MIlk Cow Ipoh: very milky dessert

I was wondering what is the hoo hah regarding Milk Cow. I love ice cream, and I would love to try something new. After trying froyo and gelato, I would still prefer the good old ice cream. With many positive reviews on Milk Cow, I decided to give it a try since I was in the area.

Milk Cow Ipoh is situated in Old Town, in the same row as Plan B. There are quite a number of boutique café in the area, so just follow the crowd and you would not be lost.

The deco is nice, simple and sweet, with cow as the theme. There are different desserts here, but since I did not try it since my main aim was the ice cream. The basic milky ice cream starts at RM8.50 with many choices going from RM11.50 onwards. There are plenty of choices, with many interesting names to go with it. Oreos, honey, red bean are some of the choices available.

My verdict? The ice cream is very very creamy and milky. Not everyone’s favorite though. Some may not “tahan” the milky after taste, but for me, I simply adore it. It is very smooth and melts in my mouth. I would prefer the substance over Hello Elvis, but I had a problem with the price/ amount factor. It is not a cheap dessert. Yes, this is a franchise, and the ice cream is lovely. But I would think twice before coming here often, it is not pocket friendly. Everyone knows that I eat a lot so there are more economical choices around.

It is still a nice reward to myself once in a while. The ice cream here is nice, and the varieties of choices would entice me to come again.

Ratings: 2 half poink~!

Comments: ice cream for supper, who would say no?!

Milk Cow

1, Jalan Panglima, 

Ipoh

05-2414742

Open 1100-2000

Ming Kei 明记 Chu-cheong-fun: best to have it hot

When it comes to chu-cheong-fun, I am very particular. I was told that a good chu-cheong-fun do not require much sauce, it just need light soya sauce and oil to accompany the great dish. I could not agree more. I know that lots of people everywhere would beg to differ, some like it with fillings such as bangkuang/ turnip (Teluk Intan style), mushroom sauce (tend to see it more often in Klang valley), or the ever popular curry. I used to love it with sweet sour sauce and prawn sauce. However, whenever I wanted to taste the real noodle, I always have it with light soya sauce.





The only other chu-cheong-fun stall where I totally fell in love with is the one in Teluk Intan. Similarly, it is freshly made, right from the steamer. Here in Kampar, we have the chance for similar experience. Ming-Kei is situated in Aston Settlement, right next to Hong Chan estate. If still lost, just go around the area, and the area is not exactly that big. The shop is actually a house where they operated from the kitchen. It opens daily from 7am until they finish the noodle, so do come early. The cheaper version always get sold out early.

We have the options of the usual plain chu-cheong-fun or the ones with pieces of small prawns. There are no version with fillings (Teluk Intan version) which is a pity. The noodle is fresh from the steamer, smooth and with the perfect thickness when eaten hot. One need to order from the kitchen and then pick whatever accompanying meatballs or gravy outside. The choices are limited, the sauce is minimal but the star here is the noodle itself. If you wanted impressive curry to go along, I can suggest another stall in the vicinity, but I still would return here for the simplicity of the dish.

The family running the stall are very simple and humble people. There are few tables outside the house, which makes dining here possible. So many other shops selling chu-cheong-fun from generic factories/ shops so having it fresh from the kitchen, is an amazing dining experience itself.

ratings: 4 poink~!
comments: although I had high praises for the noodle, some may still prefer it less smooth, thicker, thinner... well, you cant please everyone, I guess.

Kubo and the Two String: It's Still a Western Kiddie Anime

Do not be tricked. As much as Kubo and the Two String is based on Japanese background, it does not have much anime feel to it. I decided to watched it for the impressive stop motion animation rather than anything else.







Kubo's story begin with introducing Kubo, a story teller who lives with his mother, who in turn feed him with amazing stories about his legendary samurai father, Hanzo who had passed away protecting them. In a sequence of event, malicious deities came hunting for him, which set him on an adventure to look for the legendary sword, armor and helmet in order to protect himself from the Moon King. Assisting him on his journey are monkey and beetle, who proved to be tangible help in time of need. Without spoiling the story, the "twist" can be seen very early on.



The animation is top notched. It is impressive to see stop motion technology coupled with computer capabilities. There are moments where the stop motion are obvious, you would see certain "lapse" but they can be totally neglected without affecting the show. The characters are likable, and the 3 leads are a joy to watch. Now, the down side. Strip away the Japanese background, and this will end up like any other American cartoon. Movie with a family moral story. It did not have the shonen anime feel to it, neither did it has much depth to it while dealing with serious subject (Spirited Away anyone?). I must applaud the team for dealing with heavy subject such as loss in a movie for younger audience, but it is done in a simpler superficial form, fit for the children. The humor while present, is very much American, and nothing feel Asian to it.


It is still an enjoyable film. But kindly do not expect to watch an anime (still most anime based movie/ OVA is not impressive either when compare to their original series) because this film is made with a western audience in mind.

ratings: 3 poink~!
comments: good details, but I still prefer Big Hero 6, which deals with similar theme.

Suicide Squad: its the Harley Quinn show

Whats there not to like about Suicide Squad? On paper, it should excel in every way. Come on, the leagues of superhero are just boooooriiiing. Avengers need to fight themselves to make things relevant. I am not looking forward to JLA either. Defenders on TV? Somehow, I expect the individual series on Netflix would be better. Then, theoretically a group of super villain forced to fight to serve the country should see some kick-ass movie. So, where did Suicide Squad went wrong?



 The movie began with an interesting opening by introducing each of the super villain. All of them seems lethal on their own which was the reason why we like them so much. Then came along Amanda Waller from Argus, secret agency tasked to assemble the team to battle future threat to the good old USA. Putting small remote control bomb in their neck is suppose to make them obey the government's order and do their "suicidal" mission, hence, the name suicide squad. Along the way, while trying to control the Enchantress, the ancient witch, she manage to break away and wreak havoc. So, the rest of the story follows the team in the effort of stopping her. The end.

Again, where did the movie went wrong? The action is too fast to observed, the character building is too artificial if ever present.  Not much was known bout Captain Boomerang, the crocodile man is there for the one liners, and the man with the knots is just there so the story can kill him early to prove a point. They try to create a sad background story to El Diablo, the villain who control fire, but it just felt flat. Deadshot, the assassin who never miss may be portrayed as the main protagonist but seeing a villain turn to good just do not work. (do I need to point out how Heroes fell apart the moment Syler became one of the good guys?). The only saving grace is Harley Quinn, Joker's insane lover. She basically steal the show with her.... madness. Although I still do not like how they sissified Joker, making him equally madly in love with Quinn ( come on, Joker is crazyyyyyyy), but seeing Quinn madness in her devotion to Joker, works well. She basically steal every scene she is in, until she decided to rejoin the team thinking Joker is dead. I do not think that is how a mad person deal with grief, by channeling it to be altruist.


Then again, the movie is entertaining. But given so many holes in the plot, the the paper thin plot, the superficial character development, it does entertain. But, just do not expect a lot.


ratings: 2 half poink!
comments: I simply prefer Suicide Squad portrayed in the Arrow. Although Deadshot there also turn out to be not so villainous, but at least they have much more time for development of his character. And Katana there is much better.