Best Ipoh Food (Must-Try) - Famous Food In Ipoh

For many, stopping at Ipoh is a must to sample some of Ipoh’s famous food and Ipoh biscuits!

Foodies will make the journey from as far as Singapore to Ipoh just to try the best food in Ipoh.

Use this list so you don’t miss out on any of the best Ipoh food while you are here.

What else is there to do in Ipoh? Here are some interesting places in Ipoh!

List of Ipoh Famous Food

  1. Taugeh (Beansprout) Chicken Rice
  2. Ipoh White Coffee
  3. Hakka Mee
  4. Gai Se Hor Fun
  5. Caramel Egg Custard
  6. Curry Mee
  7. Dimsum
  8. Tau Fu Fa
  9. Kaya Puff @ Sin Eng Heong
  10. Peanut Candy @ Sin Weng Fai
  11. Wantan Mee
  12. Cendol
  13. Assam Laksa
  14. Tambun Pomelo
  15. Snow Beer
  16. Salted Chicken by Aun Kheng Lim
  17. Chee Cheong Fun
  18. Yong Tau Foo
  19. Popiah
  20. Restoran New Hollywood
  21. Tong Sui Kai
  22. Medan Selera Stadium Perak
  23. Restoran Tuck Kee
  24. Claypot Chicken Rice @K10
  25. Nasi Ganja

If you’re looking for somewhere cool to escape the heat, you might want to check out this list on Ipoh cafes.

Can’t eat meat? We also have recommendations for vegetarian restaurants in Ipoh!

1. Taugeh (Beansprout) Chicken Rice

Of course, we have to start this list with nga choi kai (Cantonese for tauge chicken)!

Ipoh is famous for Tauge ayam (beansprout chicken) or Nga Choi Kai
Ipoh is famous for Tauge ayam (beansprout chicken) or Nga Choi Kai.

Try and ask a local where the best taugeh chicken rice is in Ipoh.

Touristy options:

1.1. Cowan Street Ayam Tauge & Koitiau Restaurant

Many Ipoh-rians swear by this one! And we agree that it’s one of the best in Ipoh.

Front Of Cowan Street Ayam Tauge And Koitiau Restaurant
Front Of Cowan Street Ayam Tauge And Koitiau Restaurant – Photo by Travelswithsun

They have very limited opening hours though:

3 to 4 days of the week (not fixed)! And only in the evening, Moreover, expect a crowd (of tourists and locals alike) to quickly appear an hour before the official opening time.

Food At Cowan Street Ayam Tauge And Koitiau Restaurant
Food At Cowan Street Ayam Tauge And Koitiau Restaurant – Photo by Travelswithsun

Cowan Street Ayam Tauge & Koitiau Restaurant doesn’t serve rice with their chicken. Instead, expect hearty bowl of hor fun (flat white rice noodles) with strong chicken flavor!

Read about our experience at Ipoh Cowan Street Chicken Rice Restaurant.

1.2. Lou Wong

This is the tauge chicken restaurant that features in all the food blogs on Ipoh!

Ipoh Lou Wong Tauge Ayam Restaurant
Ipoh Lou Wong Tauge Ayam Restaurant

They have indoor and outdoor seating and open during the night as well.

Note: Parking is a problem during public holiday! 

What about the taste? Pretty yummy with fat juicy beansprouts though it is just a tad oily.

1.3. Ong Kee Bean Sprouts Chicken Restaurant

Their nga choy kai (steam chicken; order with bean sprouts) is on the saltier side but they use free range chickens!

安记芽菜鸡沙河粉 Restoran Tauge Ayam Ong Kee
安记芽菜鸡沙河粉 Restoran Tauge Ayam Ong Kee – photo credits to wooichinlim (Instagram)

But did you know that Ong Kee Bean Sprouts Chicken Restaurant offers food delivery in Ipoh too? Via GrabFood!

More options for the best taugeh chicken rice is in Ipoh.

2. Ipoh White Coffee

Another controversial topic to engage in with locals:

Coffee enthusiasts must try Ipoh white coffee at least once
Coffee enthusiasts must try Ipoh white coffee at least once.

Here are a few spots you can try a cup of this quintessential Ipoh staple:

You can usually spot locals at these places as early as 7am.

