Surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and dotted with colonial-era buildings, the Malaysian city of Ipoh – the capital of the state of Perak – combines old-world charm with newfangled energy. More “Pittsburgh than Portland,” former industrial towns combine old-world comforts with thrilling novel flavors. Locals may be extremely steadfast to conventional recipes, but they are equally open to novel ideas and experiments. This transition can tell us a lot about the specialty coffee scene in Ipoh.
Starting with the conventional “white coffee” notable from Ipoh. Invented in Sin Yoon Loong Kopitiam in the 1930s, the drink took the rest of Malaysia by storm and found ardent fans as far away as Seattle, Recent York, London and beyond. Prepared from beans roasted in margarine and then topped with condensed milk, it is a perfect introduction to the elderly traditions of Kopitiam (local cafe). But for specialty coffee lovers, the city has an thrilling mix of micro-roasters, pour-over bars, espresso retail stores, and even upscale lab-style cafes. You can enjoy much more than just white coffee here.
We recommend walking between the downtown cafes and then heading to the suburban cafes to see a different side of Ipoh. Getting around the outskirts on foot can be challenging, so remember to download the Grab app (the Asian version of Uber).
Kusamu
Tucked away behind the parking lot of the Tambun Inn Hotel, Kusamu is a fragile combination of a café and a specialty coffee hideaway. An introvert’s dream, you can hide in a corner with a book and sip a liqueur. Owners Shin and Yi Vern are toasty and passionate, exuding a true love of coffee, which translates into their steadfast customer base.
The counter is filled with filter coffee and showcases both Malaysian and international specialty roasters. They source some of the lesser known Asian brands, which makes it a great opportunity to expand your network. Homemade cakes and cookies are baked on site. A wide selection of halal food products are also available. In our opinion, there is no better place in Ipoh to spend the morning tasting a variety of coffees and finding your favorite.
JLN Theater
“Our philosophy is to spend money on essential things, like equipment and getting great coffee. The interior is just a room where you focus your attention on the drink.”
Scarce interiors JLN Theater co-owner Kenneth Eng’s mirroring career as a designer. A few plants brighten the proceedings with a green color, but the overarching theme remains uninterrupted. The basis here is sourcing, baking, preparing and promoting beans. They roast a variety of single-origin beans and compete on a national level. The philosophy is uncomplicated, but essential in today’s environment. Never forget that coffee comes first.
Espresso drinks are prepared on (white) La Marzocoand filter coffee through ceramics Loot V60 drippers. A symmetrical grain arrangement with tasting notes will facilitate push you forward. The coffee is roasted in a terroir style, slightly closer to medium. There are plenty of delicious baked goods hidden under the glass counter, as well as a solid breakfast menu and a wide range of Matcha drinks.
Auda Cafe
The people of Ipoh have great love for them Audi. As one of the first places in the city to start selling specialty beans, this renovated storefront helped change the trend away from commodity coffee. When switching between your favorite roasteries in Malaysia, you can expect well-crafted drinks Cloud catcher, Baked ThingsAND The Mission of the Languagejust to name a few.
“Invitingly ruined” (or maybe “international shabby chic”) seems to be the vibe they went for, and the ruined atmosphere sits somewhere between the sweet corner of Berlin and the faded glory of Havana. You can order a brunch here with a nice cup of coffee on the side. The location in the historic elderly town makes it the perfect stop to refuel before strolling the historic streets.
Omni Coffee Roasters
Omni prides itself on being a micro roastery and specialty coffee shop. Situated atop a betting shop on the outskirts of Bandar Cyber, Omni is quite a detour for those staying in the city center. A taxi will get you there in 20 minutes, but if you try your luck on public transport, you may have a frustrating day.
Omni pours a wide range of espresso drinks and has a vast selection of filters. Great coffee roasted in compact batches is the basis where quality and origin come first. They are known for a medium-light roast style that works well for coffee au lait lovers, and their muddy latte is a clear winner. If you’re a fan of lightly roasted coffees, try one of their Ethiopian coffees for a floral hit.
Frigid Blue specialty coffee
Although only a block away from Auda, the contrast could not be greater. Where coffee becomes science Cold blue rests, and the interiors are so minimalist that you might think it is a laboratory. Rest assured that behind the thin surroundings lies a specialty coffee paradise.
Relying mainly on higher-end varieties, Frigid Blue is a great place to stretch your budget and contemplate pure Panamanian Gesha. Mainly serving locals looking for coffee with a purer profile, the staff are familiar with their recipes. It may not be suitable for people looking for a cozy hangout, but if you want to try micro-lot beans, head here.
If you have a travel kit, you can buy compact vials of selected coffees that you can take home and brew.
Moffee Coffee Roasters
Both a coffee shop and a coffee equipment dealer, Moffee is a great place for suburbanites who want to immerse themselves in the specialized scene. A novice can walk in and walk out with everything they need to get started with pouring, as well as freshly roasted beans. As is often the case in Malaysia, the staff is extremely charming. They roast their own coffee, which is an origin blend and favors a more developed profile that can be enjoyed as an espresso, pour-over or batch brew.
Moffee is the only specialty coffee in Medan Ipoh Bestari district. The surrounding blocks are notable for their food, so a morning spent in a cafe can easily turn into a gastronomic crawl. Celebrated Sam Mom chicken rice is 10 minutes walk. You know what to do.
