Affordable Everyday Eating in Ipoh (A Little Peek into Our Meals)

One of the things I truly appreciate about living in Ipoh is how affordable everyday food still is — especially if you know where the locals go. Away from the touristy spots, prices remain refreshingly reasonable. 

We stay in Ipoh Garden East, and my 83-yo dad often goes to Kg Simee market and Bercham to do his marketing and tapau food. For just RM6, he can get a whole bag of salmon bones, which we air-fry at home — crispy, flavourful, and absolutely delicious. Fresh vegetables are just as affordable too. A few ringgit can get you a big bunch of spinach or lettuce. 

Even when he tapau cooked dishes, RM40 worth of food can easily last the three of us for both lunch and dinner. Dad, mum and I are very small eaters. 

Earlier this week, he bought a big piece of curry mackerel with lady’s fingers (with lots of gravy!), plus Indian-style stir-fried curried radish and cabbage. I was already estimating the cost in my head — maybe RM16 (RM10 for the fish and RM6 for the vegetables), because that's what I used to pay in KL. Imagine my surprise when the boss said RM9! That was from a mamak restaurant right here in Ipoh Garden East. 

Our usual chap fan stop in Bercham (Ritz Bina) is another favourite — about RM6 per person for fresh, tasty, home-cooked style dishes (photos below). Living in Ipoh really has its perks: quieter surroundings, more affordable food, a slower pace of life, and those beautiful hilly views everywhere you turn. I truly love being back here ❤️

Dad's curry mackerel, radish and cabbage from a mamak restaurant @ RM9.

My chap fan dishes (all veggies) @ RM6

Mum's dishes - braised pork with black fungus, braised tofu, braised radish and brown rice @ RM6.

Walking the Pasar Malam with My parents… 30+ Years Later

It’s been decades since I last visited the pasar malam in my childhood neighbourhood of Ipoh Garden East. Tonight, I came back with my parents — now both in their 80s.

The pasar malam felt so long, with endless stalls selling all kinds of delicious food… not exactly the healthy kind 😄 but so nostalgic.

After a long walk, we finally settled on something simple and comforting — Look Look in hot pot. We even brought our own stainless steel containers to tapau the skewers and peanut sauce.

Dad chose assam laksa, and I added some steamed fried fish balls too.

It really brought back memories of walking the pasar malam with my parents when I was young… and now, here we are again, almost four decades later.

We’ll definitely be back to try more next time!

If you like, you can watch the video of our pasar malam evening here > https://www.facebook.com/reel/1610456133405828

Wide array of fried stuff.

Baked crabs

Aro Restaurant, Ipoh (South Indian Cuisine)

If you’re exploring Ipoh Old Town and craving something different from the usual local fare, we recently discovered a hidden gem — Aro Restaurant, located just a few minutes’ walk from the famous Concubine Lane.

This cozy South Indian restaurant serves up hearty, traditional meals that truly hit the spot.

We ordered their mutton nasi briyani, special fish thali, and non-vegetarian thali — and every dish was full of rich, comforting flavors.

The highlight for us was definitely the mutton briyani. The meat was incredibly tender and well-marinated. In fact, my 80-year-old mum, who has gum issues, had no trouble enjoying it at all — that’s how soft it was!

The thali sets were equally impressive. For those unfamiliar, a thali is a complete, balanced meal served on a single plate, featuring a variety of dishes — from vegetables and lentils to flavorful curries and accompaniments. It’s a wonderful way to experience different tastes and textures all in one sitting.

What made it even more special was the little dessert that came with the thali — a comforting bowl of red bean, black glutinous rice, and coconut milk “tong sui”. Such a delightful surprise!

As for drinks, we kept it simple and traditional:

A refreshing mango lassi (we requested it without sugar)

A fragrant masala tea with strong notes of cloves and spices

And a cup of aromatic bru coffee made with fresh cow’s milk

Everything complemented the meal beautifully.

Now, just a small heads-up — the only downside during our visit was the air conditioning. It was a very hot afternoon, and only one unit was running, so we ended up… quite literally drenched in sweat by the end of lunch 😅

Also, parking around the Concubine Lane area can be quite challenging, especially during peak tourist hours.

