I am a huge fan of Char Kuey Teow (CKT) and the thought of going out to eat this fills me with dread as Covid numbers are still high in Perak. Even though dining in is now allowed, I’m reluctant to venture out and therefore welcome the idea of having CKT delivered to the house.
I am also curious about anyone who starts a home based catering business, especially one who jumps from the corporate world into the culinary one.
Heah Hock Hin is one of these. Heah worked for Hong Leong Bank for more than 20 years with his last posting as Branch Manager of the Ipoh Garden branch. He left Hong Leong eight years ago to pursue his passion in travelling and has since been involved in financial services such as unit trusts and general insurance.
He started K PAP Catering with his son four years ago to sell pies and puffs at GP Foodcourt Bercham until they closed the outlet after MCO and continued with home-based cooking.
Selling pies and puffs was going well for him and in May this year, Heah started frying and delivering his own CKT. So far his CKT has been popular. With orders of 60 packets at one time, he limits the exertion of frying to once every fortnight (every two weeks).
His CKT comes with three large prawns, Chinese sausages, bean sprouts, chives, a few cockles and are fried with duck eggs. I loved the crunchy fat bean sprouts (our Ipoh’s pride and joy), the very fresh prawns and the overall taste of the mixture. For me, even though I ordered extra pedas (spicy), it didn’t quite make the mark for my incendiary taste buds!! (I am not known as the chilli queen for nothing!!) So next time Heah, pls triple the amount of chilli for me. RM8.00 per pack.
Heah’s regular catering is freshly baked pies, tarts and puffs. There are two types of pies: Creamy Chicken or Chicken Curry. The pastry is flaky and crisp, holding its shape and crispiness through the delivery or pick up process but a little heating in either a toaster oven or airfryer accentuates the flakiness even more once you have them home. And you can actually find chunks of chicken in the filling!! RM5.50 each.
The puffs are equally flaky, especially when it comes to spiral clamshell puffs, a traditional snack from Malaysia’s cultural melting pot. With two flavours to choose from, it’s a tough choice deciding on whether you’re going to order the Curry Puff or the Tuna Puff. I would suggest both as both have their own unique appeal. Again, these curry puffs actually have chicken in them. Surprise, surprise! And the Tuna Puff was incredibly umami and delectable. I ended up preferring the Tuna Puff as curry puffs are ubiquitous in Malaysia while tuna puffs are more unusual, especially good ones like these. RM2.50 each.
And then there are the Portuguese tarts. Many tarts out there in the marketplace aspire to and call themselves Portuguese tarts but these are the real deal; flaky, crumbly pastry with the creamy soft centre caressing your tongue and seducing your tastebuds. RM2.50 each.
Do put in an order. You will not regret it.
Pies and puffs are baked daily. Order a day before.
Free delivery for orders above RM30 within Ipoh area.
Minimum delivery fee of RM3-5 for orders below RM30.
Next CKT will be available on 2/10/21 (Saturday) and following on this date, it’s available every two weeks. Orders for CKT must be made early to ensure you get your order in as there is only a fixed amount that Heah will fry each time.
Heah Hock Hin
10 Laluan Ipoh Perdana
Tel : 019 5718507
Or visit his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KPAPCatering