About your ‘question’ on why people say the chicken there is nice, I have some… suggestions.

Firstly, people in Ipoh, most of them are either Cantonese, or Hakka (quite some Hokkien too, but I guess after they moved to Ipoh, they get used to Cantonese style too). They prefer slightly ‘heavier’ taste in the food. That kind of answered why it is much oily and salty/peppered. For them, it taste good (and for me too). Actually, compared to what they have in China, that amount of oil is very little. Still, you can ask them to put less pepper/oil next time if you eat there again. If you are lucky, then you will have less oily and peppered food (because they often forgot ‘special requests’).

Secondly, the texture of the chicken. Depending of what kind of chicken you are ordering. Usually people order ‘kampung chicken’ – chickens that are [usually] raised in kampung-like area (not much real kampung now). Given the domestic nature of the ‘kampung chicken’, they run around a lot, and they eat natural food. Therefore, their meat will be harder to chew. However, it is healthier and the chicken taste better (taste-wise, not texture-wise), and yes, it has less meat.

Still, each people has different taste buds, especially if you are from a different place.
No offense taken or meant.
And the actual iconic stuff is not the chicken, it’s the bean spout. But they always come in a package. They saying you need clean water to grow good bean spout, and Ipoh has a lot of clean mountain water, but I heard one of the best Ipoh bean spout farm uses good underground water for even better results.

Basically many outside food had ‘invaded’ Ipoh throughout the years, but still, you can find real good food, provided you know where to go to.

One site you might like to visit when you feel like eating steamboat: Moven Peak (MP). It is located at Green Town which is near Ipoh Parade/Parkson. It features a 2-stories steamboat house with a lot of stuffs for you to cook. Something like Soul Garden without the sushi bar and the like, but much larger and cheaper. The food there is definitely fresh. Steamboat is only available at night – it serves as a western restaurant during daytime. Did I forget to mention there is a nice (alcoholic) bar there at night?

I’m from Ipoh, btw. However I’ve been away from Ipoh for quite some time…

PS: Are you a multimedia designer? Nice design btw. And sorry for the long post.

I always wanted to know how they make the hot white coffee.. is it the condensed milk or something else..

i bought the old town whie coffeee 100gm coffee jar.. but cant get the taste that i enjoyed in the cafe.. i m just boiling water, adding coffee and normal milk.. sugar to taste ofcourse..

could some one please advise me how to make the original style hot n cold white coffee… thanks heaps… Great pics by the way…