But overall? The food, the authenticity, and the experience made it absolutely worth the visit.

📍 Aro Restaurant

Jln Sultan Yussof, No. 134, Ground Floor

30000 Ipoh

(A short walk from Concubine Lane, Ipoh Old Town)

Watch the video here > https://youtube.com/shorts/PB46TSSdKuI?feature=share

A Simple Food Day in Ipoh

Today, Mum and I made a quick trip to Beacon Mart in Ipoh Garden South to stock up on a few of our usual favourites. Into our basket went marinated chicken chops, saba fish, Beacon sprouted beans & gains bread, Beacon wantons, and Beacon chicken soup.

One reason we like buying chicken from Beacon is that their chickens are free from antibiotics and hormones, which makes them suitable for cancer patients and those who prefer cleaner, healthier food choices. 

After grocery shopping, we headed nearby to look for lunch. I noticed an eatery named Cong Yin Noodles, and since the stall was set up outside the shop, I could clearly see the noodle seller preparing the noodles. The bowl looked very tempting, topped with big chunks of minced pork and pieces of dried bamboo fungus.

I ordered one packet with added pork slices to share with Mum. The noodles were comforting and flavourful, perfect for a simple lunch.

Later, Dad went out to tapau his favourite Nasi Kandar from Ipoh Garden East. When he came home, we were shocked at the size of the rice portion in the packet. It was huge — honestly enough to feed four small eaters!

Dad chose a big serving of turmeric cabbage and generously asked for kurma chicken gravy to banjir (flood) his rice. On top of that, he ordered a large fish head cooked with lady’s fingers.

The total bill? Only RM16 — RM12 for the huge fish head and RM4 for the packet of rice with cabbage. What a steal!

That’s one of the little perks of living in Ipoh. Food here is still so much cheaper compared to Kuala Lumpur.

The nasi kandar packet will easily last Dad for both lunch and dinner. Mum and I shared the noodles earlier, and tonight Dad will air-fry the saba fish we bought from Beacon Mart.

Simple, everyday food for the three of us.

Nothing fancy — but honestly, that’s perfectly okay. 🍽️💛

Cong Ying Noodles in Ipoh Garden South serves up hearty pork noodles with chunks of minced pork patty, sliced pork, dried bamboo fungus and bits of pork lard fritters, cooked in a brownish pork and 'toong choy' (preserved veggie) soup. This will surely keep you going back for more. 

Dad's nasi banjir with turmeric cabbage and chicken kurma sauce and a huge fish head curry.

What we bought from Beacon Mart today:

Beacon wanton, Beacon seaweed chicken soup, frozen saba fish and Beacon sprouted beans & grains bread.

Green curry and lavender marinated frozen chicken chops.

Indonesian herb and spiced marinated chicken chops.

Green curry marinated chicken chop 

Famous Pau in Bercham - A Visit to Restoran Loke Yuen

It’s a Saturday morning in Bercham, and we stopped by a humble coffee shop that many locals swear by for their pau.

Restoran Loke Yuen may look unassuming, but by 11:30am there was already a long queue for their famous steamed paus.

The coffee shop sits on the same row as the well-known K10 Claypot Chicken Rice.

While waiting, we also tapau some yong tau fu and stuffed “liu” from the stall next door.

From the pau stall, we managed to grab a few char siu paus, ma lai ko, and black sesame mantou — the other fillings were already sold out.

First impression?

The pau skin was soft, fluffy, and pillowy — not soggy or starchy.

The char siu filling was flavorful without being overly salty or sweet, and thankfully there was no strong ammonia smell.

At RM4 each, the char siu pau isn’t cheap — but it’s definitely delicious.

The ma lai ko was also wonderfully soft and worth getting again.

As for the yong tau fu — it’s the solid tofu type, while we personally prefer the softer version. The fried savory turnip cakes were quite good though, and the other stuffed “liu” were decent.

