Ipoh Weekend Food Trail

 The View from the Tower Regency Hotel Ipoh

Last weekend, my sisters and I took a drive back to Ipoh to attend our cousin Issac's wedding at Tower Regency Hotel and we stayed at the hotel overnight before heading home on Sunday afternoon.

The dinner felt like a gathering of relatives during CNY except that we have to dress up a bit for the dinner. Probably the only thing missing when the cousins collide is a deck of cards and money on the table. It was a nice occasion to see my cousin who's of my age finally tying the knot with his gf whom is also from Ipoh. Too bad my parents were overseas and couldn't attend this wedding.

 

What to do when one is in Ipoh?

The best thing to do in Ipoh would probably be going on a food trail. We heard so much about the new places popping up and thus we decide to check them out as well as revisiting some of our favourite places.

Getting your hands on these layered pastry egg tarts are a must. They are sold out even as you are lining up for it and thus you better call beforehand to order them or to go there really early to buy them. The egg tarts have a super nice egg custard texture that is silky smooth and their swiss rolls are very nice too with a slightly more dense texture than normal swiss roll and is rolled up with a think layer of kaya. I've written about it here.

Hong Kee Pastries @ Kedai Kopi Weng Seng
(corner shop at the same row as the former Super Kinta)
14, Jalan Dato’ Onn Jaafar aka Cockman Street,
30300 Ipoh, Perak.
Tel: +6017-5928 303

Just a street away from the Hong Kee Egg Tarts, I have my breakfast at Loke Wooi Kee coffeeshop located in the old town at the corner of Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakri (opposite Kamdar) which is famous for its variety of hawker favourites such as Ipoh Shredded Chicken Hor Fun, Chee Cheong Fun with Mushroom Sauce, Curry Mee, Hor Hee, Apam Balik and also Rojak. I will never give the Ipoh Shredded Chicken a miss as its broth is full of chicken and prawn oil flavours coupled with the silky smooth flat rice noodle and tender chicken strips. The white coffee here is also nice if you want a taste of local coffee.

I've written about this stall here.

After a nice breakfast, you can walk up from Loke Wooi Kee and head to Jalan Theatre which is situated diagonally from Purple Cane Tea Shop (the old Foh San) and have a bowl of velvety smooth Tau Fu Fah or a glass of Soya Bean. Funny Mountain has moved next door and now it has a bigger signboard so that you won't miss it. I had a bowl there (which is really small @ RM0.90) and had 3 packs to take away coupled with a bottle of soya bean drink. It's a little too sweet for me and you might just ask them for less sugar syrup. Drive thru is still available and the opening hours are from 10.30am until it is sold out. I've also written about it here.

We are a little behind in the new and upcoming dining places in Ipoh. Therefore, that very afternoon, we decide to give hawker food a miss and head to Burps & Giggles at Jalan Sultan Yussuf (Old Town & opposite HSBC bank) to check this place out. The deco is indeed very refreshing, something new in Ipoh and some items are really nostalgic. I will write more about this place in my upcoming posts.

Burps & Giggles
93 & 95, Jalan Sultan Yussuf,
30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Tel No : +605-242 6188
Business Hours : 8am – 8pm, closed on Tuesdays.
e-mail : burps.giggles@indulgencerestaurant.com

If you head along Cockman Street after buying the Hong Kee Egg Tarts, you will see a very large blue sign that reads French Hotel which is slightly before The Store. Jose & Deli Eatery is located on the 1st floor of the French Hotel. Walking into Jose & Deli transports you to a place that you would not have imagined that you are in Ipoh. With its modern, raw and tasteful deco, this place should attract the more sophisticated crowd who would like to hang out here for a drink or even a meal. They serve breakfast, western cuisine and also burger and a few local dishes. The drinks menu includes mocktails, cocktails, beers, coffee and more. My sister and I had a drink here only as we were still full from breakfast. Will write more in the upcoming posts.

Jose & Deli Eatery (Pork Free)
No. 60-62, Level 1, French Hotel
Jalan Dato Onn Jaafar
30300 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Tel No : +6016-457 4093, +605-241 3712, +605-547 3267
Business hours : 7.30am – 11.00pm daily.


I'm glad we managed to try out 2 new places this trip and we can see that there is so much of food potential in Ipoh with these outlets. Can't wait to snack on the egg tarts and swiss rolls now!!!