Limapulo: Baba Can Cook is well-known for serving one of the best Nyonya Laksa in KL. As a Nyonya Laksa fan it’s only natural I would want to give it a try.

Located at the The Row, the interior of Limapulo is a wonderland for Instagram enthusiasts, as it’s dotted with plenty of old school and hipsterish knick knacks, furniture and posters.
However, the ambiance was spoilt by unnecessary blasting of the Wiggle song by one of the foreign workers. Worse still, it’s played on loop. I lost count on how many times we heard the word ‘butt’ during the meal.

Unfortunately, I did not get to try the Nyonya Laksa I came for because it’s only available on certain days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Nyonya Chicken Curry was sold out too before dinner service starts. From that moment on, I knew the meal was not going to be a great one.
In desperation we asked for their Mee Siam @ RM9.90, which was supposed to be served for lunch. Luckily (finally some luck!) there were still some left and it turned out to be the dish we enjoyed the most in that rainy night.

This might be harsh but I think the acclaimed Cucur Udang @ RM9.90 was a miserable fail. Biting into the prawn fritters felt like biting into a clump of soggy and mushy flour. The sauce was more sweet than spicy and lacked a zing. I think any random Malay warung out there could easily churn out a better rendition of this simple dish.

To go with rice, we ordered a Telur Cincaluk @ RM12 – normal tasting in a good way.

Fried Kangkung Sambal Belacan – delicious but we felt ripped off by the price vs portion. For RM15 they could at least throw in a seafood or two. After all, isn’t Kangkung a cheap vegetable as confirmed by our dear Prime Minister?

For extra 2 bucks you could get the Ayam Rempah @ RM17 instead. It doesn’t take a mathematics genius to figure out that this would be a way better bang for your buck.

Desserts were quite a let down too considering the cendol worms tasted frozen and the shaved ice had an annoying coarse texture which I personally did not enjoy. A shame because they pretty much nailed the rest. Cendol is priced at RM3.50 while the ABC is RM4.50.

Overall it was only a so-so experience at best. The dinner came to a total of RM81.20 for a few seemingly simple dishes that we really felt like we overpaid for. For the same spent, we could have a 4 to 5 course dinner at a normal Chinese restaurant.
I know it’s unfair to compare like that, but that’s a good indication of the value of the food at Limapulo. I might return again for the Nyonya Laksa to satisfy my curiosity, but maybe that’s about it.

Limapulo: Baba Can Cook
50, Jalan Doraisamy, 53000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2698 3268

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Poppo Kanteen is a cheerful restaurant that serves local delicacies with a few Asian-Fusion dishes thrown into the mix. The backstory was that Poppo used to be a canteen operator at a school in Batu Pahat, so her mission is to provide new food choices for the students and teachers. Because of that, there is a back-to-school vibe featuring traditional metal dishes and a menu that takes the shape of a ‘buku latihan’.

You will definitely be spoilt for choices here, as there are more than 200 food and drink items in the menu. But one thing Poppo is proud of, it has got to be their nasi lemak.
It’s available with fried chicken, chicken curry, mutton curry, beef rendang and a couple of other meat and seafood dishes. Whichever you choose, it will never cost more than RM10 and so the price is reasonable.
If you pay enough attention, you will notice that every single side dish in Poppo’s nasi lemak has a unique twist. For example, the hard boiled egg is fried in a light coating of panko, crispy but not hard ikan bilis, extra smooth sambal and even the peanuts are crunchier than usual. As for the fried chicken, it’s flavorful from the inside out since it’s pounded before being marinated.

Spicy Fried Spaghetti @ RM9.50. The overall flavor was similar to Kung Pao and does not taste as spicy as it looks. Personally I’d like it more if it had a bigger punch of heat. But I guess you can’t please everyone.

Roti Boom is a crowd favorite and it’s easy to see why. It’s entirely crispy, fluffy with the right amount of sweetness without being cloying. Top it off with a topping of your choice and it might very well be one of the best Roti Boom you ever have. Highly recommended.

Some snacks for sharing include the Tofu Sumbat @ RM4.90 – cheap and enjoyably crunchy.

Poppo Crispy Tofu @ RM5.90 with their secret homemade sauce that’s light, citrusy and refreshing.

Poppo offers a wide variety of toasts. The two that we tried – Garlic Bread Kaya @ 3.50 and Cheese Toast @ RM3.90 were equally good but I am more impressed with the fact that they were perfectly toasted without any charred spots at the bottom.

