Ipoh is Malaysia’s third most populous city and one of the most popular destinations for a short, simple and fun weekend getaway today. Also known as the gateway to Cameron Highlands, this city is slowly climbing the ladders of travel bucket lists from travellers all over the world.

Ipoh has faced a massive transformation over the past few years—in the past, many of us would never have thought of visiting Ipoh for a holiday trip or even a short getaway from the rush of our fast-paced lifestyles. However, Ipoh’s rapid transition has managed to land the city on Lonely Planet’s list of Top 10 Asian Destinations To Visit in 2016.

If you are looking to stop by Ipoh for just a day, here are some suggestions on where you can eat and have fun at.

Photo Credit: mizznsm88

BREAKFAST AT RESTORAN NEW HOLLYWOOD

To kick-start your day, head over to Restoran New Hollywood for delectable halal Chinese food. Known to be one of the best breakfast spots in Ipoh for locals and tourists alike, you can expect Malaysian street food that is nothing short of scrumptious.

The most popular items in this eatery would be the Hong Kong Chee Cheong Fun and the Roti Goyang. For the uninitiated, the latter is essentially poached eggs atop toasts. Yes, it may sound simple, but nothing beats such a traditional, old-school breakfast!

Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Tue to Sun: 7am – 4pm
Closed on Mondays

Photo Credit: Traveloka

VISIT THE KEK LOK TONG CAVE TEMPLE

A temple inside a cave?! The Kek Lok Tong complex is home to a central altar featuring a number of Buddhist figures as well as various deities of the Chinese pantheon.

Get your daily dose of nature’s beauty by visiting this temple situated in the south of Ipoh. Venture deeper into the cave and you’d be greeted by a picturesque garden view that will surely wow you with its charm.

Kek Look Tong, Gunung Rapat, Ipoh, Perak
Daily: 7am – 6pm

Photo Credit: j2kfm

GRAB A CUPPA IPOH WHITE COFFEE

Caffeine lovers, you are in for a treat. Many of us would be familiar with the 3-in-1 sachets of Ipoh White Coffee that we can easily get our hands on at supermarkets, but when in Ipoh, it is time to ditch those and head straight for the real deal.

This iconic drink is why Ipoh managed to be listed as one of the top three coffee towns by Lonely Planet. It is almost a crime to leave Ipoh without having a cup (or two) of this oh-so-addictive beverage!

LUNCH AT MING COURT HONG KONG TIM SUM

Ipoh’s populous is mostly made up of Chinese, and the community is predominantly of Cantonese origin. Thus, it is not surprising that Dim Sum is popular amongst the locals here.

When in Ipoh, head to the legendary Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum for lunch before they close at 2pm. This is where you can indulge in a feast comprising of authentic, plump dim sum in the likes of the usual siew mai, har gao and deep fried beancurd.

36, Jalan Leong Sin Nam, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia
Mon to Wed, Fri to Sun: 6am – 2pm
Closed on Thursdays

Photo Credit: tikitouringkiwi

BROWSE THE PLENTEOUS STREET ART

Artist Ernest Zacharevicis—a multidiscipline contemporary and public artist—is extremely well-known for his art pieces in Penang, but you’d be pleased to hear that he has also graced the walls of Ipoh with his stunning art pieces.

You can find seven of his art pieces along the Ipoh Mural Art Trail. We reckon that these backdrops are perfect for OOTD shots so do not be shy to get some shots here to jazz up your Instagram feed!

Market Lane, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Photo Credit: Pâtisserie BoutiQue

HEAD TO PÂTISSERIE BOUTIQUE FOR SWEET TREATS

Ipoh may not be the most popular city in Malaysia for tourists from all over the world to visit, but you’d be surprised to hear that this humble city is a go-to for those residing in Kuala Lumpur to visit for café hopping.

You know what that means—Ipoh has plenty of gorgeous cafés for youngsters and tourists to sit back and relax in over a slice of cake and a cup of tea. Pâtisserie BoutiQue is one of the many cafés in Ipoh that will bewitch you with the charms of their sweet treats.

103, Jalan Sultan Yusof, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia
Mon, Tue, Thu to Sun: 11am – 6pm
Closed on Wednesdays

Photo Credit: Adventure Appetite

DINNER AT IPOH’S FAMOUS CHICKEN RICE STALL

Amongst Ipoh’s best-known local delicacies would be Chicken Rice, so you have to be sure to have at least a plate of this treat during your short time in Ipoh! Constantly dubbed as ‘The Best Chicken Rice in Ipoh’ is Lou Wong Bean Sprout Chicken Rice.

This humble eatery whips up Hainanese chicken rice that is said to be so delicious, it is enough to be a reason for a return trip to Ipoh. Here you can expect smooth, poached chicken seasoned with soy sauce as well as crunchy beansprouts as the perfect accompaniment to your meal.

49, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, Taman Jubilee, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak, Malaysia
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Tel : +60 5-254 4199

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.