Perak has a wide range of local food options spread across its towns and smaller communities, with dining habits often centred around kopitiams, hawker stalls and long-running family eateries. While some areas have only a handful of regular food spots, residents and travellers frequently stop at nearby towns along main routes for reliable meals. These places function as practical food stops rather than destination dining, serving those commuting, travelling between towns or passing through the state.
This list highlights 10 food stops across Perak that are commonly recommended by locals, including eateries that are often visited before or after short stops in smaller towns.
Table of Contents
- Kedai Makanan Nam Heong
- Larut Matang Hawker Center
- Kedai Biskut Sin Eng Heong
- Ansari Famous Cendol
- Tamara’s
- Restoran Nasi Ayam Pak Kong
- Kedai Makanan Tai Chien
- Choong Kee “Pokok Besar” Restaurant
- Restoran Thean Chun
- P S L Famous Goreng Pisang
1. Kedai Makanan Nam Heong
Kedai Makanan Nam Heong is a long-running kopitiam in Ipoh that continues to draw a steady local crowd, particularly during breakfast hours. The shop is best known for its traditional white coffee and familiar kopitiam fare, making it a regular stop for residents and visitors looking for a straightforward, no-frills meal. Its central location also makes it a convenient food stop for those passing through Ipoh while travelling across Perak.
| Best Seller | Popiah basah, chwee kueh, wantan mee, curry mee, local rice dishes |
| Price Range | RM5 – RM20 |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 6:30am-4:30pm |
| Address | 2, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak |
| Parking | Street parking available nearby |
| Peak Time | 8am-12pm |
| Seating | Indoor kopitiam-style seating |
| Service | Self-service counter ordering |
| Suitable For | Breakfast, casual meals, non-touristy local food |
Highlights
Char Kuey Teow
Source: Keet Kheng Foo
Egg Tarts and Siew Bao
Source: Keet Kheng Foo
Dried Prawn Mee
Source: RY168
2. Larut Matang Hawker Center
Larut Matang Hawker Centre is one of Taiping’s most established hawker centres, known for its wide range of local stalls operating under one roof. The centre attracts both residents and travellers stopping by Taiping, offering familiar hawker dishes that are easy to access and reasonably priced. Its scale and variety make it a practical meal stop for those passing through northern Perak rather than a single-stall destination.
| Best Seller | Popiah, oyster omelette, satay, char kway teow, mixed rice |
| Price Range | RM5 – RM25 |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 5am-5pm |
| Address | Jalan Panggung Wayang, 34000 Taiping, Perak |
| Parking | Dedicated parking area available nearby |
| Peak Time | 8am-12pm3:30pm-4pm |
| Seating | Open-air hawker centre seating |
| Service | Self-service stall ordering |
| Suitable For | Dinner, group dining, casual local food stops |
Highlights
Ipoh Chee Cheong Fun
Source: King Yee Teo
Apam Balik
Source: Shawn Tan
Rojak
Source: muhd aslam
3. Kedai Biskut Sin Eng Heong
Kedai Biskut Sin Eng Heong is a long-established traditional biscuit shop in Ipoh, best known for its freshly baked tau sar peah (mung bean pastry) and other classic Chinese pastries. The shop sees steady foot traffic throughout the day, with customers often buying boxes to take home or as gifts. While not a sit-down eatery, it remains a common stop for those passing through Ipoh and looking for familiar local baked goods.
| Best Seller | Tau sar pneah (mung bean pastry), sesame biscuits, assorted traditional Chinese pastries |
| Price Range | RM5 – RM30 |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 9:30am-6pm(Tue Closed) |
| Address | 64, Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakri, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak |
| Parking | Street parking available nearby |
| Peak Time | 10am – 2pm |
| Seating | No seating (takeaway only) |
| Service | Over-the-counter purchase |
| Suitable For | Takeaway snacks, gifts |
Highlights
Source: Wong Jia Jun
Source: May Yap
Source: YAP FLY
4. Ansari Famous Cendol
Ansari Famous Cendol is a long-standing cendol stall in Taiping, known primarily for its dessert offerings. The shop is a regular stop for locals looking for a cooling treat, especially during warmer afternoons. Its simple setup and focused menu make it a practical pause for those passing through Taiping while travelling across Perak.
| Best Seller | Cendol, rojak |
| Price Range | RM3 – RM10 |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 10am-6:30pm |
| Address | 92, Jalan Barrack, 34000 Taiping, Perak |
| Parking | Street parking available nearby |
| Peak Time | 2pm – 5pm |
| Seating | Street parking available nearby |
| Service | Counter ordering, fast takeaway service |
| Suitable For | Dessert, short breaks, snack |
Highlights
Cendol
Source: nathanvpr
Rojak
Source: Jason PSL
Source: Zul Hazman
5. Tamara’s
Tamara’s is a well-known South Indian and Sri Lankan restaurant in Ipoh, recognised for its banana leaf meals and spice-forward dishes. The restaurant attracts a steady mix of locals and visitors, particularly during lunch hours, and is often chosen for sit-down meals rather than quick stops. Its central location makes it a convenient dining option for those travelling through Ipoh while exploring other parts of Perak.
