Malaysian food, in general, is well-liked among locals and foreigners and each city has its own specialties. Most people would know about Penang Char Kway Teow and Kuala Lumpur‘s Chili Pan Mee because these are two popular tourist destinations.

Another Malaysian city that is often overlooked is Ipoh which is somewhere in between Penang and Kuala Lumpur. The capital city of Perak may be quiet but it has its own charms that are worth discovering as well—especially their local food!

Here are 10 Local Food You Have To Try When In Ipoh.

#1 BEAN CURD

We have yet to meet someone who doesn’t like to eat bean curd. This all-time favourite dessert is sweet, soft and it glides down your tongue due to its silky smooth texture.

#2 BEAN SPROUTS CHICKEN

If we have to find one dish to represent Ipoh, that would be bean sprouts chicken. A full meal would look something like this: bean sprouts, soy sauce chicken and a bowl of the famous Ipoh hor fun. The recipes are passed down through generations and the taste never gets old.

#3 CHEE CHEONG FUN

Made with thin rice noodle rolls, Ipoh’s Chee Cheong Fun is not really similar to what you see in Singapore. Served with soy sauce, sesame oil and pickled green chilies, you can choose to follow how the locals have it or drizzle some sweet sauce over for those who prefer something stronger on their taste buds.

#4 CURRY MEE

Curry Mee is no stranger to the Malaysian food scene but did you know that it differs in different cities? Yes, forget everything you know about Penang Curry Mee because Ipoh Cutty Mee is prepared with different spices.

You are likely to get roasted pork, char siew, shredded chicken slices, shrimp and bean sprouts in your bowl of curry mee—sounds amazing, doesn’t it!

#5 DIM SUM

The Chinese love having dim sum for breakfast as they get to sample many small dishes at casual dim sum eateries or posh Cantonese restaurants. Some of the dim sum dishes not to miss out are Salted Egg Yolk Pao, Lor Mai Gai, Siew Mai, Egg Tarts and more.

#6 HAKKA MEE

Hakka Mee is a dish that is loved by locals but is not really known among tourists. You get a bowl of dry noodles tossed in lard and topped off with fried minced pork, chili oil, Ipoh bean sprouts and a separate bowl of yong tau foo in soup.

#7 IPOH HOR FUN

Also known as ‘kuay teow’, Ipoh Hor Fun is usually a companion to the famous Bean Sprouts Chicken. The silky noodles are served in hot, clear broth made from boiling chicken bones and prawn shells for long hours.

#8 NASI KANDAR AYAM MERAH

Nasi Kandar is similar to economical rice in Singapore whereby diners get to choose from a tempting array of side dishes. A typical Nasi Kandar stall features many curry dishes, fried chicken, fish, vegetables and egg. The best part? It is usually very affordable to dine there!

Photo Credit: n3rraD’s Gallery

#9 YONG TAU FOO

Those who are craving for something satisfying and comforting cannot go wrong with a piping bowl of Yong Tau Foo. Some of the items that are usually seen at Yong Tau Foo stalls are fried beancurd skin, fishballs, fish paste and so much more which you can have with savoury soup or deep-fried in oil.

#10 IPOH WHITE COFFEE

Thanks to Old Town White Coffee, everyone would know about Ipoh White Coffee even if they have not been to Ipoh. It is said that the aromatic white coffee originated from Ipoh Old Town and the beans are roasted with palm oil margarine. You can have it with or without condensed milk.

If you are only going to eat one thing when in Ipoh, let it be the Ipoh Hor Fun.

A simple Google search will prove that there are many local stalls and restaurants here in Singapore selling their own renditions of Ipoh Hor Fun, but it is safe to say that nothing comes close to the original.

The Chinese population in Ipoh is mostly of Cantonese and Hakka descent, which heavily influences the cuisine and the flavours you will find there. There are many dishes unique to the Malaysian state, but the Ipoh Hor Fun Is The One Dish You Need To Eat When In Ipoh.

A comforting plate of Ipoh Hor Fun is made up of flat rice noodles, prepared originally with the local unfiltered spring water. This allows the noodles to turn out smoother and silkier in texture.

These are then cooked in dark soy sauce-based gravy, then served with shredded chicken, shrimps, spring onion; and finally garnished with red chillies.

