Got to leave soon? Don’t know what to buy? Stop by any of these places first and pick up some biscuits and other souvenirs from Ipoh!
You can get freshly baked traditional biscuits that are already packaged conveniently and prettily for the purpose of gifting.
To start you off, here is a list of popular and recommended shops. Be warned that some of these often have long queues.
- Peanut Candy
- Egg Tarts
- Kaya Puffs
- Meat Floss Biscuits
- Hiong Peah
- Ipoh White Coffee
- Tambun Pomelo
- Salted Chicken (Aun Kheng Lim)
- Kong Heng Square
- 22 Hale Street Gift Shop
- The PWW Shop
Traditional Pastries
1. Peanut Candy
The sweet and salty crunchy peanut brittle is a humble Chinese traditional treat that is prominent in Chinese New Year.
But its popularity means you can buy it in Ipoh all year round. It costs RM11 per 300g packet.
Peanut candy shops like Sin Weng Fai and Ming Yue Confectionary normally have an endless stream of customers. Especially on weekends and public holidays (this includes public holidays and school holidays in Singapore).
And if you don’t see a queue at this shop, the peanut candy is most likely not out of the oven yet.
2. Egg Tarts
If you’re allergic or vegan, you can move on further down this list!
There are two types of egg tarts that you can find in Ipoh – they taste similar enough though the Portuguese-style egg tarts are a little sweeter with a hint of milk.
We’re referring to the Chinese-style egg tarts in this list though:
These scrumptious treats comprise of two parts – the flaky pastry house. And the smooth jelly-like egg custard pudding in the middle that typically has a light taste.
Here are a few places that do them exceptionally well:
- Choy Kee Egg Tart (才記餅家)
- Hong Kee Confectionery (鸿记饼家)
- Kedai Makanan Nam Heong / Nam Heong Coffee Shop (南香茶餐室)
Nam Heong Coffee Shop is another famous kopitiam with egg tarts. Theirs are better eaten on the spot rather than takeaway. This is because the freshly baked egg tarts are piping hot and absorb the smell of the takeaway boxes.
3. Kaya Puffs
Try the local version of this quintessential pastry which is a nationwide favorite snack!
Places to get kaya puffs in Ipoh:
3.1. Sin Eng Heong
Hailed as one of the best places to go for kaya puffs and other pastry goodness, Sin Eng Heong has been around Ipoh since 1961.
So, Sin Eng Heong has been in business for over 50 years!
There is constantly a queue at their shop which is in the center of town.
But while many people don’t seem to mind queuing up for the delightful kaya puffs, you can also place an order the day before!
Don’t worry if you can’t get a taste the moment you buy them, the kaya puffs are still crispy even after several hours.
- Location: Google Maps
- Contact: +605 – 2439659
- Opening Hours: 9:30am to 6pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
3.2. QunKee Biscuits or 权记饼家 or Khuen Kee
Established in 1975, QunKee is well known for their kaya puff and egg tarts too. Located in Kampung Simee, they also sell other traditional Chinese biscuits.
Note: There is newer branch at Kampung Jawa. Walking distance from Kedai Kopi Keng Nam.
QunKee’s kaya puffs are amazing when you eat them fresh, but they lose their crispiness after a few hours. They are also slightly smaller than the kaya puffs from Sin Eng Heong.
We like these specifically because of their size and the ratio of pastry to filling is just right. We do not prefer the larger variety with too much kaya filling inside.
- Location: Google Maps
- Contact: +6012-5195435
- Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm (Closed on Thursdays)
Note: The kaya puffs at QunKee are a good alternative if you cannot get your hands on the ones from Sin Eng Heong!
4. Meat Floss Biscuits
Have some meat floss biscuits with lotus paste!
If you want to try some with pandan paste instead, head over to the Guan Heong Biscuit Shop!
Ching Han Guan’s meat floss biscuits have lotus paste and salted egg yolk!
4.1. Guan Heong Biscuit Shop
With a history of over 100 years, Guan Heong is renowned for their high-quality original and traditional pastries.
Despite such a long history, they keep up with the times and have adapted their famous meat floss pastries to suit modern tastes.
They offer special biscuit flavors such as meat floss with pandan paste as well as meat floss with salted egg.
- Location: Google Maps
- Contact: +605-2412399
- Opening Hours: 9am to 6:30pm (Daily)
4.2. Ching Han Guan Biscuit Shop (钟汉元饼铺)
First opening their shops more than seven decades ago, the recipes for their famous Teochew pastries were passed down from generation to generation starting from the owner’s great grandfather.
But what propelled Ching Han Guan to fame was their signature meat floss with lotus paste biscuit! You need to make a detour here when you’re in Ipoh!
- Location: Google Maps
- Contact: +605-254 5126
- Opening Hours: 9.30am to 6.30pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
5. Heong Peah
My personal favorite traditional pastry. The original filling is a sticky maltose paste but these days:
You can even find kosong (empty) ones, and some with black sesame filling or durian filling!
And there are a couple of places in Ipoh that bake hiong piah, heong peah or beh teh saw or “Fragrant biscuits” the old-fashioned way:
With coconut husk as the fuel!
Coconut husk method:
- 189 Yat Pat Gao Enterprise
- Seng Kee (成记香饼) / 177 Heong Peah
Charcoal-baked:
- 362 Heong Peah
Or course, if you want some that can be accepted at the airport:
5.1. Yee Hup Hiong Peah
Individually wrapped, many flavors available at this shop. However, you can find these packets anywhere in Malaysia and other south-east Asian countries now!
But the ones in Ipoh are baked on the same day!