| Best Seller | Banana leaf rice, mutton curry, chicken varuval, fish curry |
| Price Range | RM20 – RM40 |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 11:30am-3:30pm, 6:30pm-9:30pm |
| Address | 36, Persiaran Greenhill, Kampung Jawa, 30450 Ipoh, Perak |
| Parking | Street parking available nearby |
| Peak Time | 12pm – 2pm7pm-8pm |
| Seating | Indoor restaurant seating with air-conditioning |
| Service | Table service, casual dine-in |
| Suitable For | Lunch, dinner, group meals |
Highlights
Source: Joe Chin
Source: Tamara’s
Source: Hana
6. Restoran Nasi Ayam Pak Kong
Restoran Nasi Ayam Pak Kong is one of Ipoh’s long-running chicken rice shops, widely known for its roast chicken and straightforward Hainanese-style offerings. The restaurant continues to attract regular customers, particularly during lunch hours, and is often treated as a dependable stop. Its central location makes it a common meal choice for both locals and visitors moving through Ipoh.
| Best Seller | Roast chicken rice, steamed chicken rice, char siew, chicken soup |
| Price Range | RM8 – RM20 |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 11am-4pm |
| Address | 27, Jalan Theatre, Taman Jubilee, 31400 Ipoh, Perak |
| Parking | Street parking available nearby |
| Peak Time | 12pm – 2pm |
| Seating | Indoor kopitiam-style seating |
| Service | Table ordering |
| Suitable For | Lunch, quick meals, classic chicken rice |
Highlights
Roasted Chicken
Source: Phuah Fritzie
Roasted Pork and Char Siew
Source: Andrew Chan
Steam Chicken
Source: Yokefu Wok
7. Kedai Makanan Tai Chien
Kedai Makanan Tai Chien is a long-running kopitiam in Taiping that continues to serve familiar local dishes to a steady neighbourhood crowd. The shop is particularly known for its popiah and noodle dishes, and remains a practical meal stop for both residents and visitors passing through the town. Its straightforward setup and consistent offerings reflect its role as a regular dining option rather than a destination eatery.
| Best Seller | Popiah, wantan mee, char kuay teow, fried rice |
| Price Range | RM5 – RM15 |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 7:30am-3:30pm(Wed Closed) |
| Address | 79, Jalan Pasar, 34000 Taiping, Perak |
| Parking | Street parking available nearby |
| Peak Time | 8am – 12pm |
| Seating | Indoor kopitiam-style seating |
| Service | Counter and table ordering, casual service |
| Suitable For | Breakfast, lunch |
Highlights
Hakka Leicha
Source: Beng Lee Tan
Char Kuay Teow
Source: Sherman Oh
Claypot Yee Mee
Source: Beng Lee Tan
8. Choong Kee “Pokok Besar” Restaurant
Choong Kee “Pokok Besar” Restaurant is a long-established open-air eatery in Taiping, commonly associated with casual hawker-style dining under a large tree-lined setting. The restaurant draws a steady mix of locals and visitors, particularly during lunch and early evening hours, and is often treated as a convenient group dining stop. Its wide menu and open seating make it a practical choice for relaxed meals rather than a formal dining experience.
| Best Seller | Lugaw, fried snacks, ais kacang, local desserts |
| Price Range | RM5 – RM20 |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 8am-5pm |
| Address | 1213, Jalan King, Taman Hoover, 31650 Ipoh, Perak |
| Parking | Street parking available nearby |
| Peak Time | 12am – 2pm6pm – 8pm |
| Seating | Open-air seating with plastic tables and chairs |
| Service | Self-service stall ordering |
| Suitable For | Group dining, breakfast, lunch, local hawker food |
Highlights
Yong Tau Foo
Source: Siew Kiat Tai
Assam Laksa
Source: Richard Choy
Curry Mee
Source: Richard Choy
9. Restoran Thean Chun
Restoran Thean Chun is a long-established kopitiam in Ipoh, known for its traditional breakfast offerings and dessert items that continue to attract a steady local crowd. The shop operates with multiple stalls under one roof, making it a convenient stop for simple meals throughout the day. Its central location and familiar menu have kept it relevant among both residents and visitors passing through Ipoh.
| Best Seller | Caramel flan, popiah, satay, fish ball noodles |
| Price Range | RM5 – RM20 |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 8am-4:30pm(Wed and Thurs Closed) |
| Address | 73, Jalan Bandar Timah, 31650 Ipoh, Perak |
| Parking | Street parking available nearby |
| Peak Time | 8am – 11am |
| Seating | Indoor kopitiam-style seating |
| Service | Self-service stall ordering |
| Suitable For | Breakfast, casual meals |
Highlights
Caramel Flan
Source: Nita Leo
Rojak
Source: Aaron
Wanton Mee
Source: Hong Aun
10. P S L Famous Goreng Pisang
PSL Famous Goreng Pisang is a long-running snack stall in Ipoh known for its freshly fried bananas and assorted fritters. The stall operates with a straightforward setup and sees regular foot traffic throughout the day, particularly from locals buying takeaway snacks. It is commonly treated as a quick stop rather than a sit-down food destination.
| Best Seller | Goreng pisang, fried sweet potato, fried yam, curry puff |
| Price Range | RM2 – RM8 |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 12pm-7pm |
| Address | 85, Jalan Pasar, 34000 Taiping, Perak |
| Parking | Street parking available nearby |
| Peak Time | 3pm – 6pm |
| Seating | No seating (takeaway only) |
| Service | Over-the-counter ordering |
| Suitable For | Afternoon snacks, quick bites |
Highlights
Source: Jackie Sim
Source: Alice Woo
Source: Pun Soon Ming
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