The broth incorporated into the rich, thick sauce is made from boiling chicken bones and prawn shells. You can also, however, opt for the drier rendition of the Ipoh delicacy, with the noodles simply mixed with a dash of dark soy sauce and white pepper.

This Malaysian dish is most often served with an accompanying plate of Ngo Choi Kai, which translates to Bean Sprouts Chicken.

The bean sprouts used are supposedly washed in the same water used for the flat rice noodles in Ipoh Hor Fun; the end result is bouncy and juicy bean sprouts. The dish is completed with lightly salted chicken, and a dash of soya sauce and sesame oil.

It might seem like a simple, underwhelming dish, but it is arguably one of Ipoh’s most iconic dishes – and for good reason.

For more recommendations, read our guide on the best eats in Ipoh, Malaysia.

Mention the words “Malaysia” and “Food” in the same sentence, and people usually think of Penang, or perhaps Kuala Lumpur. Well, the next time you are visiting Malaysia and driving from KL to Penang, why not make a stop at Ipoh? This quiet town has, surprisingly, much to offer, especially in terms of food. At practically every turn and junction, you will find quaint coffee shops that are crowded throughout the day. The local dishes offered at these places are quite generic, but having tried several places during my stay, I can vouch for the overall high standard of food at cheap prices throughout Ipoh.

Amongst the numerous dishes we tried, the following is a list of the 5 best eats in Ipoh.

Nga Choi Kai (Bean Sprouts Chicken)

This dish consists of three separate parts: the beansprouts, soy sauce chicken, and a bowl of the famous Ipoh hor fun (rice noodles). This dish appears plain and unimpressive at first glance, but good nga choi kai will leave you highly impressed. Rumour has it that the minerals in Ipoh’s pristine water make the beansprouts so juicy and sweet. Alongside this is the tender, slightly salty chicken, together with the silky and smooth hor fun. Even the soup has a subtle delectable taste to it. This simple dish appeals to everyone, and will most definitely leave you craving for second servings.

Curry Noodles

This is another noodle dish not to be missed. It is somewhat like Laksa, but relatively less milky. The aroma of spices wafting from the bowl is immensely appetizing, but the taste of the curry itself is even more flavourful.

Tau Fu Fa (Bean Curd)

While the pudding-type bean curd craze goes on in Singapore, the traditional-style bean curd in Ipoh is simply out of this world. Soft, melt-in-your-mouth, and not overly sweet, it can be enjoyed as a snack at any time of the day. And the best part? It’s unbelievably cheap. At RM 0.90 for a bowl, it’s definitely a dessert not to be missed.

Chee Cheong Fun

Most of us are accustomed to the rolled up rice noodles known as chee cheong fun, but Ipoh’s version uses its famous thin hor fun, the same one used in nga choi kai. Given the high standards of Ipoh hor fun, I had high expectations for this dish, and was most definitely not let down. The same thin and smooth noodles feature here with copious amounts of sweet sauce on top. My verdict is that it’s even better than the traditional chee cheong fun!

Kaya Glutinous Rice

You may be thinking: “What?! How could Kaya and Glutinous rice possibly go together?” Well, I too, had the same reaction. To my surprise, the subtle saltiness of the sticky rice complemented the sweet kaya perfectly in a somewhat “sweet and savoury” fashion. Upon chatting with the stall owner, I found out that the coconut jam (otherwise known as kaya) is usually homemade, unlike the ones found on supermarket shelves. This unique dish was probably the most interesting find on the trip, and I loved the kaya so much that I purchased two jars to bring home.

Having gone on a gastronomic adventure, it is probably advisable to take a walk and perhaps explore one of Ipoh’s many caves and limestone formations. Also, the mountains in Ipoh are beautiful and comparable to those in Guilin, China. Those of you willing to make the climb up will be rewarded by the breath-taking views offered at the top of these mountains. While Ipoh may not have many large shopping malls for entertainment, there is still much to see and do. In my opinion, it is the perfect place for a quick respite from the hustle and bustle of city life, and I would definitely recommend visiting Ipoh when you are in Malaysia.

About the writer:
Amanda is a Singaporean with a passion for good food, fashion, and travelling. She is currently attending boarding school in the United Kingdom, and looks forward to many such new experiences after she begins university next year. Follow her adventure on instagram.