2.1. Sin Yoon Loong

Kedai Kopi Sin Yoon Loong At Ipoh Old Town
Kedai Kopi Sin Yoon Loong At Ipoh Old Town – Photo by Travelswithsun

They have good Dan Chi (soft-boiled eggs on toast) too! That’s about it besides Ipoh-average wantan mee and chee cheong fun.

2.2. Nam Heong White Coffee

Nam Heong White Coffee Shop At Ipoh Old Town
Nam Heong White Coffee Shop At Ipoh Old Town – Photo by Travelswithsun

Try their egg tarts and Muah Chee while you are there!

Egg Tart And Dim Sum At Ipoh Nam Heong White Coffee
Egg Tart And Dim Sum At Ipoh Nam Heong White Coffee – Photo by Travelswithsun

Want to see what else is worth trying at Nam Heong White Coffee Shop?

More options for Ipoh white coffee.

3. Hakka Mee

You can find this simple noodle dish made with soy sauce and topped with succulent minced pork (and sometimes, beansprouts) almost anywhere in Ipoh.

Delicious Hakka mee can be found around Ipoh
Delicious Hakka mee can be found around Ipoh.

Many offer side dishes (like yong tau foo) to go with your noodles!

Here are a few spots worth trying:

3.1. Paris Restaurant

This long-serving Hakka mee stall at this restaurant serves one of the best Hakka mee in town!

Hakka Mee At Paris Restaurant, Ipoh
Hakka Mee At Paris Restaurant, Ipoh – Photo by Travelswithsun

It’s only open in the morning!

3.2. Restoran Cathay

Hakka Mee at Restoran Cathay
Hakka Mee at Restoran Cathay – Photo by Travelswithsun

Hainanese chicken chop and other staple fried noodles like mee hoon can be ordered here!

4. Chicken Ho Fun (Gai Se Hor Fun)

A bowl of chicken and prawn shell soup topped with prawn oil. Typically filled with pieces of shredded chicken, a few prawns and hor fun noodles.

With some chopped scallion as garnish!

4.1. Restoran Thean Chun

My family’s personal favorite is at Thean Chun. It has a notable prawn flavor. You have to go early before they start thinning out the broth.

Ipoh Thean Chun Coffee Shop
Ipoh Thean Chun Coffee Shop – Photo by Travelswithsun

Note: Many gai se hor fun stalls in Ipoh get their noodles from the same supplier so the texture is more or less the same from stall to stall

But beware, the queue is quite terrible on public holidays and weekends though!

Typical Dishes To Order At Ipoh Thean Chun Coffee Shop
Typical Dishes To Order At Ipoh Thean Chun Coffee Shop

There is great pork & chicken satay here too and for dessert, make sure you order the caramel custard!

See what else is worth ordering at Ipoh Thean Chun Restaurant.

4.2. Loke Wooi Kee Cafe (乐会居茶室)

Unlike the first two places, it’s easier to get a table (and parking) over here:

The gai se hor fun here is delicious too!

Kai Se Hor Fan At Loke Wooi Kee Café
Kai Se Hor Fan At Loke Wooi Kee Café – Photo by Travelswithsun

It can be quite stuffy in the restaurant so you can opt for the nostalgic ice cream float!

4.3. Restoran Pulau Sembilan

An airy establishment with lots of good food like mee jawa, fresh seafood, nasi lemak and gai se hor fun!

Kai Se Hor Fun At Restaurant Pulau Sembilan In Ipoh
Kai Se Hor Fun At Restaurant Pulau Sembilan In Ipoh

The broth for the gai se hor fun is slight salty but still tasty. Come early before 10am as it usually sells out by 11am!

4.4. Moon De Moon

Restaurant Moon De Moon at Ipoh
Restaurant Moon De Moon at Ipoh – Photo by Travelswithsun

Here’s another local favorite breakfast spot. It isfamous for curry mee and flavorful and gai se hor fun.

Gai Se Hor Fun at Restaurant Moon De Moon
Gai Se Hor Fun at Restaurant Moon De Moon – Photo by Travelswithsun

Your first reason to come to Moon De Moon might be the gai se hor fun, but this restaurant is just as popular for its curry mee! Both can sell out by 11am.

