Curry noodles are a must have for me; a staple I can’t go without for more than a week. To a point I would pack a cup or two of curry instant noodles just to curb the craving when I travel. Foo Kwai Curry Mee in Ipoh is a new discovery for rif and I — one that was recommended to him by a friend.
Breakfast in Ipoh
Stuffed brinjal, fuchuk and sar kok liew
Soup yong tau fu
En route Penang a few weeks back, we made a pit stop in Ipoh to see if it was as good as his friend had claimed. The coffeeshop occupies the corner shoplot along Jalan Bercham which you can easily locate using Waze. Yong tau fu and curry noodles are a highlight here; you can opt to have your noodles dry style or in curry broth.
Assorted meatballs and yong tau fu
Staff at work
Choose your preferred yong tau fu and take it to the Aunty manning the noodle section. Just let her know what noodles you want (in preferably Cantonese) and wait patiently for your food to be served. I didn’t have to wait long — circa 10 minutes or so and the noodles arrived piping hot.
Silky smooth hor fun
Dry curry hor fun
Dry curry meehoon/mee
The yong tau fu is pretty good here but I find the sar kok liew (jicama fritters) from Big Tree Foot tastier. The dry style noodles come in a darker gravy than usual but it packs a wallop in terms of spices and flavour. I found the soup version as piquant in flavour — spicier than the other Ipoh curry noodles I’ve eaten and quite to my liking.
Curry laksa with a side of yong tau fu
rif however, prefers the curry noodles at Chuan Fatt as he finds Foo Kwai’s version too tangy. Both are quite good so it boils down to personal preference (do you like your curry tangy and spicy, or less so?) and whether you want to eat it with yong tau fu or fried chicken.
Hot station
Ipoh white coffee and barley
Ambiance: 5.5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 7/10 (non halal)
Verdict: The curry noodles are spicier and tangier than usual. Try this if you’re in the mood for something other than dim sum in Ipoh.
Foo Kwai in Ipoh
Foo Kwai Curry Mee
243, Jalan Bercham,
Taman Sri Kurau,
31400 Ipoh.