What to eat in Ipoh, Malaysia

It’s safe to say that in any discussion regarding great foodie destinations in Malaysia, Ipoh is a constant presence. Here are the most delicious things to eat in Ipoh for a taste of foodie heaven!

Bean Sprouts Chicken

Ipoh’s most famous dish consists of two of the most common ingredients around: chicken and bean sprouts. As the name suggests, this popular dish consists of crunchy bean sprouts and tender chicken, usually steamed and drizzled with light soy sauce and garnish.

Also known as nga choy kai, it is often served with either rice or hor fun (flat rice noodles). The fragrant chicken and juicy bean sprouts combine well in terms of flavour and texture, easily cementing it as Ipoh’s most iconic culinary gem.

Gai Si Hor Fun

While Penang has its famous koay teow th’ng, Ipoh certain has its own popular noodle dish in the form of gai si hor fun. Loosely translated, it means chicken slices with flat rice noodles. It is usually eaten as a breakfast dish although, in true Malaysian fashion, gai si hor fun is also enjoyed during lunch, dinner, and supper.

Gai si hor fun is served in a piping hot bowl of prawn shell-infused chicken broth. The savoury broth blends well with the springy rice noodles topped with shredded chicken, shrimp, and chives. If you’re looking for a less soupy meal, you can choose to go for a dry version of the dish as well.

Hor Hee Noodles

Another breakfast staple in Ipoh is hor hee noodles. Despite sounding like a toothless toddler’s failed attempt of trying to say “horsey”, hor hee noodles make for an exceptionally hearty meal. Served in a flavoursome fish-based broth and topped with various fish-based ingredients, hor hee is almost exclusively only found in Ipoh.

It comes in a variety of noodles and the usual accompanying ingredients include springy fish balls, sliced fish cakes, fried shallots, and spring onions. The star of the dish is the fish dumping: minced fish paste wrapped in chewy dumpling skin. An excellent start to the day if I dare say so myself.

Chee Cheong Fun

Chee Cheong Fun in Chinese means pig intestine noodles (well, directly translated anyway). But don’t worry, this is not some twisted Malaysian version of haggis. It is named such because of the way the steamed rice rolls resemble pig intestines. In most parts of Malaysia, these silky smooth rolls are topped with a generous serving of various thick sauces.

In Ipoh, the dish takes on a lighter touch. Drizzled with some soy sauce and sesame oil, chee cheong fun here is topped with sliced green chilies, sesame seeds, and fried shallots. It is delectably simple and makes for a good snack suited for any time of the day. According to the locals, the best chee cheong fun in Ipoh can be found at a hawker stall in Canning Garden.

Nasi Ganja

Despite the name, you actually won’t find any illegal substances mixed in with the rice. That being said, the flavours on the plate alone are enough to make this one of the most addictive dishes in the city (hence its name). Operating out of Yong Suan Kopitiam, the nasi ganja stall is often packed during lunch hours and long queues are to be expected on most days.

The key ingredient of nasi ganja (apart from the fluffy rice) is the ayam masak merah, fried chicken braised in a spicy tomato sauce. Make sure to also ask for “kuah campur” (mixed gravy) for that extra kick in flavour!

See more: 10 destinations to visit in Ipoh, Malaysia

Source: Internet