Dry Curry Noodles at Restaurant Moon De Moon
Dry Curry Noodles at Restaurant Moon De Moon – Photo by Travelswithsun

Some patience is required if you want to dine here due to long waiting times!

5. Caramel Egg Custard

A sweet dessert of jelly-like texture that is can be found in kopitiams and hawker centers around Ipoh:

  1. Restoran Thean Chun
  2. Sin Yoon Loong
Caramel egg custard can be ordered from some food courts and restaurants around Ipoh
Caramel egg custard can be ordered from some food courts and restaurants around Ipoh.

6. Curry Mee

Quite self-explanatory. These are noodles eaten with tasty curry sauce. You can have them in soup or dry form.

6.1. Yee Fatt Dry Curry Noodles

The fabulous dry curry noodles here are worth the trouble of parking! And thus, crowds are present at both breakfast and lunch.

A Plate Of Yee Fatt Dry Curry Noodles At Ipoh
A Plate Of Yee Fatt Dry Curry Noodles At Ipoh – Photo by Travelswithsun

You can try the soup version of the curry noodles here as well.

Coffee is average but the tea egg is a must-order here.

6.2. Restoran Xin Quan Fang

Packed in the mornings with people who want a taste of the curry noodles. And potent curry sauce (less coconut milk) for breakfast!

With ingredients (either on the side or on top) like shrimps, braised pork, char siew, poached chicken, etc!

Slow service is normal here and there’s not much else to eat here besides the curry noodles, unfortunately!

PS: Some would say that the lady boss is rude and stingy with portions. The prices here are considered high for Ipoh standards

See more places to find Ipoh curry mee.

7. Dim Sum

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to where to have best dim sum in Ipoh!

There are a great many dimsum shops in Ipoh including halal ones - see a list of Best Ipoh Food on www.travelswithsun.com
There are a great many dimsum shops in Ipoh including halal ones.

Many of these open early in the morning and so you have less to choose from if you come around lunchtime:

Foh San and Ming Court are the most well-known and they’re across from each other! Another popular dim sum restaurant in Ipoh is Chooi Yue Dim Sum Ipoh.

7.1. Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum

Go as early as you can to avoid the long queues during public holidays and weekends. You may even have to share a table with strangers.

Don’t know what to order? Try the porridge for a start! Other dishes worth trying at Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum.

Front Of Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum Restaurant
Front Of Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum Restaurant

7.2. Restaurant Foh San

There some mixed opinions concerning this dim sum restaurant.

Dim sum is average at best. But Foh San does have a very comfortable and spacious environment!

Dining Environment At Foh San Dim Sum Restaurant In Ipoh
Dining Environment At Foh San Dim Sum Restaurant In Ipoh

See our personal opinion of Foh San Restaurant In Ipoh.

7.3. Restoran Chooi Yue Dim Sum Ipoh

If there’s heavy congestion in Ipoh Garden South in the daytime, you can bet that Restoran Chooi Yue Dim Sum Ipoh is open for business.

The wait for an available table can take more than an hour.

Assorted Dim Sum At Chooi Yue Dimsum Restaurant
Assorted Dim Sum At Chooi Yue Dimsum Restaurant

Even if you hope to beat the crowds by going early, many of the dishes aren’t ready until 8am.

However, the dim sum delicious and affordable. And they have white coffee!

See what else should you know about Chooi Yue Dim Sum Restaurant.

See other worthy dim sum restaurants in Ipoh!

8. Tau Fu Fa

Another dessert you can try in Ipoh:

With a block of silky tau fu (tofu or beancurd) sitting in either white or brown sugar syrup.

You can eat it cold or warm.

Tau fu fa consists of tofu and sugar water and can be served in a number of ways in Ipoh
Tau Fu Fa consists of tofu and sugar water and can be served in a number of ways in Ipoh.

Which is more delicious than it sounds! Some creative variations feature mango, ginger or even durian!

8.1. Funny Mountain Soya Beancurd

That ridiculously long line of customers will have you wondering if the tau fu fa here is extraordinary!

Funny Mountain Soya Bean & Tau Fu Fah
Funny Mountain Soya Bean & Tau Fu Fah – photo credits to wandereatss (Instagram)

While the tofu is incredibly smooth, it’s quite a small serving and the syrup water is limited to cane sugar. A classic flavor, to be sure.

The remarkable thing about Funny Mountain Soya Beancurd is their efficient drive-through service!

