Just out of curiosity

A week ago, my wife and I went to Ipoh to try out the famous Seng Kee 'curry noodles' on former Hugh Low St. But the intermediate shop was full house with some people waiting for seats and we settled for 'Hakka noodles' two shops away which has ample seats available, it being a corner shop.

Not satisfied, we went again earlier this morning around 9.30am and we were lucky to see a table for 2 available. But a waitress told us that we should take our turn and she pointed to a few standing a few tables away. We did not give up as it is quite normal elsewhere, to take chance and whoever waits at the table that is being vacated take precedence. Yet, we could not help feeling sheepish for not knowing their house rule. Then, came the long wait, easily half an hour before our order was taken (cannot be rushed we were told by the coffeeshop waiter). I began to wonder why on earth people are willing to queue for food. Then we overheard someone's order for 'ching thong' which means 'plain soup' and my wife commented, 'how silly to come to this shop for 'ching thong'... ought to be shot!'

We ordered two bowls with extras. While eating, we overheard the charges for another table (7 persons) costing Rm48! Anyway, ours costed Rm19 which I would guess as Rm10 for two bowls of noodles plus the extras. Then I noticed the charges on the wall: Specialist Rm5.00, Special Rm4.50, Extra Rm4.00 and so on, which did not help my understanding of how they charge anyway.

Having waited and tried the famous curry noodles (if I remember correctly, their curry is being exported to HK by special arrangement), we have satisfied our curiosity and decided it was not worth the trouble after all. To me, the curry is not much better than a few shops that I know of, and the roast pork is available elsewhere without the hassle and wait.