Having steamboat in Ipoh is a valid option for a big group of family or friends. It makes for a comforting and delicious meal that can satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
But because there are so many different venues to choose from, it’s hard to pick just one to go to!
Thus, to narrow down the search, here are our top 7 picks.
1. Three Kingdoms Restaurant
This is probably the fanciest option on this list. The venue is luxurious with a reception counter and hallway.
One side leads to small but private dining rooms – and these have their own karaoke systems. And the other side is just for dining with booth style seating too.
You might think steamboat and karaoke is a weird combination, but we’ve tried it and find their sound system to be adequate. They have relatively recent songs as well – both Chinese and English too.
The staff is very attentive to change out microphones and to top up on drinks and soup. Dipping sauces are refillable too.
While the whole experience was expensive, we are satisfied with the taste and quality of the food and service provided. For a group of about 5 pax, expect to spend around RM400++.
Thus, if you have a special occasion to celebrate, this is an interesting place to host a small private party!
- Address: No. 83, 85, 85A, 87, 89, Jalan Raja Ekram, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
- Business Hours: 5:30pm to 2am (Closed on Mondays)
- Contact: +6016-828 8149
2. Bai Li Xiang Hotpot
Enjoy a personal hot pot when you dine at Bai Li Xiang Hotpot at Festival Walk. This shabu-shabu-style steamboat is a great option for those who like to dine at their own pace.
Choose from 13 different kinds of soup base such as Taiwanese Hot & Spicy, Pork Belly Chicken with Pepper Soup, and Classic Crab Soup to name a few.
Note: Tomato soup base is oily. And soup is usually a tad salty here.
There are options for more than 100 steamboat ingredients, such as imported mutton and beef slices from Australia and fresh seafood ranging from tiger prawns to Norwegian salmon.
In contrast, the sauces and drinks on offer could afford to have more variety. Prices are around RM60 per person for an all-you-can-eat buffet.
- Address: 2-22 & 2-23 Festival Walk @Ipoh, Jalan Medan Ipoh 1, Medan Ipoh Bestari, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
- Business Hours: 5pm to 12am (Daily)
- Contact: +6018-288 9062
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram
3. Wei Lai Spicy Hotpot
Another steamboat restaurant that is located at Festival Walk:
Wei Lai Spicy Hotpot also has branches in Johor Bahru and Penang.
Steamboat served here is unique, in that it allows you to enjoy two dishes in one pot!
The first step is to order a main pot at your desired spiciness level– popular choices include chicken hotpot, prawn hotpot, and pork rib hotpot. Lamb hotpot is an unusual choice that you might want to try too.
You can then enjoy the contents of this main pot together with rice and once that’s done, add more broth into the pot for a steamboat version of the meal.
Take note that meals here can get quite expensive as any extra ingredients that you add on will incur additional charges. It is easy to spend RM50/ person here.
- Address: 2-10, Festival Walk, Jalan Medan Ipoh 1, Medan Ipoh Bestari, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
- Business Hours: 12pm to 11pm (Daily)
- Contact: +605-541 7260
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram
4. Restaurant T-WO 天火锅
Located near Tong Sui Kai (Street), this steamboat restaurant offers 2 different ordering styles.
The first is a buffet-style system where adults can dine in for ~RM50 per person with discounts for seniors and children.
The second method is to order ala carte, perfect for those with smaller appetites, and to ensure that no good food (and money) goes to waste.
While most of the ingredients are included in the price, beer and higher-grade ingredients will be charged separately.
Their unlimited signature Boba Tea comes highly recommended. It is a little sweet though.
Their staff is very attentive. And thus, the restaurant is especially busy on the weekends. We do recommend making a reservation to avoid any disappointment.
- Address: 97-99, Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakri, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
- Business Hours: 5pm to 12am (Daily)
- Contact: +6011-5984 5364
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram
5. Yu Lim Yuan – Ipoh
If you’re around the Pasir Puteh area, drop by for a steaming pot of delicious broth and quality ingredients at Yu Lim Yuan, Ipoh.
This steamboat restaurant has a comfortable dining environment.
Signature soup bases include Tricholoma Pork Tripe Stew Chicken with its strong herbal taste and the Velvet Mushroom for a meatless option.
We suspect they use less MSG or none.
They are also known for their homemade Lao Gan Ma sauce, which pairs well with their ingredients.
If you come on your birthday, you might be entitled to free cake!
Note: Dinner times are currently separated into 3 different timings starting from 5pm, with one and a half hours allocated for customers to eat.
- Address: 211, Jalan Pasir Puteh, Taman Taiping, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
- Business Hours: 11am to 10:30pm (Daily)
- Contact: +6016-557 9228
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram
6. Thai Mookata Steamboat
At Thai Mookata Steamboat, there is marinated meat in authentic Thai flavors and 4 types of broth to choose from.
Note: Originating in Thailand, mookata can be considered a fusion of Korean barbeque and Chinese steamboat.
At this steamboat restaurant, there’s a tabletop grill with a raised dome for grilling meat, while the space surrounding the dome is used to cook your standard steamboat fare in a broth.
Ingredients can be found buffet style, and all within an affordable price range (it costs RM40+/person). That said, it can feel warm here since the tables are outdoors. And there is no air conditioning.
- Address: 48, Laluan Ipoh Perdana, Taman Ipoh Perdana, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
- Business Hours: 5pm to 11pm (Closed on Mondays)
- Contact: +605-545 3609
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram
If you’d rather have Korean style steamboat, see our post on where to find the best Korean food in Ipoh!
7. Lepak Santai Steamboat & Grill
Lepak Santai Steamboat & Grill were previously close to the Lost World Of Tambun. But they have since moved to Vivo Square in Ipoh.
The new premise still offers good service and a fulfilling meal with family and friends. Although they could stand to add more air conditioners or fans. Or improve their ventilation system.
There is plenty of parking in front of the restaurant too. BBQ lamp and tom yum soup are popular options here.
The price is a bargain as it is still RM35 per pax for adults.
And with no time limit, customers can enjoy a wide variety of ingredients such as chicken, beef, lamb, seafood, and more.
- Address: Jalan Johan, Sunway City, Tambun, 31150 Ipoh, Perak
- Business Hours: 4pm to 12am (Daily)
- Contact: +6012-539 6661
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram
Conclusion
There are a lot of restaurants in Ipoh that specialize in steamboat so you can pick them according to which area you are in, your budget, or style of steamboat you want.
Try Festival Walk if you are looking for a Chinese steamboat with good-quality ingredients and tongue-numbing soup. There are 2 good options in the same row.
And if you are looking for a halal steamboat to refuel after a fun-filled day, try Lepak Santai Steamboat & Grill at their new venue.
Besides steamboat, there are a lot more options for food in Ipoh. You may want to see what we list down as options for Japanese food in Ipoh too.
Further Reading
- Ipoh Fine Dining To Try
- 15 Top-Tier Western Restaurants In Ipoh
- 11 Delicious Dim Sum Haunts in Ipoh
- 9 Amazing Curry Mee Sellers in Ipoh
- Top 9 Ipoh Nasi Kandar Restaurants
