days, milk tea from outside stalls often leaves me with heart palpitations, insomnia, phlegm and even dizziness, from the caffeine.

I've also stopped drinking iced beverages and now prefer warm drinks most of the time. It's one of the small lifestyle changes I've made in the hope of ageing as healthily as possible.

Before heading home, I also picked up some lean roast pork and roast chicken breast for dinner.

Getting enough protein is important at every stage of life, especially after a workout, as our muscles need protein to repair and grow stronger.

I've been eating a low-carb diet since 2000 because of PCOS, so rice and noodles have been off my menu for over 25 years. It has become a way of life for me now.

Very nice curry from New Weng Fatt, Ipoh Garden South.

Very delish lam mee & kai si hor fun soup from New Weng Fatt, Ipoh Garden South.

Skinny roast pork @ only RM10 for a generous portion at New Weng Fatt.

Cheapest roast chicken breast in Ipoh - only RM5 for a portion, sans rice, at New Weng Fatt. My favourite lean protein.  I share it with Haru 😆

Cheapest Roast Chicken & Roast Duck in Ipoh at Restoran & Kafe New Weng Fatt

I think I've found the cheapest roast chicken and roast duck in Ipoh!

I discovered this hidden gem at Restoran & Kafe New Weng Fatt, Ipoh Garden South, after my 80-year-old mum and I finished our gym session nearby.

For just RM5 (without rice), you get a generous serving of beautifully roasted chicken breast with a lovely charred aroma. Even the roast duck breast is only RM5 per portion without rice! Great value, and the meat is tender and delicious with herb sauce.

The chicken rice seller was also incredibly friendly. I asked for extra cucumber, and he happily gave me more with a smile—no complaints or excuses, unlike some places.

Right next to the chicken rice stall is another stall selling Ipoh-style kai si hor fun (shredded chicken noodles), lam mee, and curry noodles. Mum ordered the Lam Mee (RM9), and we were pleasantly surprised. The rich chicken broth was excellent—honestly, I'd put it on par with the famous kai si hor fun soup at Lou Wong and Thean Chun in Ipoh Old Town.

I'll definitely be back to try their curry noodles and kai si hor fun to see how they rank among Ipoh's best. Have you been here before?

Restoran & Kafe New Weng Fatt

1 Lebuh Raya Taman Ipoh

Ipoh Garden South

31400 Ipoh, Perak

You can watch the video on my YouTube channel.

Mum's Lam Mee in rich, flavorful chicken + prawn broth, RM9

My no-carb lunch - roast chicken breast with cucumber at only RM5, what a steal!

Muzi Matcha Cafe @ Tambun, Ipoh

Tucked away in the peaceful neighbourhood of Tambun, Ipoh, Muzi Matcha Café is a hidden gem that feels like stepping into a serene Japanese retreat. Housed in a charming bungalow, this café has quickly gained popularity for its Instagram-worthy aesthetics, calming ambiance, and of course—its dedication to all things matcha.

From the moment we stepped in, the atmosphere was soothing and inviting. The minimalist Japanese-inspired design, combined with soft natural lighting and greenery, made it the perfect spot to unwind after a meal. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, and you just want to sit back and savour every sip and bite.

We visited the café after lunch, looking for somewhere cozy to enjoy some light desserts and drinks—and Muzi did not disappoint.

🍵 What We Tried

Being a family of matcha lovers we couldn’t resist sampling a variety of their signature items.

• Matcha Cheesecake – Rich, creamy, and beautifully balanced. It reminded me very much of the ones from The Tokyo Restaurant at Lot 10 in KL—definitely a compliment!
• Strawberry Daifuku (Mochi) – A clear favourite among my girls. Soft, chewy, and filled with a delightful combination of fresh strawberry and sweet filling.
• Matcha Latte & Green Tea – As someone who is quite particular about matcha, I must say I was genuinely impressed. The green tea was smooth, fragrant, and incredibly satisfying.

In fact, I loved their green tea so much that I was tempted to buy some home. Unfortunately, they don’t sell their green tea bags —but they do offer Muzi matcha powder (RM88 for 50g), which I already happen to have at home (thanks to a thoughtful birthday gift from Alycia’s friend).

💚 The Verdict

Muzi Matcha Café is more than just a place to eat—it’s an experience. Whether you’re a matcha enthusiast or simply looking for a peaceful café to relax in, this spot ticks all the boxes.

The desserts are thoughtfully crafted, the drinks are top-notch, and the ambiance makes you want to linger just a little longer.

We truly enjoyed our time there and are already looking forward to our next visit—especially when my girls are back in Ipoh again to visit me.

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📍 Muzi Matcha Café Locations

• Tambun Main Branch
  333, Jalan Tambun
  🕣 8:30 AM – 11:00 PM (Kitchen closes at 10:00 PM)
• Pop-Up Kiosk
  Concubine Lane, Ipoh
  🕚 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Ipoh Stable Market (PISM)
  (Check operating hours locally)

You can watch the video of our visit to Muzi Matcha cafe on my Facebook page.

Canning Dim Sum (Halal) @ Canning Garden, Ipoh

When Alycia came back to Ipoh to surprise me for my birthday, we decided to celebrate with brunch at Canning Dim Sum — a popular halal dim sum spot in Canning Garden.

The restaurant offers more than 100 varieties of halal-certified dim sum in a spacious, family-friendly environment. One thing that immediately caught our attention was the beautifully designed garden-style façade — it’s very photogenic and perfect for taking pictures 📸

There’s a wide selection of both steamed and fried dim sum to choose from. Overall, the food was good, and I especially enjoyed the chicken siew mai. Surprisingly, it didn’t have the strong “porky” smell that you sometimes get from non-halal siew mai, which made it extra pleasant to eat.

Prices start from about RM3.20 per basket. Our total bill came to RM144.20 for five adults — slightly on the higher side, but still reasonable for the variety and experience. Since Ipoh is famously known for its many non-halal dim sum options, this was actually our first time trying halal dim sum here, and it was a nice change.

After brunch, we spent some time taking photos at their colourful outdoor garden area, which made the visit even more memorable 🌿✨

Canning Dim Sum (Halal)

1 Lebuh Cecil Rae, Taman Canning

31400 Ipoh, Perak

Opens daily from 6:30 AM

016-268 0535

Hop over to my YouTube channel to watch the video! 😊

Pre-Birthday Celebration

A week before my birthday, my younger brother Roy came back to Ipoh to celebrate with me. We had a really lovely dinner together at Hanz & Jane.

The café has such pretty, dreamy décor — very Insta-worthy — and they were playing Norah Jones–style jazz in the background, which made the whole place feel calm and relaxing. It was the perfect setting for a quiet pre-birthday celebration with family.

The food was great, and we also ordered their specialty Chocolate Bomb Cake, which is house-made by the café and quite a unique experience. The cake comes as a chocolate sphere, and you’re supposed to tap the chocolate casing gently with a small hammer to reveal a wedge of moist chocolate cake inside — complete with a Ferrero Rocher chocolate surprise. All of us enjoyed it very much!

It was a simple but very meaningful pre-birthday celebration with my parents and my younger brother — lovingly treated by my thoughtful brother Roy. I truly appreciated the time together. 💛

You can watch the video of the dinner on my Facebook page.