Life & Rants – Pappa Rich @ De Garden, Ipoh
March 2, 2010 | 8,674 viewsIt’s midweek, and I bet most would be having the midweek blues by now. I sure am having them, for I did not touch my work for a good 2 weeks throughout the entire Chinese New Year season. And can’t really remember how long has it been since I worked a full FIVE days in one week. To top things off, today our job had us working overtime, going through the mundane routines once again.
Laughter and Cheers @ Pappa Rich, De Garden, Ipoh
I previously wrote a snippet on the new Pappa Rich outlet in Ipoh, the first outside of Klang Valley to be exact. If you had noticed, I never even touched on the other famous kopitiam (which has since dropped the Kopitiam moniker, retaining the Old Town White Coffee signatures only), nor any other kopitiam-style of outlets to be exact. Not to say that I DON’T go to these places for a drink, in fact I frequent them more than the barrage of street foods I commonly write about.
Fragrant & crispy coffee-crusted bun toasted to perfection, with velvety rich butter fillings ….Pappa Bun (aka Mexico Bun) (RM2.80)
And the epitome of all things chocolatey …. Milo Dinosaur @ Pappa Rich (RM4.80)
But the disappointing qualities of the food served at these outlets, coupled with the double-fold prices just do not cut it. I am not generalizing here, for I believe there has to be some good kopitiam somewhere, serving delicious (or at least, a plate of passable curry mee, or nasi lemak). But until now, I have yet to discover the holy grail, so to speak.
Crowded almost round the clock, Pappa Rich is garnering the much-deserved limelight in Ipoh, faster than one can expect
But still, there are many who still frequent the Old Town White Coffee outlets for the sake of convenience, for they open from morning until late night, on a daily basis, provides free wifi connection, and charges flat rate for their drinks and beverages – come rain or shine, festive season or not. And you can’t deny the fact that a serving of coffee at the upmarket Starbucks or Coffee Bean can buy you about 3 cups of Ipoh’s most delightful white coffee at Old Town’s.
And the onslaught of kopitiams opening lefts and rights redefine the coffee-drinking culture of not only the youths, but the older generations as well.
Then Pappa Rich arrived at the scene. I was being the usual skeptical self, wondering what’s the fuss about this new kopitiam, with a tagline boasting of “Malaysian Traditional Delights” and doing brisk business at the outlet I went to. That was the one in Taipan USJ, if I’m not mistaken. And then it hit me. In more ways than one. The price of the food and drinks was slightly of premium stature, about 40% or so more than its closest competitor, the Old Town outlets. Okay …. but then, the toasts and the drinks managed to impress me, for I felt that at Pappa Rich, you REALLY do get what you pay for.
Okay, maybe not ALL, but I had taken a liking to their signature Pappa Bun, (or Mexico Bun, or even Rotiboy …. what? Too young to get caught up in the hype that was?), the myriad of funky drinks combining soy milk, cendol, gula melaka, and cincau.
The Roti Bakar (Toasted Bread) and Roti Stim (Steamed Bread) with Kaya & Butter, and the beverages at Pappa Rich.
Not one to be outdone with the usual measly, thinly-sliced toasts, Pappa Rich serves THICK toast with REAL butter and smooth kaya. Those Benggali loaves (or whatever you call them) from the olden days take precedent here, an obvious thumbs up from J2Kfm, for I never like my bread to be resembling the generic Gardenia or Hi-5 anyway. I can toast them myself at home, thank you very much. 
I have yet to taste the savoury options, from noodles to rice and chicken chops, as well as dim sum (!) and the usual snacks. Yes, all the items are priced higher than what you usually expect from a kopitiam, but if they don’t charge premium rates, how can Pappa be RICH? 
I am so cliche. Shoot me.
Four lots facing possibly Ipoh’s most used road – Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah heading to the highway. And Jusco Kinta City’s a stone’s throw away. Fail-proof strategy?
Don’t get me wrong. I was not paid for this post. Nor I have anything against Old Town White Coffee. I am still deeply in love with Old Town’s Mee Siam – Not so much for the beehoon, but more for the fantastic sambal. A must-try, for the Breakfast Set that comes with a plate of Mee Siam and a cup of coffee/tea is priced at only RM3.90; extra RM1 if you want your beverage with milk.
But to be comparing both franchises head to head, my vote goes to Pappa Rich for the toasts and beverages (and the MILO DINOSAUR!), but Old Town for the successful branding, cheaper prices, and lifting the image of Ipoh’s old town to an elevated status.
Come to think of it, do YOU know which was the FIRST Old Town White Coffee outlet? And no, it’s NOT even in old town of Ipoh. Surprise, surprise.
This 32nd Pappa Rich outlet in Malaysia is situated at :
Pappa Rich @ De Garden
G-R-11 – G-R-13A, No. 3
Persiaran Medan Ipoh, Medan Ipoh
31400 Ipoh, Perak
Tel & Fax +605 545 2266
Here’s a GOOGLE MAP to Pappa Rich @ De Garden, Ipoh
So, where’s the first Old Town White Coffee outlet?
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wanted to try during CNY, but they open only at 11am…so havent got a chance to try yet….but read quite a lot of positive review
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I’m curious too… where is the 1st OTWC outlet?
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Wei, I still prefer the Old Town white coffee and their toast. I think they should issue me a member card, I go there very often, hehe. Papa rich is a bit pricey, but I like the environment. By the way, I like your first photo…haha, so many familiar happy faces
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Sigh…. didn’t notice when I was in Ipoh recently.
