The Old Town Coffee Face-Off : Sin Yoon Loong White Coffee vs Madras Coffee
April 30, 2009 | 14,329 viewsOld town of Ipoh is forever bustling with activities come morning until evening, a nostalgic part of Ipoh that’s far from forgotten, and no doubt a dream come true for all food lovers on a gastronomic trail; From north to south, and vice versa.
The one that started it all ….Previously, I blogged about Sin Yoon Loong white coffee, the oldest joint serving the now legendary white coffee of Ipoh. Though no doubt Nam Heong, or rather, Old Town White Coffee (those Kopitiam outlets that are mushrooming everywhere) is responsible for putting Ipoh’s white coffee on the map, both domestically and internationally.
The same old setting, albeit plastic chairs being used now, instead of those classic wooden ones from days of yoreSin Yoon Loong has been in business probably in my past life. Right until today, they’ve managed to retain the authenticity of their forte; the white coffee brew, a secret handed down from generations to generations.
Realise that having breakfast in Ipoh’s Old Town can be a stressful endeavour. Searching for an empty parking lot is one, while fighting for a seat is another. Thankfully, the row of white coffee shops consists of 3 shops in a row, and Nam Heong on the opposite side. So there is backup after all.
Chee Cheong Fun with Mushroom Gravy
Toast with Kaya and Butter
All this while, I never had a full meal at Sin Yoon Loong. Only coffee and toast. Or their famous “Kai Dan Kou”, or egg-flavoured roll with kaya.
The Chee Cheong Fun passed the test, at least to Mr Z anyway. He of course, was comparing to Sin Lean Lee’s version, which is nothing to shout about in the 1st place. Sin Lean Lee is the coffee shop with that infamous stall serving Kam Chau Fan aka GOLDEN Fried Kuey Teow.
A hot, frothy cup of good old Ipoh’s white coffee. THE original taste.
But nothing beats spending precious time chatting away with acquittances over a cup of rich, and fragrant white coffee. Feeling peckish? Order a serving of toast, buttered yet not overly cloying although substantial ‘kaya‘ (coconut jam) is spread on the thin slices of crisp bread.
Location : Sin Yoon Loong @ Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak. The corner lot, before reaching the towering 20-storeys flat of Old Town.
But what IF you’ve waited for hours (slightly exaggerated, but you get my drift), yet you found NO empty seats? And with your craving for a shot of caffeine at an all-time high; runny nose, jittering teeth, sweat beads forming on the temple and all?
Another one of those famous banana leaf outlet in Ipoh …..
A hop and a skip away, you’ll seek Nirvana. Your light at the end of the tunnel. Your solace, your requiem, your COFFEE. @ Sri Ananda Bahwan Restaurant.
Madras Coffee (thanks to yikyang for the heads-up)
The sweet Indian desserts of Ladoo, Palkova, and Mysore pak. Spelling may be off though.
So you’re wondering what’s Madras coffee? Also known as Indian Filter Coffee, not many might have heard, let alone tried this saltish, milky brew. I for one, was completely oblivious to its existence until duly notified by a reader.
Firstly, you gotta know how to drink it. Yup, you’ll be served with not one, but TWO separate steel container, a cup with the thick & frothy coffee, and another smaller steel bowl of fresh cow’s milk. Tastewise? Not too strong to jolt up that draggy system in the mornings, but pleasant and smooth, with a tinge of saltiness. There’s a faint hint of herbs/spices which is not overwhelming, but leaves a fragrant note after you slurp down a mouthful. Not bad, definitely a beverage I’ll come back for.
Whazzup, Matcha?!!!!
The desserts at Sri Ananda Bahwan were not sickeningly sweet, unlike most. The Palkova or milk sweet in particular, is creamy, soft and sweet enough to leave a lingering taste, yet not tooth-numbing terror. The ladoo was disappointing though, Samy‘s was far better.
Location : Sri Ananda Bahwan @ 7, Persiaran Bijeh Timah, 30000 Ipoh. It’s the row of shops perpendicular to Sin Yoon Loong. Turn right at the crossroads with Nam Heong and Sin Yoon Loong, and you’ll see this shop on your left.
SO, WHICH ONE’S RIGHT UP YOUR ALLEY?
i love Indian Madras / bru coffee…somehow with the cow’s milk it has a different blend as compared to local white coffee…
[Reply]
The food and drinks look so good!
I really want to try the white coffee… wonder why it’s called white but the color isn’t white.
[Reply]
I used to order chee cheong fun in mushroom gravy, but lately I like the soy sauce version(????). You tried before? :p
[Reply]
this post very deja vu la…didnt you blog once about wanting to have kopitiam and ended up having mamak?
[Reply]
I will go for the white coffee. Have tasted a few in pg but most of them have not reach to its similarity.
