Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Follow me on Instagram (@ipohmotormouth) for continuous updates
  • rss
  • Home
  • About
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Ipoh Food
  • Perak Food
  • KL/Selangor Food
  • Penang Food
  • Travelogue
  • Featured
  • Links
    • Malaysian Food Blogs
    • Inspirational Food Blogs
    • Random Blogs
  • Contact Me

All About Ipoh’s Bean Sprout Chicken – 10 of the Best

August 18, 2011 | 47,710 views
Tweet

It’s always rewarding to share. This was essentially the reason why I compiled the Ipoh Curry Mee list, and then the Best of Ipoh Dim Sum list followed suit not long after. The lists saved the hassle of repeatedly recommending the best of Ipoh’s signature foods to visiting friends, relatives and even strangers from the web.

In a relatively shadowy/grimmer manner, this is also a stark reminder of how this Motormouth is being challenged gradually by depleting memory storage capacity; and needs a point of reference every now and then.

So dear cherished readers, in case you are already planning for a road trip to Ipoh this coming Raya holidays; here’s a handy compilation of some of the BEST bean sprout chicken (‘tauge ayam’ in Malay, or ‘nga choy gai’ in Chinese) outlets in Ipoh :

Lou Wong Tauge Ayam Kuetiau

1. LOU WONG TAUGE AYAM KUETIAU

Hands down THE most popular place in Ipoh, and heck … probably all of Malaysia for good old ‘nga choy gai’. They have grown from strength to strength, albeit very stiff competition from Onn Kee situated beside AND diagonally opposite of them.

Yet, feedbacks have not been all rosy. Some have complained of poor quality control, and mediocre standard of service. There were times when the poached chicken arrived with unsightly and unpalatable bloody bits, especially at the flesh closest to the chicken thigh.

But still, can’t deny the lure of a late midnight feast here, dining under the stars (the real deal and the glitzy neon lights hovering from above), and slurping on smooth ‘sar hor fun’ and crunchy bean sprouts.

Oh, personally, I think Lou Wong still does the best blanched bean sprouts in Ipoh.

RESTORAN LOU WONG TAUGE AYAM KUETIAU (click for full review)
49, Jalan Yau Tet Shin,

30300 Ipoh, Perak,
Malaysia
Opens for lunch and dinner.

Onn Kee Tauge Ayam

2. RESTORAN ONN KEE (TAUGE AYAM)

Usually mentioned in the same breath as Lou Wong, this is the ‘other’ popular restaurant in Ipoh for bean sprout chicken. Better yet, they have TWO outlets within a stone’s throw from each other. One outlet would be ideal if you fancy being seated in an air-conditioned environment (but why would you?), the other being an almost mirror image of Lou Wong; an ‘al fresco’ dining concept with tables lining the perimeter of the restaurant.

However, Onn Kee suffers from a somewhat lackluster push in the right direction towards exemplary customer service. We had to wave frantically for our table to be cleared when we were already seated adjacent to the chopping station.

Don’t get me wrong. Onn Kee actually has better ratings from tourists and locals alike; and people are perpetually torn between the Lou Wong vs Onn Kee debacle.

RESTORAN ONN KEE TAUGE AYAM (click for full review)
51, Jalan Yau Tet Shin,
30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

Opens for lunch and dinner (about 10-11am onwards, until about 1-2am)

Cowan Street

3. COWAN STREET AYAM TAUGE & KOITIAU

And proud to say, I don’t jump in the bandwagon. Okay, so I tend to possess this slightly haywire tastebud compared to the norms, but wanna know my vote for favourite ‘tauge ayam’ in Ipoh?

Cowan Street’s decades of legacy obviously. They started this whole ‘nga choy gai’ mania waaaaaayyyy back before my time, serving the much-revered chicken, bean sprouts and rice noodles medley by the roadside underneath some trees.

Marred by their notorious reputation of closing their business more often than not; in a very haphazardly manner at that, even the locals got fed up sometimes.

However, on the positive side, their flavourful rendition of poached chicken in a beautifully compelling sauce with a nutty hint, smooth ‘sar hor fun’ (the flat rice noodles you cannot find anywhere else) and crunchy bean sprouts are probably second to none. Small portion? Maybe. And slightly pricier too, but definitely worth the money forked out for.

COWAN STREET AYAM TAUGE & KOITIAU (Click for the full review)
44, Jalan Raja Ekram,
30450 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Telephone : 6012-520 3322 (Ah Meng)
Business hours : Opens for dinner only, from about 7pm onwards.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Fifteen Tower Bean Sprouts Chicken

4. FIFTEEN TOWER TAUGE CHICKEN

Now, we will move on to the lesser-known stalls in Ipoh, yet with strong following especially among the locals. Some have labeled this as the Buntong bean sprout chicken. However, there is another stall deep in the heart of Buntong community with that name, and equally reputable stature.