Next time we’re craving char siu pau again, this little coffee shop in Bercham will definitely be our go-to place to stock up.

Address 

Restoran Loke Yuen

632, Lorong Bercham 6, Kampung Bercham, 

31400 Ipoh, Perak

You can watch the video here - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uTLZQPu9XRk

The 10th Day of CNY: Health Checks & Family Lunch In Menglembu

Today is the 10th day of Chinese New Year, and was my scheduled yearly medical check-up and Pap smear.

This year, instead of visiting my usual gynae in KL, I did it at Pantai Hospital Ipoh. After Googling for female health screening packages, I found that Pantai was offering one of the best deals. I chose the Ruby package at RM380, which includes a Pap smear, blood and urine tests, abdominal ultrasound, lung function test, eye test, dental check, and ECG. I also added an ultrasound of the breasts for RM87.

The whole process was surprisingly quick. By 11am, everything was done. I couldn’t see the doctor today as she had to attend a meeting, so I’ll be reviewing the results with her next week. The medical report was WhatsApped to me by noon.

There was complimentary breakfast too. I had to scan a barcode to choose my meal, and after finishing the scans, I headed to the café. The set was quite a big breakfast — sausage, ham, baked beans with bell pepper, scrambled eggs, a slice of wholemeal toast, hash brown and watermelon. The latte was pretty good too. Not the healthiest, but it was tasty and not overly salty. I haven’t eaten something like that in a long time.

My dad fetched me home, and after a quick shower, I drove us to Menglembu for lunch with my dad’s siblings. The drive there took about an hour, but the return trip was much faster. It was my first time driving to Menglembu using Waze — something I’d probably never do in KL. The traffic in Klang Valley is just too horrendous, and I hate wasting time stuck in jams.

Lunch with the relatives was lovely. But after being away from my fur baby almost the entire day, I realised how much I missed her. It made me wonder how I’ll cope if I ever go back to working full-time and have to leave Haru alone in my room for the whole day. I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

All in all, it was a busy and fruitful day. As for my medical report — that’s a story for another day, if I feel like sharing. Not too bad, yet not perfect either. But that’s life, right?

Watch the video here and follow for more updates here> https://www.facebook.com/reel/1944200619507868

I drove an hour to Menglembu to have this lovely lunch with my dad's siblings at Best View Restaurant.

42 Years of Neighbours, Now My Makan Buddies

From kid next door to joining my parents’ morning walk gang — 40 years of neighbours, food, and laughter. Life comes full circle.

I’ve officially been inducted into my parents’ neighbourhood “Morning Walk Kaki” makan gang.

My parents have lived in Ipoh Garden East for 42 years — we moved there back in 1985 — and some of these neighbours have been part of our lives for over four decades. Not just neighbours, really… more like extended family.

Their morning walks aren’t just about exercise. They come with local trips, overseas holidays, and of course, plenty of makan outings. Food is always the main event. 😄

Earlier this week, on Lap Chun day, we had our pre–Chinese New Year dinner and loh sang together at Wah Kee Dim Sum restaurant. Most of the group are close to 80 years old, a few in their 60s… and then there’s me, the baby of the gang at 53.

They may be seniors on paper, but honestly? Young at heart, super funny, and full of stories. The laughter never stops.

After dinner, we continued round two at Douba Ipoh Bean Bar for dessert (because there’s always space for dessert). It felt so nice reconnecting with familiar faces — some neighbours I hadn’t seen in more than 30 years. So many memories came rushing back.

Growing older has its own kind of sweetness. Slower walks, longer chats, good food, old friends… and a sense of belonging you can’t buy anywhere.

I guess I’m now officially one of the morning walk kakis too. ❤️

Watch the video of our pre-CNY dinner on my Facebook page >https://www.facebook.com/HealthFreakMommy52

Nana Vietnam Kitchen at Festival Walk, Jalan Medan Ipoh

Yesterday my parents and I tried Nana Vietnam Kitchen at Festival Walk, Jalan Medan Ipoh, and it turned out to be such a satisfying dinner.

