I had the opportunity to be in Taiping last week for work. An antique, sleepy yet historical town, Taiping which is located in northern Perak used to be the state capital of Perak from 1876 to 1937. If you are still acquainted with Malaysian history, the names of Larut War, Long Jaafar, Puak Gee Hin and Puak Hai San cross your mind at the mention of Taiping. Taiping used to be known as Klian Pauh; Klian – mine and Pauh – a type of small mango. Before the arrival of the British, the district known as The Larut Settlement was governed by Dato’ Long Jaafar (and later by his son Ngah Ibrahim) who was given the authority by Sultan of Perak at that time, to govern the territory.
Taiping Lake Garden
Since I stay near Taiping Lake Garden, I venture Taiping Lake Garden first of all places.
I love the serene and peaceful surroundings of Taiping Lake Garden. It used to be a mine before it was designed as a garden with beautiful landscape. If not for the passing cars, joggers, and ice cream sellers and a canvas meant for Pesta Orkid Taiping at the other side of the lake, I would have thought I am lost in some secret garden. The branches coming out from a tree trunk are just too many that it evokes spooky environment even under the hot sun of Taiping.
So serene! The kind of place one would bring the whole family for a picnic.
Pesta Orkid Taiping
Pesta Orkid Taiping is organized in conjunction with Lake Garden Festival 2012. Eager to test my spanking new camera, I shoot few pictures of the orchids. I am not an orchid expert so do not ask me what type of orchid they are. I love the colours and designs. And who does not love flowers right?
Here are some of the best orchid collection by Persatuan Orkid Taiping:-
Kuey Teow Goreng Doli
Before I left for Kuala Kangsar, I went in search for the popular Kuey Teow Goreng Doli. Thanks to Waze, I reached Jalan Tupai in an instant. It was lunch time but the restaurant was quite empty. So my order of Kuey Teow Goreng Special was attended to impromptu.
Ha macam mana terliur ke tak? Yes, it was delicious! It came in big portion with aplenty prawns. The texture was just nice – not too dry and too wet. Chilli paste will also be served together with the meals. Remember to spice up with the chilli paste otherwise your kuey teow goreng might be tasteless. I read somewhere on the internet that the secret recipe for this kuey teow goreng Doli is that the spatula (senduk) used to stir the kuey teow has never been washed for years. The cook only wipes the spatula. The kuey teow is still fried with charcoal fire!
Doli Kuey Teow Goreng has been there since 1975 emerging from a push stall operating at night markets to a big restaurant in Taiping with a branch in TTDI Damansara. The name Doli was given as the owner Codshaikh Biby thought it was catchy for people to remember.
Doli Kuey Teow Goreng – Jalan Tupai, Taiping
16 Jalan Wan Kadir 4, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-7722 5351
The chicken rice and chicken soup are locals’ favourite too. Many good reviews online if you google.
After paying for my kuey teow goreng special, the owner who happened to man the cashier asked me, “Adik orang mana? Bukan Taiping nampak gaya“.
“KL.”
“Oh KL. Ni ambik card kami ada branch di KL. Toksah mai jauh-jauh, sana pun boleh makan. Kuey teow, udang fresh, kicap, taugeh semua makcik hantar pada anak makcik hari-hari dari Taiping“.
I smiled to her and promised to go to TTDI branch in the future.
That concluded my short Taiping trip.
That concluded my short Taiping trip.