Long Gone Childhood Memories? Vivid memories of delicious dishes piled up on the plates, when I was barely tall enough to sit comfortably on those stools. Then a bowl of refreshing Bee Tai Bak to finish the meal off.
For some awkward reason, I have the tendency to indulge senselessly lately. Probably stress from work. Maybe the fickle weather; burning a hole in my brain. Or possibly the recent lack of proper indulging (ahem, comparatively speaking of course) got me bursting with cravings left and rights. I downed a cup of Maltesers milkshake right before dinner last weekend. And I almost could not contain my urge to order seconds minutes after I got my first.
Sin Meng Kee used to be THE vegetarian restaurant to be. They used to serve an amazing spread of dishes for lunch; ala economy rice style.
For another session of good old Motormouth style story-telling (more like rambling), read on ..
Just order Ais Kacang or ABC, or mixed ice drink or whatever they call it, and you get this bowl of shaved ice piled on top of a coconut milk concoction with various ingredients.
Many years ago, when this food-crazed maniac was still in his toddling years, Meng Kee used to be THE vegetarian place in town. Bar none. Or maybe I was ignorant enough to be aware of my surroundings, but come the 1st or 15th of each month (the Lunar calendar), grandma would have her vegetarian food at this shop; or sometimes to avoid the crowd, we had to take away packets of rice with our dishes of choice.
More often than not, the Meng Kees signature vegetarian roast goose (crispy layers of beancurd sheets served with a sweet chili sauce) would be! omnipre sent. I found them to be THAT good . the fact that the meals meatless did not trouble me one bit.
Usually we call this Bee Tai Bak, or Sek Lau Zhi. (for a really good and classic one, read the post on Ais Sagu Pasir Pinji)
Fast forward a decade or two later, and we are spoiled with the funkier vegetarian sushi and bento sets at Fu Tien or even the hugely successful Yishen vegetarian restaurant in an upper tier of its own. If youre a frequent patron of Kinta Citys food court, then Meng Kees there. Though lacking in character, unlike its original root in town next to the now defunct Super Kinta.
Somewhere somehow, the magic was lost ..
There are at least 20 or so vegetarian outlets in Ipoh. Or double the number, for all that I was made aware of. Sin Meng Kee now pushes for their products instead, and you can either buy from them directly at their outlets (another in Ipoh Garden near to Sun Marpoh), or from various supermarkets as well.
This time around, the meal did not manage to recreate that instant magic from back then. Something was lost, the flavour was not there, the vegetarian roast goose was lacking in texture and taste, while the usually satisfying Bee Tai Bak was diluted and not as milky rich as desired.
Oh how they have aged with time. Still one of Ipohs most prominent vegetarian food outlet, no doubt. Yet a decade down the line, will this brand withstand the test of time? And picky eaters and fickle minds groomed unlike the older generations?
Sin Meng Kee @ Jalan Dato Onn Jaafar (Cockman Street)
SIN MENG KEE PRODUCTS SDN BHD (VEGETARIAN)
34, Jalan Dato Onn Jaafar (Cockman Street)
30300 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Tel : 605-255 3076
Business hours : 7am until 5pm.!
Nearby landmarks : Super Kinta (Pasar Besar Ipoh), Yik Foong Complex, Eastern Hotel, McDonalds.
For the whole of next week, I am letting loose. 100%. I wont suppress my cravings, nor will I care about the consequences. Okay, maybe slightly. But Ill leave that to be pondered upon on another day. After all, the lure of egg tarts, milk tea, scrambled eggs on toast, beef brisket noodles and polo bun seems to be of immense proportions now. Tension so thick I can almost slice with a knife? 
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