Forget The Tourist Traps, Try THESE 6 Underrated Dim Sum Restaurants in Ipoh!

Ipoh is popular for a good number of foods: hor fun (flat rice noodles in broth), steamed chicken with bean sprouts, chee cheong fun (rice dough rolls) in mushroom gravy, just to name a few. But who can really forget the universally adored breakfast staple for Ipoh locals all over? We’re talking about dim sum, of course. Little baskets of steamed treats made with either seafood, pork or chicken, brought to your table for your choosing. While there are established names to the dim sum business in Ipoh (Foh San, Ming Court, to name a few), why not check out these SUPER underrated dim sum places for your next dim sum fix in Ipoh? Listed in no particular order. 

1. Restoran Sun Kim Aik @ Jalan Lahat

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by MUN KIN◼ (@munkin0321) on Jul 5, 2018 at 8:30pm PDT

Located a distance away from Ipoh’s city centre in Menglembu, tourists are unlikely to frequent this one particular dim sum outlet. But ask any local living around the area where the best bang-for-your-buck dim sum is, and they’ll tell you without even blinking that it’s in Sun Kim Aik.

Reasons to visit/tips:

• Exceptionally large quantities of dim sum for relatively little money.
• Ingredients are reported to be fresh, especially with regards to the prawns, which are large and crisp.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ivan Chan (@psylancer) on Mar 13, 2017 at 4:56pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Beh Han (@behhan123) on Dec 18, 2015 at 5:51pm PST

Address: Jalan Lahat, Taman Falim, 30100 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
Operating hours: Opens daily, except on Wednesdays (5.30am – 12.30pm)
Contact: 05-282 2634

 

2. Zui Le Xuan Dim Sum @ Jalan Ng Seong Teik

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Foodie_Therapy (@eat_cook_share) on Jan 8, 2019 at 9:31pm PST

Chances are if you’re looking to enjoy dim sum, most people would refer you to Foh San, which is arguably the most established (but severely touristy) dim sum restaurant in Ipoh. But if you’re looking for that Foh San taste and want to dine more like a local, then Zui Le Xuan is just the place for you. Run by one of the head chefs from Foh San, you can be assured that you won’t leave without your belly a few inches wider.

Reasons to visit:

• Unlike some dim sum restaurants that prepare their dim sum off-site and deliver it to the restaurant to be cooked, this restaurant elects to take the labour intensive process of preparing their dim sum in-house every morning, thus preserving the taste and texture of every dim sum dish.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Amy (@amy_901111) on Jun 14, 2018 at 8:03pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kheng Ho (@khengsterr) on Apr 7, 2018 at 7:59pm PDT

Address: 28, Jalan Ng Seong Teik, Taman Pertama, 30100 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
Operating hours: Opens daily, except on Tuesdays (7.00am – 2.00pm)
Contact: 012-486 0883

 

3. Chooi Yue Dim Sum @  Tingkat Taman Ipoh 12

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jasmine Leong (@leongjasmine) on Sep 7, 2016 at 12:29am PDT

Here’s another alternative for those of you who want that authentic Ipoh dim sum taste, but deign to visit the typical tourist traps that are located along a street affectionately nicknamed ‘Dimsum Steet’ (because three of the best dim sum restaurants in Ipoh city are a stone’s throw from each other here). Seats are ample given how they spill onto the streets but don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll get a table without much effort!

Reasons to visit/tips:

• The head chef here has over 11 years of experience working with Yoke Fook Moon, one of three highly successful dim sum restaurants in Ipoh. Rest assured that the quality of food served here is on par with the very best of the best.
• Come early. Like, between 6.00am and 7.00am early. Otherwise, be prepared to wait for 20 minutes at the very least for a table here!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Joanne Aw (@joanneaw) on Jul 15, 2017 at 9:40pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @fluff_fluff_and_puff on Jul 21, 2018 at 9:46pm PDT

Address: 2 & 4, Tingkat Taman Ipoh 12, Taman Ipoh Selatan, 31400 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
Operating hours: Opens daily, except on Thursdays (7am – 2pm)
Contact: 016-534 5965

 

4. Hong Kong Dim Sum BFB @ Persiaran Bandar Baru Tambun

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by May Pun (@maykwan) on Oct 8, 2016 at 12:29am PDT

If neighbourhood haunts are more your thing, then Hong Kong Dim Sum BFB may just be the ticket. Located in a neighbourhood with nary another dimsum restaurant in sight, Hong Kong Dim Sum BFB predictably caters to a local-majority crowd. Walk into the restaurant and start your search with 33 different types of dim sum being advertised on a large billboard.

Reasons to visit/tips:

• Whatever you order, portions are reasonably sized (not too big, but not too small either) and prices are cheap to best cater to neighbourhood aunties and uncles.
• Try the adorably shaped mashed carrot and pumpkin fritters, which are made to look like carrots fried in batter. That’s one way to get your kids to eat their greens!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ? ευgεπε (@c.gene_97) on Dec 23, 2015 at 3:32am PST

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lai YF ????????? (@lai_yf) on Jun 17, 2015 at 8:37pm PDT

Address: Persiaran Bandar Baru Tambun, Bandar Baru Tambun, 31400 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
Operating hours: Daily (6.30am – 1.30pm)
Contact: 010-220 3812

 

5. Lok Hin Dim Sum @ Jalan Sultan Iskandar

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by E e l i n L i m (@eelin.lim) on Aug 15, 2015 at 5:24pm PDT

Most people who frequent Jalan Sultan Iskandar in Ipoh may wind up visiting the spanking new, comfortably appointed Nam Heong Food Court. But if you take a minute to broaden your horizons, you’ll notice that there also happens to be a dim sum restaurant located not too far away; that’s Lok Hin Dim Sum.

Reasons to visit/tips:

• Air-conditioned and comfortable, you’ll find yourself lingering in this restaurant for a little longer than you would like, especially with the sheer wide varieties of dim sum dishes available, prepared lovingly by one young Chinese chef daily.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by My Style. My Life. (@imben1994) on Aug 2, 2016 at 6:47pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jovie (@huiyeejovie) on Dec 28, 2016 at 9:13pm PST

Address: BG-9, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
Operating hours: Opens daily, except on Tuesdays (7am – 2.30pm)
Contact: 05-241 0362

 

6. Hong Xing Ipoh Dim Sum @ Jalan Bercham Bistari 3

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rebecca Ong (@becky.ong) on Dec 16, 2016 at 1:34am PST

Relatively new as compared to the other entrants on this list, Hong Xing Ipoh Dim Sum is no less a highly recommended entrant for its distinctive take on traditional Chinese dim sum. Located in Bercham and housed in two bright, well-ventilated shop lots, rest-assured that the dining experience here would be suitably comfortable.

Reasons to visit/tips:

• The head chef here hails from the Shanxi province in China, which means that you’ll see variations of dim sum that are unique to the Shanxi interpretation, such as deep-fried fish paste in almond flakes and sunflower seeds.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Time Out Kuala Lumpur (@timeoutkl) on May 25, 2018 at 11:00pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by suetying//雪盈❄ (@suetyinggw) on Oct 17, 2017 at 5:15pm PDT

Address: No.35 & 37, Jalan Bercham Bistari 3, Medan Bercham Bestari, Bercham, 31400 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
Operating hours: Opens daily, except on Thursdays (7am – 1pm)
Contact: 05-545 3779

Want to see more stuff like this? Don’t forget to like Munch to find out more about mouth-watering spots all over Malaysia!

Also read: Top 5 Minimalist Cafes in Klang Valley to Clear Your Headspace