Yong tao fu, literally means tofu stuffed with fish paste or pork paste. Nowadays, the term is widely applied to variety of stuffed vegetables or deep fried bean curds. The best yong tao fu that I’ve ever eaten comes from Kwong Hong @ Gunung Rapat, Ipoh.
There’s always a line of people waiting to put in their orders during lunch hours. The waiter will jotted down your order of noodles and the yong tao fu are then cooked briefly in boiling water to be served either in broth as soup or in a separate bowl for the deep fried goodies.
What I like about the place?
1. Spoilt for Choice
The normal variations that we always come across are oddments such as eggplants, shiitake mushrooms, bitter guard and lady’s fingers. However, it seems like Kwong Hong has the ability to stuffed every single type of vegetables with the fish paste, i.e. abalone mushroom, broccoli, capsicum, kangkung, and even seaweed.
2. Out of the World Fish Paste
The fish paste is 100% hand made with the core ingredient of Mince fish and seasoning such as salt, pepper, water and tapioca flour. Stir in one direction to get a sticky paste with a springy texture. You need to take handfuls of the fish paste and throw it against the sides of the bowl till the paste becomes springy. How they distinguish themselves from the rest? The secret would be the addition of some dried shredded squid that enhance the flavour of the fish paste. It involves a lot of hard work.
3. Heavenly Noodles
The dried tossed version is splashed with a generous portion of sesame oil and deep fried shallots, so aromatic and delicious. My ultimate favourite would be the curry broth served with stalks of paku while the famous assam laksa is only available during the weekend.
4. Sweet Treat
The same family run the whole shop; including the drinks and tong suis. Cincau served in a bowl, red bean tong sui, green bean tong fui, barley bean curd tong sui are selling like hot cake.
Ipoh Mali and Klites who happen to be around Ipoh, do drop by Kedai Kopi Kwong Hong. For gluttons who are coming from KL, exit at Simpang Pulai toll, turn right at the traffic light, go straight all the way until you spotted a 24 hour Mcdonalds, make a U turn and turn left at the traffic light to enter into the main street of Gunung Rapat. Kedai Kopi Kwong Hong is located on your right hand side.
Okie, noted. Seldom drop by Gunung Rapat as none of my friends stay around the area. Thanks for the tip 🙂
I don’t like 100% fish yong tau fu. I like those with pork in it. Better texture and taste. Hakka style.
i can’t believe it..Yong tao fu is very simple and delicious food but why Kwong Hong can stuffed fish paste into abalone mushroom,broccoli,kangkung la..So complicated la 🙂
Stuffed abalone mushroom?? Stuffed Kangkung? WOW!! This is interesting.
hehe..you can try the one in ipoh jaya too, called kum seng if not mistaken, near the dobi. =) the toufu that they serve is heavenly! =P
jason: haha come n look for me la..ur welcome
jasonmumbles: haha yeah my grandma make reli good hakka yong tafu but i still prefer those from kwong hong, more variety
ekeng: haha but i like the varieties 😛
precious pea: yeah basically they can stuffed anything with the fish paste
bbo: my god, it seems like we are seeing the same dentist
ginn: hie there, thx for the tips 😀
i dropped by ipoh recently but never know there is yong tau foo heaven nearby! shall try it the next time 🙂
no wonder you mention they can stuff practically anything with the paste! 🙂
will take note.
Ehhh… I just did an article on Ipoh today. Haha. This place will be in my next ‘hit list’ in Ipoh …..
Hello out there.
you never know until you stuff it in to yr mouth. Unbelievable.
Believe me, you money worth everything comparing to any class restaurants.
Try it yrself. You will get salute from yr friends you recommended.
Many thanks for your recommendations. Would be great if you have the GPS co-ordinates. Cheers!