Ipoh earns its reputation one plate at a time, and much of that story is Chinese. The old tin-mining town was built by Cantonese and Hakka families, and their kitchens still shape how the city eats today, from silky wat tan hor and bean sprout chicken to roaring tai chow woks turning out steamed fish and butter prawns. Add the banquet halls that host wedding dinners and the halal Chinese-Muslim kitchens that welcome every table, and you have one of the most rewarding Chinese food scenes in the country.
Researched by the My Weekend Plan editorial team. Last updated: November 2026. Rankings are based on the total number of verified Google reviews (minimum 4.0★) at the time of writing.
We did the legwork so your weekend meal is a sure thing rather than a gamble. Every restaurant on this list holds a Google rating above 4.0, drawn from thousands of real diner reviews, and we have left out the spots that have closed or lost their touch. From a famous Chinese-Muslim favourite in Kampung Jawa to Cantonese banquet rooms, tai chow seafood houses and old-school zi char kitchens, here are the 12 best Chinese restaurants in Ipoh to plan your next family dinner or lazy lunch around. Round up a group, order to share, and dig in.
What Makes Ipoh’s Chinese Food Scene Special?
Ipoh grew up around the tin trade, and the Cantonese and Hakka communities who settled here brought recipes that still define the city. The result is a Chinese food culture that leans on fresh, clean flavours rather than heavy sauces. You get the famous Ipoh bean sprout chicken, wat tan hor with its glossy egg gravy, tai chow (big fry) classics like steamed river fish, butter prawns and salted egg crab, plus Hakka stews and Cantonese roast meats. Kampung Jawa alone is lined with legendary restaurant rows, while newer banquet halls out in Bercham and Greentown cater to big family celebrations. Order family style, mix a steamed fish with a prawn dish, a vegetable and a claypot, and you taste why locals are so loyal.
Are There Halal Chinese Restaurants in Ipoh?
Yes, and they are some of the busiest names in town. Most traditional Chinese restaurants in Ipoh are family-run and serve pork, so they are not suitable for Muslim diners. The exceptions are the Chinese-Muslim kitchens, which cook the same stir-fried, claypot and seafood dishes without any pork. Mohd Chan in Kampung Jawa is the best-known, and Restoran Hj Sharin Low in Greenhill is another long-running pork-free option. These let mixed groups and Muslim diners enjoy Chinese-style cooking with confidence, though menus and certification can change, so it is always worth confirming the latest status with the restaurant before a big group visit.
How to Choose a Chinese Restaurant in Ipoh
With this many good options, the right pick comes down to the kind of meal you are after. Weigh these before you book:
- Cuisine style: decide between everyday zi char and tai chow, a grand Cantonese banquet hall for a celebration, or a halal Chinese-Muslim kitchen if your table needs pork-free.
- Group size and booking: banquet restaurants are built for large family tables and wedding-style set dinners, while small zi char shops suit four to six people. Reserve ahead for weekends and big groups.
- Halal needs: if anyone at the table does not eat pork, lead with the Chinese-Muslim restaurants and confirm their current status before you go.
- Opening hours and rest days: several spots close one day a week, and a few run daytime only, so check the day before you drive over.
- Location and parking: the Kampung Jawa restaurant rows get packed and parking is tight at peak hours, whereas Bercham and Menglembu halls have easier space for cars.
- Budget and portions: many kitchens offer small, medium and large sizing, so you can scale the spread to your group without over-ordering.
