Question: “So, what did you do for your holidays in Ipoh?” Answer: “Eat.”
Besides eating and on a food-only trip, there are also other (fun) things to do in Ipoh. You can take photos with the murals at the Mural Art’s Lane, visit temples, explore Kellie’s Castle, tour museums, etc.
For some fun, family activity, there’s Funtasy House Trick Art. It is an attraction featuring more than 20 illusionistic rooms and artworks for trick photo sessions.
How to get there
Address: 16, Jalan Market, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
Operating hours:
Monday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Getting around Ipoh is fairly simple; either you take the bus, take a taxi, Grab, or walk. If you’re driving, there are lots of parking lots nearby to park your cars. Even though the parking lots are nearby, you may have to walk a fair distance to the location.
After breakfast at Ming Court, the van chauffeured us to Funtasy House. Hence, we’re back at the Concubine Lane area.
Funtasy House Trick Art
As the name goes, it is a mix of fun and fantasy. The arts play a trick on the camera lenses.
This modern art museum is not hard to miss with it’s colorful pink, blue, and green colored sign.
It is a ticketed entry, hence you’ve to pay to enter. Tickets cost RM15 per person for Malaysian adults between 13 to 59 years old. Then, for Malaysian senior citizens, aged 60 and above, are charged RM10 per entry.
It’s a fun place to be with family and friends.
There’s food-related, cultural, sci-fi, and fantasy-themed wall illusions. On the floor, there are markings telling you where to stand exactly and to snap the photos. On the walls, are sample photos of how the illusions will look like on camera.
YouTube
During our 3D2N trip in Ipoh, Funtasy House was one of the 10 places we visited in 1 day. Watch YouTube Short below.
What better way to start the day with breakfast than the traditional way in Ipoh – dim sum.
Today, we’re going for dim sum along Jalan Leong Sin Nam in Ipoh. Along this same street, there are 3 famous dim sum shops: Foh San Restaurant, Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum, and Restoran Yoke Fook Moon Sdn Bhd.
Today, we’re at Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum.
How to get there
Address: 36, Jalan Leong Sin Nam, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Operating hours:
Monday
6:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Friday
6:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Getting around Ipoh is fairly simple; either you take the bus, take a taxi, Grab, or walk. If you’re driving, there are lots of parking lots nearby to park your cars. Even though the parking lots are nearby, you may have to walk a fair distance to the shop.
We had hired a van to bring 15 of us around Ipoh. Scroll below to watch a YouTube video on where and what we covered in 1 day – starting with Ming Court.
Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum
Ming Court is located just behind Hotel Excelsior Ipoh. It is on the ground floor of a standalone block.
By the time we reached at about 8.30am, there was already a long queue at the front of the shop. Even inside the shop was also fully packed out. According to reviews on Google, it is advisable to go there as early as possible, because the restaurant opens from 6am and for half a day only.
The queue was exceptionally long that day, no thanks to the other 2 famous dim sum shops that were closed for the day.
The restaurant had a number system. You had to tell them how many people you have, and they would then give you a number and tell you how long you had to wait for your table(s).
Even though the queue was about 20 minutes long, but by the time it was our turn; it was worth the wait.
Dim Sum
When we sat down, the waiters brought a tray of dim sums. The dim sums were in metal containers. Each container had a dot that was color-coded.
Hence, on the spot and on the order chit, the waiter would then note the dim sums that were taken.
Unlike the dim sum in Kuala Lumpur, the steamed dim sum in Ming Court or in Ipoh for that matter, were in small mini sizes. Price-wise, the dim sum was also Ipoh-priced.
We ate the usual siew mai, har gow, fried beancurd roll, seaweed rolls, etc.
YouTube
During our 3D2N trip in Ipoh, Ming Court was one of the 10 places we visited in 1 day. Watch YouTube Short below.
Not to be confused with Restoran Tuck Kee, this Tuck Kee here is a different restaurant in Ipoh.
This TUCK KEE RESTAURANT SDN BHD is located at Jalan King, Jalan Pasir Pinji, and not in Taman Jubilee.
How to get there
Address: 1-3, Jalan King, Jalan Pasir Pinji, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
Operating hours:
Monday
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Tuesday
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Wednesday
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Thursday
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Friday
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Saturday
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Sunday
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Getting around Ipoh is fairly simple; either you take the bus, take a taxi, Grab, or walk. If you’re driving, there are lots of parking spaces around.