This was unexpected but Korean Fried Chicken is also on the menu. Unbelievably crunchy and the savory sauce had a nice balance of sweetness and richness to it.

Dessert wise, the cendol @ RM4.90 is a must try. Loaded with fresh toppings (the green cendol worms are squiggly soft, not frozen) and drizzled in premium imported palm sugar, I can’t find anything to fault with this icy treat. In fact, this will be on my list of the best cendol in KL.

ABC @ RM7.50 on the other hand feels like an upgraded version of the cendol. Both are delicious in their own ways, but I prefer the cendol better.

For something out of the norm, try the Ginger Ice @ RM6.90 – made with pure ginger juice that packs a strong pungent and spicy kick. Another drink worth the mention is Teh Tarik Butter, it was extraordinarily smooth and creamy, and more importantly does not leave a ‘siap-siap’ (astringent) aftertaste.

It is also worth mentioning that Poppo Kanteen was renovated and equipped with recycled materials for that unique atmosphere that does not pander to a certain age group. We hung out here for about three hours and we noticed that their customers come from all walk of life – but especially popular with families.

Poppo Kanteen

No 26, Jalan Manis 4, Taman Segar
Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
Business hours: 8am – 12am
Tel: 03-9134 6923

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In Bandar Sri Damasara, there’s a stretch of road dotted with food stalls offering cheap and delicious eats. One of them is Kabir’s Cendol and Rojak which is known to serve one of the best cendol and ais kacang in town.

The stall is a simple set up with a couple of tables and chairs. Although the place looks run down, I believe it’s relatively clean because we did not spot a single fly all the time we were there.

Kabir’s Cendol and Rojak appears to be a family run business, and the man who prepares the icy delights can speak fluent English as well. Besides rojak, mee goreng, maggi goreng and maggi soup are some of the other dishes you can have here.

Kabir’s ABC is priced only at RM2.40 and it comes in a towering portion with satisfying amount of toppings. It’s drizzled with just enough syrup and condensend milk for a sweet and refreshing taste – yet far from cloying. Although the shaved ice was not as fine as I wished to be, it still proved to be an enjoyable treat.

His cendol is slightly cheaper @ RM2 per bowl. Despite being 10 to 20 cents more expensive than those sold elsewhere, the price is worth paying for because you get a whole lot more toppings. Not to mention they are of better quality too.
As you can see he does not stinge on the amount of sweet corn, and the rest like cendol and red beans taste soft and fresh as well – definitely not those frozen and reused. Taste wise the sweetness is spot on and nicely complemented by the aromatic and creamy coconut milk.

We were not in the mood for rojak so we had the Mee Goreng. It was fried together with the rojak gravy so it produces a different (better) flavor than those you get at normal mamak restaurants. For RM4 only, there’s simply nothing we could complain about it.

To look for Kabir’s stall, you can use Restoran Woh as a landmark, as the food stalls are all located diagonally opposite across the road.

Kabir’s Cendol & Rojak

Persiaran Meranti, Bandar Sri Damansara, 52200 KL
Business hours: 9am to 7pm (closed on Tuesdays)

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Halal Kolo Mee, also known as Mee Kolok is rare to come by in KL. This simple yet delicious noodle not only managed to captivate the heart of Sarawakians, it is also gaining popularity among locals especially the Muslims.

Dapur Sarawak was highly recommended by a Sarawakian friend, saying it’s her favorite place to go for halal Kolok Mee. Besides Kolok Mee, their extensive menu also features a whole lot of other Sarawak delicacies such as Sarawak Laksa, bihun belacan, nasi Manok (Sarawak style ayam bakar), jagung ais, milo tabur and the list goes on.

Since Dapur Sarawak is more like a cafe, the prices are slightly higher but still at affrodable level. The Kolok Mee offered here is available with chicken or beef, prawn, special (mix of prawn and meat) and even kosong, which means you get a plain serving without any toppings.
Among all, the Mi Kolok Udang @ RM7 (small) looked the most interesting. Taste wise, it didn’t disappoint but it didn’t really wow us either. The noodle felt a bit dry so you need to give it a good toss as soon as it arrives while it’s still hot, or it would clump up badly.
After consulting my friend, apparently we missed out on the dark soya sauce which was supposed to go with the Kolok Mee. That would explain why our experience was lower than expected. So if you are here, remember to add the sauce mentioned earlier.

