Ipoh is the capital city of Perak and is home to the world-famous Ipoh white coffee, silky tau fu fah, and hearty chicken rice. Ipoh is also well known as a famous foodie paradise in Malaysia since there is a wide variety of wonderful local food, restaurants, and cafés across the city.
So if you ever plan to come to Ipoh but don’t know which restaurant or cafe you should try?. Worry not, as we will help you plan your food adventure by compiling a list of some of the best restaurants recommended by locals that you should add to your trip checklist whenever you’re in Ipoh.
1. Restoran Cathay
Restoran Cathay is a Hainanese Restaurant that has been around for many decades in Ipoh. Located along Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar (Osborne Street), this restaurant has served delicious Hainanese food for years.
So when you come here, make sure to order their Hakka Mee, a popular breakfast dish among many Ipohreans. Aside from the Hakka-Mee, they are also popular with their chicken chop, coffee and French toast!
Address: A17, Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Phone: 05-241 9414
2. Kedai Kopi Sin Yoong Loong
Sin Yoon Loong is a small Hainanese coffee shop that opened in 1937 and has served one of the finest and most authentic white coffees in town for decades. Aside from that, they also offer other local breakfast options, including coffee, soft-boiled eggs on toast (called danzhi by the locals), or other local eats such as roti-kiap (toasted bread with sweet jam), wanton mee, and Chee Cheong Fun.
If you are planning to come here, make sure to try their toasted bread and their white coffee combination, which will give you a perfect morning head start for a light-hearted yet delicious breakfast.
Address: 15A, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
Phone: 05-241 4601
3. Kedai Kopi Yong Suan
Kedai Kopi Yong Suan is a rustic coffee shop that has been in business for over 60 years. It is a must-visit restaurant since it serves the best Nasi Ganja in town. Nasi Ganja is technically a term for Nasi Kandar that local people use because it is addictive. If you are planning to come here, make sure to come to the restaurant before or by 11 am since the restaurant is always crowded.
However, if you see their restaurant has a long queue, worry not; you can still queue in line and need to wait for a short moment of time since their service is quick and efficient. This place is halal-friendly, so dig into the curries, fried chicken, fish and more at this popular lunch spot in town.
Address: 4, Jalan Yang Kalsom, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
4. Lou Wong Bean Sprout Chicken
Lou Wong Bean Sprout Chicken is one of the best restaurants in Ipoh that has served a local town hotspot food – the bean sprouts chicken, also known as Ngah Choy Kai (芽菜雞) for more than 61 years. This restaurant has earned popularity as it serves tender and juicy chicken meat drenched in soya sauce and sesame oil. Combining the delicious chicken pieces with the wonderfully aromatic steamed rice is just a heavenly delight.
The garlic chilli sauce at Lou Wong is quite distinctive since it has a spicy, sweet, salty, and sour flavour all at once and is tasty enough to be a stand-alone dish. Aside from that, there is also a variety of side dishes to pick from, such as stir-fried lettuce, bean sprouts, and meatball soup, all of which are as delicious.
Address: 49, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, Taman Jubilee, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
5. Funny Mountain Tau Fu Fah
Funny Mountain is a restaurant that serves the most incredibly soft, silky and melt-in-your-mouth Tau Fu Fah, which makes it an absolute must-visit restaurant when you are in Ipoh. This restaurant is well known for its finest soybean ever produced. The unique part about this restaurant is that you can order the Tau Fu Fah through a drive-thru and enjoy it inside your car.
Address: 50, Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakri, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Phone: 012-516 1607
6. Ipoh Tuck Kee Restaurant
Ipoh Tuck Kee restaurant is a must-go list that you must try whenever you are in Ipoh since the fried noodles at Tuck Kee Restaurant are second to none! The restaurant has served this dish for over 50 years, and you can bet this restaurant never fails to serve consistent, delicious fried noodles for locals and tourists alike! However, you need to be prepared since the restaurant queue is always crowded daily due to its popularity.
The signature dish here is the Yu Kong Hor (also known as Moonlight Hor Fun), which is arguably the best in town and a must-try for everybody in the town. Aside from that, you can also order other bestsellers such as War Tan Hor Fun, braised chicken feet, baby octopus in soy sauce, fried bee hoon, and more to complete your wholesome meal.
Address: 61, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Phone: 016-220 9361