8.2. Woong Kee Bean Curd Bercham Ipoh

This roadside stall has been around for 30 years! The father has since passed the business to his son.

The tau fu fa here is smooth with aromatic ginger syrup to go with it. Besides tau fu fa, they sell fresh black soya bean milk as well.

Woong Kee Tau Fu Fa
Woong Kee Tau Fu Fa – photo credits to silviaheng (Instagram)

PS: They have a branch in Ipoh new town too. And the tau fu fa is just as wonderful.

8.3. Big Mom Beancurd

If you like your tou fu fa with toppings, this is a good place to get it!

Different Toppings For Tau Fu Fa At Big Mom Beancurd Ipoh
Different Toppings For Tau Fu Fa At Big Mom Beancurd Ipoh

On weekends, try the chrysanthemum sugar flavor and glutinous pumpkin balls for something unusual.

The queue is worth it for super smooth tou fu fa! Plus, they have plenty of seats and tables.

There are more places to try tau fu fa in Ipoh!

9. Kaya Puff @ Sin Eng Heong

The frustrating queue for Sin Eng Heong kaya puffs is just as famous as the kaya puffs themselves. However, you might be able to skip most of the crowds by arriving at the shop at 9am.

Sin Eng Heong Biscuit Shop In Ipoh New Town
Sin Eng Heong Biscuit Shop In Ipoh New Town

Either way, you might still have to queue for at least 45 minutes (even on weekdays). 2 hours is not unheard of.

Note: Always ask if they’ve sold out as they won’t tell you until you’ve reached your turn

And if you’re not here for the kaya puffs, you can still buy other pastries without having to join the queue.

But is the wait for the kaya puffs worth it? Yes, the freshly baked kaya puffs are exceptionally flaky and the kaya (coconut custard) is fragrant.

10. Peanut Candy @ Sin Weng Fai

Because of how popular the peanut brittle/ peanut candy at Sin Weng Fai is, each customer can only get 5 packets (RM10/packet).

Shopfront of Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy at Ipoh
Shopfront of Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy at Ipoh – Photo by Travelswithsun

The insane queue can take 45 minutes to 1.5 hours including the time it takes for the staff to pack the freshly baked peanut candy.

PS: If you don’t see the infamous crowd that snakes outside the shop, the peanut candy isn’t ready yet! They only come out past 10am.

What’s so good about this peanut candy? It is crunchy but not hard, and tasty but not overly sweet.

Note: If you’re not picky, there are other places to buy fresh peanut candy in Ipoh so if you don’t have the time to queue for these, don’t beat yourself up!

Read more on other ipoh biscuits and souvenirs that you can bring back home.

11. Wanton Mee

This is another Chinese noodle dish (also spelled as Wantan Mee) which is served in soup or dry form in Ipoh.

The dry version has black sauce and strips of char siew (pork slices). It comes with a bowl of anchovy soup on the side that contains wantan dumplings and choy sum (green leafy vegetable).

Ipoh Wantan Mee
Wantan Mee at Ipoh.

For the soup version, the noodles just go into the soup (no black sauce). And there will often not be any char siew.

The wantan dumplings may have pork or prawn as the filling. Some places deep fry the wantan dumplings.

Here’s where you can have some authentic wantan mee:

11.1. Cheong Kee Wan Tan Mee (文冬祥记云吞面)

The corner-house-turned shop has an interesting twist to its wantan mee:

Other than black sauce with homemade chewy egg noodles, there are beansprouts!

Wan Tan Mee At Cheong Kee Wan Tan Mee In Buntong, Ipoh
Wan Tan Mee At Cheong Kee Wan Tan Mee In Buntong, Ipoh

You don’t get char siew with this version either.

Go early and escape the dinner crowd! Read more about Ipoh Cheong Kee Wan Tan Mee.

11.2. Min Chee Wan Tan Mee (明珠雲吞麵) (No.36) @ Medan Selera Stadium

The father and son pair have been serving their loyal customers for many years. Lately, their opening hours have been very random so don’t be too disappointed if you find that they are closed on the day you go!

Min Chee Wantan Mee at Medan Selera Stadium
Min Chee Wantan Mee (#36) at Medan Selera Stadium – Photo by Travelswithsun

Come here for authentic and spingy wantan mee! Order 1.5 serving if you’re a big eater as portions run small. It’s normal to get 6 to 8 pieces of char siew per plate.