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Ipoh Garden South
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Wah KL price in Ipoh ….. I rather go for old school white coffee just 10 mins drive away. XD
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Heard a lot about this restaurant. And I am sure it is good right?
Just look at the bread. :p
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somehow these modern kopitiam outlets can never really attract me, I prefer the original non air cond, non wifi free shops probably runs by a Hainanese….
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Hey,
I went to Pappa Rich after your first post, and my oh my, I got a hell of a service. Not on the good side though. Ha ha. Not only the waiter screwed up our order, he insisted that he was right and served the right food, until I showed him where he went wrong, then he blamed it on other people for keying in wrong info from the menu, followed by (I believed) he threw the receipt away cos’ after that the correct order never came. We brought it up with the manager in charge there. He can’t seem to find our menu. After I pointed up the guy that first took our order, that guy actually said it’s not him!!!! How ridiculous can that be??!!
Anyway, it was a bad experience. No doubt that they serve better toast than Old town I would say, and yes I ordered the milo dinosaur too!! Not much a fan of milo but the name intriguing me ha ha.
Don’t think I will go back after such experience. The first waiter should be fired! Period. mua ha ha ha ha.
By the way, where’s the long awaited Kelantan post? :p
Cheers,
Nat
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I love Pappa Rich!
(Note: In the category of “not as nice as kopitiam but better than going to the Bucks and the Bean for makan/minum” places)
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Oh! I saw this place when I find my friend yam char at IPoh. Very nicely decorated. Will visit there if I go to Ipoh.
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on the food, some hits and some misses.
but the bread, especially the steam version is fantastic! just love it that i had a few extra slices plain.
on the soy milk + xxx, i dun like them cause it’s not fresh soy milk. from the taste of it, it’s from soy powder. if fresh soy milk was used, the drinks would be very good too.
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Food here are overpriced so the papa can become RICH =.=”
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Pappa Rich is not bad, but I personally think the price is too high and not to say very great if compared with old town white coffee. I still prefer Village Park especially the nasi lemak there, too bad it does not have other branches.
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the 1st outlet is near the 4th miles off Jalan Cheras, KL.
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Ah I love the thick toast and teh here. Beats Old Town’s hands down! I don’t even go to Old Town anymore.. first Old Town is in Penang?
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What’s with the milo dinosaur drink name? *scratch head
Haven’t have the chance to try Pappa Rich yet.
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[...] Pappa Rich @ De Garden, Ipoh – Kopitiam Done Right? | Motormouth … [...]
could u believe it i only stepped into my first papparich last saturday??? dat oso cos we brought our son to the clinic where papparich is located at the corner lot LOL but i’m liking it already even though i did not have any food. my soy milk cendol rocks!
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I do like them over Old Town though it is pricier.
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Still i find the nasi lemak served in Old Town taste better than Papa Rich. Papa Rich do offer a better ambiance, but think of it, if Old Town charges the same price as in Papa Rich, who knows it can’t provide the same quality of ambiance for us to yum char ? Admit that people always goes for something new because of curiosity. It is possible that maybe the next 5 years another chain of kopitiam on par is rising to compete with Old Town n Kopitiam ?
Frankly, both has their pros n cons. U simply can’t compare apple with orange.
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The 1st Old Town Coffee outlet in Ipoh is in Ipoh Gdn South (where Tian Di furniture shop is located).
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At Paparich. Their food made my bf visits the toilet for 3 times. My stomach felt a little unwell too. The price of the food is quite pricey. Their menu is limited too.
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J2Kfm Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 1:58 pm
What did you guys have that time?
Not fresh ingredients?
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[...] Pappa Rich @ De Garden [...]
[...] Then they decided to branch out from their two outlets in Cameron Highlands, bringing the taste of their delectable desserts and signature creations (especially their commanding Strudels) down to Ipoh. A smart choice, considering the fact that back then, De Garden was devoid of a proper hangout spot for desserts and drinks, save for Pappa Rich. [...]
[...] to categorize this as a restaurant given the tight space with a cozy ambience) parked on top of Pappa Rich at De Garden in Ipoh (YES, there IS an eatery on the first floor!) has been around for 9 months [...]
If you’re from Klang / Shah Alam.. you should check out Pak Li Kopitiam. They have a few outlets: Bukit Tinggi & Shah Alam. Try their prawn mee, mee mamak & cendol.
Prices and portions are just sweet.
http://www.paklikopitiam.com.my/
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[...] all, one can only have so many cups of white coffee from Old Town, and Milo Dinosaur from Pappa Rich, before getting ‘jelak’ of such [...]
Been following your blog for years and I must salute for your contribution on food sharing especially Ipoh.
Hi5 for the nostalgic kaki
Do you know where in Ipoh can I find a good traditional of Benggali or Hainan loaves?? Or maybe in KL… you can also email the info to me alternatively.
TQVM
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 10th, 2012 at 8:02 pm
Hi Qi … thanks for finally dropping a comment then!
Traditional loaf? You can try Willi’s Bakery in Pasir Puteh, though I am not sure whether they’re still selling the same since decades ago.
In KL, you can try buying from the Ah Weng Koh Hainan Tea stall in Bukit Bintang market in Imbi.
For bakeries, sorry, not so sure.
You can try the bakery in Ipoh Garden too, the corner lot behind of Woolley. They used to sell, if I am not mistaken.
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