Few meals bring a table together like a bubbling pot of soup in the middle of it. Ipoh has quietly built up a serious steamboat scene, from polished hotel buffets and Chinese hotpot chains to homely neighbourhood spots where you cook your own and lose track of time. Whether you fancy a clear herbal broth, a fiery mala base, or an all you can eat spread that keeps the meat coming, the old tin town has a pot for you, and most of them sit within easy reach of the city centre, Greentown, and the newer Soho and Festival Walk districts.
We did the legwork so you do not have to. Every restaurant on this list holds a Google rating of 4.0 or higher, drawn from real diners, and we have ordered them by how many reviews each place has earned, with the most reviewed spot first. That puts the long established crowd favourites at the top, the ones that have fed thousands of Ipoh families over the years. Here are the 10 best steamboat restaurants in Ipoh to gather your crew around this weekend.
Are There Halal Steamboat Options in Ipoh?
Yes. Steamboat in Ipoh leans Chinese, so many of the hotpot specialists serve pork and are not halal. But there are solid Muslim-friendly choices too. Lepak Santai Steamboat & Grill at Vivo Square runs an all you can eat buffet with unlimited grilled lamb that draws a big halal crowd, and Thai Mookata Steamboat brings a Thai-style grill and pot combo that suits mixed groups. As always, certification and ingredients can change, so confirm the latest status with the restaurant before you book a big table.
Buffet or A La Carte: Which Steamboat Should You Pick?
If you have a hungry group and a healthy appetite, buffet spots like Lepak Santai and the value mini-steamboat at Super Red give you the most food for your ringgit. If you would rather pay for quality and a calmer sit-down meal, the chain polish of Haidilao, the premium beef at Shabuya, or the seafood-forward pots at Dai Fatt Lala Pot are the move. We have flagged which is which below so you can match the place to the occasion and the budget.
Table of Contents
- 1. Shabuya
- 2. Haidilao Hot Pot (AEON Station 18)
- 3. MP BBQ Steamboat
- 4. Wei Lai Chicken Hotpot
- 5. Lepak Santai Steamboat & Grill
- 6. Dai Fatt Lala Pot (Ipoh Branch)
- 7. Yu Lim Yuan Ipoh Steamboat
- 8. Thai Mookata Steamboat Ipoh
- 9. T-Wo Restaurant
- 10. Super Red Mini Steamboat
1. Shabuya
Sitting inside Kinta Riverfront Hotel, Shabuya has become the name Ipoh diners reach for when they want shabu-shabu done properly. Each person gets their own individual pot, so you control your own broth and never fight over the last slice of beef. The premium meat platters are the draw, sliced thin for a quick swirl, and the soup bases run from a clean kombu to a richer collagen broth. It is a comfortable, air-conditioned setting that suits dates, family dinners, and small celebrations alike. Service is attentive and the spread of dipping sauces lets everyone build their own flavour. Book ahead on weekends, because this place fills up fast.
Operating Hours: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Daily)
Address: Kinta Riverfront Hotel & Suites, Jalan Lim Bo Seng, Taman Istana, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 012-735 6995
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
2. Haidilao Hot Pot (AEON Station 18)
The Sichuan hotpot giant landed in Ipoh at AEON Station 18 and quickly became one of the busiest steamboat spots in town. Haidilao is famous for its service first and foremost, think free snacks while you queue, hot towels, and even a noodle dance performed tableside. The four-grid pot lets your group mix and match broths, from a tongue-numbing mala to a mild tomato or mushroom base, and you build your own dipping sauce at the condiment bar. It is open until very late, so it works for supper after a movie or a long catch-up with friends. Prices sit higher than the local spots, but the experience is part of what you pay for.