Opened by a lovely couple (with the lady boss from Vietnam), this cosy little spot serves authentic Vietnamese street food favourites like banh mi, beef pho, Gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls), plus a variety of Vietnamese-style rice and noodle sets.

My parents and I ordered their classic beef pho, lemongrass & chilli chicken rice set, and spring rolls to share. The portions were surprisingly big — so big we couldn’t even finish everything and had to tapau the leftovers (no regrets though 😆).

The food was flavourful, comforting, and tasted really homemade. Service was friendly, the restaurant was clean, and the prices were super reasonable too. For 3 adults including tea, the total bill was only RM57.90. Honestly such good value.

Definitely coming back to try more dishes next time. If you’re in Ipoh and craving Vietnamese food, this place is worth checking out!

Watch the video of our dinner at Nana Vietnam Kitchen here > https://www.youtube.com/shorts/j8Xw3ZRtV2g?feature=share

 Follow my journey and get more family stories and updates by liking my Facebook page > https://www.facebook.com/HealthFreakMommy52

Food for the 3 of us.

Our 1st Day of 2026

Starting 2026 the best way I know how — with my mum. Breakfast at the coffee shop, a DIY cupboard she ordered online and proudly assembled on her own, and her looking for a cake recipe just because I was craving cake. Love looks like this. She's a supermum 💕

Check out my video here: https://youtube.com/shorts/_mMQeaR6190?feature=share

The popiah is only RM7

Char Koay Teow (less noodles, more bean sprouts, without cockles and prawns) only cost RM5. This would have cost RM10 in KL.

Chicken stew that my papa cooked.

Evening Runs, Simple Meals & a Quiet Life in Ipoh

Evenings in my hometown are quiet and grounding.

This video captures my daily evening runs through a peaceful neighborhood surrounded by limestone hills and lush greenery. On some days, my 79-year-old mum joins me for a gentle walk — slow, steady, and full of presence.

Back home, Dad cooks a simple pot of porridge for dinner, and we end the day together. The video closes with Haru, my soul cat, happily climbing the stairs — slowly settling into her new home.

Nothing fancy. Just movement, family, nature, and a calm life I’m learning to love again.

Check out my video here: 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/q8vn7Z1u6l0?feature=share

2025 Christmas Eve Dinner at Hakka Yin Signature, Ipoh

 Our Xmas Eve dinner was at Hakka Yin Signature.

Hakka Yin Signature is our family’s go-to restaurant for authentic Hakka cuisine. Being Hakka ourselves, we truly appreciate the flavours here — especially the abacus yam seeds, which are fragrant, well-seasoned, and you can really taste the yam in every bite.

The black vinegar pig’s trotters are rich and satisfying, while the braised duck with preserved black beans is packed with deep, savoury flavour. On our previous visit during CNY, we also tried the yellow wine chicken, which was excellent.

Prices are very reasonable, and the restaurant is almost always fully booked — so do make a reservation before you go!

Check out my video on YouTube here: 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-p5vVx9qFoQ

Braised black bean duck, black vinegar pig's trotters, stir-fried cabbage, and fried fish.

Abacus yam seeds, our family's favorite and by far the best we've tasted.

My loving parents; dad is 82 and mum 79 this year.

Hakka Yin Signature 

54, Jalan Medan Ipoh 4, Taman Ipoh Timur,

31400 Ipoh, Perak

Phone: 017-447 7624

Rebuilding Life At 52+: My Move Back Home

 I’ve been sitting with this decision for a long time, and today I’m finally ready to share it with you.

I have decided to leave Kuala Lumpur — the place where I built my family, raised my 3 daughters, and spent over 3 decades defining years of my life — and return to my hometown, Ipoh. I am now staying with my parents, who are both in their 80s, and I didn’t come alone. I brought Haru, my soul cat, with me 🐾

This was not an easy decision. It took years of thinking, weighing, doubting, and going back and forth. KL holds so many memories — love, effort, sacrifice, and chapters that shaped who I am today. Walking away from a life I once built was never something I took lightly.

