Ipoh White Coffee @ Xin Xiang Er Nong, Pasir Pinji, Ipoh
November 9, 2010 | 5,372 viewsDear Readers,
Thanks first and foremost for the touching display of affection in the last post. I never in my wildest dreams expected that many responses from random strangers. Strangers, yet somehow felt like we have known each other for years. A good 2.5 years since the inception of Motormouth From Ipoh. Thank you.
An aromatic brew of Ipoh famous white coffee, with a distinctive robust flavour from the roasted beans with the right level of creaminess. -White Coffee @ Xin Xiang Er Nong-
And so, here we are … back to the usual post on Ipoh Food. One fine morning, a colleague of mine was browsing through a poll to gauge the popularity of Ipoh’s white coffee outlets. The ten places or so included of course; Sin Yoon Loong and Nam Heong in old town, Chang Jiang on Jalan Pasir Puteh (no post on that, but I have tried the white coffee there …. not bad) and many unheard of coffee shops.
Sadly, no Sin Lean Lee and Nam Chau (both very worthy contenders, and situated in old town as well) on the list. But there was this Xin Xiang Er Nong Restaurant, located on Jalan Tokong in Pasir Pinji, parked somewhere between Tow Boo Keong temple and Tuck Kee Restaurant/Big Tree Foot Yong Tau Foo. Wanna know whether this one soars sky high, or falls flat on the ground? Read on ….
The Herbal Duck Noodles from the stall proclaiming to be from the famous Lok Wee Koi in town.
Verdict? Not Bad At All. I tried the iced white coffee with added grass jelly (cincau) for a toothsome experience; something to slurp and chew upon rather than simply drank. The thick brew reminded me of old town’s Sin Lean Lee‘s (the shop famous for the “Kam Chau Fun” aka Golden Char Kuey Teow), with a rich aftertaste from the slightly smoky/burnt roasted coffee beans. Right amount of milk and sugar, with a smooth finish.
For RM1.70 (USD0.55) per glass, the iced white coffee with ‘cincau’ delivered where it matters most.
Although personally, I still prefer Nam Chau‘s ‘Cham’ (coffee + tea) with a very creamy/milky consistency, and an enticing aroma. Maybe because their milk tea is smoother and laden with shots of milk (evaporated/fresh milk, not only condensed), lending the beverage a decadent touch.
Still, Xin Xiang Er Nong‘s coffee tasted almost similar to Chang Jiang‘s too. So if you’re a fan of the darker-coloured brew at the latter, then the coffee here will be right up your alley.
Foodwise, there are a lot of noodle stalls in the restaurant; from Herbal Duck Noodles to pork noodles, seafood noodles and pan mee to drunken chicken/prawn noodles.
The Herbal Duck Noodles was passable, but the broth tasted too sweet to be a savoury dish. Of course, we anticipated the MSG after-effect, but thankfully there was none/minimal. And the uncle’s supposed to be from Lok Wee Koi; the coffee shop in town famous for Hor Hee. The Drunken Chicken Noodles (I chose glass vermicelli noodles or ‘tang hoon‘) was a wholesome and hearty affair, leaving me feeling all warm on the insides after the meal.
You can also opt for lighter bites like egg toast, kaya and butter toast, etc. The usual breakfast fares served with a cup of satisfying white coffee, tea or ‘cham’.
Care to Share your Favourite Spot for White Coffee in Ipoh?
Xin Xiang Er Nong Restaurant
Corner of Jalan Tokong – Jalan Foo Eng Lin,
31650 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Opens for breakfast-lunch.
GPS Coordinates : E101 5′ 8.7″ N4 35′ 2.5″
Google Map to Xin Xiang Er Nong
*Psst, by the way. I am on a caffeine-free run. Been fairly successful, but not without the constant cravings …. 🙂
Er… dont have any? 😛
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 10th, 2010 at 8:24 am
No, cannot. You Ipoh-lang. Must choose one …. 🙂
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Already made 2 trips with my family after reading your mention in AAI. We enjoyed the coffee here. By the way, would like to share that I prefer taking “coffee si-kosong”.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 10th, 2010 at 8:25 am
Very healthy. Yeah, actually good coffee should be taken without sugar, or even creamer. But then again, that won’t be white coffee anymore? 🙂
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… so why is brown coloured ipoh coffee callled white coffee? Now you have me wondering but you didn’t answer the question! 😛
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worldwindows Reply:
November 10th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
May I answer. I was told that the white coffee name came from better beans and when these beans are brewed the coffee come out lighter brown than its cheaper cousins. My 2 cent worth.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 10th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Erm, my version of the story came out different lah … though I do not know which one’s the right one.
White coffee exists because of the roasting process.
Where the usual darker brew (kopi like the traditional way) is roasted with both margarine and sugar, white coffee is brewed from bean roasted without the sugar.
Less caramelization, less bitter and a fuller/creamier taste.
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Shops like this make the food scene go round in Ipoh. Long live the coffeeshops!
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 10th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Yeah, indeed. Love the classic coffee shops around Ipoh ….. maintaining the charm of a miner’s town.
But this coffee shop is relatively new though.
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er…coffee post, not “ngam”me ler, I can’t drink coffee, luckily still have the big drumstick attract me 😛
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i like nam heong’s one.
but have yet to try out the one here.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 10th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Nam Heong’s white coffee not that good anymore. Not sure why, but somewhat diluted and not so aromatic.
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heh, kawan… im abit late here…. miss Ipoh food so much. Ya, esp the Coffee. Keep missing the ice coffee that i took during the last visit to Ipoh, esp under the hot sun….Suggest to try Vietnam coffee when u visit there(perhaps u tasted it before)… is the best coffee that i hv ever drunk, so gao (the most i missed during VIetnam trip, hehe)
Anyway, know that u r leaving… wish u all the best in ur new working life and hv new boost in ur career. Catch up with u when i visit KL next time and wait for ur food recommendation…:) Good Luck and keep shining….Cheers
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 11th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Thanks jingying. First time dropping a comment too right?
Gotta catch up with you soon.
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jingyinglou Reply:
November 11th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
heh, not first time o…. at least twice la…hehe
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Because people in Ipoh are colour brown? :p
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Another place for me to try coffee. I’ve been pass this coffee shop many times but never dropped by.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 11th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Yup, almost like Chang Jiang’s. The addition of cincai lent the drink some bites. Great on a hot day.
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