Photo By: Elin Chow
Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood of Pasir Pinji in Ipoh is a little shop that seems to be in the middle of nowhere. The tiffany blue shop is located under a tree, in front of a single-storey bungalow with a sloped driveway. Beside the shop, you find a few concrete benches for dine in customers.
Hong Kee Mah Chee has been around for more than 80 years and is currently run by the fourth generation of the Li family. The shop is popular among locals in Ipoh and has been featured in various newspapers and TV programs over the years.
Hong Kee only sells two items - Mah Chee / Muah Chee (glutinous rice cake) and Fah Sang Wu (peanut paste dessert).
Their Mah Chee is prepared daily, and upon order to maintain moisture and freshness. Upon ordering, the owner will take out some starchy glutinous rice dough from a ceramic pot. The dough is physically hand kneaded until even and smooth before pinching piece by piece off with fingers (instead of snipping off with a scissor). The pieces are then rolled into bite-sized balls before they are covered with finely crushed peanut, sesame seeds and sugar.
The deliciously warm Mah Chee has a lovely soft and springy texture. I love that it was easy to chew and swallow and does not stick or get stuck in the teeth. It was also not too sweet or too bland and the peanuts are not crushed too finely, so that it maintain a slight crunchiness.
The Mah Chee is best to be eaten warm as it will get soggy and annoyingly sticky once it cools.
Other than Mah Chee, the peanut paste dessert is definitely another must order here. Their peanut paste dessert is also made fresh everyday using the traditional stone milling method and slowly boiled over a charcoal fire. The traditional way of making it is extremely time consuming, but the resulting dessert is creamy, fragrant and velvety smooth. I love that it was not too thick or too diluted . It was mildly sweet and has a very nice salty aftertaste. The sweetness and saltiness complements each other amazingly.
A recommended way to enjoy it is to add the Mah Chee into the bowl of peanut paste. This special way of eating will add new flavors and texture to the dessert and brings a different eating experience. I would recommend ordering both the Mah Chee and peanut paste dessert because they make a really good combination.
Overall, I find this a great place to go whenever you are craving for a comforting bowl of peanut paste dessert. However, please note that only take-away is allowed now as part of the new measure to curb the spread of Covid-19. You can buy it and eat it right away in your car instead.
Hong Kee Mah Chee
550A, Jalan Queen
Taman Pasir Pinji
31650 Ipoh, Perak
Hours: Monday to Sunday 1pm - 6pm
Closed on every Thursday
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