But sometimes, simplicity is best. You don’t need expensive ingredients when a sense of taste and dedication to one’s craft is all that’s required.

That is indeed the case for one long-standing stall in Kampar, Perak, which has been serving up breakfast to residents of this sleepy town for decades now.

Lines of customers are often a good sign. And one simple stall along Jalan Baru has a line that starts building from about 7.00am before disappearing altogether by 10.00am. Every single day.

So, what is this treat that sells out before the morning has even ended? Well, the stall’s name says it all – Warung Bihun Ayam Tembaga. As it turns out, this stall sells seemingly simple bihun noodles cooked with a chicken curry.

Bihun noodles are hardly novel with most Malaysians, so what makes this particular iteration so unique, aside from its price of only RM5.00 for a large serving, that is.

As the stall’s name states, the noodles here are cooked in a traditional brass pot, which gives the noodles a distinctly delicious flavour. Once you’re tucking into some, you’ll find out for yourself that the claim holds water.

Some bihun noodles are either too wet, making it a soggy mess or too dry that it feels like gravel in your mouth. Thankfully, the bihun noodles here walk the fine line between these extremes and have a chewy, springy texture that is truly pleasing. It is not too oily either.

Once you open your packet of noodles, you’ll be hit with a delectable aroma that’ll get you reaching for your fork instantly. The chicken curry that the noodles are cooked in also gives a flavourful and spicy kick.

Bihun Tembaga is packed with goodies like egg, beansprouts and of course, bits of curried chicken; all of which add a mildly salty, sour and sweet taste to the mix.

Hence, it’s not surprising that these noodles are a hot breakfast commodity and are sold out way faster than one may imagine.

Speaking to FMT, hawker Zain Muhammad, 54, said that while he took over the reins of the business around 1992, it was his father who started the stall back in the 1950s.

“His stall was on Jalan Balai Lama, but he also went about selling the noodles while carrying the brass pots in hand,” he said. “He was a common sight in town for decades.”

According to Zain, the unique taste of the noodles can be attributed to the onions that is sautéed first before throwing in the noodles.

As for why Kampar folks can’t seem to get enough of his Bihun Tembaga, Zain laughed, remarking how he was happy that word-of-mouth was still an effective way for spreading news in this day and age.

So, the next time you’re in Kampar for breakfast, hurry over to this humble stall for your fill of Bihun Tembaga.

Ali Bihun Tembaga
Jalan Baru, Kampung Masjid
31900 Kampar
Perak Darul Ridzuan