Another interesting and unique dish we found on the menu is Mi Kolok Goreng. We had the special version @ RM10.50 and it was delicious, mostly due to the noodle’s springy texture. Flavour wise it was pretty much similar to any mee goreng out there, a good one that is.

Although it wasn’t what came for, the Laksa Sarawak here is so good that you can’t afford to miss. The soup base has that right consistency, balanced in flavor and the sambal simply works complete the experience.
In fact, this is way better than Auntie Christina‘s. The only thing worth nitpicking about the laksa here is the poor quality of the prawns.

Unless you are really craving for it, you can forget about the ABC Special @ RM3. It’s quite diluted and boring.

In a nutshell: come for the Laksa Sarawak. If pork is not an issue for you, you can forget about the Mee Kolok here and head to Hou Wong instead. Lastly, be smart when selecting your drinks/desserts, always stick to the tried and trusted stuff. Dapur Sarawak has a branch in Shah Alam too, details as follow.

Dapur Sarawak

KL: No.19, Jln Sarikei Off Jln Pahang, 53000 KL
Shah Alam branch: XG-23, Jalan Plumbum X7/X , Seksyen 7 Shah Alam
Business hours: 10am to 11:30pm, closed on Fridays
Tel: 014-883 7211 / 012-886 6301

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Without a shadow of a doubt, the best ABC stall in Kepong can be found in Taman Bukit Maluri. We discovered it by accident while having our favorite Char Koay Teow at Top Kitchen. Now, it has become our routine to enjoy the ABC first while waiting for the noodles to come.

The ABC stall is manned by two elderly women: one prepares the drinks and desserts while the other helps out by taking orders and collecting money. Besides ABC, they also serve cendol and a pretty good longan with milk amongst other things.

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Fresh toppings aside, gula melaka is the most crucial ingredient in making any ABC/cendol. In fact, it’s usually defining factor that separates the good from the great. The quality of gula melaka used here is a class better than other places. It’s visibly thicker and instead of melting into the shaved ice, it forms a luscious syrupy glaze.
With that said, what you get for RM3 is a bowl of ABC with more intense taste and heightened fragrance of gula melaka. It’s really quite awesome. And as you can see, the shaved ice has a soft and silky smooth texture too which melts in your mouth.

For those interested in the char koay teow, you can read about it here. If you are interested to try it, do come as early as possible because they have a knack for running out of koay teow quickly. Why couldn’t they just get more of it despite the demand – that’s something I will never be able to figure out.

ABC Stall @ Taman Bukit Maluri

Jalan Burung Bebarau
Taman Bukit Maluri, 52100 Kepong
GPS Coordinates: N3 12 0.57 E101 38.004
Business Hours: 1.30pm to 9pm, off days not fixed

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Just a quick update to let you guys know that Penang Corner has shifted to a larger stall a few doors away from their previous location. With the extra space, it’s more like a mini food court now and they could accommodate more stalls in it too.
So since last week, besides their usual offerings you can also enjoy ABC and Char Koay Teow here as well. At night, another operator takes over and sells Penang style fried noodles.

Food consistency is still the main reason I keep returning. And since my last post, I noticed an improvement in their chili paste meant for the white curry mee. So I always go home satisfied after a meal here. You’d also be pleased to know that prices remain the same at RM5.50 a bowl.

Penang style Prawn Mee is only available in the weekends and if you intend to try it, do come as early as possible as it tends to sell out quickly. My advice is to reach here in the morning before the lunch crowd starts to pour in.
My verdict? It’s authentic and different from the rest in KL. It is primarily spicy with adequate prawn flavor and does not taste artificially sweetened with sugar. I also like that they used braised egg for it too.

Though not fantastic, the Char Koay Teow is decent enough for a try and they are not stingy with the ingredients.

This was my first time having their Koay Teow Soup and I have to say it’s really delicious.

Despite looking good and all, I can’t recommend the ABC here because the gula melaka has a bitter aftertaste. But there seems to be a lot of people who enjoy it.

Restoran Penang Corner

Jalan Kepong Baru
Business hour: 8am till finish
Closed on alternate Mondays

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If you love Nyonya Cendol, you should make your way to Summit Subang USJ as quickly as you can. There’s a quaint cafe at the lower ground floor going by the name of Nyonya Cendol Cafe which serves possibly the best cendol in Klang Valley.
I happen to know about this place through Benson, a close friend of mine who is also a fan of Aunty Koh’s cendol. Ever since he found out about this cendol he had been pestering me to try it for the longest time.

