For classic Ipoh dim sum, head to Jalan Leong Sin Nam in Kampung Jawa, where Foh San Restaurant, Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum and Yoke Fook Moon all sit on the same street. Expect about RM15 to RM40 and go early. If you would rather skip the crowd, try Hong Xing Dim Sum in Bercham, and if you need a halal option, start with Canning Dim Sum.
The Jalan Leong Sin Nam three
Foh San Restaurant
Foh San Restaurant is the old grand hall of the street, trading for more than 50 years, and the one visitors line up for on Sundays. The floor is big and airy, the aunties move fast, and the steamed bun trolley is the thing to watch for. Order the har gao and char siu bao. Open Wednesday to Monday, 7am to 2pm, closed Tuesday. RM20 to RM40.
Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum
Just across the road, Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum has its own loyal camp, who will tell you the dumplings here are finer. Go for siu mai, prawn cheong fun and the beancurd-skin rolls. It starts at 6am, and turning up at dawn is the way to beat the wait. Friday to Wednesday until about 12.30pm, closed Thursday. RM15 to RM35.
Yoke Fook Moon
Queues at Yoke Fook Moon tend to be shorter than at its two neighbours, and the cooking is in the same old-school style. The fat dai bao is the order. It also opens for dinner, which helps if you reach Ipoh late: Thursday to Tuesday, 6am to 1.30pm and 6.30pm to 10pm, closed Wednesday. RM15 to RM30.
Away from the tourist strip
Restoran Chooi Yue
Restoran Chooi Yue in Taman Ipoh Selatan, better known as Ipoh Garden South, is where the regulars go. Try the xiao long bao and the salted egg custard buns. Weekend mornings bring a queue, but the food comes out quickly and hot. Friday to Wednesday from 7am, closing at 1pm or 2pm, closed Thursday. RM15 to RM30.
Hong Xing Dim Sum
For value, Hong Xing Dim Sum in Bercham has handmade baskets, generous portions and mostly local customers instead of tour buses. Friday to Wednesday, 7am to 2pm, closed Thursday. RM12 to RM25, the lowest range on this list.
Options for Muslim diners
Canning Dim Sum
Canning Dim Sum in Taman Canning is listed as halal in our data, based on public sources, so the whole table can join in on Ipoh's dim sum habit. The menu is huge, the baos are cheap, and the abalone dim sum and butterfly-pea gyoza are the ones to try. The car park gets chaotic around lunch. Thursday to Tuesday, 7am to 3.30pm, closed Wednesday. RM15 to RM35.
Greentown Dim Sum Cafe
Greentown Dim Sum Cafe is listed as Muslim-friendly, and we have not confirmed halal certification, so ask to see the certificate if that matters to you. Har gao and siu mai are the staples. It keeps long hours, so it works well after the breakfast rush: Monday and Wednesday to Friday, 9am to 7.30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8.30am to 8pm; closed Tuesday and Thursday. RM15 to RM30.
How to plan it
- Pick your day. All seven are open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Thursday is the awkward one, with four of them closed.
- Go at dawn for Kampung Jawa. Ming Court and Yoke Fook Moon both start at 6am.
- Sunday queue at Foh San? Yoke Fook Moon usually has the shorter line on that street.
- Missed breakfast? Canning runs to 3.30pm, Greentown into the evening, and Yoke Fook Moon comes back for dinner.
Halal note
Only Canning Dim Sum is listed as halal in our data. Greentown is listed as Muslim-friendly, and the other five are listed as non-halal. Halal status can change, so look for a valid JAKIM certificate before you sit down.