Addresses For Different Branches In Ipoh:
- HQ: 7, Jalan Sri Ampang, Taman Ipoh Jaya, 31350 Ipoh, Perak
- Branch in Old Town: 151, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
- Branch near Perak Cave: Jalan Kuala Kangsar, Loke Lim Garden, 30010 Ipoh, Perak
Other Things To Buy
6. Ipoh White Coffee
Because of its fame, Ipoh white coffee is undoubtedly one of the best souvenirs to take back home!
The 3-in-1 packets are now all over Malaysia, neighboring countries and even overseas in Chinese marts!
But in Ipoh, you can still get loose coffee beans. We’re talking about the white (and black) coffee sold at this coffee wholesaler:
6.1. Chang Jiang White Coffee
Chang Jiang White Coffee (长江国际有限公司) has seen tremendous growth over the past few years.
It used to be that you could only get their 3-in-1 or 2-in-1 coffee blends from their cafe over at Jalan Windsor.
But don’t fret if you do not have enough time to pop into any of their cafes – they now have 3 branches in Ipoh and all are equally busy on weekends.
You can get these boxes in most souvenir shops and even at the airport! many local coffee shops use their coffee beans too.
Read more about our experience at the main branch of Chang Jiang White Coffee.
7. Tambun Pomelo
Ipoh is particularly famous for these citrus fruits (especially in the Tambun area) because water from the surrounding limestone hills gives the soil plenty of nutrients that pomelos like!
The main season is during CNY and there are 2 varieties – the red sort which are on the bitter and sour side. Or pinkish white – these can be bitter or sweet.
Note: They are related and look like a grapefruit so if you’re allergic, skip these!
Tips on buying pomelo 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.
The main orchards for pomelo are over in Ampang and you can get them cheaper there than anywhere else in Ipoh.
Where to buy pomelo:
- Go Chin Pomelo Agro Farm – they offer tours of their plantation too, and it is common to see tour buses stop here
- There are a lot of other pomelo stalls along Jalan Tambun Baru. Like Kedai Limau Tambun Niu Kee
8. Ipoh Salted Chicken (Aun Kheng Lim)
While there are a few salt-baked chicken shops in Ipoh now:
The most prominent of these is Aun Kheng Lim – in business of selling Yim Kok Kai or salted herbal chicken since 1987!
They run their business in a very efficient manner. The chicken (and all the herbal juicy goodness!) are all wrapped and ready to go in the bright red boxes, the steady stream of customers need only order, pay and take their respective box!
You can also take them vacuum-packed if you prefer at no extra cost! And if you can’t visit them during their opening hours, they now have a fancy vending machine that you can use.
- Main branch: 24, Jalan Theatre, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
- Contact: +605-254 2998
- Opening hours: 9am to 5.30pm (Closed on Mondays)
9. Handicrafts At The Weekend Market At Kong Heng Square
It’s good fun to browse through the colorful stores here. You might pick up a local handicraft to bring home!
Stores generally start to close around 4 to 5pm.
- Bits & Bobs
- Ipoh Craft Nerds
- Why Not Elephants
And plenty of other stores!
10. Handicrafts Sold At 22 Hale Street Gift Shop
Get a souvenir and support a cause!
The unique handmade items sold at this quaint gift shop are made by members of disabled folks home.
Check their Facebook as they sometimes host events like festive bazaars where you can pick up souvenirs and other knick-knacks.
Upstairs, they have a very impressive gallery of Ipoh antiques and other keepsakes upstairs! It costs RM10 (plus an audio guide) to enter the gallery.
You can read more about our experience at 22 Hale Street Gallery here.
11. Second-hand And Handmade Treasures At The PWW Shop
The PWW Shop takes in and sells preloved items in good condition. Whatever they cannot sell is given to the homeless.
PWW (Perak Women for Women Society) is a non-profit NGO that aims to help women in crisis. The shop is just one of their projects!
On occasion, they have these gorgeous hand-painted enamel tiffin carriers for sale.
Each one is a unique design painted by the women at their shelter which serves as refuge for women who face domestic violence in their own homes.
Price Range:
- 2-tier at RM190
- 3-tier at RM230
- 4-tier at RM260
Another handicraft you can find here are the woven bags by the Penan tribes in Miri!
- Address: 15, Jalan Market, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
- Contact: +6011-6556 9715
- Opening Hours: 10am to 3pm
Private Tour In Ipoh
Book a private tour with RayTheTour, a local tour service run by Ipoh locals. This way, you can get your money’s worth with transport as well as a personal guide to show you around their hometown.
Plus, with RayTheTour, you can customise your itinerary to include Ipoh, Taiping, Sitiawan, Kuala Kangsar, etc. As well as take a day trip to Cameron Highlands.
Contact RayTheTour private tour service through WhatsApp to make a booking.
Conclusion
We think traditional biscuits and snacks from Ipoh are always welcome souvenirs.
You can buy an assortment of crispy pastries with delicious fillings. As well as salted chicken, pomelo, and handicrafts to take back home too! Some are flight friendly.
If not food, then there are other local handicrafts that you can pick up instead too.
Famous Food To Try In Ipoh
Besides traditional pastries don’t forget to make time to try some famous local food in Ipoh. You won’t be able to bring these delicious dishes back home!
White Coffee From Ipoh
Want to try authentic local white coffee right in Ipoh? Take note of these coffee shops and their exceptional beverages. Many are conveniently in Ipoh Old Town too.
OldTown Heritage Centre
Right by Concubine Lane is a heritage gallery and café by OldTown White Coffee. We highly recommend a visit here since it’s free to visit the gallery. Furthermore, they have a shop upstairs that you can browse if you would like a tote, or special tiffin carrier edition by the brand.
