All about Ipoh City.. Best Food in Malaysia

The capital of the northern state of Perak, Ipoh is named after a tree. Pokok Ipoh to be exact which means Ipoh Tree. Lying around 200 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, Ipoh is well known for its serenity within a city. It is also predominantly known to be a hill filled city for its peacefulness and serenity. Ipoh is typically a very scenic town where one is able to view highland landscapes from practically anywhere around the city.
Connected via major towns along the west side of Peninsular via the North South Expressway, Ipoh was formed in the 1890s when Perak was mainly a mining state. During those years, Ipoh was a village along the banks of Kinta River until Sir Frank Swettenham founded the Ipoh Sanitary Board and subsequently resulting in the proper township planning of Ipoh. Ipoh eventually grew rapidly due to its natural impression of a mining town.
Technically, Ipoh is divided into two main areas. The Old and New Town. Divided via the Kinta River, both the towns houses their unique form of architecture and influence. This however does not mean a division of the people as they are mainly friendly and is peaceful as one visits the town. With tin as its main produce, Ipoh grew steadily until the late 1970s when tin became less popular.
With population of about 710,000, Ipoh is the third largest city in the whole country. Some of the main attractions of Ipoh are its limestone caves, Hospital Bahagia (a renowned mental hospital), Kellie’s Castle among others. Ipoh is also well known for its water supplies which are sourced from the natural waterfalls, which to many results to tastier food and prettier people compared to other parts of the country as many believed. Ipoh’s attractions comes with various urban legends and myths that one can choose whether or not to believe.
Ipoh is a city of many attractions. From food to heritage, one will find that Ipoh has many to offer as it is a city within the naturals of the mountains along the north of the Peninsular. Dwelling in the city provides the visitor the chance for a modern styled living or merely strolling along the parks and the lakes are somewhat enough for relaxation. Nightlife in the city are burstling with activities from the various nightspots readily available and basically can be found almost at every corner of the city.

Ipoh's Food

Whenever Ipoh is mentioned, while reading or within conversations, one never fail to notice the mention of food. Ipoh, like some parts of Malaysia (Penang and Kuala Lumpur for instance) is ever famous for its food. From great cooks to authentic Ipoh trademarks, one cannot discount that it is a must to try the local food when visiting Ipoh. This is evident till the fact that ‘Ipoh Old Town’ has become a household name around the country serving typical Ipoh food.
Sar Hor Fun which is a flat white rice noodle, which are served with prawns and shredded chicken is one of the trademarks. So is the chicken with bean sprouts otherwise known as Nga Choi Kai. These are typically Ipoh food that are being ‘exported’ to other parts of Malaysia. One can find these food at any food court or coffee shop in around Malaysia, but none taste as good as the original ones from Ipoh. Therefore, it has become mandatory for anyone visiting the city to explore these two types of trademarks. While doing so, one will find that queues are long and in most cases, one has to wait a long time before being served.
Other food like Hakka Mee (Hakka Noodles) are also famous here. One of Malaysia’s favourite snack, the ‘Heong Peng’ which means Aromatic Biscuits are the local delicacy that can be found almost at any shop selling food. Most people who visit Ipoh will not leave without it.
The common types of food like Satay, Nasi Lemak or the Banana Leaf Rice are also available anywhere for the less food adventurous. However, adventurous or not, Ipoh has its own style of coffee. Known as the Ipoh White Coffee, this is typically normal coffee that has been passed down by generations through the Ipoh Old Town area. While some claim not to be able to tell the difference, it is in the producing of this coffee through traditional mixing and modern techniques that makes it unique.
Legend has it that whatever food produced in Ipoh simply taste better than all other parts of Malaysia. The belief is that due to its high alkali content of the water in the city, the food are tastier. Legend also has it that the water content maintains beauty and preserve the vibrancy of the human skin which makes the Ipoh town folk fairer.

Ipoh's Attraction

Ipoh New Town and Old Town

There are two main townships in Ipoh. Ipoh Old Town and Ipoh New Town. Although not explicitly labeled this way, the locals would easily identify with these names to easily go around places in Ipoh. Separated by the Kinta River, Ipoh New Town stretches from Greentown to Kinta River and houses buildings like Perak Medical University and Ipoh City Council building, among others. Most of the modern structures and buildings are circled around this place. As its name suggests, Ipoh Old Town encompasses the ‘older’ structures. Government buildings, the pre-war structures of shoplots and residences, heritage landmarks can all be found here.

Kellie’s Castle

Callie’s Castle is an unfinished mansion built near the town of Batu Gajah. Built William Kellie Smith, the mansion was not completed and is widely believed to be haunted. Many also believe that the ‘Castle’ consists of underground tunnels and secret passages to hidden chambers. Located in the Kinta Kellas Rubber Estate, this was a wish of the then Scottish planter which started in 1915. A 30 minutes drive towards the south of Ipoh will lead to this incomplete yet intriguing and mysterious mansion. Entrance fee is RM3 for adults and RM0.50 for children.

St Michael’s Institution

Another historical trademark of Ipoh is the St Michael’s Institution. Located along Jalan S P Seenivasagam, the school is still standing strong, producing quality students every year. Used as the Japanese Administration Centre during World War II, the school’s architecture is amazingly well maintained and awesome. Opened in 1912 by Father J.B. Coppin, the school of La Sallian origins still stand strong among the many missionary schools of the country.

Ipoh Railway Station

The Ipoh Railway Station essentially copies the Kuala Lumpur train Terminal version. Located at Jalan PAnglima, this landmark epitomizes the historical Malaysian heritage to much extent. The architecture design of the station boasts an integration of modern trappings of Gothic elements with Moorish design. Often used to depict the Ipoh city in various travel and tour brochures and advertisements, the station is known to the city folk as the ‘Taj Mahal’ is located at Ipoh Old Town.