Ipoh is a city in Malaysia that is famous for its rich history, culture, and cuisine. One of the most popular attractions in Ipoh is Concubine Lane, a narrow alley that dates back to the late 19th century, when Ipoh was a booming tin-mining town. Concubine Lane was named after the mistresses or concubines of the wealthy Chinese tycoons and British officers who lived there. Today, Concubine Lane has been transformed into a vibrant tourist spot, with many souvenir shops, fashion outlets, cafes, and dessert houses lining the street. The lane also features colorful wall murals that depict the stories and scenes of the past.
If you are planning to visit Concubine Lane, you will not be disappointed by the variety of things to see, do, and eat there. Whether you are looking for a taste of Ipoh’s famous food, a glimpse of Ipoh’s heritage, or a fun and memorable experience, Concubine Lane has something for everyone. In this article, we will introduce some of the best places to eat and visit at Concubine Lane, based on their popularity, quality, service, and ambiance. We will also provide some information on their location, menu, and specialties. Read on to find out more about these amazing places and what they have to offer.
Ding Feng Tau Fu Fa
The first spot that we would like to introduce is Ding Feng Tau Fu Fa, which is a dessert house that has been established for more than 10 years. The main attraction of this place is the traditional Teochew tofu pudding, or tau fu fa, which is a soft and silky soybean custard that is served with sugar syrup. This is one of the must-try desserts for anyone who visits Concubine Lane, as it is refreshing and satisfying.
The taste of the tofu pudding is not too sweet, and the texture is smooth and delicate. The signature tofu pudding also has a special way of eating. The staff will remind you to eat it layer by layer, and not to stir it. This way, you can enjoy the different flavors and sensations of the tofu pudding, from the top to the bottom.
The way they serve the tofu pudding is by stacking layers of tofu pudding and sugar powder, drizzling ginger juice over it, and then repeating the process until the bowl is full. They then sprinkle sesame seeds on top to complete the dish. The heat of the tofu pudding is just right to melt the sugar on the surface, creating a sweet and fragrant coating.
Chakori
The second spot that we would like to introduce is Chakori, which is a café that has a spacious and stylish interior, with many seats and photo spots. The kitchen has a transparent glass window with a neon sign that says “Concubine Ice Room”, which is very eye-catching. The café also has a transparent roof that allows natural light to enter, making it ideal for taking pictures.
Chakori sells desserts, main dishes, and cakes, and many people have recommended them. One of the desserts that we recommend is the matcha gelato, which has a rich and creamy texture and a strong matcha flavor. Besides that, they also have many other unique flavors of gelato, such as pistachio, black truffle, and more. One scoop of gelato is quite large, and the price is not expensive.
For those who love cakes, you can also indulge in their frosted roll cakes, which come in various flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and more. These cakes are soft and moist, and have a generous amount of cream filling. They are perfect for sharing or enjoying by yourself.
Ho Yan Hor Museum
The third place that we would like to introduce is Ho Yan Hor Museum, which is a museum that displays the history and heritage of a well-known Chinese herbal tea and its creator, Dr. Ho Kai Cheong. Ho Yan Hor is a brand of herbal tea that was founded in 1941 and has become a household name in Malaysia and beyond. The museum is located in the original home of Dr. Ho Kai Cheong, which is near Concubine Lane.
The museum preserves many of the memories and artifacts of Dr. Ho’s early entrepreneurship, such as his bicycle, his first vehicle, his marketing van, his factory, his overseas branch, and his products. The museum also showcases the life and achievements of Dr. Ho, who was a versatile man who worked as a shop assistant, a soldier, a farmer, and a physician before becoming a successful businessman.
The museum has two floors, and the staircase leading to the second floor is still intact and not renovated. The museum also controls the number of visitors at a time, so you need to register your name and appointment time at the entrance before entering. Before entering the museum, there will be a staff member who will give you a brief introduction of the history of Ho Yan Hor.
BookXcess Kong Heng Ipoh
The fourth place that we would like to visit is BookXcess Kong Heng Ipoh, which is the most beautiful bookstore in Ipoh. BookXcess Kong Heng is located in a historical building that used to be a bank, but has been transformed into a unique bookstore. It retains the original design features of the bank, especially the use of vaults and safes as bookshelves. Every corner of the bookstore is a photo spot, and you can take beautiful pictures there.
The bookstore has a rich collection of books, ranging from novels, science fiction, thrillers, literature, children and young adult books, business books, cooking books, art and design books, and more. The books are also very affordable, as they are discounted from 50% to 80%.
The lower floor of the bookstore is reserved as a museum for the late famous director Yasmin Ahmad, or Yasmin at Kong Heng. The museum showcases the best of her festive Petronas advertisements and films. You can also see her Mac desktop, which still contains the original scripts for ‘Sepet’ and ‘Wasurenegusa’.
BookXcess Kong Heng Ipoh is located at 91 Jalan Sultan Yusof, Ipoh and is near Concubine Lane. You can also find more information about BookXcess Kong Heng Ipoh on their website. If you are interested in browsing and buying books in a historical and stunning setting, you should definitely visit BookXcess Kong Heng Ipoh.
Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy Shop
The last place that we would like to introduce is Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy Shop, which is a shop that sells the most popular souvenir in Concubine Lane, the peanut candy. The peanut candy is a traditional snack that is made of roasted peanuts, sugar, and maltose, and is cut into thin slices. The peanut candy is wrapped on the spot by the shop owner, who is very friendly and efficient.
The peanut candy has a clear and distinct peanut flavor, and is sweet but not greasy. The texture is crunchy and crispy, and does not stick to your teeth. The peanut candy is loved by both tourists and locals, and is a perfect gift to bring home to your family and friends.
The peanut candy is so popular that there is always a long queue at the shop, and there is a limit of 7 packs per person. You have to be quick and decisive when you buy the peanut candy, as they sell out very fast. Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy Shop is located at 5 Jalan Panglima, Ipoh and is near Concubine Lane. You can also find more information about Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy Shop on their Facebook page. If you are looking for a place to buy the best peanut candy in Ipoh, you should definitely check out Sin Weng Fai Peanut Candy Shop.
Conclusion
These are some of the best places to eat and visit at Concubine Lane Ipoh that we have introduced in this article. We hope that you have enjoyed reading about them and that you will give them a try soon. Concubine Lane Ipoh is a charming and lively place that offers a glimpse of Ipoh’s past and present, as well as a taste of Ipoh’s delicious food and culture.
If you want to find out more about these places, or other places in Malaysia, you can download Reviewbah, a mobile app that allows you to read and write reviews about various eateries and attractions in Malaysia. Reviewbah is a user-friendly and reliable app that helps you discover new places to eat and visit, share your opinions with other travelers. You can also browse through photos, menus, ratings, and comments from other users to help you make your decision. Download Reviewbah today and start exploring the wonderful world of Malaysian travel.