Table of Contents
- 1. Mohd Chan Chinese Muslim Restaurant
- 2. Restoran New Holly Wood
- 3. Pusing Public Restaurant
- 4. New TS VIP Restaurant (東順貴賓酒家)
- 5. Sin Hup Kee
- 6. Tuck Kee Restaurant
- 7. Sun Marpoh Restaurant
- 8. Exquisite Ipoh Restaurant (東勝海鲜酒家)
- 9. East Ocean Seafood Restaurant
- 10. Restoran Hj Sharin Low
- 11. Mun Choong Seafood Restaurant
- 12. Oversea Restaurant
1. Mohd Chan Chinese Muslim Restaurant
If one Chinese restaurant unites every table in Ipoh, it is Mohd Chan in Kampung Jawa. This long-running Chinese-Muslim kitchen cooks all the stir-fried favourites, claypot yee mee, butter chicken, kam heong prawns and sweet and sour fish, entirely pork-free, which is why it draws such enormous crowds. The portions are hearty, the flavours punchy, and the menu long enough to keep a mixed group happy for hours. It opens from late morning until late at night every day, so it works for a long lunch or a supper run when the traditional spots have shut. Expect it to be busy, come with a group, and order plenty to share.
Operating Hours: 11:30 am – 11:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 56, Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 012-790 0914
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2. Restoran New Holly Wood
A Taman Canning institution, New Holly Wood is where Ipoh families go for a big, bustling morning feast of dim sum and roast meats under one roof. Trolleys of steamed baskets circle the floor, the roast duck and char siew are carved to order, and the sheer variety makes it a reliable crowd-pleaser for groups that can never agree on one thing. The hall is large and lively, and it fills fast on weekends, so arrive early for the best pick before the trolleys thin out. It runs a daytime service and rests on Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan a mid-week-to-weekend brunch here. A proper old-school Ipoh dining experience.
Operating Hours: 6:00 am – 4:00 pm (Closed Mondays & Tuesdays)
Address: 38, Lorong Cecil Rae, Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 012-290 8887
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3. Pusing Public Restaurant
If Ipoh has a heavyweight for Chinese tai chow, this is it. Pusing Public Restaurant has grown from its Pusing town roots into a Kampung Jawa institution that fills nightly with families, birthday tables and out-of-towners who drove in on a tip. The kitchen turns out consistently excellent big-fry dishes, and the fried cod fish is the one regulars refuse to skip, alongside butter prawns and a properly steamed fish. It is loud, lively and best enjoyed with a large group and a wide spread of plates. Open daily for lunch and dinner, it books out fast on weekends, so call ahead to secure a table before you make the trip.
Operating Hours: 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm & 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm (Daily)
Address: 57, 59, 61, 63 & 65, Jalan Veerasamy, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-253 3428
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4. New TS VIP Restaurant (東順貴賓酒家)
For a special occasion done the Cantonese way, New TS VIP on Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun is the banquet hall locals trust. This is the restaurant families book for wedding dinners, full-moon celebrations and big reunion meals, with a spread that runs from roast suckling pig and crispy chicken to steamed fish, abalone and a wide dim sum selection by day. The room is spacious and polished, service is attentive, and the set menus take the stress out of ordering for a crowd. It is a cut above the everyday zi char shops in both setting and presentation, which its loyal following clearly appreciates. Reserve ahead, especially for weekend evenings and larger tables.
Operating Hours: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm & 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 283, Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Taman Mansion, 30250 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-255 6688
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5. Sin Hup Kee
A homely tai chow favourite on Jalan Leong Sin Nam, Sin Hup Kee is the kind of place diners return to the very next day. The steamed patin fish is the dish to build your meal around, and the assam seafood, braised pork and silky tofu all earn their keep. What sets it apart is the warm service, with the lady running the floor happy to steer you toward the right plates for your table size. It is frequented by locals and stays comfortably unpretentious, which is exactly its charm. The spread is generous and the prices fair, making it an easy weekend choice. Note it closes on Tuesdays, so plan your visit around that.
Operating Hours: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm & 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm (Closed Tuesdays)
Address: 17, 19, 21, Jalan Leong Sin Nam, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-242 3128
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6. Tuck Kee Restaurant
Tuck Kee on Jalan King in Pasir Pinji is the name Ipoh folk reach for when a wat tan hor craving strikes. Its silky kuey teow bathed in a glossy egg gravy, with plenty of wok hei, is textbook stuff, and the sang har meen, big river prawns over crispy noodles, is the splurge order worth every ringgit. Beyond the noodles, the zi char menu covers stir-fried greens, tofu and a solid run of classics for a full table. The shop is old-school and no-frills, the turnover brisk, and the kitchen clearly knows its craft. Open daily for lunch and dinner, it is a dependable pick for a proper plate of Ipoh-style fried noodles.
