Malaysia road trip - Day 20 (Ipoh)

Restaurant Xin Quan Fang is one of our favourite places for curry noodles in Ipoh. Despite having a less-than-pleasant experience with the lady boss in the past due to her impatient attitude when taking orders, we still continue to return because the curry noodles are genuinely good. However, during this visit, we did not see the lady boss around, and the ordering experience was much more pleasant. The uncle who attended to us was friendly and welcoming.

As usual, we ordered Set C along with a cup of teh c ping without sugar. The drink was quite light with a slightly sourish taste, which did not suit my preference. The set came with a generous variety of ingredients, including prawns, roasted pork, pig skin, bean sprouts, char siu, and steamed chicken. The shop itself was quite warm, but the comforting bowl of curry noodles made the visit worthwhile.

I like that the noodle portion was just right, not overly large, and the vermicelli had a nice texture. The curry broth had a mild spiciness that added a nice kick without being overwhelming. Among the toppings, the char siu was one of my favourites. It was lean, flavourful, and had a nice balance of savouriness. Overall, the curry noodles remained as good as we remembered, and despite the previous experience with the lady boss, the quality of the food is what keeps bringing us back.

Xin Quan Fang. Teh c ping without sugar - RM 3.10

Curry mee with bean sprouts

Curry beehoon mee without bean sprouts

Set C mixed meat (2 person) - RM 36

Address

Restoran Xin Quan Fang

174, Jalan Sultan Iskandar,

Taman Jubilee,

30000 Ipoh,

Perak

Tel: +6010 - 657 8374

Opening hours: 7.30am to 12.30pm

Before heading home from Ipoh, we made a few stops at local biscuit shops to pick up some goodies for my partner to bring back to his hometown in Alor Setar. He wanted to share some of Ipoh's famous treats with his parents and relatives. Our first stop was Yee Hup Biscuit Shop, where we bought three packets of Biscuit Hiong Piah for RM 10. Yee Hup is one of the popular biscuit shops in Ipoh, known for its traditional baked goods and local favourites.

Yee hup

Biscuit Hiong Piah - RM 10 for 3 packets

Address:

Yee Hup

7, Jalan Sri Ampang,

Taman Ipoh Jaya,

31350 Ipoh,

Perak

Tel: +605 - 313 2328

Opening hours: 9am to 7.30pm

The next stop was Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy Shop, where we picked up some more local favourites including kacang tumbuk (traditional pounded peanut candy) and Tambun biscuits. The shop is well known for its traditional peanut candy, which was once so popular that long queues would form as customers waited to get their hands on this beloved local treat.

While the shop’s signature peanut candy is one of its most famous products, we decided not to purchase it during this visit. After trying the kacang tumbuk, we felt that it did not taste as fresh as we expected. The peanut flavour was less fragrant, with a slightly stale taste that lacked the rich, roasted aroma and crisp texture usually found in freshly made kacang tumbuk. Even my partner’s relatives in Alor Setar shared the same opinion after trying it. It may have been due to the particular batch we got, but it was not quite the flavour experience we had hoped for.

Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy Shop

Kacang tumbuk (traditional pounded peanut candy) - RM 17.50

 Tambun biscuit - RM 16

Address:

Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy Shop

69 & 69A, Jalan Yau Tet Shin,

Taman Jubilee,

30300 Ipoh,

Perak

Tel: +605 - 243 1211

Opening hours: 9am to 9.30pm

We also dropped by Oloiya to buy some bakkwa as I had been craving for it ever since the branch in Sabah closed down. Bakkwa is a popular Chinese-style dried meat snack made from seasoned minced pork that is grilled or roasted until it develops a smoky aroma and slightly caramelised exterior. It has a sweet and savoury flavour with a tender yet slightly chewy texture, making it a favourite snack during festive seasons and as a local gift. The bakkwa is definitely on the pricier side at RM 145 per kg, but we decided to get some since it had been a while since I last had it.

Oloiya

Pork Bakkwa (RM 145/kg) - RM 91.35 (0.630kg) 12pcs

Address:

Oloiya

36, Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Perak

Tel: +605 - 246 0111

Opening hours: 8am to 7pm

We went back to the hotel to pack our belongings before checking out at 1pm. Before leaving Ipoh, we made one last stop to get some local favourites to bring home. We bought salted chicken and got six boxes in total. The freshly prepared salted chicken can last about one to two weeks when kept in the fridge, while the frozen version can last up to one month. It was a convenient choice to bring home and enjoy later.

Salted chicken - RM 35

Address:

Aun Kheng Lim Salted Chicken

24, Jalan Theatre,

Taman Jubilee,

30300 Ipoh,

Perak

Tel: +605 - 254 2998

Opening hours: 9am to 6pm

We also bought a large packet of Sin Yoon Loong white coffee for my partner to enjoy while driving back. Since he loves their Ipoh white coffee, it was a nice companion for the journey home. Interestingly, this time the lady boss was willing to sell him just one packet of coffee to take away, which was different from our previous experience.

Ipoh white coffee - RM 3.20

Address:

Kedai Kopi Sin Yoon Loong

15A, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak

Tel: +6011 - 1646 1600

Opening hours: 6.30am to 2.30pm

Our last stop before leaving Ipoh was Cendol Mari, where we stopped for one final bowl of cendol before heading home. We had tried to visit a few times during our previous trips, but the shop was always closed, so we were glad that it was finally open this time. The normal cendol costs RM 5 when dining in, while takeaway is RM 6.50. They also offer different variations including cendol kacang, pulut, jagung, and PJK. There was only one person preparing the cendol, so the waiting time was quite long. We arrived at 1.45pm and only received our order around 2.25pm. Each bowl came with palm sugar, coconut milk, and cendol.

The coconut milk was thick and creamy, while the palm sugar had a rich and smooth consistency. The sweetness was well balanced and not overly sweet, making the overall combination enjoyable. Compared to Melaka cendol, which has a more fragrant aroma from the gula Melaka, Cendol Mari’s highlight was the thick coconut milk and the good balance between the ingredients.

Our 20-day road trip has finally come to an end. Looking back, it was a journey filled with countless memories, from exploring different places, discovering hidden food gems, revisiting old favourites, and enjoying the simple moments along the way. Like any long journey, there were moments of laughter, excitement, and even a few disagreements. Those little arguments were just a small part of the experience, making the journey feel even more real and reminding us that no adventure is ever perfect. In the end, what mattered most was the time we shared, the places we explored, the delicious food we discovered, and the countless memories we created together.

Cendol Mari Gunung Rapat

Cendol Mari Gunung Rapat

Cendol biasa - RM 5

Address:

Cendol Mari Gunung Rapat

main road, 45, Jalan Gunung Rapat,

Kampung Gunung Rapat,

31350 Ipoh,

Perak

Opening hours: 1pm to 4pm. Closed on Monday and Tuesday