What makes the Nyonya cendol here (RM4.30) so good is that they insist on using fresh ingredients that are prepared daily. But what really sets this cendol a class apart is their santan, it’s extra thick and creamy with the most wonderful aroma. The cendol ‘worms’ are thicker and longer than usual too, expertly made with a jelly-like texture and do not taste mushy at all.
When it comes to icy desserts like ABC and cendol, you’d notice that I am very particular about the ice. If it’s lumpy it’s usually an instant fail. For me, a good cendol/ABC must have fine and powdery ice flakes that melts on your tongue. With that in mind, I am glad to say that the shaved ice here passes my test. That means at least someone is taking effort to sharpen the ice shaver’s blades here.

You can also request for fruit toppings like durian and nangka (as shown above for extra RM2.20) to be added on your cendol. I don’t really recommend it though, not because they taste bad or anything, but because the portion is quite small. If that does’t bother you then then by all means go ahead.

We also tried the ABC with longan @ RM7.20. It was enjoyable alright, there’s no doubt about that.

Overall, I’d rate the cendol here fantastic and I have to say Benson’s recommendation was spot on. Finally, a cendol as good as Aunty Koh’s can be had in KL without having to go all the way to Melaka.

Lastly, for your information, Nyonya Cendol Cafe and Old Seremban Station kopitiam just opposite are owned by the same boss. Therefore, you can expect the same tasting cendol at both places. However, I was told that the shaved ice churned out Old Seremban Station is not as refined.

Nyonya Cendol Cafe

LGX (25) The Summit USJ
Persiaran Kewajipan USJ 1
47600, UEP Subang Jaya
Business hours: 10am – 10pm
Tel: 03-8081 1118

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Mixed Fruits Ice Kacang 肥妈雪水档 is one of the things that’s uniquely Ipoh. If you have one and only one shot at this dessert in Ipoh, I highly recommend Fei Ma‘s stall in Kampung Simee. It’s quite different compared to those sold by the stalls at the town’s famous ‘tong sui kai’.

Moreover, you don’t need to wait till evening to enjoy this, as Fei Ma is open from noon onwards. What better time to enjoy a bowl of icy cold dessert than a hot afternoon, right?

Fei Ma has been operating her stall outside her house for more than 20 years. They heavily rely on the commercial ice trucks to supply them the ice blocks used in their business.
So if for some reason the ice truck doesn’t come, they will be forced to close early, or not do business at all.

When that happens (which happened to us), fret not because the uncle will ride out of the village on his bike to buy ice. Notice how he’s still using a cleaver to chop the block of ice into smaller chunks to fit into the ice shaver.

Based on my observation, the ice shaver’s blades are extremely sharp because the shaved ice it churns out are really soft and snowy, those melt in your mouth type.

After compacting the shaved ice into shape by hand, Fei Ma starts garnishing each bowl with fruits (fresh, pickled and canned), a myriad of syrups, cendol, peanuts and jelly followed by a bath of sugar water. It’s a time consuming process which you can’t hurry.
Fei Ma is a down to earth and friendly lady and she will answer every question you throw at her. She doesn’t mind sharing the ingredients used for her creations, as she firmly believes that it’s the heart that matters more.

Mango is the last fruit to go on top and they are freshly cut.

Looking at the generous amount of fruits and tedious work that go into a bowl like this, it’s hard to believe that it costs only RM4.80. It might appear simple too, but there’s much more to it than simply arranging fruits on top on a bowl of ice.
The moment you take a sip of the melted ice, you will know it’s truly something special. The combination of flavors from plum, lime and lemon makes this a refreshing treat that you can enjoy guilt-free.
On top of that, the carefully selected fruits are sufficiently ripe and taste great. Among all, the mango has got to be the star, it’s soft and moist throughout and wonderfully sweet and aromatic. Her home pickled papaya slices are awesome too, they give a tangy crunch in every bite.

Besides Mixed Fruits ABC, Fei Ma also sells the normal ice kacang with gula melaka and other drinks prepared using cordials.

