If you feel like splurging, there are great dining venues to satisfy your palette. With dishes like steamed tiger prawns to exquisite abalones.
These Chinese restaurants in Ipoh has been around for a very long time.
And it is here, that you can also experience the atmosphere of traditionally run restaurants. Some with elderly waitstaff too.
1. Pusing Public Restaurant
This is a popular wedding venue for Chinese weddings. They have a lot of space and a bright and welcoming interior.
Dining here won’t be cheap especially if you have your mind set on their seafood dishes. But the quality of the food matches the pricing.
Besides grouper, cod fish, crab, or lobster, you can get large head freshwater prawns here. And we advise trying their steamed chicken with ginger too.
PS: We don’t recommend coming here during Chinese New Year, it is too busy
Address: 59, 61, 57, 63 & 65, Jalan Veerasamy, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Opening hours: 12pm to 2:30pm and again from 6pm to 9:30pm
2. Sun Lee How Fook Restaurant
For years, this grand restaurant has been a top choice for weddings for their beautiful dining ambiance.
They can accommodate many tables and have a full-sized stage too. That said, some facilities (e.g., toilets and sound system) are outdated.
Their Chinese New Year reunion dinner packages are very in demand as well. Dishes in general are tasty (though to us, it is clear that they use MSG in their cooking).
If you’re here for lunch, they have Cantonese-style fried noodles that are worth ordering (e.g., crispy yee mee).
They have visitor parking around and in the basement of the restaurant. Unfortunately, there’s no lift to take visitors from the basement parking to the restaurant.
Address: 96, Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Taman Gopeng, 30250 Ipoh, Perak
Opening hours: 11:45am to 2:30pm, and again from 5:45pm to 10:30pm
3. Sun Marpoh Restaurant
Many locals know about this famous restaurant and its reasonable pricing.
It’s not big enough to hold weddings but for casual get-togethers, it is a must for their delicious food.
Lemongrass chicken is one of their signatures but on the whole, we’ve yet to eat anything that was not tasty here.
You’ll have to book very early in advance if you wish to come here during Chinese New Year. This is typically when their usually speedy service starts to slow down.
Because on regular days, food serving times are quick even when there are many occupied tables.
PS: They open for lunch too.
Address: 67 & 69, Jln Dato Lau Pak Khuan, Ipoh Garden, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Opening hours: 11:30am to 2:30pm and again from 5:30pm to 10pm
4. Restoran Sam Poh
Don’t judge them for their simplistic dining environment and exterior. It might not look like it from the outside, but they do have indoor seating with air conditioning.
The style home-cooking at this humble restaurant is excellent without requiring loads (if any at all) of MSG.
What’s even more surprising is how affordable their pricing is. Their signature crispy pork leg served with Thai style sauce is worth the price.
Which is why this restaurant always attracts a dinner crowd, even on weekdays. It’s best to make a reservation before going. Especially for peak times of 7pm.
Address: 17, Persiaran Bandar Baru Tambun 16, Taman Desa Tambun Indah, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Opening hours: 11:30am to 2:30pm and again from 5pm to 9:30pm (Closed on Mondays)
5. Bee Gaik Restaurant
This is another small Chinese restaurant with air conditioning that is open for lunch and dinner. Their specialty is their Nyonya style dishes like assam fish or the popular otak otak.
Tofu in pumpkin sauce and jiu hu char are other house specials that are worth ordering.
Our family has been coming to Bee Gaik Restaurant for years and we still find that their cooking is great.
The ambiance is attractive and comfortable too. They have old photographs and vintage collectibles on display around the restaurant.
Note: They have more seating upstairs
Address: 10, 10A, Tingkat Tmn Ipoh 11, Taman Ipoh Selatan, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Opening hours: 11:30am to 3pm, and again from 6pm to 9:30pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
6. Yum Yum Restaurant
Yum Yum Restaurant is another reputable Nyonya restaurant. This is the place to try tasty mango kerabu or their signature pandan chicken. A big thumbs up for their fried chicken!
Moreover, this is a lovely place to entertain guests from out of town. It’s clean, comfortable, and beautifully decorated.
Thus, it is best to make a booking before coming as this restaurant is usually busy every day of the week.
Address: 5, Persiaran Greenhill, Kampung Jawa, 30450 Ipoh, Perak
Opening hours: 12pm to 3pm, and again from 6pm to 10pm (Closed on Wednesdays, on Fridays, they open earlier at 11:30am)
Conclusion
Not sure what to have for dinner tonight? You can enjoy any of these Chinese restaurants in Ipoh with friends and family.
With their popularity in mind though, bookings are a must!
See our other suggestions on food you should try in Ipoh.