Pasir Pinji Big Tree Yong Tau Foo, Ipoh, Perak

Restoran Choong Kee's Pasir Pinji Yong Tau Foo (9 March, 2018)

Pasir Pinji Big Tree Yong Tau Foo (GPS: 4.58237, 101.08574) is a famous yong tau foo stall in Ipoh. It is located on Jalan King in Taman Hoover, which is also known as Pasir Pinji, on the southern part of the city.

It originally occupied the hawker centre at the junction of Jalan King and Jalan Tokong, but it moved next door into Restoran Choong Kee some years back. Since then, another yong tau food stall has taken over its original spot, and even took over the name 大树脚炸料粉 (Big Tree Foot Yong Tau Foo). This proved to be rather confusing to me, for went I entered Restoran Choong Kee, I saw that the name of the yong tau foo stall was 大樹頭炸料粉 (Big Tree Head Yong Tau Foo). Is this the right stall? But seeing that the stall calling itself "Big Tree Foot" getting no customers at all, and this one doing roaring business, we settled for the one with customers. Luckily, we later found out that this was indeed the original stall.

I do not know why it moved out of its original location, and I will not attempt to speculate. Nevertheless, it didn't bother me much. However, as with so many food stalls, once it gets too famous, there would be lots of people saying that it is touristic and over rated. When we got there, yes, we did see lots of people lining up to have their pick of yong tau foo items. But I kinda liked the many selection available. Maybe I am incredibly easy to pleased (as I've enjoyed most of the yong tau foo I visited, whether back in Penang or over in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur).

The Pasir Pinji Yong Tau Foo is more like that of Ampang than that of Penang, meaning you are more likely to get it "dry" rather than in a soup (in Penang, you are almost certain to be served your yong tau foo in soup). Selecting what you want is pretty straightforward - you just get a plastic coliander and fill it with your choice of yong tau foo item. When you reach the head of the line, you pass the basket over for them to cook the items for you and pay for it.

The price of most items is RM0.95, which is quite reasonable. The laksa is priced at RM3.40, which is also not too bad. I had the laksa, and I like it. (Oh dear, I am so easy to please!)

On the whole, it was a heavy, and satisfying lunch at Pasir Pinji Yong Tau Foo.