Here’s your 24-hour Ipoh food guide, from street eats to iconic dishes.
Text by: Eris Choo
This underrated Malaysian city is slowly but surely claiming its spot on the food map. If you’re planning a quick stopover between KL and Penang, here are some of the must-visit food spots in Ipoh to check out.
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Brunch: Yumcha at Luk Yu Tea House
Few things capture the essence of Cantonese cuisine better than dim sum, so start your day at one of the newest yumcha spots in town. Tucked inside AC Hotel Ipoh, Luk Yu Tea House is the hotel’s flagship Chinese restaurant, with an elegant yet relaxed setting that features Chinoiserie décor.
The menu, developed with its sister outlet (also called Luk Yu) at AC Hotel Kuala Lumpur, offers a good balance of classic and creative dishes. The sakura crystal har kau here is packed with plump prawns wrapped in translucent, chewy skins. I also love the crispy beancurd rolls stuffed with prawn and cheese, with its satisfying contrast of crunchy and gooey textures.
One of the more unique items on the menu is the steamed toman (giant snakehead) siew mai, a twist on the usual pork or shrimp versions. If you’re a fan of lau sar bao, the one served here has a rich and thick salted egg yolk sauce encased within pillowy soft buns.
The Hong Kong-style beef brisket noodles are perfect if you’re leaning toward an early lunch. For dessert, get a refreshing pomelo sago made using local pomelo. Wash it all down with a pot of premium tea such as oolong, pu-erh, or ti kuan yin, which will help balance out the richness of the food. Luk Yu is pork-free, so it’s a great option if you’re dining with Muslim friends.
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Afternoon: Exploring Ipoh’s Old Town for snacks
With brunch done, it’s time to hit the streets. Ipoh’s city centre follows a simple grid, making exploring it on foot easy. Along the way, you’ll see pre-war shophouses with their original facades and louvred windows still intact, adding to the charm.
Jalan Yau Tet Shin is where you’ll find some of the city’s most iconic eats. Top of the list is Funny Mountain Soya Beancurd, a legendary spot with almost 70 years of history. Its tau fu fa (silken soybean curd) is served hot with either white or black sugar syrup and has a lusciously smooth texture. The tiny corner store is always packed and there’s even a drive-through style takeaway system where you’re handed your dessert through the car window.
Just around the corner is Lam Fong Biscuit Shop, known for their heong peng, flaky biscuits filled with sticky-sweet maltose. Their selection also includes freshly baked pastries in flavours like taro, lotus, and black sesame, displayed in eye-catching colours at the front of the store.
If you’re somehow still hungry, swing by Tuck Kee or Sun Tuck Kee. Although they serve similar dishes, these are two different restaurants. Locals have their own camps as to which is the best, but I personally prefer the original Tuck Kee which was opened in the 1960s. Their signature moonlight wat tan hor comprises flat rice noodles drenched in egg drop gravy, topped with a raw egg yolk resembling a full moon. Stir it all together for a rich, silky finish, complete with the unmistakable smokiness of wok hei. Their blanched baby octopus is another must-try; chewy, springy, and served with soy sauce and crispy shallots.
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Dinner: Spanish Tapas at AC Lounge
Wrap up the day with a relaxed dinner back at AC Lounge in AC Hotel Ipoh, one of the few places in the city serving Spanish tapas, which makes for a nice change after all the local food.
Try the gambas al ajillo (garlicky prawns), chicken mango bruschetta, or the seafood paella brimming with mussels, squid, and saffron rice. The charcuterie platter is great for sharing as it comes with smoked salmon, lamb prosciutto, cheese, nuts, and crackers. Pair it with a house-made asam boi lemonade or go for a cheeky strawberry margarita or sangria if you’re up for a nightcap.
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Morning: Classic Ipoh white coffee and baked treats
Before leaving town, I always make time for a proper breakfast at Nam Heong along Jalan Bandar Timah, an old-school kopitiam that still sports wooden signage and vintage tiles. Mornings are the busiest, so expect to share a table with other patrons (it’s a good chance to strike up a conversation with the friendly locals).
The main draw here is Ipoh white coffee, a beverage synonymous with the city. Roasted with margarine, the coffee has a lighter, nuttier flavour and is served with condensed milk, so it’s richer and sweeter than your typical brew.
Don’t forget to get Nam Heong’s famous egg tarts from the bakery occupying a section of the kopitiam, which churns out pastries from an industrial grade oven as quickly as the queue. The filling is jiggly and warm, and not overly sweet.
Also worth trying is the kai see hor fun stall. This Ipoh specialty looks deceptively simple but requires meticulous work as the chicken and shrimp broth needs to be simmered for hours to draw out the ingredients’ natural flavours. It is then paired with shredded chicken meat, prawns, and slippery flat rice noodles.
Just across the road is Sin Yoon Long, another institution, where you can enjoy kaya toast with soft-boiled eggs doused in light soy sauce and a dash of white pepper. Or an egg custard pudding topped with caramel sauce and served in ceramic saucers.
Finally, if you still haven’t gotten something for friends or family back home, stop by at Ayam Garam Aun Kheng Lim along Jalan Theatre and get a salted chicken or two. The chickens are stuffed with herbs and sealed in paper before being baked in coarse salt, infusing the succulent meat with fragrance. These are available exclusively for takeaway, and they even sell them frozen so you can reheat them once you get home.
Honestly, 24 hours in Ipoh barely scratches the surface, but it’s enough to sample a taste of what the city has to offer – at least until your next trip. Because chances are once you leave, you’ll already be planning another visit.