Thus, we still refer to this as the Fifteen Tower ‘nga choy gai’. Seemingly, the proprietor of this is a sibling of Cowan Street’s; which explains the similarity between the stalls’ similar version of kuey teow soup; a very flavoursome broth with a distinct taste and aroma of prawn shells.

FIFTEEN TOWER TAUGE CHICKEN (Click for the full review)
Pusat Makanan Zui Xiang Cun
Jalan Tun Abdul Razak,
Ipoh, Perak.
A short distance away from the bus station in Ipoh town, and Medan Kidd.

Buntong Ayam Tauge

5. BUNTONG AYAM TAUKE

A hidden gem, and a popular haunt among the local community of Buntong. This eatery is housed in the front porch of someone’s house, and you’re practically eating in their compound. Talk about hospitality?

However, the chicken and bean sprouts were doused in a sauce that was much too oily, rendering the experience less than spectacular. Especially if you’re one who does not bring tissues along with you.

Still, can’t deny the homely charm this stall provides, and if there’s any consolation, you can also stuff yourself silly with some beef noodles and stuffed fish paste (yong liew) a few doors away, ALSO from someone’s compound.

RESTORAN AYAM TAUKE (Click for full review)
No 849, Jalan Guntong, Buntong, Ipoh, Perak.
Tel No : 05-255 7469 or 017-5787251.
Closed on Tuesdays. Opens only in the evening
.

Kam Hor @ Ipoh Garden

6. KEDAI KOPI KAM HOR

Now, if you’re staying further away from town and wish to get your cravings fixed without driving all the way to Lou Wong/Onn Kee, where can you satiate that craving of yours?

Kam Hor has been around since 30 years ago. Yup, a case of crouching tiger, hidden dragon? Apparently not so, considering that this lovely couple had a strong fanbase too. And very infamous for the extremely tedious wait.

Sometimes you may have to wait for more than 30 minutes, at times … an hour (!) for your food to be served. Can’t blame them, since they’re already in the geriatric age-group, and they’re not giving up the business yet. A resilient notion worthy of an accolade, and bear in mind that they do not have a battalion of helpers in their shop.

KEDAI KOPI KAM HOR (Click for full review)
No 89, Jalan Canning Estate,
31400 Ipoh Garden,
Ipoh, Perak.

Yoon Kee @ Stadium Ipoh

7. YOON KEE STALL NO 23 @ STADIUM IPOH

Now, this stall might not ring a bell, since most people go for the other hawker fares at the Ipoh stadium food court. Rarely did we hear about tourists opting for bean sprout chicken here, as compared to the various stalls selling char kuey teow, rojak, ais kacang, Hong Kong chee cheong fun, etc.

But do you know that Yoon Kee is not a mere pushover?

For more than two decades in business, this stall originated from a humble beginning; by the roadside in front of Sun Marpoh restaurant.

YOON KEE BEAN SPROUT CHICKEN STALL (Click for full review)
Stall No 23,
Medan Selera Stadium Ipoh
Opens at night for dinner daily, except Wednesdays or Thursdays (unconfirmed)

Leong Kee @ Jalan Pasir Puteh

8. KEDAI MAKANAN & AIS KACANG LEONG KEE

As old school as an eatery can be, Leong Kee is more famous for their porridge than bean sprout chicken. But still, most patrons go there for the best of both worlds.

The dilapidated premise and compromised hygiene state aside, the ‘nga choy gai’ here is a combination of no-frills poached chicken, blanched bean sprouts and kuey teow soup.

Not the instant choice that comes to mind, but still worthy of a visit before the whole stretch of shops become so rundown, a major makeover’s in store in the near future.

KEDAI MAKANAN DAN AIS KACANG LEONG KEE (Click for full review)
153, Jalan Pasir Puteh,
31650 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Business hours : 6pm – 12am. Closed on Wednesdays.

Kah Seng Tauge Ayam @ Bercham

9. RESTORAN KAH SENG IPOH

Now if you’re living in Bercham, you would have heard of this place or at least passed by the restaurant. Kah Seng faces the main road of Bercham, and has been there for a good few years. Fond memories of eating here more than we had our fix at Lou Wong back in the late 90’s, but a recent visit revealed the startling truth …..

Quality has dwindled, and this has been struck off the list in favour of the better ones in town.

KAH SENG IPOH RESTAURANT (Click for full review)
No 223, Jalan Bercham Taman Sri Kurau,
Taman Desa Kencana,
31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Dinner only.