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Do you know that Lonely Planet recently listed Ipoh as one of the best Asian destinations to visit in 2016? It’s high time that Ipoh finally gets the recognition it truly deserves. Eating is probably the best activity to do in the city – and boy there are plenty of Ipoh food to eat.
Bean sprout chicken rice, ‘kai see hor fun’, egg tarts, white coffee, hakka mee, curry mee, ABC, caramel custard, yong tau fu and the list goes on.
If you are visiting Ipoh for a ‘makan trip’ soon, I hope you are going with an empty stomach. Here’s a list of Ipoh food consisting 20 must-try food stalls, coffee shops and restaurants to get you started.

HONG KEE CONFECTIONERY 鸿记饼家

Address: Kedai Kopi Weng Seng, Jalan Dato Onn Jaafar, 30300 Ipoh
Business hours: 7am – 2pm, closed on Fridays. Tel: 017-592 8303

Hong Kee makes one of the best egg tarts in town – known for having a crust with 48 crispy layers. It’s a family run business and they get up as early as 3am to bake their pastries and cakes which are delivered fresh to their stall in Weng Seng coffee shop.
Despite the immense popularity they enjoy, they remain down to earth and friendly towards their loyal customers who have supported them throughout these 40 years. So it’s no wonder they are able to sell more than 1000 pieces/day of egg tarts during weekends and public holidays.
Other specialties to try: Swiss Roll and Sachima (萨其马). Come as early as possible to avoid disappointments.

FOOK KEE FRIED NOODLES 福记炒粉

Address: Restoran Yu Yee, Lebuh 3, Kg Simee, 31400 Ipoh
Business hours: 1pm – 5.30pm, closed on Sundays. Tel: 016-546 1671

Kampung Simee is a Chinese village dotted with eateries and bakeries. Fook Kee is a hidden gem specializing in fried noodles cooked with prawn stock.
Waiting time could reach 45 minutes or more during peak hours (frequented by locals) so my suggestion is to place your order, then wander off to the nearby bakeries to shop for biscuits or enjoy a bowl of ABC at Fei Ma’s stall first. By the time you return, your fried noodles should be ready within minutes.

RESTORAN NASI KANDAR AYAM MERAH (NASI GANJA)

Address: Yong Suan Coffee Shop, 2, Jalan Yang Kalsom, 30250 Ipoh
Business hours: 9.30am – 6pm. Tel: 05-254 4314

Also known as ‘nasi ganja’ due to its addictiveness, the nasi kandar stall operating from Yong Suan coffee shop is inarguably the most popular in Ipoh. Don’t be put off by the long queue of customers, as they are only taking away.
For those who are planning to eat in, proceed to take a seat and you can order from the friendly waiters directly. Just tell them what dishes you fancy – either served separately or on your rice flooded with a mix of curry gravies. I prefer the latter.
To give you an idea of their reasonable pricing, it’s RM16 for a plate with ayam goreng merah, fish curry, squid curry, salted egg, okra and a dollop of their signature mint chutney.

MING COURT HONG KONG TIM SUM 明阁香港点心

Address: 32, 34, 36, Jalan Leong Sin Nam, 30300 Ipoh
Business hours: 6am till finish. Tel: 05-255 7134

When it comes to dim sum, Ming Court is the prime choice for anyone who is Ipoh-mali. Recommended to reach before 7am to avoid the crowd for a more relaxed breakfast experience.

XIN QUAN FANG CURRY MEE 新泉芳咖喱面茶餐室

Address: 174, Jalan Sultan Iskandar (Hugh Low Street), 30000 Ipoh
Business hours: 7.30am till finish (1pm). Tel: 016-531 4193

Xin Quan Fang, fondly known as ‘ma ta liu curry mee’ to locals churns out some of the best Hainanese curry mee and bean sprouts in town. Get all the side dishes which include a combination of roast pork, prawns, char siew, stewed pork served in a separate bowl. They tend to sell out earlier than the official closing time, so morning is the best time to drop by.

FUNNY MOUNTAIN SOYA BEAN 奇峰豆腐花

Address: 49, Jalan Theatre, 30300 Ipoh
Business hours: 10.30am – 6pm, closed on Tuesdays. Tel: 012-516 1607

Funny Mountain’s tau fu fah and soya bean milk enjoy a legendary status in Ipoh. A first timer’s trip to Ipoh would have been vain without trying the silky smooth and refreshing tau fu fah, guaranteed to redefine your view of this ubiquitous dessert.