One And Half Portion Of Min Chee Wan Tan Mee At Ipoh Medan Selera Stadium
One And Half Portion Of Min Chee Wan Tan Mee At Ipoh Medan Selera Stadium – Photo by Travelswithsun

At midday, it might feel pretty stuffy:

Thankfully, there’s the neighboring stall that serves ice kacang and other refreshing cold drinks!

11.3. Restoran Yin (燕姐雲吞麵屋)

Want wantan mee in Ipoh without the crowd? Restoran Yin has decent wantan mee. They make their own noodles and dumplings! Of these, you should try the sui kau.

Wan Tan Mee At Restoran Yin
Wan Tan Mee At Restoran Yin

A bonus? The restaurant has air-conditioning and a variety of beverages including tea egg.

12. Cendol

Cendol is a cold dessert best enjoyed in the heat of the day.

Cendol is common Malaysian dessert with shaved ice, sugar, red beans, green jellies and coconut milk
Cendol – A common Malaysian dessert with shaved ice, sugar, red beans, green jellies and coconut milk.

A mixture of brown sugar syrup and coconut milk (or evaporated milk) is poured over shaved ice in a bowl. Topped with green worm-like jellies and red beans.

The very best cendol use fresh coconut milk and gula melaka (palm sugar) instead of regular brown sugar.

12.1. Cendol Wawasan At Bercham, Ipoh

There’s often a line (up to 30 minutes) at this roadside stall under the hot sun for a hefty bowl of this creamy cendol!

Cendol Jagung Kacang At Cendol Wawasan Stall In Bercham
Cendol Jagung Kacang At Cendol Wawasan Stall In Bercham

The cendol has coconut milk and gula malacca syrup. You can request for different toppings like cendol, red beans, canned corn, etc.

12.2. Deen CT Corner Cendol

Deen CT Corner Cendol is a tiny shop lot that specializes in cendol!

Deen CT Corner Cendol Stall
Deen CT Corner Cendol Stall – Photo by Travelswithsun

You can choose different toppings like corn (jagung in Malay) or have glutinous rice added to your bowl (ask for cendol pulut)!

Sit on one of the stools or stand and enjoy your bowl!

Another famous cendol stall in Ipoh is in Gunung Rapat but queues are long. See more cendol places worth trying in Ipoh.

13. Assam Laksa

Assam Laksa is a famous Penang street food. Ipoh’s version of Assam Laksa is quite different.

Note: You may find bean sprouts in your Assam Laksa at Ipoh!

Try it for yourself at:

13.1. Dai Shu Geok “Big Tree Foot”

A go-to place for very inexpensive yong tau foo, the other reason is their savory laksa!

Laksa & Yong Liu At Choong Kee Restaurant (Dai Shu Geok)
Laksa & Yong Liu At Choong Kee Restaurant (Dai Shu Geok) – Photo by Travelswithsun

By the way, the portion for the noodles of the laksa is quite small. More about Choong Kee Big Tree Foot Yong Tau Foo.

13.2. Restoran Eatime 三轮车叻沙

Laksa (with lai fun noodles, prawn paste and mackerel fish stock) is the highlight at this family-run business!

Assam Laksa At Restoran Eatime In Ipoh
Assam Laksa At Restoran Eatime In Ipoh

You can also find the following dishes:

  • curry mee
  • pork raddish soup
  • yong tau foo

14. Tambun Pomelo

This citrus fruit is seasonal and there are two varieties – the red (bitter/ sour) or white (bitter/ sweet).

The main season is during CNY. They are related and look similar to a grapefruit so if you’re allergic, you might want to skip these!

Tambun Pomelos in Ipoh are juicy and sweet
Tambun Pomelos in Ipoh are juicy and sweet.

Ipoh is famous for them (especially in the Tambun area) because water from the surrounding limestone hills gives the soil plenty of nutrients that pomelos like!

Frequent rain also makes them really juicy!

Tips on buying pomelos in Ipoh:

  • The main orchards are in Ampang and you can get them cheaper there than anywhere else in Ipoh
  • Choose a mid-sized pomelo with a soft and smooth bottom. The skin should have some yellow patches. You need to leave them at room temperature for a few days before they ripen.
  • Don’t buy a pomelo with wrinkly skin or dents.

