25 Must-Try Best Ipoh Food – A Complete Guide By Locals (2023)

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)!

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.

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.

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.

• Address: 44, Jalan Raja Ekram, Kampung Jawa, 31350 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: Thursday to Sunday – 6pm to 12pm (Closed on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday)
• Contact: +6012-520 3322

1.2. Lou Wong

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

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.

• Address: 49, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, Taman Jubilee, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 10:30am to 9pm

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!

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

• Address: 48, Jalan Yau Tet Shin Taman Jubilee 30000, Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 10am to 9:30pm
• Contact: +605-530 0888

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

2. Ipoh White Coffee

Another controversial topic to engage in with locals:

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

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

• Address: 15a, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 6am to 2:30pm
• Contact: +605-241 4601

2.2. Nam Heong White Coffee

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

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

• Address: 2, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 8am to 5pm
• Contact: +6012-588 8766

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.

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!

It’s only open in the morning!

• Address: 190, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, Taman Jubilee, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 7am to 11:30am

3.2. Restoran Cathay

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

• Address: A17, Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Opening hours: 7:30am to 4pm (Closed on Friday & Saturday)
• Contact: +605-241 9414

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.

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!

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.

• Address: 73, Jalan Bandar Timah, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 8am to 4:30pm (Closed on Thursdays)

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!

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

• Address: 26, Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakry, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 8am to 2pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
• Remark: Beef soup, apam balik (大块面) and hor hee is good too!

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!

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!

• Address: 2, Jalan Bunga Raya 5, Taman Boon Bak, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 6am to 4pm
• Contact: +6016-563 5618

4.4. Moon De Moon

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

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.

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

• Address: 148, Hala Wah Keong, Taman Mirindi, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 7:30am to 2pm (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
• Contact: +6012-516 0485

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

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.

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.

• Address: 39, Jalan Kampar, 31650 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Opening hours: 7:30am to 3pm (Closed on Mondays)
• Contact: +605-242 1043

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

• Address: 174, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, Taman Jubilee, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Opening hours: 7:30am to 12pm
• Contact: +6010-657 8374

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!

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.

• Address: 36, Jalan Leong Sin Nam, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 6am to 1:30pm; Saturday & Sunday, 6am–2pm (Closed on Thursdays)
• Contact: +605-255 7134
• Remark: Small portions; fresh ingredients

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!

See our personal opinion of Foh San Restaurant In Ipoh.

• Address: 51, Jalan Leong Sin Nam, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 7am to 2:30pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
• Contact: +605-254 0308

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.

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.

• Address: 2, 4 & 6, Tingkat Taman Ipoh 12, Taman Ipoh Selatan, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 7am–1pm (Closed on Thursdays)
• Contact: +6016 534 5965

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.

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!

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!

• Address: 50, Jalan Mustapa Al-bakri, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 10:30am to 7:30pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
• Contact: +6012-516 1607

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.

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

• Address: 291, Jalan Bercham, Taman Desa Kencana, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 10:30am–9:30pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
• Contact: +6012-517 7452

8.3. Big Mom Beancurd

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

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.

• Address: 24, Jalan Yang Kalsom, Taman Jubilee, 30250 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 12pm to 6pm (Closed on Thursdays)
• Contact: +6016-533 3210

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.

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.

• Address: 64, Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakri, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 9:30am–6pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
• Contact: +605-243 9659

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).

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!

• Address: 69 & 69A, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 9am–9:30pm
• Contact: +605-243 1211

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).

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!

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.

• Address: 542, Jalan Sekolah, Buntong, Ipoh, 30100, Ipoh, Perak, 30100
• Opening hours: 4pm to 10:30pm (Closed on Sundays)
• Contact: +6012-5953938
• Remark: Portion sizes run small. Only open at night

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!

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.

At midday, it might feel pretty stuffy:

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

• Address: Ipoh Town Lot 36, Medan Selera Stadium, Jalan Ghazali Jawi, Ipoh Garden
• Opening hours: 6:45am to 4:15pm (Closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays)
• Remark: Char siew sells out by lunch time!

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.

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

• Address: 15-19, Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Opening hours: 8am to 3pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
• Contact: +6012-507 0751

12. Cendol

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

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!

