Funny Mountain – Ipoh, Malaysia
Are you a Michael Jackson fan? Me too!
But my Michael Jackson is different from your Michael Jackson, well… at least my Michael Jackson is drinkable and slurp-a-licious. This Michael Jackson drink (I actually learned about the MJ name from Almost Bourdain) also known as Black and White drink which I blogged about a while ago. This MJ drink is basically consists of sweetened soy bean milk drink with strands of dark almost black, grass jelly inside. I grew up drinking this stuff.
Hence during my recent trip back to Ipoh, my hometown in Malaysia, dropping by at Funny Mountain where I’ve spent many afternoons after school drinking MJ is a MUST in my eating itinerary.
Apart from its shop name, there is nothing really funny about Funny Mountain and they definitely take their business and the drink they served very seriously. The Tan Brothers have been churning out their famous soya bean drink since 1950s. All they served are original soya drink, black and white (soya & grass jelly), grass jelly drink, Tofu Fa (sweet beancurd drink) and white and white (soya mixed with tofu fa) or mix all together! Funny Mountain is a very popular shop in downtown Ipoh where many locals from afar will drive a long way there just to taste their soya drink.
When we arrived, there are already a lot of cars parking outside the shop. A young girl running around the cars, taking orders and then bringing back the drinks – taking “Drive Thru” to a whole new level. Yes, we can enjoy our drinks without having to get out of the car! While sipping a refreshing cool drink inside air-conditioned car, I rather feel sorry for the young girl running around under the hot sun, back and forth among the cars.
The MJ drink is small and only lasted few mounthful, but at only RM1.80 (AUD$0.60) a glass, I seriously can’t complain. Once you’ve finished, just hold the empty glasses outside the car window and automatically she will come and collect it. Simple as that. This place is truly a gem in Ipoh not to be missed.
Funny Mountain Soya Bean & Taufu Fa Traditional Along Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar, (near to the Tanjung Rambutan taxi stand) 30300 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia P: 05 546 9968 Business hours: Open Daily, 10.30am to 7.30pm
A Table For Two (ATFT) is Billy Law's food blog that features best eats in Sydney and around the world with drool-worthy food photography to salivate your appetite. I also throw in a smidgen of my food and travel photography for good measure. Billy Law also happened to be a contestant on MasterChef Australia 2011. 
That is so cute that the lady comes to your car window with your order and you can drink the drinks in your car! Even better than she comes and collects the empty glasses afterwards!
.-= Rilsta´s last blog ..Lindt Cafe, Melbourne =-.
I’m not really familiar with grass jelly…curious to know the taste and texture…it seems like you’re having lots of fun!
.-= Peter G´s last blog ..Weekend Treat =-.
the question is, do young boys enjoy the Michael Jackson drink?
oh wow, crusing in style
i never would’ve thought one would eat tofu fa in the car – sounds dangerous! i actually have a tin of grass jelly in my fridge right now. and soy milk. might need to break out some mj moves
.-= Helen (GrabYourFork)´s last blog ..How to cook pork crackling (and maple syrup choko fries) =-.
white white sounds like the drink for me. Maybe you need to open a franchise store here in Sydney!
.-= yewenyi´s last blog ..8thish annual chilli cookoff competition =-.
did you know a Michael Jackson works for Ray White Real Estate hehe. noticed in a real estate catalogue the other day. i’m loving the culture shots.
.-= Simon Food Favourites´s last blog ..Original designer of the Kreativ Blogger Award (6 August 2009) =-.
Thanks, I shall have to stop by this place if I’m ever in Ipoh. I love Michael Jackson (the drink, that is; the singer is a’ight)
.-= Nate´s last blog ..Almost Gone, Almost Home =-.
Hahah Drive-by drink eh
pity about only the name being funny, I wouldn’t mind some entertainment while drinking
.-= FFichiban´s last blog ..Koi – Woolwich, Sydney =-.
wow service! right up to your car! I MISS YOU BILLLLLLYYYYYY!
.-= chocolatesuze´s last blog ..chef lex [13] =-.
Oh boy this post makes me miss Malaysia so much! Hehe what a great idea to have a drive-thru, I’m sure it’s actually a lot more comfy sitting in your car than in the actual restaurant, I remember sweltering while eating lunch in Ipoh. I feel sorry for the poor girl running back and forth with the drinks!
.-= Steph´s last blog ..Cranberry Cinna-Choc Cookies =-.
Great write up and photos! Looking forward to trying that MJ drink as was a big fan myself. Keep up thr great site!
This reminds of the drive-thru A&W in my hometown Seremban. Root beer and burger in the car.
.-= Ellie@AlmostBourdain´s last blog ..Malaysian Butter Prawn (奶油虾) =-.
Nice nice, reminds me of when I returned back to my home town in New Zealand to eat fish n chips … it’s always a good feeling returning to your home time to see some places still around!
.-= Howard´s last blog ..Cookshow&tell, J’s French Laundry =-.
Funny Mountain! Great place to stop by for a drink after lunch at Rasa Sayang or tea time
hope they open when I’m back in Ipoh for Cny!
What a great idea! Why don’t they do drive through like that here? All they’re missing is rollerskates (and maybe bleached blonde curls and uber short 50s skirts)..
.-= Forager´s last blog ..Nonno’s gnocchi with pork and veal sugo =-.
I am a fan of Michael Jackson too!!
.-= mycookinghut´s last blog ..Steamed Food =-.
@Rilsta: Yeah but seriously hardwork. Makes standing behind the counter at Maccas a simple job.
@Peter G: Grass jelly is nice. You gotta try it.
@phon: LOL, we enjoyed every single last drop of it.
@Helen (GrabYourFork): I just stocked up more soya drink. Bring back summer now so I can start making more MJ!
@yewenyi: White White is nice tooo.
@Simon Food Favourites: haha who would have thought?! I hope he has a Neverland himself somewhere
@Nate: Everyone loves Michael Jackson… that don’t come out right.
@FFichiban: Like serving you drink and juggling at the same time? It won’t go down well.
@chocolatesuze: hehehe Biscuit Tree delivery service all the way to Terrigal perhaps?
@Steph: Hehe, sounds like you havent been back to Malaysia for a long time?
@Margaret: Thanks Margaret for dropping by.
@Ellie@AlmostBourdain: A&W! rootbeer! Almost as good as Ramli’s Burger.
@Howard: Your hometown is NZ? I didn’t know that!
@Kl: I think they open like 7 days, no matter rain or shine. that’s the chinese business man spirit anyway! LOL
@Forager: rollerskates, good idea. Maybe a soy bean drink milk bar!
@mycookinghut: I am glad! hehe…
oh i remember this stall, passing it by at least once a week and our whole family of 6 would gobble down the combo of gress jelly and soya milk….
nostalgic! this is probably the first ever drive through soya milk station in the world (unknowingly), hahah