5 Spots in Ipoh That Offer Flavour-Packed Curry Mee Bowls
If there were a competition for the best Malaysian comfort food, curry mee would have a strong case to win. It’s hard to find a flaw in this dish, from its delicious coconut-y and tangy soup to its slurp-worthy yellow egg noodles and shredded chicken—we’re salivating already!
However, we wish we could say that every restaurant that offers it sticks the landing, but alas, we’ve been disappointed more times than we could count. Luckily, one of the benefits of living in Ipoh is its abundance of local Malay restaurants, which we’ve grown up with over the years.
That’s why, in this list, we’ve decided to share some of the few that have been around since childhood and a handful of new ones that are gaining traction recently. From cafes to roadside eateries and more, we’ll cover them here!
Yee Fatt Dry Curry Mee
– Media credit: kyspeaks
Address: 39, Jalan Kampar
Contact details: +60 5-242 1043
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Cost: $
Yee Fatt Curry Mee has been around since the 1950s, and they’ve been serving their signature dry curry mee like clockwork since then! As you may have gleaned from its name, they’re known for their dry curry mee, which is beloved because of its thick curry sauce, akin to rendang.
Be sure you’re prepared for the spice that awaits you in this curry because, aside from being thick, it’s known to have a kick! This sauce perfectly coats the springy egg noodles, chicken, and roasted pork.
The place is your typical no-frills Malay eatery, and that’s part of its charm! You’ll immediately feel nostalgic once you set foot in its perfectly preserved interior, with rickety tables, ceiling fans, and monoblocks.
Pro tip:
To take the spice out of your taste buds, pair your curry mee with their iced kopi or sweet chocolate drink!
Xin Quan Fang (a.k.a. Police Station Curry Mee)
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Address: 174, Jalan Sultan Iskandar
Contact details: +60 10-657 8374
Operating hours: Daily from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Cost: $
Xin Quang Fang is a local favourite located next to the police station, hence its name. Because of its famous location, low prices, and, of course, amazing curry mee, you can almost always expect a queue whenever you stop by, so we recommend getting there early.
The place is what you’d expect from a traditional Malay canteen, but that’s what gives an authentic dining experience. It also helps that their curry mee is faithful to the cookbooks, featuring a tangy and flavourful broth and an assortment of toppings.
Aside from the noodles, you’ll be munching on pork skin and char siu (roasted pork), which is not bad considering its price. However, what takes their curry mee to another level is its spiciness, courtesy of their unique bird’s eye chilli.
Pro tip:
You can end your meal on a sweet note with some traditional ice cendol at the next-door restaurant, Restoran Xin Quan Fang.
Nam Chau Coffee Shop
– Media credit: namchau_official
Address: 54, Jalan Bandar Timah
Contact details: +60 12-462 5223
Operating hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Cost: $
Nam Chau Coffee Shop is one of the most Instaworthy curry mee spots in Ipoh. Usually, you’ll curry mee served in hawker stalls and eateries, which isn’t bad, but it’s nice to have a cosy spot where you can meet up with your loved ones and slurp on some spicy noodles.
Speaking of noodles, they’re as springy as they could get! Furthermore, they’re drenched with the thick curry sauce that features just the right amount of spice and richness, just the way we like it!
We also love the abundance of ingredients on top of the dry noodles, from the shredded chicken to the mint leaves and pork skins. This dish, paired with their traditional iced kopi, is a fantastic breakfast combination!
Pro tip:
Before or after getting your curry mee fix, explore the rest of the Market and Concubine Lane to find other hidden gems! Moreover, keep an eye out for street murals that are waiting to be photographed!
Restoran Moon De Moon
– Media credit: jackielimyp
Address: 148, Hala Wah Keong
Contact details: +60 12-516 0485
Operating hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Cost: $
Restoran Moon De Moon is a famous food court that’s always packed with locals, but I think I speak for everyone when I say that the curry mee is the star of the show here. You can find both wet and dry versions here, which offer the same coconut-y curry the dish is known for.
The great thing about the curry mee here is the perfectly cooked noodles. They aren’t chewy and feature just the right amount of firmness—perfect for absorbing the spices and aroma of the curry.
Since this is a food court, you’ll also have the luxury of trying some of Malaysia’s most iconic dishes, such as nasi lemak and kai si hor fun.
Pro tip:
If you want to add more sinkers to your bowl of curry noodles, we recommend ordering a side of fish balls!
Bff Best Fusion Food
– Media credit: mohkeipoh
Address: 2, Hala Datuk 5
Contact details: +60 5-241 3004
Operating hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Bff Best Fusion Food features a wide variety of local Malay dishes, including nasi lemak, kaya butter and toast, and, of course, curry mee. Aside from its sheer variety, we love dining here because of the fancy interior, which includes high ceilings, low-hanging lights, wooden floors, etc.
It also helps that they serve a mean version of curry mee, one that will make you sweat as you slurp on its noodles. This is all thanks to the rich curry sauce, which doesn’t hold back on spice while also featuring a rich coconut-y aftertaste.
To top it all off, they also serve various sweets that can help alleviate your tastebuds from the spiciness of the curry mee. Our favourite dessert is the Portuguese tarts, which feature a flakey exterior and a rich and creamy interior.
Pro tip:
Consider coming here if you’re dining with a picky eater. The restaurant also offers a myriad of Western dishes, such as spaghetti bolognese, chicken chop, and carbonara.