You can tour a plantation and buy pomelos at Go Chin Pomelo Nature Park

15. Snow Beer

What is snow beer? This is actually a way of serving beer.

Snow Beer at Ipoh
Snow Beer at Ipoh.

The glasses are chilled in a freezer. And this makes the beer appear to taste less bitter and the texture of the foam is smoother but still frothy.

15.1. Kafe Yoon Wah (元华饮食阁雪花啤酒)

Order snacks or dishes (like braised octopus and pork intestines) to go with your beer here, close to Concubine Lane at Ipoh Old Town!

Kafe Yoon Wah In Ipoh Old Town
Kafe Yoon Wah In Ipoh Old Town – Photo by Travelswithsun

Seating is at the sidewalk in the open air.

Prices are high in this touristy part of town.

15.2. Fei Bo Snow Beer

Similar to the above establishment but in another nightlife area of Ipoh – Ipoh Garden East!

Tasty Chinese-style dishes are on the menu here as well. They have salt baked chicken and this fascinating curry bread combo!

Fei Bo Snow Beer Ipoh Garden East 肥波雪花啤东区
Fei Bo Snow Beer Ipoh Garden East 肥波雪花啤东区 – photo credits to sososoya (Instagram)

You can sit inside or outside (by the road) to enjoy your nice cool glass of beer! They’ll change your glass for you if you ask too.

16. Salted Chicken by Aun Kheng Lim

This is a convenient dish for Ipoh visitors to take home to eat for dinner later.

Aun Kheng Lim Salted Chicken at Ipoh
Aun Kheng Lim Salted Chicken at Ipoh.

The chicken is baked after being marinated with goji berries, salt, rice wine, ginger and other Chinese herbs.

You can typically choose the original or herbal flavor (for a stronger taste!).

Main Branch:

Shop Front Of Aun Kheng Lim Salted Chicken In Ipoh New Town
Shop Front Of Aun Kheng Lim Salted Chicken In Ipoh New Town

First Branch: Google Maps

See 8 other places to find Ipoh salt baked chicken.

17. Chee Cheong Fun

There are quite a lot of different ways to serve this dish:

Chee Cheong Fun is one of the must-try foods in Ipoh - see the full list of must-try Ipoh food from www.travelswithsun.com
Chee Cheong Fun is one of the must-try foods in Ipoh.

The flat white noodles are often served with soy sauce, chopped char siew (pork) or prawn meat sprinkled with deep fried onions. This is known as Hong Kong style.

Most dim sum places serve Hong Kong style chee cheong fun.

But other stalls in Ipoh serve this dish differently, with curry sauce, mushroom sauce or plum sauce.

17.1. Canning Garden Chee Cheong Fun

30 years old and counting, this family-run business has many sauces to go with their deliciously thick chee cheong fun:

  1. Sweet red sauce
  2. Hot chili sauce
  3. Savory mushroom sauce
Side Dishes And Chee Cheong Fun At Canning Garden Chee Cheong Fun
Side Dishes And Chee Cheong Fun At Canning Garden Chee Cheong Fun

You can have toppings like curry pig skin and fishcake too!

17.2. Pasir Pinji Chee Cheong Fun

Located in an inconspicuous village area with limited parking:

They have a sweet or spicy sauce for the chee cheong fun. Or you can get a mix of both sauces. Optional sides are fish cakes or fish balls.

Available Variations Of Chee Cheong Fun At Pasir Pinji Chee Cheong Fun
Available Variations Of Chee Cheong Fun At Pasir Pinji Chee Cheong Fun

PS: Request for pickled green chilies – we think they pair well with the chee cheong fun.

Most orders are takeaways as there are only 3 tables here (they don’t serve drinks or any other food). The chee cheong fun sells out by 2pm!

17.3. Yik Fu Chee Cheong Fun 镒富猪肠粉

You have to be early to get the fast-selling smooth chee cheong fun with a tasty sauce here!

Yik Fu Chee Cheong Fun At Wira Jaya Barat Ipoh
Yik Fu Chee Cheong Fun At Wira Jaya Barat Ipoh – Photo by Travelswithsun

They can also serve it with curry pig skin, dried prawns and crispy beancurd bits!

