15-16/12/2018 Ipoh Makan-Makan

Ipoh Makan-Makan15-16 December 2018

Ipoh’s food scene is fast gaining recognition in the foodie’s world. We thought an overnight stay next to the Kinta Riverfront would be an ideal way to explore the culinary delights Ipoh has to offer. We set out via the Sultan Abdul Halim Bridge in the morning with a layover seafood lunch at Kuala Sepetang (old Port Weld).
Our first stop was for noodles at the famous Tuck Kee Restaurant at Jalan Yau Tet Shin. Besides their famous fried noodles, we ordered the boiled baby octopus in soy sauce and fried tofu. We were early for dinner but a big crowd was already building up. All good but not none of the dishes were outstanding. It felt like mass production cooking!
Next, we went looking for good coffee. After all, white coffee is Ipoh’s most iconic drink. Many coffee shops were closed on Sundays and the sudden heavy downpour meant we will have to call it a night.

We headed for Ming Court Restaurant first thing in the morning. Their dim sum was highly recommended by Jesyln, our airbnb host. The small restaurant was full with many people waiting and hovering around looking for newly cleared tables. How are we going to eat in comfort with people willing you to leave?

So, we reluctantly walked across the street to classy Foh San – a beautiful dim sum “paradise” with an abundance of tables in a spacious setting. Although Foh Sun is a household name in Ipoh, we felt that their dim sums were just okay. The grass is not always greener on the other side!

Our next stop was popular Sin Yoon Loong at Jalan Bandar Timah. It was the first coffee shop in old town to popularize white coffee. The white coffee was up to the mark. The half boiled eggs on toast and crème caramel pastry were very inviting and delicious at that.   

We took a “tummy-break” and went for some sight-seeing, salted duck and biscuit-hunting. Concubine Lane beckons and we had to wriggle in to see what this narrow lane has to offer. Dozens of food and sales outlets keep this well-restored alleyway teeming with tourists and locals alike. Well done Ipoh!

We then drove to Kong Heng Coffee Shop for our final makan stop before heading back to Penang. Kong Heng is famous for its Chicken Prawn Koay Teow, an authentic Ipoh hawker serving. This couple at Kong Heng makes the most delicious Koay Teow, a simple dish with slices of chicken and three small prawns. But the soup is simply fantastic! We also tried the satay at the coffee shop. Average fare. 

As in a game of chess, we call it a good ending at Kong Heng. However, a day in Ipoh certainly doesn’t do justice to our food sampling. We will be back!