Kum Kee @ Pasir Pinji

10. KEDAI MAKANAN KUM KEE @ PASIR PINJI

Though we usually come here for their signature Big Small Feet (an assemble of pork trotters and chicken feet, braised to a tender level in soy sauce), Kum Kee opens until the wee hours of the morning and serve a reputable bean sprout chicken too.

The bean sprout was okay, being neither here nor there, but Ipoh’s version of the sprout has always been stellar anyway.

KEDAI MAKANAN KUM KEE (Click for full review)
798-799, Jalan Sekolah,
Pasir Pinji, 31650 Ipoh, Perak.
Opens from 6pm onwards, until about 2-3am

Thean Chun @ Old Town

THEAN CHUN @ OLD TOWN IPOH

The other famous ones not mentioned in the list:
– A shop facing Jalan Pasir Putih in Shatin Park, same row as Old Town White Coffee.
– Bercham’s increasingly popular Restoran Ayam Tauge Lapan Satu Lapan (818)
– Thean Chun in old town, and the many other ‘kai see hor fun’ stalls. Not the conventional bean sprout chicken outlets.

Got your appetite worked up yet? If the next time you hear of people lamenting ….

“Cheh …. Ipoh only got Lou Wong and Onn Kee for bean sprout chicken, nowhere else that you can go to escape the crowd (and the ‘jaga kereta’ boys) ….”

Then stand on your ground and show them this list. Who knows … he/she might just fall for Ipoh’s bean sprout chicken all over again.

Blog Widget by LinkWithin
Share
Categories
Ipoh Food
Tags
Bean Sprouts Chicken, Best of Ipoh Bean Sprout Chicken, Chinese Food, Ipoh, Ipoh Food, Street Food, Tauge Ayam
Comments rss
Comments rss
Trackback
Trackback

« Chan Meng Kee Wantan Noodle & The Elusive Wild Boar Curry @ SS2 All About Ipoh White Coffee – Intoxicatingly Addictive »

15 Responses to “All About Ipoh’s Bean Sprout Chicken – 10 of the Best”

  1. ken says:
    August 18, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    nice list.. possibly the pride for ipoh.. but im not really a fan.. haha..
    so far, i only tried lou wong and onn kee 🙂

    [Reply]

  2. rm2co says:
    August 18, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    Personal favourite currently- The Buntong Bean Sprouts Chicken stall at the Glutton Square/Tunku Theng in Ipoh Garden (opposite Wooley). Good portions. Great taste. I personally like the soup version of the kuay teow. Their dry version (kon lou) version comes a close second.

    [Reply]

  3. Adam says:
    August 19, 2011 at 9:23 am

    i don’t think ive ever salivated on my keyboard more than i have reading this post lol.

    i miss ipoh kuetiau so much. cant wait to visit ipoh again in december and hv a grand feast! 😀

    [Reply]

  4. Ching Yen Choon says:
    August 20, 2011 at 12:37 am

    Thanks for the wonderful post. I will surely try all those chicks when I go to Ipoh.

    For your information (and your readers), I have created a general map for all the Ipoh Bean Sprout Chicken Restaurant. You can view it at:
    http://www.savershub.com/my/en/business.php?input1=Ipoh+Bean+Sprouts+Chicken+Restaurant&input3=Ipoh&lang=en

    If the GPS is wrong, please update me. Thanks for the post.

    [Reply]

  5. Eat Only Lar! says:
    August 21, 2011 at 4:27 am

    All of them look great! This list will prove useful for any upcoming trips to Ipoh. Speaking of which, I think it’s about time for one such trip! hehe

    [Reply]

  6. All About Ipoh White Coffee | Motormouth From Ipoh - Malaysian Food & Travel Blog says:
    August 21, 2011 at 11:34 am

    […] to complete the All About Ipoh series (bean sprout chicken, dim sum & curry mee), white coffee has to be mentioned along the same breath. Since this has […]

  7. Ultimate Ipoh Food List by J2Kfm | Motormouth From Ipoh - Malaysian Food & Travel Blog says:
    September 1, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    […] All About Ipoh’s Bean Sprout Chicken – 10 of the Best […]

  8. Comeson Restaurant (Kam San) Famous Wantan Mee @ Ipoh | Motormouth From Ipoh - Malaysian Food & Travel Blog says:
    September 11, 2011 at 10:29 am

    […] of THIS. If you have not heard of Lou Wong, then you’d better start reading now […]

  9. Kar Heong Restaurant @ Subang Jaya - Ipoh "Kai See Hor Fun" | Motormouth From Ipoh - Malaysian Food & Travel Blog says:
    November 7, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    […] to appease an Ipoh boy after having like …. almost ALL of what Ipoh has to offer? (Go through this list and drool […]

  10. 118 (Yat Yat Bat) Bean Sprouts Chicken @ Bercham, Ipoh | Motormouth From Ipoh - Malaysian Food & Travel Blog says:
    March 21, 2012 at 10:47 pm

    […] More ‘tauge ayam’ outlets in Ipoh – All About Ipoh’s Bean Sprouts Chicken. […]

  11. Lui S says:
    February 8, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    Restoran Kam Hor in Ipoh Garden East should’ve been mentioned as well. The owner will be retiring soon.