CHOONG KEE BIG TREE YONG TAU FU 忠记大树头炸料粉

Address: 1277 Jalan King, Taman Hoover, 31650 Ipoh
Business hours: 8.30am – 5.30pm, closed on Wednesdays

Also known as ‘Dai Shu Keok’ yong tau fu, Choong Kee operates like a mini factory constantly churning out freshly fried items which you can enjoy with koay teow soup or asam laksa. Fried turnip is a must-try here, as you can’t find it easily at other yong tau fu stalls outside Ipoh.

THEAN CHUN COFFEE SHOP 天津茶室

Address: 73, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh
Business hours: 8am – 4pm, closed on Thursdays

‘Halls of Mirros’ is another name for Thean Chun – coined after the large mirrors hanging on the coffee shop’s wall. Their staple offerings you shouldn’t miss include caramel custard, chee cheong fun, ‘kai see hor fun’ and pork satay – the last being a rare sight in Ipoh nowadays.

TONG SUI KAI 糖水街

Address: Jalan Sultan Ekram, 30300 Ipoh
Business hours: 5.30pm – 1am (varies for each stall)

One of the most happening eating places in Ipoh after the sun sets. ‘Tong Sui Kai‘ is lined with dozens of food stalls mostly selling desserts (hence the name), snacks like rojak, boiled cockles and various noodles.
Every stall has their own unique rendition and presentation of Ipoh’s famed mixed fruits ABC, so there’s always a reason to revisit this bustling street.

FAMOUS HAKKA MEE 客家面

Address: Paris Coffee Shop, 164, Jalan Sultan Iskandar (Hugh Low Street), 30000 Ipoh
Business hours: 7.30am – 12pm

Besides minced meat, yong tau fu is also served in the Hakka Mee here – almost like a combo meal. One particular yong tau fu that stood out was the fried meat balls that have a hint of salted fish. Their homemade chilli sauce is delicious as well and improves the overall taste of the noodle.

LOKE WOOI KEE COFFEE SHOP 乐会居茶室

Address: No 28, Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakri, 30300 Ipoh
Business hours: 7am – 3pm

‘Hor Hee‘ is a Teochew noodle soup served with a mix of fish cakes, fish balls and fish dumplings. A dash of fried onion oil is added to the thick and flavorful soup to give it extra fragrance and aroma. It is a fast disappearing food in Ipoh – so you need to try it before it’s gone.
Loke Woi Kee coffee shop is your best (and most convenient) bet to enjoy this noodle. Even if you are not interested in having Hor Hee, the fruit rojak and ‘kai see sha hor fun’ here are delicious enough to make your visit worthwhile.

TAI SOO IPOH FAMOUS NO.1 DESSERT

Address: 24, Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, 30000 Ipoh
Business hours: 10.30am – 6pm, usually closed on Wednesdays

A perfect spot for tea break, Tai Soo is famous for a couple of things: Ais Kacang (ABC), tau fu fah (melt in your mouth soft) and soya bean milk.
Their tau fu fah can be ordered with different toppings like cendol, glass jelly and red beans. It is also recommended that you buy a bottle or two of their soya bean milk to bring home – it’s rich and absolutely delicious.

IPOH STADIUM FOOD COURT (MEDAN SELERA STADIUM)

Address: Kompleks Sukan Ipoh, 31400 Ipoh
Business hours: 6pm – midnight

After most of the coffee shops in town have closed, locals throng this food court adjacent to the stadium for dinner and supper.
Traditional Ipoh-style wan ton mee and smoky char koay teow are clearly the favorites here, as you can see them present on almost every table.
For drinks, try out the refreshing herbal drink (next to wan ton mee stal) and freshly blended fruit juices from Frankie’s stall on the far right.

ONN KEE / LOU WONG BEAN SPROUT CHICKEN

Address: Lou Wong 老黄芽菜鸡沙河粉 / Onn Kee 安记芽菜鸡沙河粉, Jalan Yau Tet Shin
Business hours: lunch and dinner till late

Probably what Ipoh is most famous for, beansprout chicken (nga choy kai) is commonly available – enjoyed either with rice or flat noodle. Side dishes are usually pork meat balls and stewed chicken feet. Onn Kee and Lou Wong are two of the oldest shops and both enjoy the same reputation for serving deliciously tender poached chicken.
My suggestion? Try both by ordering a quarter chicken at each restaurant to decide which suits your taste the best. But no matter which you end up eating at, it’s quite impossible for the meal to go wrong. Best of all, you can count both of them to be open for most of the time.