Operating Hours: 11:00 am – 3:00 am (Daily)
Address: Lot F66, F67, F70 & F71, AEON Ipoh Station 18 Shopping Centre, 22, Susuran Stesen 18, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-238 0520
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
3. MP BBQ Steamboat
A long-running buffet favourite on Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, MP BBQ Steamboat has fed Ipoh crowds for years with its combo of grill and pot at one table. You get the best of both worlds here, searing meat and seafood on the barbecue plate while the broth bubbles away alongside. It is a casual, no-frills place built for groups, birthdays, and the kind of long, noisy dinner where everyone leaves full. The selection covers the usual buffet spread of marinated meats, fishballs, vegetables, and noodles. It opens in the evening only, so it is firmly a dinner and supper destination. Come hungry and pace yourself across the grill and the soup.
Operating Hours: 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 104A, Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, 30450 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-241 3866
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
4. Wei Lai Chicken Hotpot
At Festival Walk, Wei Lai Chicken Hotpot puts a different spin on the steamboat ritual. You start with a wok of stir-fried chicken in a rich, spicy sauce, eat your way down, and then the staff top it up with broth so it becomes a full hotpot. That two-in-one format is exactly why regulars love it: a dry chicken pot to begin, then a soup to swirl your add-ons through. The spice levels are adjustable, the portions are generous, and it is a fun, interactive meal for groups who like a bit of theatre with dinner. The Medan Ipoh location is easy to reach and popular with the younger crowd, so go early on weekends.
Operating Hours: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 2-10, Festival Walk, Jalan Medan Ipoh 1, Medan Ipoh Bestari, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-541 7260
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
5. Lepak Santai Steamboat & Grill
If you want all you can eat without watching the bill climb, Lepak Santai at Vivo Square is the call. This buffet spot is known for its unlimited grilled lamb, alongside a generous steamboat and barbecue spread that draws a big, mixed crowd most nights. It is a popular halal-friendly choice, which makes it one of the easier options for groups who need everyone at the table to be able to eat. The vibe is relaxed and lively, true to its name, and it runs late into the night so it doubles as a supper spot. Bring an appetite and a group, and settle in for a long, smoky, satisfying feed.
Operating Hours: 4:00 pm – 12:00 am (Daily)
Address: Vivo Square, Lang Jaya, Pusat Perniagaan, Jalan Kuala Kangsar, 30010 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 012-539 6661
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
6. Dai Fatt Lala Pot (Ipoh Branch)
Seafood lovers, this one is for you. Dai Fatt Lala Pot in Soho Ipoh built its name on the lala, those fresh clams piled high and steamed open right in the pot until the broth turns sweet and briny. It is a proper specialist, and the clam pot is the order everyone comes for, but the rest of the menu rounds it out with prawns, fish, and the usual hotpot add-ons. The space is cosy and gets busy, so the energy is good and the turnover is quick. It splits its hours into a lunch and a dinner service, the latter running late, so it suits both a midday treat and a long evening over the pot. Reserve ahead for bigger groups.
Operating Hours: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm & 5:30 pm – 12:00 am (Daily)
Address: B-G-1, Soho Ipoh, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 016-822 0688
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
7. Yu Lim Yuan Ipoh Steamboat
Yu Lim Yuan on Jalan Pasir Puteh is the classic neighbourhood steamboat done right. This is the kind of place locals bring out-of-town family to, a traditional sit-down spot where the broth is the hero and the freshness of the ingredients does the talking. Expect house-made fishballs and meatballs, fresh seafood, and a soup base that simmers up clean and comforting. It runs through the day from late morning, so it is one of the few options here that works for a long lunch as well as dinner. The atmosphere is friendly and unpretentious, the sort of pot you return to again and again. A reliable pick when you want honest, no-gimmick steamboat.
Operating Hours: 11:00 am – 10:30 pm (Daily)
Address: 209 & 211, Jalan Pasir Puteh, Taman Taiping, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 016-553 0228
Google Review: View on Google
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8. Thai Mookata Steamboat Ipoh
For something with a Thai accent, Thai Mookata Steamboat in Taman Ipoh Perdana brings the dome-shaped mookata grill that doubles as a steamboat. You grill your meat on the raised centre while the broth-filled moat around it catches the juices and turns into a flavour-packed soup, the best of both styles in one pan. It is a fun, hands-on meal that suits younger groups and anyone who likes the Thai-style marinades and dipping sauces. The mood is casual and the place comes alive in the evening. Note it is closed on Mondays and opens for dinner only, so plan your visit accordingly. A lively change of pace from the standard Chinese hotpot.