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

• Address: Petron, Jalan Bercham, Taman Tasek Indra, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 12:30pm to 4pm
• Remark: Stall not open on rainy days!
• Contact: +6014-258 2253

12.2. Deen CT Corner Cendol

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

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!

• Address: 21 B, Jalan Musthara Al Bakri, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Opening hours: 11:30am to 6:30pm (Closed on Fridays)
• Contact: +6016-535 0351

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!

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

• Address: Jalan King, Off Jalan Pasir Pinji, 31650, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia, 31650 Ipoh
• Opening hours: 8:30am to 5:30pm

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!

You can also find the following dishes:

• curry mee
• pork raddish soup
• yong tau foo

• Address: 60, Jalan Taman Shatin, Taman Shatin, 31650 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Opening hours: 7am to 2pm
• Contact: +6016-568 1299
• Remarks: Laksa on the sweeter side of the spectrum

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!

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

• Address: 158258A, Jalan Ampang Tambun, 31400, Ipoh, Perak, 31350
• Opening hours: 9am to 6pm
• Contact: +605-549 7309

15. Snow Beer

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

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!

Seating is at the sidewalk in the open air.

Prices are high in this touristy part of town.

• Address: 7, Jalan Bijeh Timah, 31650 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Opening hours: 1pm to 12am
• Contact: +605-253 9980

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!

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.

• Address: 8, Jalan Medan Ipoh 3, Taman Ipoh Timur, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 4:30pm to 12am
• Contact: +6010-5456288

16. Salted Chicken by Aun Kheng Lim

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

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:

• Address: 24, Jalan Theatre, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Opening hours:
  • Monday – Saturday: 9am to 5:30pm
  • Sunday: 9am to 4pm
  • Closed on Mondays
• Contact: +605-254 2998

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:

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

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

• Address: 27, Lorong Cecil Rae, Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Opening hours: 7am to 11:30am
• Contact: +6016-5247623
• Remark: Service is quite slow.

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.

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!

• Address: 1456, Jalan Pasir Pinji 5, Taman Hoover, 31650 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Opening hours: 10am to 3pm (Closed on Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays)

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!

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

• Address: Persiaran Wira Jaya Barat 13, Taman Ampang, 31350 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
• Opening hours: 1:30pm to 4pm
• Contact: +6014-343 2355

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.

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!

• Address: Jalan King, Off Jalan Pasir Pinji, 31650, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia, 31650 Ipoh
• Opening hours: 8:30am to 5:30pm
• Contact: +6012-505 9562

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.

With a long queue to prove it!

PS: It’s best eaten fresh.

• Address: 18, Lengkok Canning, Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 4:30pm – 9pm

19.2. Restoran Yee Lock

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

• Address: 44, Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 6am–10pm

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!

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!

• Address: Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 7am to 6pm
• Contact: +6012-290 8887

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).

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)

• Address: Jln Sultan Ekram, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 5pm to 12am
• Remarks: Not the cleanest ambiance

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.

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.

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

• Address: Gerai No43 Medan Selera Stadium, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 8am–4pm (Closed on Thursday)
• Contact: +60124579645

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.

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

• Address: 61, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 1pm to 10:30pm (Closed On Tuesdays)
• Contact: +6016-220 9361
• Remark: Inconsistent taste

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.

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.

• Address: 504, Jalan Bercham, Kampung Bercham, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 5pm–9pm (Closed on Thursdays)
• Contact: +60165993457

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:

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.

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?

• Address: 2, Jalan Yang Kalsom, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
• Opening hours: 9am to 5pm
• Contact: +6016-5959673

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:

• 15 Best Breakfast In Ipoh: Recommended By A Local!
• 5 Famous Ipoh Peanut Candy Stores To Check Out In Ipoh
• 13 Best Chinese Restaurants In Ipoh
• 7 Best Ipoh Steamboats – Great For Groups!
• Western Food In Ipoh – 15 Best Western Restaurants In Ipoh (Must-try)
• Where To Find Delicious Korean Food In Ipoh

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!

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

Read more:

• Complete Ipoh Itinerary – Day Trip, 2D1N or 3D2N
• HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley Gopeng: Another Place To Try Tea For Tea Lovers + What To Do

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!