COWAN STREET AYAM TAUGE & KOITIAU 高温街芽菜鸡沙河粉

Address: 44, Jalan Raja Ekram, 30300 Ipoh
Business hours: Wed – Sun (7pm onwards). Tel: 012 5203 322 (Ah Meng)

If Lou Wong and Onn Kee are the to-go places for beansprout chicken rice, then Cowan Street’s Ayam Tauge & Koitiau would be the top choice for beansprout chicken hor fun.
Ordering is quick and simple. Just tell the number of portions and say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the side dishes such as the gizzards and chicken feet (highly recommended) when asked. The poached chicken here is out-of-this-world tender and even the lean breast meat is nice and juicy.

DEEN CT CORNER CENDOL

Address: 21B, Jalan Mustapha Al Bakri, 30300 Ipoh
Business hours: 11.30am – 6.30pm, closed on Fridays. Tel: 016-535 0351

Located just a stone’s throw away from Loke Wooi Kee and Tai Soo, Deen CT Corner serves an amazing bowl of cendol with the right balance of flavors.
Being able to customize your cendol is a plus here, as you can have it with any toppings of your choice – such as red beans only, or red beans with sweet corn. For a more filling experience, opt for the ‘pulut’ version which adds a spoonful of glutinous rice to keep you satiated longer.

NAM HEONG / NAM CHAU / SUN YUAN FOONG

Address: Nam Heong 南香 – 2, Jalan Bandar Timah / Nam Chau 南州 – 54, Jalan Bandar Timah / Sun Yuan Foong 新源丰 – 17, Jalan Bandar Timah
Business hours: 6am – 5pm

Fancy a cup of white coffee? Your options are endless in Ipoh. To maximize your time, drop by Jalan Bandar Timah where you will find a couple of coffee shops each serving up their own unique blend of white coffee brewed to perfection. Nam Heong, Nam Chau and Sun Yuan Foong are located within walking distance from each other and all of them are great in their own ways.
But if you only have limited time or stomach space, decision should be based on the food you want to eat. If you are hankering for egg tarts, go to Nam Heong. For toasts, you won’t go wrong at Sun Yuan Foong while Nam Chau is great for noodles like dry curry mee.

FEI MA MIXED FRUITS ABC 肥妈雪水档

Address: 224, Lebuh Raya 3, Kg Simee, Ipoh
Business hours: 1pm – 5pm, closed on Tuedays and Fridays

Fei Ma’s dessert stall is another hidden gem in Kampung Simee. If you had to leave Ipoh by evening which means you don’t get to eat at Tong Sui Kai, then this is the place to be since it’s open from lunch onward.
After compacting the shaved ice into shape by hand, Fei Ma starts garnishing each bowl with fruits (fresh, pickled and canned), a myriad of syrups, cendol, peanuts and jelly followed by a bath of sugar water.
Looking at the generous amount of fruits and tedious work that go into a bowl like this, it’s hard to believe that it costs only RM4.80. The moment you take a sip of the melted ice, you will know it’s truly something special. The combination of flavors from plum, lime and lemon makes this a refreshing treat that you can enjoy guilt-free.

KAFE YOON WAH 元华饮食阁雪花啤酒

Address: 7, Jalan Bijih Timah, 30000 Ipoh
Business hours: 6pm till midnight. Tel: 012-512 9980

If you are looking for a place to enjoy a (grown up) drink like the locals do, then head to Kafe Yoon Wah for snow beer. Notice the slushie-like content in the mug? Those are actually foam that becomes crystallized when come into contact with a frozen glass.
Yoon Wah is also an ideal place for dinner and they serve a good range of Chinese seafood and meat dishes to go along with the drinks.

THE DECK GASTRO BAR / YUK SOU HIN 玉寿轩

Address: WEIL Hotel, 292, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh
Business hours: The Deck Gastro Bar (5pm – 12am) / Yuk Sou Hin – Mon – Fri (10.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm), Weekends (8am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm)

Ipoh is not all about street food. Some of the most exquisite Chinese and Western dishes I ever had were at WEIL Hotel. Yuk Sou Hin is popular for their signature Smoked Duck with Lychee Wood and dim sum, while The Deck Gastro Bar is a rooftop bar to enjoy great food and cocktails with an awesome night view the city. Not to mention, live band too.

