It just happened that way…

I did not intend to go here…

…that morning – it just happened that way. Actually, I was planning to go to the supermarket opposite and I thought I would go back to the coffee shop at the back to see what else they may have but it was closed, probably their off day.

I did drop by once when it first opened early this year before the pandemic outbreak but no, I was not all that impressed by what we had. I was quite put off by the crowd too and the service wasn’t great either especially when they were mono-lingual, conversant in Mandarin only.

This time around, it was quite different. I went to have a look at the posters in front and instantly, the young and very friendly eager beavers came out like flies fluttering around one’s head, speaking in fluent English, persuading my to go in and try some of what they had on their menu. Well, since there was nobody in that front section (I think there was a table inside, maybe two), no worries about social distancing, I stepped right in.

I ordered their Gula Melaka Trinity coffee (RM5.90)…

…but no, I don’t think it was anything I would want to order again unlike the one at our own Sarawak fast food franchise (RM4.00/RM4.90 at the airport outlet) – I love that one so much!

I also asked for the marble tea egg (RM2.00)…

…expecting it to be like those herbal ones at the malls that one can smell a mile away but unfortunately, it…

…did not taste more than just soy sauce – I’m afraid I could not detect any tea and the egg white was rather salty. I’d go for those stewed eggs at my regular roast meat and chicken rice stall anytime.

I ordered their Nam Heong chicken hor fun (RM11.50)…

…which turned out tasting different from what I had at Old Town or Pappa Rich – it did not have that hint of sweetness in the soup but yes, I thought it was good and I enjoyed it.

I particularly loved the fine, smooth and translucent hor fun…

…used, quite unlike our rather coarse, thick and white kway teow. Yes, it was nice and yes, I may want to order it again some other time but no, it did not sweep me off my feet and I would not say it was something that would get me rushing back for more.

I certainly would want to drop by again though because there are so many things in their extensive menu that I would love to try and I loved how the place was so quiet, not so crowded like some places around here – I certainly would not want to throw social distancing out the window and step into those places to squeeze with every Tom, Dick and Harry and another plus point here is there are ample parking spaces and it is free!!!

NAM HEONG IPOH, Sibu outlet (2.301121, 111.843386) is located along Jalan Dr Wong Soon Kai, formerly Jalan Pedada, facing the left side of Gafu Supermarket, round the corner from Kim Hock Premier Food Court.