Curry Rice, Spice & Everything Nice
Are you seeking to embark on a fiery gastronomic journey? Are you a fan of the fragrant and spicy delight that is Indian food? You’re in luck: we’ve compiled a list of 10 places where you can satisfy your cravings for all kinds of Indian food in Ipoh.
1. Old Andersonian Club and Cafeteria
Banana Leaf Rice Source
This restaurant is located in the most unexpected location ever: within the confines of SMK Anderson, Ipoh. It serves the best of both worlds on a platter: South Indian food in the afternoon and North Indian food at night.
In fiery South Indian fashion, banana leaf rice is served for lunch. You have to go to the counter to select the dishes which are then served to you. For vegetarian meal, it would be a set price of RM5, consisting of 3 vegetables, a dhal curry and free soup. For non-vegetarians, you definitely have to sample the Mutton Curry (RM5) and Dry Chicken (RM4), or the fish/chicken cutlet(RM2).
If you visit at night, you get to sample their North Indian cuisine. They’ll provide you a menu to order from. My personal favourites are the Mutton Vindaloo (RM9) which is cooked with potatoes and flavoured with delicate spices and also Eggplant Masala (RM6), which is a perfect blend of onions and juicy eggplants.
Address: Old Andersonian Club & Cafeteria 932, Jalan Hospital, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Contact: +6012-5017377
Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 3pm | 6pm to 10pm
2. Tandoor Grill
Briyani Rice Source
This is the to-go place for authentic North Indian cuisine. Located in Greentown (opposite MP steamboat), it is a good place for casual conversations and also business meetings with its elegant ambience and modern design. Their motto is, “classic with a modern twist”. They are the first and only Indian restaurant which provides a healthy range of wine to balance of the fiery cuisine.
Chicken Samosas Source
They have a range of appetizers you can order to curb your hunger, like the Chicken Samosas served with mint chutney (RM10.90), Mutton Seekh Kebab (RM19.90) which is grilled to perfection, Cream of Mushroom Soup (RM9.50) with an Indian twist, and Grilled Fish Tikka (RM10.90) marinated with lemon juice, garlic, ginger, coriander and spices. Moving on to the main courses, the aromatic Tandoori Chicken (RM6) is cooked using a traditional tandoor pot over burning charcoal. The Prawn Vindaloo is a must try, with de-shelled prawns cooked with potatoes, vinegar and spices.
Tandoori Chicken Source
Address: No. 9, Jalan Chin Choon Sam, Greentown, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Contact: +605-2535995 / +605-2555995
Opening Hours: Daily 11.30am to 3pm | 6.30pm to 11pm
3. Pakeeza Restaurant & Catering
An old-timer’s favourite which was recently renovated, Parkeeza Restaurant which serves North Indian cuisine is famous for their variety of naan (oven-baked flatbread) like Garlic Naan, Kashmiri Naan and Cheese Naan. Their naan is priced at about RM4 to RM5 each and divided into four slices, so you can go with a few friends and sample all the varieties.
Garlic & Cheese Naan Source
Tandoori Chicken Source
You can eat their range of dishes with either naan or plain Biryani rice (RM3.90). Service is amazing and the food comes speedily, even during peak hours. The Buttered Boneless Chicken (RM9.50) consists of marinated, deboned chicken thigh cooked in a creamy gravy of black pepper, curry and cream. Their Aloo Gobi Masala (RM5.50) is a relatively light dish with potatoes and cauliflower cooked in thick, dhall-based sauce.
Address: 15- 17, Jalan Dato Seri Ahmad Said, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Contact: +605-2414243
Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 3pm | 6pm – 10pm
4. Trio Café
Masala Papad Source
A cosy Punjabi restaurant located in Bercham, Trio Café aims to bring Punjabi cuisine to the general public at an affordable price. They serve an extensive range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisines, and no pork or beef is included to cater to everyone.
Tandoori Chicken Source
The appetizers are unusual but delicious. The Masala Papad (RM5) consists of fried papadom topped with onions, chillis, chopped tomatoes and coriander leaves. Another mouth-watering starter is the Pani Puri (RM5 for 5 pieces), small pieces of fried bread stuffed with potatoes and served cold with either mint or belacan sauce (belacan exists in Punjabi cuisine too!)
Apart from that, you should definitely taste the barbecue dishes. The Tandoori Chicken (RM11 for 3 pieces) is succulent and springy. Apart from that, the Paneer Tikka (RM12), bite-sized pieces of homemade cottage cheese cooked tandoori-style is amazing.
Contact: +6019- 2792473, +6012-5346654, +6055412462
Opening Hours: Daily 12nn to 12mn
5. Benaz Cafe (Briyani House)
North Indian cuisine is not known to be cheap. Fancy having North Indian food but put off by their expensive price? Fear not! Benaz Cafe aka Briyani House is here to the rescue.
