Kampar is one of Perak’s many noteworthy towns, though its glory days as a tin mining hub are long past with the industry’s demise.
However, Kampar is still rich with history, as well as places to enjoy some cheap but good food.
Should you be driving past, perhaps make a pit stop to try some of the local delicacies Kampar has to offer. Here are a handful:
1. Chicken curry bread
If you enjoy a good curry, you’re familiar with mopping up the thick and rich gravy with morsels of bread.
Well, in Kampar, you’ll get to do just that – but this time, the curry is encased within a loaf of bread. Just head over to Restoran Yau Kee for this delicacy.
There, fresh loaves of bread are baked daily, and within their soft, fluffy centres are packets of chicken curry served piping hot.
As Yau Kee’s owner, Yau Hong Wah, explained to FMT, he was inspired by beggar’s chicken to make a spinoff using bread rather than clay – and the results have been truly jaw-droppingly good.
Restoran Yau Kee
55, Jalan Idris
2. Rojak and popiah
During the good old days, students would often hang around the food stalls near the Kampar bus station.
While the old bus station is now defunct, some of the food stalls from back then are still around, quietly surviving in the adjacent Dataran Kampar.
One stall, namely Zul Popia & Satay, has been operating since 1982 and still sees a steady stream of customers daily to stop to snack on Mr Zul’s fried snacks and sweet peanut dipping sauce.
The fresh popiah and its fried variant are both worth a try, with the latter more suited for folks looking for a little more crunch in their food.
Medan Selera Majlis Daerah Kampar
Jalan Balai
3. Ais kacang and cendol
Also, in the same area of Dataran Kampar is Cendol & ABC Famous Kampar, run by one Saravanan Shanmugam, known to locals as “Cendol Boy”.
For folks coming from the Klang Valley, the low prices here might shock you. RM2 for a full bowl of cendol? Surely it must be RM20?
Be sure to check out the Cendol PJK (Pulut, Jagung, Kacang) where chewy glutinous rice balls lurk in this simple but perfect treat.
In addition, the cendol’s ingredients are made by Saravanan himself, with no artificial colouring or flavouring involved.
Medan Selera Majlis Daerah Kampar
Jalan Balai
4. Chicken biscuits
Known as “Kai Zai Paeng” in Cantonese, chicken biscuits are one of Kampar’s iconic products, being sought by folks as far away as Singapore.
The best place in Kampar to get these tasty, crispy, super flaky biscuits is CB Bakery on Jalan Gopeng, an establishment that’s been around for as long as most can remember.
According to owner CK Leong, he is the fourth generation of his family to be involved in the baking business.
Leong’s kaya puffs and chicken biscuits are baked fresh daily and they are indeed delicious treats, perfect for personal consumption or as gifts.
CB Bakery
72, Jalan Gopeng
5. Claypot chicken rice (non-halal)
There are few things in life that can beat the homeliness and warmth of a piping hot serving of clay pot chicken rice.
Kampar folks are certainly aware of this fact and are quite fond of their clay pot chicken rice, with several restaurants selling the classic dish.
One such eatery is Son Fok Kee, a relatively new addition to the town’s list of restaurants, though it is most certainly a worthy one.
Chef Barry Tung easily serves over a hundred clay pots of chicken rice each day, and it’s easy to see why his restaurant has a sizeable crowd even on weekday nights.
Restoran Soon Fok Kee
19, Jalan Tiara 5
Taman Tiara
6. Brass bihun
Fried bihun is possibly one of the simplest meals out there, yet there is a bihun stall here in Kampar that manages to make it taste heavenly.
Known popularly as “bihun tembaga”, the name originates from the decades-old brass pot which the hawker uses to store his noodles.
The stall has been operating here for over 60 years, with the current hawker being the son of the previous owner.
For just RM5, you get a plate of tasty bihun fried with eggs, sambal and curry chicken; good food at good prices!
Ali Bihun Tembaga
Jalan Baru