One of the reasons I am back in Ipoh is my parents. They are now in their 80s, and I’m deeply aware that their time here may not be very long. I want to be present — not just in visits or phone calls, but every day. I want to share meals, conversations, quiet moments, and laughter with them. I want to make their final chapter a sweet one, filled with love, care, and togetherness.

At the same time, I realised that I needed to choose myself.
I needed to choose peace, healing, and clarity.

For now, I won’t be sharing too many details about the other reasons behind this move. Some stories need time, space, and gentleness before they can be told. What I can say is this: this decision comes from a place of deep reflection, self-respect, and the quiet understanding that it’s okay to begin again.

Being back in Ipoh — surrounded by familiarity, slower days, my ageing parents, and the soft, grounding presence of Haru — feels like returning to the roots of who I am. This is not an ending. It’s a new chapter of rebuilding my life, step by step, at my own pace.

I hope you’ll walk this journey with me.

I’ve also shared a video of my big move back to Ipoh on my YouTube channel, where I’ll be documenting this new phase of my life more closely — the healing, the simple moments, the challenges, and the quiet joys.

🎥 Here’s the video of my big move back to Ipoh:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/E48orVDJ9sQ

Thank you for being here, for reading, and for your continued support.
This next chapter is unfamiliar — but it’s peaceful and mine.

💛

My mum loves taking photos and videos of everyone and everything that brings her joy. She's very active on social media and is pretty hands on in creating simple videos and photo collage with music. She took these pix of me, with me totally caught off-guard.

Dongzhi in Ipoh: Where I Wish Time Would Stand Still

Today marks my 11th day back in Ipoh, and honestly, I wish I could stay here forever.

There’s something deeply comforting about being home with my parents — the familiar rhythms, the unspoken understanding, and the quiet joy of simply being. Life here feels slower, softer, and more intentional. I wake up without rush, eat without worry, and fall asleep feeling taken care of in ways that only parents can.

Today is Dongzhi, the Winter Solstice — a day about reunion, warmth, and family. And my dad, as always, marked the occasion by cooking up an absolute storm.

True to his nature, he refused any help in the kitchen. Cooking is his domain, and he likes full control of the entire process — from planning to chopping to seasoning. We’ve learned to respect that. So we let him be, happily. My role comes after: mopping the floor, cleaning the stove, washing the dirty kitchen slippers, and helping with the dishes. My younger brother Roy chips in too, tackling the dirty dishes alongside me. It’s teamwork, just in different stages.

Dad cooked my absolute favourite — rice wine chicken with black fungus and fried egg, using two whole thighs of bearded chicken. The meat was firm, flavourful, and deeply comforting, the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.

He also steamed a beautiful white pomfret, stir-fried snow peas with fish paste and garlic, sautéed baby bok choy, and cooked a big, nourishing pot of beetroot soup with sweet corn, arrow root (fun kok), pork ribs, and red dates.

Mum contributed too — she cooked parboiled basmati rice infused with blue pea flowers from our garden, turning a simple staple into something quietly special.

It was such a lovely dinner — one of those meals where the food is wonderful, but the company makes it unforgettable. Sitting at the table with my parents and brother, sharing stories and laughter, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. These are the moments that truly matter.

I did wish, though, that my three daughters were here with us today. Dongzhi is, after all, about togetherness.

We didn’t make or buy any tong yuen this year — we’re honestly not fans of glutinous balls. But yesterday, my eldest daughter Alycia, who’s in KL, surprised us in the sweetest way. She ordered desserts from the famous Douba Dessert Shop and had them delivered to us via GrabFood.

There was black glutinous tong sui with tong yuen, herbal jelly with boba and taro balls, mochi, and tau foo far. We enjoyed every bite — not just because they were delicious, but because they came with love. Even though she’s far away, she remembered us, thought of us, and found a way to be present.

That gesture filled my heart.

This Dongzhi, I’m reminded that family isn’t just about being physically together. It’s about thoughtfulness, care, and showing up — in meals cooked, floors cleaned, desserts sent, and love quietly expressed.

And here in Ipoh, surrounded by my parents, my brother, and the memories we’re still creating, I feel exactly where I’m meant to be.

