[Ipoh] Kedai Makanan Nam Heong 南香茶餐室 in Ipoh’s Old Town should be considered a iconic spot for its White Coffee and breakfast.
Known for its historical significance as the birthplace of the popular Old Town White Coffee brand, this humble café has become a must-visit destination for foodies visiting Ipoh.
Singaporeans would find the brand familiar, as Nam Heong was once here at 313@somerset, but has since closed.
Established since 1958, the atmosphere at this coffee shop feels traditional and rustic.
I felt transported to the good old days, like in the 80s.
Despite its charms, be prepared for crowds, especially during weekends or public holidays. It can be a bit chaotic, and finding a seat might take a while. You would likely need to share a table with others.
Of course, no visit to Nam Heong is complete without trying their iconic Ipoh White Coffee (RM2.40 for hot, RM2.70 for cold).
This is a must order – slightly frothy, aromatic with pleasant intensity.
Even though it is sweetened with condensed milk, I still found the sweetness level manageable.
At Nam Heong, a variety of dim sum items are sold. These include traditional favourites such as siew mai (steamed pork dumplings), char siew bao” (barbecue pork buns), and har gow (shrimp dumplings).
The pricing is reasonable, with most items ranging around RM5.50 per portion.
Every table seems to be ordering at least an Egg Tart (RM 2.80).
The custard is smooth without being overly sweet, with relatively flaky pastry.
I personally thought it was just all right though (maybe my taste buds are too used to the Hong Kong style ones), with my vote going to the buttery Chicken Sou (RM2.90) instead.
It is a puff pastry filled with a chicken-based char siew filling, which gives it a sweet and smoky taste.
You can also order from other stalls, such as Char Kuey Teow, Curry Mee, Hokkien Prawn Mee, and Kuay Teow Soup.
The food may not be cutting-edge or always exceptional, but it carries the comfort of familiar flavours.
The White Coffee and experience of sitting in this nostalgic kopitiam is well worth the visit.
Kedai Makanan Nam Heong 南香茶餐室
2, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 6:30am – 4:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Kedai Makanan Nam Heong
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