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Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Ipoh is a great place to visit for food. Okay, we have established that numerous times; but did you know that it's also full of rich culture, history, and heritage? Also, did you know that the calm outlook of Ipoh is one that hides away an extreme adventure for adrenaline junkies? From beautiful mural art works, remarkable buildings to the crazy activity of caving - these are the top highlights for what you should see and do if you ever find yourself in the city of Ipoh.


 1) Visit Kellie's Castle 

Image source: bettyandlingshing.blogspot.com

An unfinished masterpiece, Kellie's Castle's rich history is one that has received much interest from visitors who travel to Ipoh. Although the castle is not located in the center of Ipoh (specifically, it is located in Batu Gajah), many tour operators provide day trips to view the grace and magnificence of the castle's colonial-inspired architecture. 

2) Visit The Lost World of Tambun

Image source: cqmsjt.com

For families (or those who are young at heart), The Lost World of Tambun is the place to go. A project under the enormous Sunway Group, the theme park is home to some of the city's most thrilling water rides. There's also a lot to learn about wildlife and flora/fauna here! 

3) Marvel at the nature that Ipoh has to offer

There are too many possibilities to name! Some of the more notable popular destinations are Kek Lok Tong Temple Cave, Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple, and Gunung Lang Recreational Park. 

Kek Lok Tong
Image source: cavinteo.blogspot.com

4) Go caving at Gua Tempurung 

Not for the weak of heart, the activity of caving will challenge your physical capabilities and have you sliding down steep slopes, ducking underneath low caves, and swimming across cold water. The activity lasts 1.5 hours, and for those who are not accustomed to putting their bodies to the test, there are easier routes to choose from. 

Image source: hopetravelagency.blogspot.com

5) Book yourself in for a tour

There are plenty of tours you can sign up for in Ipoh! Whether it is more than a day or simply just a day trip, there are countless opportunities for you to stumble upon tour operators/providers that offer spectacular deals to experience Ipoh in various ways - from inside buses to walking on the streets. Most tours will take you to the historical landscapes of Ipoh and will also, of course, ensure you get a taste of what Ipoh's culinary scene is all about. 


Image source: tripadvisor.co.uk

Click on the links below to find out more! 
Malaysia Asia: Places to visit in Ipoh
TripZilla: 7 Reasons Ipoh Makes a Great Weekend Getaway
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Getting around in Ipoh was something that was easy for us due to the fact that we had a car. However, we did notice that there were no train railways that ran over the towns in Ipoh, and we only caught a glimpse or two of a few buses turning corners at junctions. 

Image source: ipohecho.com.my


Although the best way to get around Ipoh is to walk (the town areas are small enough to cover on foot), there are several public bus services available. It may be worthwhile to take note that there are several "main spots" in Ipoh: 
  • Kidd Road (Medan Kidd)
  • KTM Ipoh Railway Station
  • Perak Cave
  • Kampung Tawas
  • Persiaran Tasek
  • Tesco / Jusco (Kinta City)
  • Pantai Hospital Ipoh
  • Giant Hypermarket
  • Lost World of Tambun
The bus fare is typically RM2.00 per person (although the fare varies according to the bus ridden), and as most cover the main areas in Ipoh, there should be no real trouble in getting around the city. Furthermore, there are plenty of taxis available!

Click the link below to find out more! 
From Emily to You: Buses to get around Ipoh
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There are five ways that one can get to Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur (of course, those who choose to travel from Melaka can do so as well. Options from Melaka can be viewed here). Travel time (excluding pit-stops) is usually from 2 and a half hours to 4 hours to reach Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur, but options without traffic will see to it that you're there in a maximum of 2 hours. Although we opted to take our own car to go (salute and credit go to the two drivers who responsibly took us there and sent us back in one piece), Ipoh is a rather accessible place, and it's definitely worth the journey!

Image source: d-paradise.com.my

1) By Bus

The city/long-distance bus station, Medan Gopeng, is located at Jalan Raja Dr Nazrin Shah and is 5 kilometers from the city center. Buses depart from here for destinations in Perak. There are two express return bus services by two companies direct from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh - YoYo and Triton. They depart from Kuala Lumpur six times daily. The terminal of YoYo is located at Jalan Bercham and the Triton bus station is located at Medan Gopeng. 

2) By Taxi 

Long-distance taxis depart from in front of the long-distance bus station, and there is another stand at the city bus station where taxis also depart from. 

3) By Plane

Firefly operates two daily flights to Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur via Johor Bahru and Singapore. However, although it does depend on the flow of road traffic, going to Ipoh by flight usually takes the longest travel time of up to 4 hours.

4) By Car

By exiting from Simpang Pulai, Ipoh South, or Jelapang on the North-South Highway, you will be able to arrive at Ipoh. Travelers should keep in mind that Ipoh is mainly full of one-way streets and traffic lights, and there may be heavy traffic during morning and evening rush hours. As for parking, on most days (Public Holidays and Sundays are treated as an exception), a parking coupon is necessary in order to park in front of shop lots or in the town. Parking coupons do not apply to shopping centers and shopping complexes.

