Woong Kee Beancurd, situated along Jalan Aly Pitchay, serves a variety of flavours that blend the traditional with the innovative, satisfying both purists and the adventurous.
The Taman Jubilee shop is one of a number of Woong Kee branches, and is the most accessible option for tourists.
Just a short drive from Concubine Lane, one of the most popular destinations for out-of-towners, it’s an easy detour for those making short trips.
Founded by Lau Teik Kip, 60, the store’s recipe is one that was passed down by his grandmother, and is the secret to the tau fu fa’s silky texture.
While the classic ginger syrup flavour is his favourite, it is perhaps the sheer variety of syrups that sets Woong Kee apart.
In addition to traditional flavours like white, and dark sugar and ginger, there are also syrups infused with blue pea flowers, rose, jasmine and chrysanthemum.
The blue pea flower syrup tastes exactly like the plain sugar syrup, but has a deep azure tint that beautifully matches the detailing on the shop’s porcelain bowls. While it may taste familiar, it’s aesthetic is anything but, and is by far the most Instagrammable variety available.
Chrysanthemum is also a fan favourite, reminiscent of the Yeo’s boxed drinks that used to live in the lunchboxes of so many Malaysians. It’s subtle floral flavour complements the slightly vegetal soybean taste, and is a must try for first-timers.
Lau isn’t the only ginger fan. FMT spoke to a number of patrons during a recent visit, and they too said it was their go-to.
The ginger is front and centre, strong and punchy with a very slight kick. Like all their other syrups, it isn’t cloyingly sweet, which means it’s far too easy to have multiple bowls.
Not a bad thing, by the way, especially with as many flavours as they have. Woong Kee also offers numerous toppings, such as crushed peanuts, grass jelly, red bean and black sesame rice balls.
The mark of a good tau fu fa is ultimately the bean curd itself. No matter how good a syrup one makes, it isn’t enough to salvage a grainy or heavy base.
Thankfully, Woong Kee excels here. The tau foo is silky, light and melts in the mouth. There’s a very slight sweetness to it, but not so much that the addition of syrup makes it uncomfortably sugary.
There are no tables at the Taman Jubilee branch, but there’s ample seating in the form of nearby stools, spaced out to ensure adequate social distancing.
It’s not much of an inconvenience since each bowl is easily cradled in the palm, but expect to need an extra stool to place your bowls if you get more than one serving at once (likely).
In a town known for its tau fu fa, Woong Kee has risen above the rest and has a legion of loyal fans to show for it.
Be sure to stop by the next time you’re in Ipoh, because whether you’re a fan of the classics or need a bit of excitement and variety, Woong Kee will have something for you.
Woong Kee Beancurd
32-38A, Jalan Ali Pitchay
Taman Jubilee
30250 Ipoh
Perak
Business hours: 11.30am-6pm (closed on Wednesday)
Contact: 012-517 7452