Palak Paneer Source
They serve their Briyani Set Lunch (RM7.90) at an extremely cheap and reasonable price, which is all the more wonderful because of the dwindling economy. The Briyani Set Lunch consists of Nasi Briyani (obviously), Palak Paneer, Fish Masala, Coconut Chutney, Vegetables in Yoghurt, a plate of Mixed Vegetables, mint sauce and a plate of watermelon as dessert. That’s eight items in total! It sounds like an overwhelming amount of food but in reality, the portions are dainty and just enough to fill one tummy.
Address: Jalan Tun Sambanthan, next to mixed cuisine. Same row with Momo Steamboat and Old Town Kopitiam.
Contact: 019-2823392/ 016- 3956459
6. Sri Ananda Bahwan
Kothu Parotha Source
One of the many branches of a renowned restaurant chain, Sri Ananda Bahwan offers an unbelievably huge selection of food from the well-known Masala Thosai and Poori to the virtually unheard of Kothu Parota and Idiyappam Baya.
The Kothu Parota (RM4.50 – RM7) is a delightful mixture of eggs, green chillies, potatoes, finely-chopped onions, paratha bread (roti canai) and a choice of chicken or mutton fried with curry powder and spices. It is served with a steel cup containing yoghurt with jilienned cucumber, raw onions and carrots. You can also opt for the vegetarian version. It is savoury and so filling that you can share it with someone else and still have your tummy filled.
Kadai Chicken Source
If you are a caffeine lover, their Madras Coffee (RM2.50) aka Indian Filter Coffee is a must try. It is a peculiar, milky and salty brew. It comes with two separate steel, one with a thick brew of coffee and another smaller one with fresh cow’s milk. It is pleasant on your tongues with a mild taste of spices. Besides, it is not too strong, just enough to pull you through the morning grogginess.
Address: Sri Ananda Bahwan Restaurant, 7, Persiaran Bijeh Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Contact: 005-2539798/ 012- 4775981
7. NS Curry House
Dry Curry Mutton Source
Hungry for aromatic white rice bathed in curry, served with a dish of meat, unlimited vegetables and a piece of crunchy papadom? Look no further! NS Curry House offers all of those from morning till noon, so if you want to have banana leaf rice for dinner you might have to go somewhere else. Otherwise, do visit NS Curry House to fulfil your cravings. Their Dry Curry Chicken and Dry Curry Mutton are absolutely delightful. The freshness of the meats can be tasted underneath the flavour and spices. Besides, they are only moderately spicy.
Dry Chicken Curry Source
Address: 10F, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak (Maxwell Road), 30100 Ipoh, Perak.
Contact: 019- 5767354/ 019-5141004
8. Maharaj
As their name suggests, Maharaj aims to serve cuisines fit for a king. They offer delicacies originated all across India— from North to South. Before digging in, you can feast your eyes on the walls that are adorned with delicate paintings by artists from India.
The Black Pomfret Masala (Seasonal Price) is a must-have, consisting of a whole market-fresh pomfret bathed in intense, fiery masala sauce. Apart from that, you can try the creamy and rich Malabar Curry (RM16) which is thick in texture. The gravy is intensely flavoured and also milky as it contains a generous amount of coconut milk while the fish is fresh and tender.
Address: 36, Jalan Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah, 30250 Ipoh, Perak
Contact: 05-2432515
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 9am to 6pm | Closed on Sundays
9. Nasi Vanggey
White rice with Fried Dry Curry Drumstick, Spicy Egg Omelette, Vegetables and Papadam Source
Nasi Vanggey aka Nasi Ganja is a well-known delicacy among locals in Ipoh. As the name suggests, the curry rice served here is indeed addictive. The mixed gravy doused onto the fragrant white rice is extremely spicy, leaving a mildly bitter taste of unknown origin.
The Fried Dry Curry Drumstick which is marinated with curry powder and spices deserves a special mention. It is crunchy yet juicy at the same time. The Spicy Coconut Chutney accompanying every plate of rice is unbelievably spicy and tastes amazing with the cucumber slices. A plate of Nasi Vanggey consisting a drumstick, vegetables, an egg, papadam and spicy coconut chutney comes at RM5.70.
Address: Ipoh Town 5A, Lebuh 1, Georgetown Business Centre, Perak Malaysia.
Contact: 05- 2546786
10. Restoran M. Salim
For an incomparable Briyani experience, Restoran M. Salim is the way to go. Their briyani is aromatic and light, garnished with plenty of herbs and spices. The name of their signature dish is Nasi Briyani Ayam Anarkali (RM6.50), with the word ‘Anarkali’ referring to a superior grade of Basmati rice used that is rarely found in Ipoh. With the dish comes a piece of steamed chicken with spices that is equally, if not more delicious than its curried variety.
Chicken Biryani Source
Address: Restoran M. Salim No 20, Jalan Yang Kalsom, 30250 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Contact: +605-2554786
Opening Hours: Daily 6.30am to 1am | Closed 12.30pm to 2pm on Friday for prayers
BLR, anyone?
From the piquant South Indian food to the milder, aristocratic North Indian food and also unique Punjabi food, there will certainly be a place in Ipoh which can curb your hunger for Indian food. Are you ready to set your tongue on fire?