Ipoh White Coffee at Wah Nam Cafe

Occasionally, when I visit Ipoh, I try the Ipoh White Coffee at Wah Nam Cafe because it is one of the original coffee shops that has not been overrated or spoiled by tourists.

Wah Nam Coffee Shop and Cafe is located just across from the former famous Foh San Dim Sum restaurant and has made a compelling impression on locals living in Ipoh, Perak. Having been around for over 60 years and older than many of the other famous coffee shops, Wah Nam Coffee Shop has been under new ownership since late 2010.

The good thing is that most of the original hawker stalls still reside there, serving some of the best local Ipoh hawker food. I have always been a fan of coffee throughout Malaysia, and Ipoh seems to be one of the few places serving some of the best coffee in the country.

My regular trips here would have me exploring the many coffee joints, and this time around, in Feb 2011, I found myself visiting Wah Nam Cafe, only to leave with a great aftertaste of the coffee and lots of praise for this place.

The new owner has informed me that the property was recently renovated and occupies two shop lots. Opening around 5 am and running until 5 pm, the place seems packed, with mostly locals. Come weekends, it gets crowded and finding a table can be a bit of a task, but not to worry, as the turnover is pretty fast here.

People don’t hog the tables here, unlike in the cities of PJ and KL; therefore, the wait is easy. During the peak lunch hour, you will see people standing around tables waiting for them to leave; this is the norm here.

On a serious note, I ordered the famous Ipoh White Coffee and Cham Peng, a mixture of Coffee and Tea with milk and ice. To my delight, they tasted extraordinary and were one of the best.

Many places boast of having the ‘original Ipoh white coffee, but few pass this test. In my honest opinion, Wah Nam Cafe was one of the places serving this authentic white coffee. If you’re a coffee lover, you’ll know the difference. Next time you visit Ipoh, make your way here to be your judge.

Apart from the caffeine fix I was after, I also tried a variety of local hawker fare here at the coffee shop. I was informed by the owner that there were two sets of hawkers on duty, and my food-tasting session was scheduled for the second shift.

I tried as many as I could due to time constraints, and overall, I would give the place a thumbs-up in all areas. Coffee and Hawker Food were equally lovely here. Below are pictures of the food I ordered here. I won’t go into detail, but judging from the photos, you will not be disappointed.

Hawker Food Pictures in Wah Nam Cafe, Ipoh

Ipoh White Coffee Master

Ipoh White Coffee has its little secret to how it is made to achieve that distinguished flavour. From the way the beans are roasted, right down to who is preparing them. I’ll be straightforward here – Not just anyone can do it correctly.

If you buy coffee off the shelf and try it at home, you won’t get the same taste as in the coffee shop. It all lies in the person making the coffee. Here, the sifu or master drink-maker has been crafting coffee for over 25 years, resulting in perfection in each cup or glass that rolls out of the kitchen.

I obtained some loose coffee from the owner and went home to attempt to reproduce it, but only to find that many things were missing from my iced coffee. The taste was there, but way off. Somehow, my experience did not match that of these masters from Ipoh.

Some things should just be left as they are and not duplicated. If you think the coffee you drink at Old Town White Coffee is similar to this, you are way off. Nothing beats the original, so I live with it, and when I want a serious fix, I head to Ipoh for the real thing.

My Other Coffee Adventures Around Southeast Asia

• Hanoi, Vietnam – If you are a coffee lover, you can also read about my other coffee adventures all over the region. In Hanoi, I tried the Weasel Coffee, also known as Civet Cat Coffee, which is probably one of my favourites. The general street coffee in Hanoi is also not to be missed. The thrill of sitting by the main road and having your coffee is an adventure by itself.
• Sabah, Borneo – I’ve tried most of the local coffee, and one that stood out is Fatt Choy Coffee from Tenom. This is ideal for those who are passionate about intense coffee.
• Sarawak, Borneo – The exceptional Sarawak Three-Layered Coffee and Tea is one of the best I have tried in Malaysia.
• Indonesia – The Luwak Coffee in Bali is hands down a must-try. Luwak is similar to Vietnamese weasel coffee, but a bit stronger.

Conclusion

Each time I visit Ipoh, I always make a point of exploring the incredible variety of local hawker food here. My visit during the Chinese New Year of 2011 proved to be a gem of a find with the excellent Ipoh White Coffee at Wah Nam Cafe. This place is also off the main tourist radar.