Operating Hours: 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Tue–Sun); Closed Mondays
Address: 48, Laluan Ipoh Perdana, Taman Ipoh Perdana, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 011-1535 3609
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
9. T-Wo Restaurant
T-Wo on Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakri is a buzzy evening spot in Taman Jubilee that pairs steamboat and grill with a sociable, late-night vibe. It is the kind of place you settle into with friends for a few hours, working through the pot and the barbecue while the night rolls on. The format suits casual hangouts and group dinners, and the central location makes it an easy meeting point. Opening from early evening until midnight, it leans into the supper crowd and a relaxed, unhurried pace. If you want a steamboat that comes with a bit of a buzz rather than a quiet sit-down, T-Wo delivers. Go with a group to make the most of the spread.
Operating Hours: 5:00 pm – 12:00 am (Daily)
Address: 97-99, Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakri, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 011-5984 5364
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
10. Super Red Mini Steamboat
Rounding out the list, Super Red Mini Steamboat on Persiaran Greenhill is the spot for an individual-pot meal that does not break the bank. Each diner gets their own little pot, which means no sharing germs and full control over your broth and spice, a format that has made it a hit with students, couples, and solo eaters. The value is the headline here, with affordable sets that pack in a decent spread of meat, seafood balls, and vegetables. It is a casual, easygoing place that works for a quick weeknight dinner or a low-key weekend bite. If you want personal-pot steamboat without the chain price tag, Super Red is a tidy little find in Kampung Jawa.
Operating Hours: Mon–Fri 5:00 pm – 10:30 pm; Sat–Sun 1:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Address: 43, Persiaran Greenhill, Kampung Jawa, 30450 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 017-583 1448
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
Ipoh gives you the full sweep of steamboat, and the right pick comes down to the night you are planning. For a polished sit-down with premium beef, Shabuya and the showmanship of Haidilao rarely miss. When the group is big and the budget is tight, the all you can eat spreads at Lepak Santai and MP BBQ deliver the most food for your ringgit, while Super Red keeps it personal and cheap. And for something with character, the clam pots at Dai Fatt, the chicken hotpot at Wei Lai, and the Thai-style grill at Thai Mookata each bring their own twist. Every spot here clears a 4.0 Google rating, so you can book any of them with confidence.
Hours, halal status, and prices do change, so a quick call or a peek at Google before you head out never hurts, especially for the evening-only spots. Now round up your crew, pick a pot, and make a proper weekend of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which steamboat in Ipoh is halal?
Lepak Santai Steamboat & Grill at Vivo Square is a popular halal-friendly buffet with unlimited grilled lamb, and Thai Mookata Steamboat is another Muslim-friendly option. Many Chinese hotpot spots in Ipoh serve pork, so always confirm the latest halal status with the restaurant before booking a big group.
What is the best value steamboat in Ipoh?
For all you can eat value, Lepak Santai and MP BBQ Steamboat give big, hungry groups the most food for the price with their buffet grill-and-pot spreads. If you prefer your own personal pot at a low price, Super Red Mini Steamboat in Kampung Jawa is one of the most affordable picks in town.
Do I need to make a reservation for steamboat in Ipoh?
For weekends and larger groups, yes. Popular spots like Shabuya, Haidilao, and Dai Fatt Lala Pot fill up fast during peak dinner hours, and Haidilao often runs a queue. A quick call or an early arrival saves you a long wait, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
Which steamboat in Ipoh is open late?
Haidilao at AEON Station 18 runs until the early hours and is the go-to for a late supper, while Lepak Santai and T-Wo stay open until around midnight. Most of the others wind down between 10:30 pm and 11:00 pm, so check the hours if you are planning a late-night pot.
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