Operating Hours: 11:00 am – 2:30 pm & 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 1-3, Jalan King, Jalan Pasir Pinji, Taman Hoover, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-255 3870
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7. Sun Marpoh Restaurant
For over fifteen years, Sun Marpoh in Taman Canning has served comforting, home-style Chinese cooking that keeps regulars loyal. The dishes come in small, medium and large sizes so you can order to suit your group, and the portions are generous for the price. The pineapple fish is a standout, and the lemongrass chicken has its own devoted following. The space is snug and gets packed on Sunday nights, so you may need to tiptoe between tables, but that busy, buzzy feel is part of the appeal. It is easy on the wallet and reliably tasty, which makes it a solid weekend choice for a relaxed family dinner. Closed on Wednesdays.
Operating Hours: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm & 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm (Closed Wednesdays)
Address: 67 & 69, Jalan Dato Lau Pak Khuan, Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-545 5127
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Website Info8. Exquisite Ipoh Restaurant (東勝海鲜酒家)
Out in Medan Bercham Bistari, Exquisite Ipoh Restaurant, known in Chinese as Dong Sheng, is a roomy seafood and banquet hall built for big tables. It caters comfortably to large groups and family celebrations, with lunch sets that offer real value. The fried mantis prawn with oats is a highlight, and the kitchen handles the full sweep of Chinese seafood dishes you would want for a proper sit-down dinner, from steamed fish to prawns and claypots. Service is friendly and attentive, with staff quick to refill tea and clear plates. If you are gathering a crowd and want space, air-conditioning and a broad menu, this is a dependable choice. Daily lunch and dinner service.
Operating Hours: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm & 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm (Daily)
Address: Lot 207737, Jalan Bercham Bistari 3, Medan Bercham Bistari, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-548 1888
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Website Info9. East Ocean Seafood Restaurant
A Menglembu name with a serious reputation, East Ocean Seafood Restaurant sets a high standard and does it at scale. The kitchen caters easily for large groups, and the set dinners take the guesswork out of ordering for ten. The white pepper crab has a distinctive, punchy flavour that regulars rave about, and the prawn hor fun broth is another one to seek out. It is a popular choice for weekend gatherings and celebration dinners, so reservations are strongly advised or you may find yourself waiting for a table. Come with an appetite and a full group, let the set menu do the heavy lifting, and you will understand why it has stayed a Menglembu favourite for so long.
Operating Hours: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm & 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm (Daily)
Address: 1-7, Hala Perusahaan Menglembu 7a, Menglembu, 31450 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-282 9457
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Website Info10. Restoran Hj Sharin Low
For a Chinese-style dinner the whole table can share without pork on the menu, Restoran Hj Sharin Low in Greenhill is the answer. This long-running Chinese-Muslim kitchen plates fresh prawns, fish and a spread of stir-fried dishes at prices that stay friendly, which is a big reason it draws crowds at lunch and dinner. The service is warm and attentive, and the value keeps families and visitors returning. Parking is easier in the evenings than at the midday rush. It is a rare and welcome halal-friendly option for Chinese cooking in Ipoh, though it is worth confirming the latest status before a big group visit. Closed on Mondays, so plan your trip for the rest of the week.
Operating Hours: 11:30 am – 3:30 pm & 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm (Closed Mondays)
Address: 14, Persiaran Greenhill, Kampung Jawa, 30450 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-241 2472
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11. Mun Choong Seafood Restaurant
A Pasir Puteh mainstay often mentioned in the same breath as Pusing Public, Mun Choong Seafood Restaurant delivers hearty Chinese seafood without the fuss. The stir-fried prawns are a favourite, and regulars single out the spring onion venison, crab meat shark fin soup and braised sea cucumber as reasons to keep coming back. The fish is fresh, and the special seafood tofu is a reliable crowd-pleaser. It is a proper sit-down Chinese restaurant that suits family dinners and celebratory meals alike, with a menu broad enough to keep ordering through several rounds. Open daily for lunch and dinner, it is a solid, old-school pick for a generous seafood spread shared across a big table.