5) By Train 

One of the most popular ways to take a short break to Ipoh, there are daily trains (KTM) both to and from Kuala Lumpur. Tickets can easily be booked online. 

Click on the link below to find out more! 
Ipoh Tourism Board Official Website: How to get to Ipoh
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Image source: your-bizbook.com

The general rule of travelling anywhere in Malaysia is to ensure the understanding of the local language, which is Bahasa Malaysia (otherwise known as "BM" in the country). There are basic phrases that tourists can learn and make use of during trips to any part of Malaysia. However, in Ipoh, the majority race is Chinese. So, as an additional tip, it may be useful to pick up some basic Cantonese and Mandarin phrases before visiting the city (however, visitors should keep in mind that typically, those from the three main races in Malaysia are able to speak Bahasa Malaysia). 

As for etiquette, as Malaysia is a Muslim country, the mindful traveler may opt to dress a little more conservatively than what he/she is used to. Despite the fact that, as previously stated, Ipoh is where majority Chinese communities reside, the best thing to do would be to still dress in a way that respects the minority and does not offend the majority (as there is a small proportion of Malays who make up Ipoh's population). 

Tipping etiquette is another thing that most foreign travelers find confusing when they arrive in Malaysia. Applicable to all parts of the country, tipping is not a societal or cultural norm. However, small tips do go a long way in certain cases, if you'd like to be remembered fondly by staff who work in hotels and restaurants. Regardless, whether you tip or not, it will most likely make major change to your experience in Ipoh. 

The best thing to do to learn more about the city's language and etiquette would be to speak to the locals! Many of them are friendly and will be more than happy to share their unforgettable stories with you! 

Click on the links below to find out more! 
Malaysia: Important Phrases
Malaysia: Tipping & Etiquette
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Ipoh is known for a variety of foods, and is growing in its reputation as a food tour destination in Malaysia. The must-eat foods have been highlighted by various food bloggers and food hunters who savor Ipoh with every chance they have to stop and take a bite of what has made Ipoh a foodie gold mine. However, as Ipoh is no stranger to pork and other non-halal items, it'd be best to exercise caution if you have such food restrictions.

There are various food and drinks for one to try in Ipoh, and of course, the choices are not limited to those made on our weblog. Some of the other foods that one definitely has to try in Ipoh are as follows:

1) Ipoh Dry Curry Mee

Image result for ipoh dry curry mee
Image source: j2kfm.com

Ipoh's Dry Curry Mee packs more punch than the traditional ones served in other regions of Malaysia. The rave comments left on speciality Dry Curry Mee stores keep us thinking about returning to Ipoh to try this missed, mouth-watering jewel!

2) Bean Sprout Chicken 

Image source: rasamalaysia.com

One of Ipoh's well-known local foods, most tourists do not leave until they get a taste of the city's Bean Sprout Chicken. Typically served with either soup noodles or rice, bean sprouts and chicken make the pair of the century for most Ipoh locals, and one can see chicken rice stores crowded with patrons during lunch time on any given day. 

3) Cendol 

Image source: foodstreet.com.my

A Malaysian go-to dessert, most local foodies cannot deny that having a bowl of cendol on a hot day is one of the best feelings in the world. On our next trip to Ipoh, we will definitely have a go at homemade Ipoh Cendol for dessert!

4) Ipoh Hor Fun 

Image source: j2kfm.com

Simple yet hearty, the very basic noodle soup is a staple in Ipoh. Hor Fun is another dish that one can find in most coffee shops and stores in Ipoh, and although many have deemed this dish "boring", the plentiful varieties of Hor Fun will have you spoiled for choice in this city of magnificent food!

5) Salted Chicken 

Image source: kampungboycitygal.com

In Ipoh, one does not take the chicken game lightly. Just as popular as their Bean Sprout Chicken is their Salted Chicken, with rows and rows of shops competing to deliver only the city's best to food enthusiasts. The more well-known Salted Chicken shops actually have people waiting in queues, and boxes and boxes of them are sold daily to happy, fulfilled patrons.

Click on the links below to find out more!
Ken Hunts Food
Miss Tam Chiak
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Unfortunately, we were drawing close to returning to Kuala Lumpur. We had tried everything there was to try (with the exception of chicken rice; our stomachs were too full to eat anymore rice at this point), and we felt rather accomplished with our overall "food coverage" of Ipoh. But of course, we were not completely ready to head back home yet.


Before we left, we stopped by Concubine Lane, an area known as the heart of Ipoh's nightlife. Although we weren't able to witness the Lane in its most happening state, we were able to see a more quaint, modern side of Ipoh that seemed to cater to the younger crowds.

