Yes, there’s more than one great place to get nasi kandar in Ipoh!
Each of these restaurants has their own way of preparing fried chicken and various curry. Some even have their own in-house nasi lemak!
So, without further ado, here are the best spots to try out along with the recommended dishes from each restaurant.
1. Kedai Kopi Yong Suan Nasi Kandar
In Ipoh, the most famous place you can go to for nasi kandar is the nasi kandar stall at Yong Suan Coffee Shop, otherwise known as Yong Suan Nasi Kandar.
We have a separate post on this place.
Related: Kedai Kopi Yong Suan Nasi Kandar In Ipoh – Is It Worth The Hype?
2. Tayub Bistro (formerly Nasi Kandar Tayub)
This great lunch venue in a residential neighborhood, is only open from 10am till 4pm. There will usually be a long queue so unless you have time on your hands to wait around, head on earlier!
The reason for the queue is the consistently good taste of the food and this nasi kandar restaurant is much loved by locals who are regulars for decades.
We recommend the ayam goreng rempah (spiced fried chicken) or ayam bawang (chicken with onions) though you might really like the way they mix curries too!
Know that prices at Nasi Kandar Tayub are quite high and the chicken pieces are relatively small.
- Address: 43, Jalan Tawas Baru 12, Taman Tasek Damai, 30010 Ipoh, Perak
- Business Hours: 10am to 4pm (Closed on Fridays)
3. Restoran Nasi Kandar Pekan Lama
Nasi Kandar Pekan Lama is another long-standing nasi kandar restaurant.
The restaurant is in an area with many other restaurants so while there are plenty of parking spaces available, they fill up quickly when the lunch crowd comes.
Moreover, there is limited seating so if you’re planning to dine in, expect to wait a while.
Alternatively, you could always opt for takeaway. With the consideration that the food often finishes by 2pm.
While you’re here, do try their sambal kelapa, mango curry, ayam rendang as well as their mixed curry of generous portions!
Their prices are cheap hence the constant crowd. And it helps that it tastes like curried heaven as well!
- Address: 125, Jalan Bijeh Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
- Business Hours: 10:30am to 3pm; Closed on Fridays
- Contact: +6013-5000002
4. Restoran Nasi Kandar Bharkat
A popular spot for many students at the nearby colleges, Restoran Nasi Kanda Bharkat serves affordable and delicious food.
Furthermore, their service is fast, staff is friendly, and the portions are generous! We recommend that you try out their ayam madu (honeyed chicken) as well as their roti canai.
Top that with a generous pour of fish curry, lamb curry or minced beef for a satisfying meal!
Though keep in mind that because of its location, this nasi kandar restaurant is exceptionally busy with the working crowd during lunchtime (I.e., parking spots are almost always scarce during lunch).
- Address: 101, Tmn, Jalan Sri Cempaka, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
- Business Hours: 6am to 1am
- Contact: +6014-2421293
5. Gerai Makanan Dan Minuman Rahamath
In the middle of the city, you will find this unassuming stall strategically next to a mosque.
Thus, the parking situation is difficult at any time of the day as its also near offices, food courts and popular cafes! So, you might want to take public transport or have someone drop you off here.
Many locals know about Gerai Makanan dan Minuman Rahamath and is often packed during lunch Be prepared to queue and don’t get here too late as food sells out fast.
Their bestsellers include ayam masak merah, honeyed chicken, mutton curry and the sambal kelapa. The curries are thick and savory and go well with the biryani rice!
For something crunchy, you can’t go wrong with their fried chicken which is always served hot!
PS: Their coconut sambal runs a little sour compared to other places
- Address: Jalan Dato Sagor, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
- Business Hours: 9:40am to 3:30pm on most days (9am to 5pm on Sundays)
- Contact: +6016-5573100
6. Restoran HAJI GANY Nasi Kandar
Also at a busy main road in Ipoh town, Restoran Haji Gany Nasi Kandar is another underrated delight.
They aren’t very crowded or as well-known with a must-try craze surrounding their menu, but Restoran HAJI GANY Nasi Gandar is still an equally great option for good nasi kandar. But without the queues!
The establishment is clean with comfortable spaces to dine in, and it is highly convenient to get here if you happen to stay at any of the hotels nearby.
If you don’t know what to order, start with the fried chicken, sambal kelapa as well as their nasi lemak.
Note: The sambal kelapa is pretty spicy though so be warned!
Parking is difficult given the location though there are still plenty of parking spaces available if you don’t mind some walking.
- Address: 40, Jalan Yang Kalsom, Taman Jubilee, 30250 Ipoh, Perak.
- Business Hours: 24 hours
- Contact: +605-2411326
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7. Restoran S. H. Saleem
Along Jalan Kuala Kangsar, Restoran S. H. Saleem’s main clientele are workers in the same area.
Aside from the delicious food they serve, their fast and friendly service is reliable during lunch! Plus, they have an air-conditioned section if you want to escape the heat.
Do not pass on their wonderful biryani which tastes even better when mixed with mutton curry. They serve sambal kelapa as well, but it finishes fast so prepare to come earlier if you want to try this.
While parking is ample, vacant slots will fill fast during lunch. Luckily, the queue for the restaurant moves along quickly too.
- Address: No. 90 A, Batu Dua, Jln. Kuala Kangsar, 30010 Ipoh, Perak
- Business Hours: 5:30am to 8pm
- Contact: +605-5060060
8. Restoran Majeedia
Restoran Majeedia opens as early as 6am and is hence, an opportunity for those who fancy nasi kandar for breakfast. Or lunch!
However, seeing that they are located at one of the busiest intersections in Ipoh Old Town, it is not easy to secure parking. Most likely, you will have to park at a distance and take a walk.
And because seating is limited, you may have to take away the food instead of dining in during peak hours.
Must-try dishes are the biryaniand ayam masak merah! Although you will find it hard to resist the other dishes (displayed in large pots) as you walk in.
Prices are reasonable but the lack of cleanliness may be bothersome – sometimes, the staff use their hands to pick up food. If you can’t stand stuff like this, it’s best to skip this spot altogether!
- Address: 58, Jalan Bendahara, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
- Business Hours: 6am to 7:30pm
- Contact: +605-2530127
9. Restoran M. Salim
With other restaurants for neighbors, many frequent Restoran M.Salim for either lunch or dinner as it is open from early in the day and until the late evening.
A must try is their kari kepala ikan (curried fish head) which is what most come for! But we also recommend their biryani and goat curry as well. The latter pairs well with their soft chapati.
While the food is great, their service could be better as their staff tend to be curt (bordering on rude) so if you value good service above all else, it might be better to settle for a takeaway.
Note: Finding parking here is fair though do expect vacant slots to fill up fast during peak times
- Address: 75, Jalan Tokong, Taman Hoover, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
- Business Hours: 7am to 9pm
- Contact: +605-2555786
Conclusion
And that completes our list for the top 9 places for nasi kandar in Ipoh! Don’t hesitate to add them to your long Ipoh food hunt list!
Just remember to plan your trip accordingly as nasi kandar is a favorite meal for many locals and many of these restaurants are in busy areas!
Recommended read:
- 5 Delicious Korean Restaurants In Ipoh
- 7 Best Japanese Restaurants In Ipoh
- 15 Best Western Restaurants In Ipoh