As it was nearby our AirBnb in Ipoh, we walked there.
TUCK KEE RESTAURANT SDN BHD
TUCK KEE is prominently located at the cross junction where Jalan King, Jalan Queen, Jalan Saw Seong Peck, and Jalan Peh Kee Koh meet. The restaurant is a double-storey corner shop lot, easily recognisable by it’s modern facade.
A bonus to this restaurant is that it is elderly-friendly, as there’s a separate access and specially-fitted chair on another staircase to bring the elderly upstairs.
Upon entering the restaurant, it has a grand middle-to-upper class feel to it.
Good thing we called an hour earlier to make a reservation. By the time we reached at 6.30pm for dinner, it was already almost packed.
Due to shortage of tables, 15 of us were squeezed into a table upstairs. 12 chairs and 3 stools surrounded the table.
We ordered 8 dishes. See below for the 8.
Porksalted egg long beanssweet potato leavesroast duckfried tofubrinjalfried squidginger chicken
YouTube
During our 3D2N trip in Ipoh, TUCK KEE RESTAURANT was one of the 7 places we visited in 1 day. Watch YouTube Short below.
Besides eating only after eating (eventually), take a walk through this lane and explore a part of Ipoh.
How to get there
Getting around Ipoh is fairly simple; either you take the bus, take a taxi, Grab, drive, or walk. If you’re driving, there are lots of parking spaces around.
Continuing our journey for the day, we walked from Plan B to the Mural Art’s Lane. We crossed the Jalan Sultan Iskandar Bridge over the Kinta River to get to the other side of town.
Mural Art’s Lane
The paintings were painted on old, heritage buildings. The paintings highlight the many cultures and life of Malaysia: lion dance, children skipping rope, family art, etc.
The Mural Art’s Lane is located at the back lane between Jalan Sultan Iskandar and Jalan Masjid. Search “Mural Art’s Lane” on Google Maps or use Masjid Panglima Kinta as the landmark.
Murals can also be found around Jalan Market that area.
YouTube
During our 3D2N trip in Ipoh, Mural Art’s Lane was one of the 7 places we visited in 1 day. Watch YouTube Shorts below.
Plan B is under The BIG Group which also has Ben’s, Ben’s General Food Store, Ben’s Bake Shop, Ben’s Chicken Shop, Ben’s BBQ, Plan B Roasters, Benbino, and BESPOKE by Ben’s under it’s umbrella. You can learn more about The Big Group here.
Plan B is an Asian fusion restaurant. The interior has a very industrial and modern feel.
As it was already in the afternoon, we ordered some light food and drinks to chill after a short walk through Concubine Lane and a long walk from Taman Jubilee.
We had some coffee, latte (hot), watermelon lychee frosty, classic chocolate brownie, and plain fries.
At the table, there was a QR code to scan to open the menu, create your order, and send to the kitchen.
YouTube
During our 3D2N trip in Ipoh, Plan B was one of the 7 places we visited in 1 day. Watch YouTube Short below.
After buying more than one Lou Poh Pheng (Wife’s Biscuit) from Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy Shop, ended up at Concubine Lane in Ipoh.
Anyway, Concubine Lane is a notable street (at least according to Google Maps) – not to be missed in Ipoh.
How to get there
Getting around Ipoh is fairly simple; either you take the bus, take a taxi, Grab, or walk.
We walked from Taman Jubilee to Concubine Lane that side. We crossed the Jalan Sultan Iskandar Bridge over the Kinta River to get to the other side of town.
Concubine Lane
This is a narrow lane of at most 100 meters with both sides having shops. There are a few eateries, craft works shops, souvenir shops, and stalls selling all sorts of things in this narrow lane.
Historically, Concubine Lane was popularly known as “The Second Wife Lane” or in Chinese as Yee Lai Hong or in English as “The Mistress Lane” which existed since 1908. This area of shop houses was a centre for opium smokers, gamblers and prostitutes owned by tycoons or millionaire miners around Ipoh. The lanes were later renamed with various names such as Err Nai Xiang (Concubine Lane), Da Nai Xiang (Wife Lane) and San Nai Xiang (Market Lane). Believed by many, it can be said that this place was home to concubines and mistresses of Chinese tycoons. Present day, it has a variety of food outlets, gifts and souvenir shops
YouTube
During our 3D2N trip in Ipoh, Concubine Lane was one of the 7 places we visited in 1 day. Watch YouTube Short below.
