Ipoh is renowned for aromatic Ipoh White Coffee, smooth-silky Ipoh Hor Fun, and flaky Egg Tarts. Hungry already?
Now you can find all these in Singapore at the newly opened Ipoh Town Kopitiam 怡保城茶室 at Jewel Changi Airport.
Ipoh Town Kopitiam allows you to experience a taste of Ipoh’s traditional cuisine and famous Choy Kee Egg Tarts without traveling up North.
Some background: this is a dream come true for two Ipoh-born sisters who wanted to bring the beloved flavours of their childhood to Singapore.
The sisters have drawn on their early experiences helping their mother sell local dishes in an Ipoh market, infusing their restaurant with authentic regional flavours.
The setting combines the old-school charm of a traditional Malaysian coffee shop with the modern touches appropriate for its trendy location.
Plus, you get a good view of the Rain Vortex if you choose to sit outside.
A key highlight of the menu is their exclusive collaboration with Choy Kee Bakery, famous in Ipoh for egg tarts.
The menu doesn’t stop at egg tarts; you can find Nasi Ayam Goreng Berempah, Ipoh Chicken Soup Horfun, and an array of dim sum here. Here are the highlights of Ipoh Town Kopitiam 怡保城茶室.
Ipoh Choy Kee Egg Tart ($2.40)
This is a collaboration between Ipoh Town Kopitiam and the famed Choy Kee Bakery of Ipoh, which started as a small stall near Kampung Simee Market. (It was established in 1980, older than many of us!)
The pastry is towards the delicate and flaky side.
I found the filling rich and dense, and more creamy-custardy than the usual, though I would have preferred a stronger egg taste.
Would recommend you to have this warm to experience the texture of the custard.
Rendang Pie ($3.50)
A twist on traditional Malay cuisine, and you don’t find many of such pies in Singapore.
This savoury pie wraps the rich, complex flavours of rendang – a spicy and aromatic beef stew within a flaky and buttery pastry.
The spices are well-balanced, ensuring each bite is packed with flavour but not overwhelming.
Nasi Ayam Goreng Berempah ($12.90)
My favourite dish of all. It features a whole leg of chicken that has been marinated with a blend of more than ten spices.
This includes old ginger, lemongrass, coriander seed, and cumin seed, before being fried to a golden crisp.
The lemongrass aroma is pretty strong, while the chicken is sufficiently juicy inside.
It is served alongside fluffy coconut rice, hard-boiled eggs, peanuts, ikan billis, cucumber slices and a dollop of sambal (okay, I wished there was more of that sambal).
Ipoh Chicken Prawn Horfun ($12.90)
A comforting bowl with tender shredded chicken, succulent prawns, and springy fishballs, all served over a bed of smooth horfun (flat rice noodles).
The broth leans towards the lighter side.
Some may prefer something richer, but it will please those who favour the clean flavours of the seafood and chicken.
Fragrant Curry Toast with Soft Boiled Egg ($4.90)
I never had this item before. Apparently, it is also known as ”zhang shang ming zhu” (translates to “a treasured jewel in the palm”).
What you get is toast served with curry, which is pretty manageable in terms of spice levels, though the gravy makes the bread less crisp.
Break that soft-boiled egg on top (which is the ’ming zhu’) that adds that creamy, rich element.
Take it all in one bite, and savour something soft, spicy, and creamy all at the same time.
Dim Sum
Dim sum items here include Fried Beancurd Skin Roll, Lo Mai Gai, Golden Lava Bao, Steamed Beancurd Skin Roll, to even Durian Fritter.
For Siew Mai, there are the Prawn Siew Mai Teo Chew Siew Mai, and Danggui Siew Mai (they use chicken here, no pork).
Danggui Siew Mai? Yes. It was the most intriguing to me, featuring a strong herbal flair. Not bad actually.
Fried Char Siew Bao ($6.90 for 3pcs)
These are milk-infused buns deep-fried till golden and crisp. It is called “yi kou bao” because you can pop it into your mouth in one bite.
Despite its smaller size, this bao packs a punch with its moist chicken char siew filling – tender, well-marinated, and slightly sweet.
Ipoh “Overjoy” White Coffee ($3.50 for hot, $4.90 for iced)
This beverage is a testament to the sisters’ dedication to perfecting a traditional recipe, after trying over 40 different renditions across Ipoh.
The result is a coffee that is pretty ‘gao’ – rich and robust yet smooth.
The coffee beans used are aromatic, and when blended with creamy, silky-smooth condensed milk, it creates an invigorating cup.
Ipoh Town Kopitiam 怡保城茶室
Jewel Changi Airport #B1-299, 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Ipoh Town Kopitiam.
