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Monday, February 21, 2011

Korean BBQ - DAORAE



A latest addition to the influx of foreign cuisine to Ipoh is the famed Daorae, a Korean BBQ Restaurant offering the finest Korean experience right here in Ipoh's De Garden Mall.

Daorae prides itself for having being listed in the top 300 restaurants in Asia recommended in the 2008/09 Miele Guide. If you can read Mandarin, check out the Sinchew article here.

Daorae @ Ipoh

A Korean flag proudly displayed on the wall

Korean flag

Korean style decors

Daorae decor

A Korean ginseng & herbs display cabinet welcoming visitors at the entrance.

Daorae decor

Guests can choose the traditional style of sitting on the floor to dine in Korean style.

Traditional Floor dining area @ Daorae

Or for guest with elderly members can choose the normal table arrangement for dining without the need to crouch down.

Daorae table dining

Anyone intending to try out Daorae should not missed out from ordering BBQ dishes since it is their house specialties. Notice that in the previous two pictures, each table featured a "arm-like" contraptions above the table. Mind you, they are not table lights nor the dismembered arm of "Dr. Octopus" although they do bear a striking resemblance. Hehehe!!

They are extendable exhaust fans used to vacumm away the BBQ smokes from the grilling pan.

In Daorae, the grilling is done with charcoal tubes. Below is a picture of the flaming charcoal tubes placed in the centre of the table. These charcoal's heat can be felt even 3 feet away. Hot! Really Hot!

Hot charcoal brick


Our first BBQ dish was Hanbang Dweji Wang Galbi (RM38) which is a filleted pork ribs marinated with ginseng, herbs and sweet soy sauce.

Daorae staff doing the grilling work

While we waited for the Daorae staffs to do the hard work of barbequing the pork ribs, we chatted dined on the banchan (side dishes / 반찬). We were served a total of 8 ban-chan and together with a soup makes up to that is called 9 cheop (구첩) table setting. These side dishes are free and is the norm of Korean restaurants to serve them as appetisers/accompaniment to the main courses. You can read up more about banchan here.

P2040168

P2040169

Seaweed soup for each customer.

Seaweed Soup

The finished products of the barbequing, tender and still moist. Obviously the waiters were carefully trained to not overcooked the meats lest it would turn up tough and charcoaled. Grilled to perfection, we hastily dig our chopsticks to grab the tender filleted pork ribs.

Grilled pork ribs with chunky garlics

There were two type of sauce for the BBQ. The red one tasted like chilli with fermented bean paste (gochujang) and the other a combination of oil, pepper and salt.

Korean chilli bean paste & sauce

In our haste to grab a bite on the tender porks, the waiter was kind enough to advise us of the proper korean way to eat the BBQ which was to get a piece of lettuce, place some spring onions, a piece of meat and top off with a dollop of the fermented chilli bean paste and a piece of garlic. Wrap the combination and chow down on it. Hmmm... the Korean are really clever to transform a otherwise heaty and oily BBQ dish to become a healthy-looking salad-like dish. This should appeal to health conscious gals.

BBQ Korean style

In between the main course, we were free to saviour the banchan. Take note that you may ask the waiters to top up the banchan that you like.

(Left-right, top-down : Beansprouts, Brinjals, Cockels, Kimchi, Pumpkin, Kimchi Daikon, Chives, Anchovies)
Banchan-Daorae

The waiter recommend that we ordered a Heamool-Tang (RM80), a seafood, tofu & vegetable in spicy chilli soup served in an iron cast pots. The heamool-tang came steaming hot. The combination of hot steam & chilli was hot enough to bring the tears and sweat out. It's good that they had air-conditioning there. The nice thing about the spicy soup was that although it was really spicy but it did not burn the mouth like our local chilli padi. The spicyness did not stay long in the mouth. Once the meal was over, the spicyness of the soup was gone.

Heamool-tang

The spicy soup came with prawns, squid, mussels and flower crabs.

A bowl of heamool-tang

Apart from the pork ribs, we also ordered the Dak-gal-bi (RM28), a boneless skinless lean chicken marinated in hot chilli sauce. Again, the chicken was grilled to tender perfection like the pork ribs.