Today, let’s stop over at Kacang Soya Lai Kee, otherwise known as Lai Kee Soya Bean at Jalan Theatre in Taman Jubilee, Ipoh. It is just behind Restoran Tauge Ayam Lou Wong and Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy Shop.
How to get there
Address: 32-54, Jalan Theatre, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Getting around Ipoh is fairly simple; either you take the bus, take a taxi, Grab, or walk.
After lunch at Restoran Tauge Ayam Lou Wong, shopping at Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy Shop, and lots of walking – it’s time for some dessert.
Kacang Soya Lai Kee
Here, they serve kacang soya tanpa serbuk gipsum (soya bean without gipsum powder). The tau fu fa comes with either ginger syrup (sirap halia), Gula Melaka syrup (sirap gula melaka), or brown sugar syrup.
They also serve caramel custard.
YouTube
During our 3D2N trip in Ipoh, Kacang Soya Lai Kee was one of the 7 places we visited in 1 day. Watch the YouTube Short below.
Welcome to Ipoh’s famous peanut candy shop. Along Jalan Yau Tet Shin in Taman Jubilee, you can find the main shop for the famous “Sin Weng Fai” peanut candy.
How to get there
Address: 69 & 69A, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Getting around Ipoh is fairly simple; either you take the bus, take a taxi, Grab, or walk.
If you’re driving along the main road, Jalan Raja Ekram or Jalan Yau Tet Shin itself, you’ll easily spot the corner maroon shop.
After our lunch at Restoran Tauge Ayam Lou Wong, we walked down to the other end of the road.
Kedai Biskut Dan Kek Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy Shop
The shop consists of 2 shop lots split into 2 sections.
The outer section, located at the corner lot, is where the peanut candy is freshly packed in front of customers before payment. People would queue and the line can stretch all the way to the back of the block. The queue can be as long as 30 to 40 minutes.
When it’s your turn to pay and collect the peanut candy, each customer is limited to a few number of packs.
Then, the inner section is where they also sell other pastries such as kaya puffs, their signature wedding cakes, heong peah, chips, cookies, etc.
YouTube
During our 3D2N trip in Ipoh, the Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy Shop was one of the 7 places we visited in 1 day. Watch YouTube video below.
If you’ve heard of Ipoh. You’ll recognize foodie terms like Ipoh chicken rice, Ipoh hor fun, Ipoh white coffee, etc. Today, we’re about Ipoh chicken rice.
In Ipoh, a recommended and popular chicken rice restaurant is in Taman Jubilee – Restoran Tauge Ayam Lou Wong Ipoh Sdn Bhd.
“When in Ipoh, what to do in Ipoh? Eat. Ipoh chicken rice.”
How to get there
Address: 49, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, Taman Jubilee, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
Getting around Ipoh is fairly simple; either you take the bus, take a taxi, Grab, or walk.
We took a Grab from our AirBnb nearby in Ipoh. The Grab fare was RM5 for 4 pax for a 1 kilometere plus ride.
Restoran Tauge Ayam Lou Wong
The restaurant can’t be missed, as it’s a corner shop lot with yellow roof and big yellow signboard all around. The name “Lou Wong” prominently displayed in red on the board.
By noon, when we reached there, the restaurant was already in overflow mode. Waiters were setting up more tables along the side of the road. Lots of people were also queueing up outside to get a table inside.
We waited about 15 to 20 minutes to get a table.
Lunch
Unlike most other chicken rice shops, Lou Wong only has steam and roasted chicken, for meat dishes. They don’t serve roasted pork (siu yuk) and BBQ pork (char siew).
In addition to the chicken, you can also order bean sprouts, meat or fish balls, lettuce, and chicken feet to go with the main dish.
Since there were 7 people at our table, we ordered one whole steam chicken, bean sprouts, and a bowl of meat and fish balls in soup.
Whole steam chickenBowl of pork and fish ballsBean sprouts (tauge)
YouTube
During my 3D2N trip in Ipoh, Restoran Tauge Ayam Lou Wong was one of the 7 places I visited in 1 day. Watch the YouTube video below.
