My friend classified the tee peang here, our Sibu Foochow version of the oyster cake, as her favourite in town so of course, I was keen on going there to grab some and try.
The first time I was there, it was around 9 something in the morning and they were all sold out so I went some place else. The second time I went, the people making the tee peang had taken the day off and the couple running the coffee shop kept reminding me to go early, around 7 to 8.00 a.m. as they would be sold out very quickly. That was why I had my hopes up high – they must be really good if they sell so well, like hot cakes!
I was out and about early one morning so I decided to try my luck and yes, the very nice and friendly old couple were there. Obviously, they were the ones making and they sat there selling their kuihs themselves. The couple told them that I had been there so many times and finally, I managed to get what I was looking for.
I bought the tee peang, kosong (no filling), 5 for RM2.00…
…but no, I did not think they were like what we used to eat and enjoy in the good ol’ days…
One look at it and you would be able to tell right away that they were different – those way back then did not look anything like that but yes, it was all right, nice, just that it was not the same if you are looking for the original authentic taste.
I was there early, around 7.30 a.m. and there were only five left – the ones with the meat filling (RM2.00 each)…
…and I bought all of them.
These too were nice…
…but I think I prefer the former pasar malam (night market) ones or even these homemade ones…
…available at our neighbourhood shop in the next lane in the morning – go early to avoid disappointment!
I must say that I was kind of disappointed because as I have said earlier, I had my hopes up high and they did not live up to my expectations. However, if it is any consolation, their chai peah (vegetable fritters)…
…also 5 for RM2.00, were really VERY good. I loved the taste and also the lovely chewy texture plus the crispy edges, crispy but not hard like some and if I were to go back again, without doubt, I certainly would buy more of the chai peah.
You can park your car at the parking area at the back and come in via the back entrance – very convenient, no need for any close encounters with other fellow human beings who may be at the coffee shop at the time.
ZHEN SAN MEI CAFE (2.312704, 111.847134) is located in the block of shops to the right of Delta Mall along Jalan Pedada, now Jalan Dr Wong Soon Kai, beside Dynapower, the shop selling all the electrical appliances and what not.
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 
We don’t have many Foochow people in my little kampung in Southern Johor.
Teochew, Hokkien and Hakka are more prominent.
But most Chinese people in my region speak standard Mandarin.
There’s a place called Yong Peng in Northern Johor.
Yes, I do love their fish balls, fried thick noodles etc.
Not very keen on mee sua though. The wine is too strong for me. He he…
Yes, my Foochow ex-student settled in Johore talks about Yong Peng and going there for the Foochow delights but I think theirs are more like Sitiawan’s in Perak, not like Sibu’s. Of course, I feel ours are all nicer. LOL!!!
I think there are many Foochows in Johore now, migration. Where there is money to be made, the Foochows will be there. Many work there or live there but work in Singapore. Dunno how they are coping with this pandemic. Everybody speaks Mandarin these days – the dialects are dying out if they are not dead already. Sad.
Yes, we do have one stall selling Foochow beef noodles (soup) in my little kampung.
They put some sour pickles (suancai) to garnish the noodles, which really bring out the beef flavour.
The soup itself is clear, the chilli sauce is hot and tangy. Overall, it’s very appetising.
It must be the sourness.
Oh? We do not have that here. I sure would love that!
Both the tee peang with meat fillings and chai peah looks so good. Chai peah has always been my favourite. I would like to taste the tee peang too.
They tasted fine too just that their recipe was not quite authentic – I could not taste the soya bean pulp fragrance and smoothness inside.
Sometimes, going overboard may not be the best – better keep it simple…like Sibu kampua mee or Kuching laksa. I see all kinds of horrifying variations these days. If they want to be different, create their own…don’t call them by those names when they do not taste anything like the real thing.
I don’t think I have tasted tee peang before. But chai peah is my favourite. Those chai peah looks yummy.
Yes, the ones here are very good, worth going back for more!
Tee peang, still in my pending list. Want to eat, cannot get and now I have to learn how to “DIY”. 😅😅
I wonder if this is anything like the real thing. We do not add oysters, of course unlike what they do in Singapore. I hear they do not do it there either now, oysters too expensive.
https://my-humblekitchen.blogspot.com/2017/02/foochow-dea-piang-oyster-cake.html
RM2 for 5 is considered really cheap. 🙂 wish I could enjoy them as the fillings look good.
It is. When they are really very nice, I sure do not mind paying more…like the ones sold at the Taiwanese franchises here – nice but not cheap and yet, they’re selling like hot cakes.
Oh, I have never tried oyster cake. I must look out for it.
I know they have it in Singapore, dunno where else but I read somewhere online that they are not using oysters there anymore – too expensive.