My last trip to Ipoh Old Town, in Perak of Malaysia, in 2026 was my 7th visit (since 2005) to the laid-back town and each visit showed me how the old town had changed over the years.
Ipoh Old Town is losing its rusticity and transforming into a modern town. The number of cafes multiplied, street arts flourished and the three Concubine Lanes were made-over to revive charms in the old town. But Ipoh’s local food culture is still pretty much intact, preserving the most traditional, original tastes.
I put together a list of food places — from all my trips to Ipoh, especially around the old town — to go for authentic local food and new delights.
Eating Places
Below is a list of eating places, cafes and bars that I/we have visited in Ipoh.
-
Ipoh Eat: Restoran Sin Kin Kok (新建国茶餐室) @ Ipoh Old Town
Restoran Sin Kin Kok consists of several stalls offering popular Ipoh delights, such as pandan egg tarts, char kway teow, chee cheong fun, curry noodle, etc.
-
Ipoh Buy: Yee Hup Biscuits (余合饼家) Hiong Piah
Based in Ipoh, Yee Hup Biscuits is a renowned Malaysian traditional pastry brand for its hiong piah (香饼), wide range of assorted biscuits, mooncakes, etc.
-
Ipoh Eat: Kong Fu Kopitiam (功夫茶餐厅) @ Ipoh Old Town
Kong Fu Kopitiam is both a dining spot and a cultural attraction with a free museum. It has air-conditioned environment and offers food at affordable prices.
-
Ipoh Cafe: Spec Cafe Musang King Durian White Coffee @ Ipoh Old Town
Spec Cafe, at one end of Concubine Lane, offers a series of cold beverages and a list of main dishes. Must try their authentic Musang King durian white coffee.
-
Ipoh Eat: Kafe Sun Yoon Wah (新元华饮食阁) @ Ipoh Old Town
Kafe Sun Yoon Wah serves cooked dishes to orders and also snow beer (雪花啤酒) — not a kind of beer but an Ipoh experience — as their signature beverage.
-
Ipoh Cafe: Four Beans (四夕豆花) Soy Desserts @ Taman Jubilee
Four Beans specialises in Taiwanese-style soy beancurd desserts, Grandma-handmade desserts, shaved ices, etc. Customise your own dessert with 20+ toppings.
-
Ipoh Eat: Restoran Tauge Ayam Lou Wong (老黄芽菜鸡沙河粉) Bean Sprout Chicken @ Gerbang Malam
Restoran Tauge Ayam Lou Wong specialises in “beansprouts chicken” (芽菜鸡) and Ipoh sha hor fun (沙河粉) — both are must-try dishes when in Ipoh.
-
Ipoh Eat: OldTown White Coffee Experience Centre @ Ipoh Old Town
OldTown White Coffee Experience Centre, at one end of Concubine Lane, features a heritage gallery, an Earthcare Cafe for local food, 3D murals and a retail shop.
-
Ipoh Eat: Nam Heong Coffee Shop (南香茶餐室) @ Ipoh Old Town
Nam Heong is well-known for its iconic Ipoh white coffee and egg tarts. The coffeeshop also gathers famous flavours from Ipoh and Penang under one roof.
-
Ipoh Eat: Restoran Thean Chun (天津茶室) @ Ipoh Old Town
Restoran Thean Chun, one of the oldest coffee shop in Ipoh, offers caramel custard and herbal tea with egg. Other stalls sell kai si hor fun, beef noodle, satay, etc.
Locations
Use the map to find the locations of the eating places mentioned above. They are mostly located in Ipoh Old Town and across the Kinta River to the “new town”.
Next:
Leave a Reply