Desserts ordered by Alycia in KL and delivered to us in Ipoh by Grab Food yesterday.

Rice wine bearded chicken with black fungus and fried egg.

Stir fried baby bokchoi and snow peas with fish paste.

Beet root + sweet corn + corn silk + arrow root (fun kok) + pork ribs + red dates soup boiled in the slow cooker for over 6 hours.

My brother and dad splashed extra hard liquor into their bowl of rice wine chicken.

Choosing Simple Joys in Ipoh

Today was one of those quietly meaningful days — ordinary on the surface, but deeply grounding.

I accompanied my parents to the bank to settle some Safe Deposit Box matters. No rush, no stress, just the three of us moving through errands at a gentle pace. After banking, we stopped by a furniture shop, browsing without urgency, talking about practical things and small possibilities. Then came lunch — simple chap fan (economy rice), comforting and familiar, the kind of meal that doesn’t try to impress but always satisfies.

After a week-long break, I finally laced up my shoes and went for a brisk walk around my neighbourhood. The moment I stepped out, my body remembered why I love walking here. Ipoh is wrapped in limestone hills and lush greenery, and every walk feels like a quiet conversation with nature.

Some days, I’m greeted by monkeys living by the hills, watching curiously from a distance. Other days, I walk a little faster after being almost chased by dogs — a reminder to stay alert and laugh about it later. It’s never boring, always alive, always real.

As I walked, it became even clearer to me — Ipoh is where I want to spend the rest of my life. I love the peace here. I love the limestone hills standing quietly in the background, the good food that doesn’t need hype, the lower cost of living, and the deep familiarity of everything around me. Nothing feels foreign. Nothing feels forced.

Life in Ipoh is simple. But I’ve learned that simplicity can buy me something far more valuable than flashy wealth or luxury — peace and happiness.

And right now, that feels like everything.

These chap fan dishes from Ritzbina @ Bercham only cost RM32, consisting of 6 dishes, 2 large brown rice, a huge braised fish head and a big packet of steamed chickpeas. We kept the braised fish head for dinner.  The dishes are by far the best in Ipoh in terms of quality (not overly salty or oily) and price. My parents love to get their chap fan at this restaurant.

My mum stole some pix of me while I was doing banking at the ATM.

A Smooth Ride Home: Back to Ipoh With My Soul Cat, Haru

The drive back to Ipoh on 10 December 2025 felt… different this time. Maybe it was because I went home without any of my daughters following me, maybe it was the familiar comfort of going home, or maybe—just maybe—it was because my little shadow, Haru, handled the entire journey like a seasoned traveller.

For the first time ever, Haru didn’t meow at all during the trip. Not a single complaint, not even her usual “Are we there yet?” chirps. After two previous road trips, she’s finally gotten used to the long drive and seems to trust that mama will get her safely to her destination. Once we reached Ipoh, she settled down comfortably in our room—though, true to her mysterious cat personality, she still chose to spend most of her day hiding under my bed. That’s her safe bunker, her little retreat. As long as she feels secure, I’m happy.

Being back in Ipoh feels like sinking into a warm, familiar hug. My parents have been pampering me in every way possible. Dad even double-boiled bird’s nest with ginseng for me—his signature “super tonic” to nourish the body and soul. Meals? All taken care of. Laundry? Not my responsibility for once, though I still helped out. All I needed to do was help out with small house chores here and there, and even then, my parents kept telling me to rest, rest, rest. Mom went "stop wiping the floor" all the time.

And honestly… it’s such a luxury. No worrying about feeding my girls. No stressing over piles of laundry. No mental checklist running 24/7. No feeling of being rushed. Just a chance to breathe, slow down, and let my tired batteries recharge fully under my parents’ loving care.

Feels like exactly what my heart needed.

Stay tuned—more Ipoh stories coming soon!

Last minute photo-taking with their beloved Haru. Cass and Sherilyn miss Haru more than they miss me. Actually they don't miss me at all.

Haru inside her carrier in my car on our way back to Ipoh. My younger brother drove my car.