18. Yong Tau Foo @ Dai Shu Geok / Restoran Choong Kee

This is not just one dish but an assortment of different combinations of meat paste stuffed into tofu or vegetables like okra or eggplant.

They are of Hakka origin and may be prepared either by steaming or by deep frying in oil.

Ipoh Yong Tau Foo
Yong Tau Foo at Ipoh.

Yong Tau Foo is typically presented in a self-serve manner at a hawker store.

Let the seller know which type and whether you prefer your noodles in soup or with some black sauce (aka the dry version).

Dai Shu Geok / Restoran Choong Kee has good laksa and a wonderful assortment of sinful yong tau foo!

Yong Tau Foo At Choong Kee Restaurant (Dai Shu Geok)
Yong Tau Foo At Choong Kee Restaurant (Dai Shu Geok) – Photo by Travelswithsun

19. Popiah

What is popiah?

This is something like the Vietnamese spring roll using a combination of these ingredients:

  • small shrimp
  • beans
  • tofu
  • shallots
  • sweet sauce or Hoisin sauce
  • turnip
  • garlic
  • beansprouts
  • peanuts

There are two ways to serve popiah. With a side dish or chili sauce. And steamed or deep-fried.

19.1. Aneka Selera Restoran Kam Wan (冬菇亭美食中心)

A stall called Bi Bi popiah at Aneka Selera Restoran Kam Wan is said to have the best popiah in the city.

Bi Bi Popiah at Aneka Selera Restoran Kam Wan
Bi Bi Popiah at Aneka Selera Restoran Kam Wan

With a long queue to prove it!

Long Queue For Bibi's Popiah Stall At Restaurant Kam Wan Aneka Selera
Long Queue For Bibi’s Popiah Stall At Restaurant Kam Wan Aneka Selera – Photo by Travelswithsun

PS: It’s best eaten fresh.

19.2. Restoran Yee Lock

You can get another excellent popiah here in the evening. It is similar to the Canning Garden popiah!

20. Restoran New Hollywood (新好来活茶餐室)

You can already see a crowd at this restaurant in the morning (~9.30am). That’s how popular it is!

Why? It’s cheap with a huge variety of tasty food (mostly Chinese dishes) that is also halal!

Dishes at Restoran New Hollywood
Dishes at Restoran New Hollywood.

Recommended dishes:

  • Telur goyang with roti bakar (or just roti goyang)
  • Lamb curry mee
  • Nasi lemak
  • Char kuay teow
  • Pan mee
  • Chee cheong fun
  • Laksa

Tips:

  • Easier to get a table and find a parking spot around 7-7.30am
  • Coffee is on the sweet side. You might want to ask for less sugar!

21. Tong Sui Kai (糖水街)

A dessert street in Ipoh? Exactly.

Stalls here open in the evening and serve snacks and desserts like:

  • rojak (Malaysian style salad made of different raw fruits with some sauce or seasoning on top)
  • boiled cockles
  • steamed buns

You can have your dinner here too since there are some noodle stalls (wanton mee is not too bad).

Tong Sui Kai (Dessert Street) In Ipoh
Tong Sui Kai (Dessert Street) In Ipoh – Photo by Travelswithsun

But more importantly, this is where you can get mixed fruits ABC ice kacang!

Recommended dishes:

  • Mixed fruit ABC ice kacang (Stall 27)
  • 威威雲吞麵44 for the curry noodles & wan ton mee
  • Cheong Kee beef noodles
  • Boiled cockles
  • Rojak (Stall 28)
Mixed fruits cold and sweet ice dessert from Tong Sui Kai (Dessert Street) in Ipoh
Mixed fruits cold and sweet ice dessert from Tong Sui Kai (Dessert Street) in Ipoh.

By the way, if you don’t have time to go to this place, you can try the ABC ice cream sold at:

Tai Soo Ipoh Famous No.1 Dessert (24, Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakry, Ipoh Town, 30300 Ipoh, Perak)

22. Fai Kee Fish Head Noodle @ Medan Selera Stadium Perak

Renovated in September 2018, the food court at Ipoh Stadium has a lot of popular hawker stalls. Locals love to come here for supper! Prices are a little higher than elsewhere in Ipoh though.

