1 Day at Malaysia's Hidden Gem: Ipoh

Known as the food heaven of Malaysia, Ipoh is a small town located in Perak which is a 2-hour drive from the city center, Kuala Lumpur.

Ipoh is perfect for a day trip, especially if you enjoy indulging yourself in delicious delicacies, heritage walks, and beautiful temples nestled in caves.

9 a.m.: Thean Chun Coffee Shop

Famous for its chicken hor fun, pork satay, and egg custard, definitely a place to have breakfast. Warm your tummies (and hearts) with their frothy white coffee and slurp-able flat noodles. Last but not least, their sweet and creamy egg custard for the sweet tooth.

The place is usually crowded so expect a 20-30 minute wait after you order.

11 a.m.: Concubine Lane

Right outside Thean Chun Coffee Shop is the most famous lane in Ipoh - Concubine Lane. Weird name- yes, this street dates back to the 1980s when a wealthy miner gifted this lane to his concubine. You'll find a lot of cafes and shops selling local delicacies and souvenirs, plus the place is very historically beautiful. Definitely one for the gram!

1 p.m.: Large Tree Choong Kee Restaurant

Ever dined under a tree? Located underneath a large tree is a coffee shop that is renowned for its delectable and affordable yongtaufoo. A local delicacy consisting of bean curd or vegetable stuffed with fish paste, ground meat, and either deep-fried or boiled!

This is a great spot for lunch as its crispy bean curd skin, bouncy fishballs, and refreshing dragonfruit juice is bound to keep your energy high under the hot Malaysian weather.

2p.m. Ipoh Street Art

Get your cameras ready for the street art hunt! Littered across the streets of Ipoh are beautiful mural paintings by Ernest Zacharevic. Start at Jalan Tun Sambanthan, and just trail along the streets to find all the mural painting. Some paintings are temporary so do take a lot of memorable pictures!

Having difficulty? No worries, take a look at the map here that states where the paintings are.

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3p.m. Funny Mountain Soya Beancurd

Tea time! Funny Mountain Soya Beancurd has been operating for over 60 years and not only it is known as the best soya beancurd in Ipoh, but it is also known for its unique drive-thru service.

All you have to do is drive upfront, order up and a smooth and tasty bowl of soya beancurd will be served to you in your car itself. It is located at Jalan Theater - a popular food street where you can buy all your souvenir and snacks before heading back.

4p.m. Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple and Zen Gardens

Before driving back to Kuala Lumpur, it is a must to stop by this magnificent temple that is nestled inside a cave. What top's it is the huge lake and gardens at the end of the temple. The beautiful scenery is definitely how you should be ending this Ipoh trip.