Concubine Lane had lanterns hanging from thin wires throughout the walkway, and it was very much Chinese-inspired like the rest of Ipoh. Not many places were open for drinking yet, but there were many interesting, odd little toy shops and candy shops that were intriguingly strange. The artwork along the walls of the Lane were also very intricately crafted, and it was plain to see that the Lane intended to take visitors back to olden Malaya.

After walking for a few minutes and taking everything at Concubine Lane in, we decided that we had to sit down and relax before we officially headed back to Kuala Lumpur. So, we entered a daint, little cafe situated at the opening of Concubine Lane: Saffron Bistro. The bistro was extremely casual, and the interior decor was worldly and inspired. The food items on the menu were rather expensive (as were the drinks), but the ambiance of Saffron Bistro made it worth the money.




The only thing we ordered at the bistro were a few expensive beers (after all, we did have two beer enthusiasts in our team: our very own Alo Roy and Aaron Lian. In addition, a bucket of three was RM36.00). To their delight, it was very much a needed pick-me-up that put a good end to our day. 





After taking our time to chit-chat and finish our beers, we decided that it was time to finally head back to Kuala Lumpur, and thus, this brought us to the end of our glorious one-day Ipoh food hunt. From visiting Ipoh for the purpose of trying local foods, we were able to learn more about the local culture there than ever before. We now understand that it is not solely about the food - it is also about the stories and legacies that the recipes and ingredients carry. To top everything off, we realized that the utilization of all six senses is important in order for us to truly experience anything that comes our way, and as far as gastronomic tourism goes, this will only be one of the many destinations we seek to cover.


Come find me!
Saffron Bistro
Address: 24, Concubine Lane, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Phone: +60 16-787 8825
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For our final foodie destination, we decided we needed to try what Ipoh was truly known for: White Coffee. Although there were many restaurants that had White Coffee as a staple drink, we ultimately settled on a place that was hustling and bustling with people.

Restoran Ipoh Kong Heng was nestled only a few meters away from Sin Eng Heong. A closer look at the restaurant revealed that it was a hawker-style establishment with many vendors selling chicken rice and classical Chinese pastries.

Similar to Yong Suan Coffee Shop in terms of interior design and environment, Restoran Ipoh Kong Heng was very busy. It took us a little to be approached for our order. We intended on settling for one glass of iced White Coffee for all of us to share, but in the end, the attendant convinced us to try something else that it turned out Ipoh was known for - Crystal Custard.

Total price: RM7.20
The White Coffee was quite sweet, so it was a hit-and-miss depending on how each of the four of us preferred drinks in general. Underneath the sweetness, however, we all agreed that there was the taste of robust, earthy ground coffee. The Crystal Custard arrived with an undeniable sheen across the top, and the bouncy pudding was drowning in a sinful (but marvelous) caramel glaze. It tasted as good as it looked. The only thing that was of our concern was the poor pairing that we'd resorted to as both the items we ordered were relatively sweet. Our experience at Restoran Ipoh Kong Heng was one that could have been made better had we settled for a better balance of items ordered.




Come find me!
Restoran Ipoh Kong Heng
Address: 75, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Phone: +60 12-227 2745
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Once we were done at The 5th Road, we decided we need to turn our wheels back to something sweet. We pondered about what we wanted to have next, but we all agreed that our stomachs were starting to feel the pressure of spending the past four hours driving around and eating non-stop.

Suddenly, rather out of the blue, we ended up looking for kaya puffs. We'd read somewhere (before we came to Ipoh) that the city was known for kaya puffs, and somehow it had managed to remain lodged in Alo's head. This set her off on a siren of "kaya puffs" as a muffled suggestion each time we grouped together to discuss where we would go next.

Eventually, we found a local neighborhood biscuit shop, Sin Eng Heong, that was once a small kaya puff shop that grew to how it is now. Once we entered the shop, there were quite a few people looking at the things they had to offer to sell. Right in front of a row of products, there were trays and trays of baked classical Chinese snacks, a concept that is not seen in Kuala Lumpur as often.

Not long after, Alo spotted the kaya puffs, and we decided to take some to go. We opened the packet just as we got into the car, and the only mistake we made was deciding to eat it as we drove along to our next stop. 

Price (for 1 pack of 5): RM5.00/RM1.00 per pc

The pastry was so flaky that it took us all of our effort to minimize the mess, and the kaya filling was nice and dense, but not to the point of being overwhelming. It was a simple yet scrumptious treat, but overall, not much to our surprise, we felt that the taste did not have any 'wow' factor. However, being able to take a look at this neighborhood biscuit shop was interesting, and we also managed to take a look at some of the varieties of light snacks that are commonly enjoyed by Ipoh locals. 





Come find me!
Sin Eng Heong 
Address: 64, Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakry, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Phone: +60 5-243 9659
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Authors

Chiaki Ohara | Ahmad Suhaidy | Aaron Lian | Alo Roy