[Reply]
dont you find the white coffee is a bit too sweet??? I’ve tried once, I didn’t quite like it, as it’s too too too sweet
[Reply]
i dun think i want anything up my alley thank you hahaha
but i do like my masala tea..
[Reply]
I am pining for Ipoh food but I am going to have a busy instead of a long weekend.
[Reply]
Sad to say , none. Because both are hypes and too far from the scale of the golden brew , even the lowly mis-ranked toddy in Teluk Gong beats them coconut down ! But we have to give due credit to the power of Old & Ipoh's other real offerings , some of which you have corrected flattered !
[Reply]
and the thing is, makan places like these usually serve good food as well! beats some wannabe cafes, anytime! i likez!
[Reply]
Never have Indian dessert b4 but I heard that they are very sweeeeet~~?
[Reply]
I’ve never tried Madras coffee…I always order Bru coffee. =P
I’m so trying Sin Yoon Loong when I’m in Ipoh!
[Reply]
I remember once walking through Little India in Ipoh and I saw this shop with its vast array of Indian desserts. Extremely colourful they were. Alas didn’t get to try any. Hehe, yet another thing to add to my list. Yumz
[Reply]
Given a choice, I’ll definitely try madras coffee and the desserts, or kuih. Hmm…I’ve acquired a taste for Indian cakes and would nip to Little India come Deepavali to hunt around for some sweet cakes. Yummy!
[Reply]
I love Ipoh’s version of CCF… Either the plain one with sesame oil or the mushroom sauce. yum yum.
[Reply]
I would definitely love to try the CCF with mushroom gravy 😛
[Reply]
Looking at the food makes me miss Malaysia so much. Aww… How I wish I can have those food as breakfast now!
[Reply]
not bad still could post an article!madras coffee..hmm wonder wat was i doing all these while in ipoh..will give it a try.the dessert with raisins..i think it’s not mysore pak..that’s for sure..sorry ya.have to figure out:)and by the way..ur macha will be so proud to see himself here.:)!
[Reply]
thanks for bringing back to me the memories of white coffee scene in Ipoh..ah..if only i could have a cup now…
[Reply]
Never tried Chee Cheong Fun with Mushroom Gravy and Madras Coffee bfr.. wish to taste it,Mmmm..
[Reply]
wow…the Madras coffee looks so special!
[Reply]
any tea/ coffee with cow’s milk wins me over 🙂 love creamy thick drinks..
[Reply]
hey, check out today’s Sunday Star… You’re in it. Congratulations!!!
[Reply]
Wow,i missed reading that on Sunday Star. Congrats..you are now famous :)) do write about it and share with us.
[Reply]
my hubby, jason saw you in the Star too, congrats!
anyway, we’ve discovered a good white coffee in Menglembu. Is definitely better then those name that you’ve mentioned in this post…heee.
[Reply]
I’ve never tried the Madras coffee before. Interesting! Can you find it in KL?
For now, I’ll stick with the Sin Yoon Loong White Coffee. Btw, this shop is also found in KL right?
[Reply]
I still prefer ipoh white coffee! 🙂
[Reply]
chee cheong fun with mushroom/mince pork gravy, extra chili sauce, a dash of sweet sauce, and heaps for chee mah and green chilies! ipoh does it the best:)
[Reply]
thanks for the wishes, I was surprised as well, being featured again. the irony was that, it was Faridah who picked my post. 🙂
on curry pig’s skin chee cheong fun, no less. LOL.
[Reply]
I’ve linked this post of yours on Sin Yoon Loong’s signature Kai Da Kou to my blog post on ‘Steamed Sponge Cake’ on 2/8/10. Perhaps you may drop over for a visit!
[Reply]
J2Kfm Reply:
August 8th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Hi cheah, will sure do.
[Reply]
[…] Sin Yoon Loong White Coffee, Old Town […]
[…] restaurant is a stone’s throw away from Sin Yoon Loong and Nam Heong; the original white coffee pioneers in Ipoh. So if you simply can’t find a […]
[…] Chang Jiang’s white coffee more than the other milder/milkier white coffee favourites (Sin Yoon Loong, Nam Heong). Sin Lean Lee’s white coffee possesses that intense bitterness masked by the […]
Wow this brings back memories of my dad taking me to this coffee shop on Saturdays before sending me to school…
[Reply]
[…] don’t see teenagers nowadays meet up and chat over coffee at Sin Yoon Loong, lunch of a hearty meal at Concubine Lane, or even vague recollections of Cowan Street being the […]
[…] Sin Yoon Loong started this white coffee craze way back then; probably more than half a century now? Nam Heong took things to a whole different level; capitalizing on the potential of white coffee and the concept of old school kopitiams in general; rebranding the franchise into something so BIG nobody thought the idea would work, initially. […]
I am now not positive the place you’re getting your information,
however good topic. I needs to spend a while learning much more or working out more.
Thank you for excellent info I used to be searching for this
info for my mission.
[Reply]