    [Reply]

  12. Mike says:
    April 24, 2015 at 2:18 pm

    Hi,
    Great blog site even now that its 2015. Hope the pages remain correct with the location/addresses.

    I will try No.2 Restoran Onn Kee a try. In particular, the air-conditioned version of the restaurant.

    I hope for future articles, you’ll also add the air-conditioned restaurant information which helps foreigners suffer less in the humidity and heat while enjoying the wonderful delights of Ipoh.

    Foreigners will unlikely tell any difference between the No.1 vs the No.2 restaurant, and the air-conditioned option will be a priority. 🙂

    Thanks again and cheers,
    Mike

    [Reply]

  13. Seowyeng says:
    August 5, 2015 at 11:02 am

    Ever try ” tuck gor nga choi gai ????” at Ipoh Garden East? =) Its not bad

    [Reply]

  14. Seowyeng says:
    August 5, 2015 at 11:05 am

    Ever try ” tuck gor nga choi gai ????” at Ipoh Garden East? =) Its quite OK? Located near Crab House at Ipoh Garden East.

    [Reply]

  15. Felton Bergmeyer says:
    October 3, 2018 at 9:06 am

    I am actually delighted to read this web site posts which carries tons of useful data, thanks for providing such statistics.

    [Reply]

Leave a Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Click to cancel reply
Load More...
Follow me on Instagram

Why not start from here?

Motormouth's Ultimate List of Ipoh Food Motormouth EATS in the Klang Valley!!! Travel Stories from All Over the World Motormouth's eating up Perak!

Recent Stories

  • Hungry? Head your way to Merindy Restaurant in Kampung Simee
  • Not a Houdini’s Act, but almost … in this blanket of haze
  • Keep calm and take a break: Three cafes to do just that in Ipoh
  • Guangdong cuisine at its best from this unassuming Hong Kong eatery
  • Have An “Oddies” Saturday!
  • The Coffee Academics @ Wan Chai, Hong Kong
  • Grab a quiet breakfast of curry mee and yong tau foo at Foo Kwai, Bercham
  • Motormouth’s Life in Hong Kong
  • Heart still beating, but the energy fizzled out …
  • Beach Road Scissor-Cut Curry Rice – More than a Mess

Archives

Discover All About Ipoh on Facebook

All About Ipoh on Facebook

Most Viewed Posts

  • Ultimate Ipoh Food List by J2Kfm - 1,489,299 views
  • KL/Selangor Food - 244,614 views
  • Best of 2012 – Motormouth’s Top 12 Ipoh Food Finds - 168,062 views
  • Perak Food - 116,983 views
  • Ipoh Famous Yong Tau Foo @ Pasir Pinji Big Tree Foot (Dai Shu Geok) - 110,170 views
  • Bentong @ Pahang – Small Town, Big Heart, Even Bigger Appetite! - 108,655 views
  • Penang Food - 107,116 views
  • A Closing Chapter in Life @ Felda Residence Hot Springs, Sungai Klah - 106,187 views
  • Medan Muara Ikan Bakar @ Tanjung Harapan, Port Klang - 91,154 views
  • Sitiawan Food For Dummies – Half A Day’s Worth of Food Hunt - 87,135 views
  • Ready for A Culinary Safari in Taiping? - 86,953 views
  • Teluk Intan in A Whirlwind – Of Street Food, Leaning Tower & BIG Cinemas - 84,326 views
  • Motormouth’s Travel Ideas – Eating Up Sitiawan! - 81,527 views
  • Village Park @ Damansara Uptown – Is This The BEST Nasi Lemak in Klang Valley? - 72,200 views
  • It’s Perfectly Alright for Girls to “Burp” & Guys to “Giggle” … - 71,385 views
  • Bukit Tinggi – Eat. Shoot. Breathe. Bliss. - 66,666 views
  • Perak Food Guide by J2Kfm - 65,157 views
  • All About Ipoh’s Dim Sum Restaurants – 10 of the Best - 64,199 views
  • All About Ipoh’s Curry Noodles – 15 of the Best - 62,482 views
  • Secret Garden @ Ipoh – A Respite for the Jaded Soul - 61,653 views

Categories

Stats

Admin

  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.org
rss Comments rss