Dak-gal-bi

The entrance of Daorae.

Daorae BBQ Restaurant @ Ipoh

(Note: A special thanks to my friend for treating us to this delicious meal @ Daorae   =D )

After the first visit to Daorae, the experience & food was enticing enough to call for a re-visit again a week later. This time I chose to bring my family to try out Daorae.

This round we ordered a Jab Chee Bok-um-bab (RM18), glass noodles & rice pan fried with slices of shredded pork & assorted vege in sesame oil sauce.

Jab chee Bok-um-bab

And also Hanbang Dweji Wang Galbi (RM38) as ordered during my first visit & Yang Nyum Dak-Gal-Bi (RM28), a boneless chicken marinated in sweet sauce. (Sorry for the lack of picture for the 2nd grill dish as I was too pre-occupied with the eating part. ;P )

BBQ @ Daorae

This time, we were served a mind boggling total of 10 Ban-Chan + 1 soup.

(Left-right, top-down : Kimchi daikon, Fruit salad, KimChi, Ladies Fingers, Sweetened kimchi-like beef)

Banchan 1

(Left-right, top-down : Steam eggs, black beans, snake gourd, beansprouts, kimchi-like spinach)

Banchan 2

Overall, the main courses were well prepared and nice. Some of the ban-chan were a bit plain, but I guess it was suppose to be simple so that it would not overpowered the taste of the main courses. Not many people may be accustomed to Korean dishes as the taste are rather unique such as the KimChi. Over the years, I have grown to appreciate Korean dish which stresses alot on the original taste of the ingredients. The seasoning compliments the taste of the main ingredient rather than changing the original taste.

The pricing does seems rather expensive by Ipoh standards and you can easily expect to spend between RM40 - RM60 per person if you order the BBQ dishes. They do have cheaper options of rice & noodles
dishes or alternatively you can choose their set lunches.

Those of you who has visited Daorae may have notice this new shop by the name of Kim's Mart that has opened quite recently decorated with posters of korean pop artists. It's actually a specialties mini market offering a selection of imported Korean foodstuffs and drinks. Based on the cashier girl, this shop is associated with Daorae and is involved in supplying some ingredients to Daorae. So if you like the food in Daorae, you may consider dropping in to get some Korean foodstuffs. :)

KIM's Mart


Friday, February 18, 2011

Sights & Scenes of CNY 2011 in Ipoh (Part 2)


Continuing from Part 1

Sharing more sights and scenes captured during the CNY 2011 in Ipoh.

Dried foodstuffs commonly used for CNY food (From top left clockwise: Dried mushrooms, oysters, shrimps, waxed ducks)

CNYmix

Lantern covered roof of Kinta riverside Kuan Yin Temple. A common temple for CNY prayers.

Lanterns @ Temple

Ipoh Parade being one of the main shopping centre was nicely decorated for this CNY to woo customers for seeking a break from the hot weather during CNY. Here is a glimpse of the CNY decor

CNY stage backdrop decor @ Ipoh Parade

CNY balloon decor

Balloon CNY dragon @ Ipoh Parade atrium
Whole balloon dragon

CNY balloon dragon side view @ Ipoh Parade

Balloon dragon

CNY decor @ Ipoh Parade

CNY decor

Balloon Bunny @ Ipoh Parade

Balloon Rabbit

Balloon lanterns @ Ipoh Parade

Balloon lanterns

Glass door CNY decor @ Ipoh Parade

Rabbit decor

Decor Lantern @ De Garden Mall

CNY decor

A CNY dish called Lou Sang / Yee Sang (鱼生) is only available during the 15 day period of CNY. This dish is symbolic of abundance. Last time this dish was specially made for the 7th day of lunar new year.

Lou Sang

A common Chinese New Year past time game is the 3-leg Mahjong. A game that stimulates the mind and finger reflexes. =D   Some people will practically have a marathon of mahjong session breaking only to binge on the CNY food and drinks. Hehehe!!!