Operating Hours: 11:30 am – 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 511, Jalan Pasir Puteh, Taman Camay, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-321 0320
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12. Oversea Restaurant
Rounding out the list, Oversea on Jalan Seenivasagam brings a polished Cantonese touch to Ipoh. Part of a respected Malaysian group, it is the spot for crispy roast meats, Cantonese roast duck and char siew, dim sum by day and a long menu of refined stir-fries and claypots. The dining room is comfortable and smartly run, which makes it a good choice when you want the zi char spread without the no-frills setting. It handles family celebrations and business meals with ease, and the late closing time gives you room for an unhurried dinner. Reserve ahead at weekends, and lead your order with the roast meats and a steamed fish to share.
Operating Hours: 11:30 am – 3:00 pm & 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 57-65, Jalan Seenivasagam, Kampung Jawa, 30450 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-253 8005
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Website InfoIpoh’s Chinese restaurants reward anyone willing to gather a group and order generously. For a halal spread that suits every table, Mohd Chan and Restoran Hj Sharin Low lead the way. For a grand Cantonese occasion, New TS VIP and Oversea do it in style, while Pusing Public, Sin Hup Kee and Mun Choong keep the tai chow tradition roaring. Craving the city’s famous fried noodles instead? Tuck Kee is your stop. Every spot here clears a 4.0 Google rating, so you can book any of them with confidence.
Opening hours and rest days do change, and the busier halls fill up fast on weekends, so a quick call to reserve never hurts before you head out. Now round up the family, pick a restaurant, and make a proper Chinese feast of your weekend in Ipoh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular Chinese restaurant in Ipoh?
Mohd Chan Chinese Muslim Restaurant in Kampung Jawa draws the biggest crowds, prized for its pork-free claypot yee mee, butter chicken and stir-fries. Among pork-serving spots, Pusing Public Restaurant is the go-to Chinese tai chow institution. Both get very busy at weekends, so booking a table ahead is recommended.
Are there halal Chinese restaurants in Ipoh?
Yes. Mohd Chan in Kampung Jawa and Restoran Hj Sharin Low in Greenhill are long-running Chinese-Muslim kitchens that cook Chinese-style dishes without any pork. Most other restaurants on this list are family-run and serve pork, so always confirm the latest halal status with the restaurant before you book if it matters to your table.
How much does a meal at a Chinese restaurant in Ipoh cost?
It varies by restaurant and how you order, but Chinese dining in Ipoh is generally good value compared with the Klang Valley. Many kitchens offer small, medium and large portions, so a group of four to six can share several dishes affordably. Banquet halls and seafood set dinners cost more. For an exact figure, call ahead and ask about set menu prices.
Do I need to book a table at Chinese restaurants in Ipoh?
For weekends, larger groups and popular banquet spots like New TS VIP, Oversea, Pusing Public and East Ocean, yes. These restaurants fill quickly during peak dinner hours and often cater to big family tables, so a quick call ahead saves you a wait and helps secure the dishes you want.
What Chinese dishes is Ipoh known for?
Ipoh is famous for bean sprout chicken, wat tan hor (kuey teow in egg gravy) and sang har meen (big prawn noodles), plus tai chow classics like steamed river fish, butter prawns and salted egg crab. Order family style with a fish, a prawn or crab dish, a vegetable and a claypot to taste the city at its best.
Which Chinese restaurants in Ipoh are open late for dinner?
Mohd Chan runs until 11pm daily and Oversea until 11pm, making both good shouts for a later dinner. Several tai chow and seafood houses such as Sun Marpoh, Hj Sharin Low and Mun Choong serve until around 10pm. Many old-school spots close earlier in the afternoon, so check the hours before a late visit.
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