The post Top 20 ‘Must-Eat’ Places While In Ipoh – Best of Ipoh Food appeared first on Malaysia Food & Travel Blog.

Tong Sui Kai (Dessert Street) is one of the most happening eating places in Ipoh after the sun sets. The street is lined with dozens of food stalls mostly selling desserts (hence the name), snacks like rojak, boiled cockles and various noodles. There’s also a small section at the end dedicated to Malay food.

Most of the people who come here are for Ipoh’s famed mixed fruits ABC. Every stall has its own unique rendition and presentation and there are dozens of them, that alone is a reason to return for more.

Based on the tip given by a local, we tried stall 27 and 28. Both stalls seem to be owned by the same family so they don’t have any problem with us ordering from them. The reason I say this is because that there are unspoken seating rules you need to abide to.
For example, if you are ordering from stall A which sells mainly desserts and beverages, stall B which sells food might not let you sit at their tables. To avoid any possible scenario of getting sneered, better ask first before you take a seat.

Besides mixed fruits ABC, another dessert you should try is 云头浪 or also known as Aiyu Jelly. It’s light and refreshing and more importantly, not as sugary compared to the ABC so you can enjoy it guilt free.

For those not interested in ABC, HK style sago dessert can be found at stall 38 – Hong Kong Sago Lolo. From what I surveyed, they are the only stall that serves this. Pictured above are the Rainbow Lolo and Mango Lolo.

The post Tong Sui Kai 糖水街 @ Ipoh appeared first on Malaysia Food & Travel Blog.

For some reason, if you mention about eating Funny Mountain’s tau fu fah in Ipoh, you will receive flak from some people. Why? Because they think it’s a tourist trap and they are overcharging for a bowl of tau fu far which you can finish in a few scoops.
Just for the record, I feel Funny Mountain’s tau fu far is great – at least it’s a lot better than what you normally get in KL.
As an alternative, you may want to try Tai Soo instead. Tai Soo is not as popular as Funny Mountain and I won’t compare their tau fu far’s tastes, but you definitely get better value here.

Tai Soo is located just across the road from Loke Wooi Kee, which if you are wondering serves great ‘kai see hor fun’, ‘hor hee’ and fruit rojak. It’s quite impossible to miss the stall thanks to the large signboard that reads “Tai Soo No.1 Ipoh Famous Dessert”.

They also serve a variety of drinks and desserts such as ABC, cendol and grass jelly. Because of that, their tau fu far also available with different toppings. I know it is such a cliche to say their tau far is silky smooth with a melt in your mouth texture, but that’s really how it was, without exaggeration whatsoever.

While you are here, don’t miss their ABC as well. I thought it was wonderful and nicely done, one of the best I have came across so far. And mind you, I have high standards when it comes to ABC.

I also recommend that you buy a bottle or two of their homemade soya bean milk to bring home – it’s rich and absolutely delicious.

The last time we went to Bukit Tinggi for tong yuen, we arrived too early so the stall was not open yet. Not wanting to leave empty handed, we opened up Foursquare and searched for alternatives in the area.

A lot of cendol recommendations appeared and peculiarly, all of them seemed to be gathered at the same place. Our curiosity got the better of us and we drove there immediately.

In hindsight, missing the tong yuen was a blessing in disguise. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have discovered this awesome grubbing spot. Also known as ‘cendol stret’, it’s basically a short stretch of street lined up with food trucks and various stalls selling mainly cendol, rojak, drinks and snacks.

After surveying the available options, we picked Kaniappan’s Cendol because it looked the most appealing. Based on our conversation with uncle, we understood that he was the first to set up his cendol and rojak stall here 13 years ago. When asked if the other trucks are his competitors, he denied it and said they are all friends.

We had absolutely no idea how much the cendol would cost, so we were pleasantly surprised to know that it was only RM1.80 a bowl. But if you ask me, the best thing about the cendol is not the cheap price. Rather, it was the taste that really got us.

Usually I will rave about the gula melaka, but I feel that the main factor that sets uncle Kaniappan’s cendol apart is the touch of salt he added into the coconut milk. That gives his already delicious cendol a layer of savory flavor. It’s the type of cendol you can drink non stop without feeling ‘jelak’.

We also tried his ABC (RM2.20) but thought it was just alright. Cendol is definitely the real star here. If you are unsure of which truck to go to, just look for the one manned by an uncle wearing a hat.

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