3 Leg-Mahjong

A bamboo plant flower that commonly blooms during the hot weather of the CNY.
Bamboo flower

On the beginning of the Ninth Day of the lunar new year, families would usually offer prayers to the Heavenly Jade Emperor. Some would even offer roast pork & chicken and invite as many friends and relatives for praying and binging on the food after prayers. Alternatively, a vegetarian style offering is also offered to the Heavenly Jade Emperor.

Below is a picture of a simple vegetarian offering. Common offerings are sugarcane, mandarin oranges, pineapples, lime, glutinous rice cake, angkoo, ang ee, ang kan, fatt gou, mikoo, watermelon, white glutinous rice dessert and miscellaneous fruits.  In Ipoh, a must have offering would be the tambun pomelo.

Altar table for Heavenly Jade Emperor

Gold papers ingots before being burnt as offerings.

Prayer offering for Heavenly Jade Emperor

And that concludes the series of sights & scenes of a typical CNY celebration in Ipoh.
Even though, the CNY celebration has concluded, but the good memories of the CNY celebrating with family and friends will be etched deeply in each and everyone.

Wishing everyone a Happy & Prosperous Chinese New Year  ahead.!!!!!

"GONG XI FA CAI"



Monday, February 14, 2011

Sights & Scene of CNY 2011 in Ipoh (Part 1)



As quickly as Chinese New Year came in a blink, the days of joy and prosperity are now etched deep in our heart. The sights and scenes of CNY are now captured here for sharing with all.  =D

CNY mascot @ Jusco

Caught this CNY mascot at Jusco Kinta City supermarket promoting some product while priming up the CNY mood.

Rabbit for CNY2011 @ Jusco

The Chinese New Year decor @ Kinta City was somehow toned down this year but the management still managed to come up with this massive new year bunny on the stage.

Approaching the Chinese New Year, Ipoh folks would throng the markets located around Ipoh to stock up on fruits, vege, flowers, foodstuff  in preparation for the CNY. To some, these scenes would be familiar to all of you who visited the Ipoh's Central Market.

Fresh oranges & apples

Fresh fruits

Fatt Gou - for prayers

Colorful "Fatt Gou" (cakes normally used for prayers). Hmm!!! anyone actually eat these?

Pomelos, bananas, pineapples, guavas

Bananas, Pomelos, Pineapples, Limes, Guavas waiting to be picked up for the CNY.

Fresh pack veggies

Packed vegetables ideal for steamboat reunion dinner.

Veggie stall @ Central market

More vegetables at the wet market

Nian Gao for CNY (Kuih Bakul)

Glutinous Rice Cakes (Nian Gao / Kuih Bakul) a delicacy made specially during the CNY period.

Nian Gao (Kuih Bakul) for CNY

Closed up view of the Nian Gao

Fruit stalls @ Central Market

More fruit stalls lining the alley at the Central Market

Dried foodstuff @ Central Market

Sights of the dried foodstuff stalls

CNY dried foodstuffs

CNY dried goods (waxed meats, dried oysters, mushrooms, dried squids, etc) which are some of the normal condiments for CNY meals.

Fresh flowers for CNY

Nice bouquet of flowers at the flower stalls waiting to be picked to decorate the Chinese homes. Don't you just like the colors? Pretty?

CNY bamboo deco

Jade green bamboo stalks for decor.

CNY bamboo deco

Prosperity bamboos for decor

CNY plants deco

Living flower plants for CNY decor

Lime plants

The Lime tree for good luck

Hydrangae deco for CNY

Pink hydrangea flower

Spring Chrysanthemum for CNY

Spring Chrysanthemum plants for decor

Imported deco plants

Now, this one imported plant that is rarely seen. Based on the label it's suppose to be a Japanese Plum Blossom (梅花).

Pussy willow catkins for CNY deco

And this is pussy willow's silver colored catkins.

Lunar new year is also the time to saviour delicacies.

Sea cucumber - CNY delicacy

Soaked sea cucumbers


Mini Abalone - CNY delicacy

Canned abalone.

These two delicacies are common sights gracing the table of many reunion dinners.

Stay tune for more sights and scenes of the CNY 2011 in Part 2 here



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