Medan Selera Stadium Perak Ipoh
Medan Selera Stadium Perak – Photo by Travelswithsun

One notable stall at Ipoh Stadium is Fai Kee Fish Head Noodle @ Medan Selera Stadium Perak. Their fish head noodles sells out the fastest among their extensive menu.

Fai Kee Fish Head Noodles At Ipoh Stadium
Fai Kee Fish Head Noodles At Ipoh Stadium – Photo by Travelswithsun

The tomato soup base is an interesting version of fish head noodles that you can get from this stall.

23. Restoran Tuck Kee

It can be confusing because there is another restaurant (A standalone building housing a Chinese restaurant on Jalan Pasir Pingi ) with a similar name to this one! Be wary of that!

The Restoran Tuck Kee we are referring to is a few blocks away from Lou Wong and other snack shops in Ipoh New Town.

More on how to identify the original Tuck Kee Fried Noodles Restaurant.

Cantonese Style Noodles At Ipoh Tuck Kee Fried Noodles Restaurant
Cantonese Style Noodles At Ipoh Tuck Kee Fried Noodles Restaurant

Expect to have to wait for your food or a table as this old-school restaurant is very popular for its affordable and mouth-watering dishes!

Recommended dishes:

  • Wat tan hor (Cantonese-style fried noodles with silky egg sauce)
  • Moonlight hor fun
  • Boiled octopus
  • Braised chicken feet
  • Fried yee mee
  • Fried bee hoon

24. K10 Claypot Chicken Rice

Open for dinner with an inevitable queue (sometimes for up to an hour), K10 Claypot Chicken Rice is best enjoyed on a cool day as the dining environment is open-air.

They use salted fish in their tasty charcoal claypot chicken rice and the prices are reasonable too.

K10 Claypot Chicken Rice At Bercham
K10 Claypot Chicken Rice At Bercham

The claypot rice is average but it is their commendable side dishes that complete the meal. There are beansprouts, chicken feet, yong tau foo, blanched lettuce, etc.

If you see a very long queue though (many customers come to order takeaway at 6pm), we don’t think it’s worth the wait and you best go somewhere else for dinner if you’re already hungry.

25. Nasi Ganja At Yong Suan Coffee Shop

This particular Indian-Muslim stall at Kedai Kopi Yong Suan has been luring crowds for many years:

Corner Lot Of Yong Suan Nasi Kandar In Ipoh
Corner Lot Of Yong Suan Nasi Kandar In Ipoh

Their decadent nasi ganja platters are full of spices and incredibly savory! It’s inexpensive too.

That said, this is a humble hawker store so you’ll be dining without frills.

Nasi Kandar At Yong Suan Nasi Kandar In Ipoh
Nasi Kandar At Yong Suan Nasi Kandar In Ipoh

Be early (~9am) in the queue or you’ll miss out on the grated coconut sambal (I.e. ganja), mutton curry, and seats! Peak hours are around 12 to 1pm.

Note: Many customers opt to takeaway. But dining in is popular too.

Read more about Yong Suan Nasi Kandar in Ipoh.

But did you know that there are other places to get the best nasi kandar in Ipoh?

With so much to try and see in Ipoh, why not stay a bit longer? Here’s a list of best hotels in Ipoh!

Further reading:

For getting around Ipoh (assuming you don’t have a car):

  1. City public bus – the cheapest option. Cannot get off wherever you want. The bus is not always on time!
  2. Taxi or Grab
  3. Car rental. A standard 5-seater car costs RM150+ per day to rent. You’ll also have to deal with finding parking and driving in an unfamiliar place.
  4. Book a private tour.

It’s actually more worth your time (and money) to hire a Ipoh private tour as this comes complete with transport and a personal guide for one day or more days.

Either customize the itinerary or just sit back and enjoy the pre-planned itinerary!

RayTheTour

Book a private tour from RayTheTour by sending them a message through WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger!

Read more:

Conclusion

Yes, this list on the best Ipoh food could have been much longer but we will leave it as it is for now.

Get set to plan your bucket list of authentic local Ipoh food to try when you are in Ipoh!

And if long queues throw you off, don’t worry. There are usually many other alternatives for popular joints!

PS: See some places for food in Ipoh at night.

Tip: We usually list the most touristy places first followed by the local “hidden” spots!

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