Nga Choy Kai (Bean sprout Chicken)
Nga Choy Kai, also known as Bean Sprout Chicken, is a must-try dish in Ipoh, Malaysia. It is a combination of poached chicken and blanched bean sprouts, drizzled with a delicious blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, shallot oil, and chicken fat, and then sprinkled with chopped scallions.
Ipoh is renowned for having the best bean sprouts in Malaysia and Singapore, as they are known for being crunchy and bursting with juice. The local farmers also credit the underground mineral water flowing from the limestone hills surrounding the city for giving their bean sprouts the special light and crunchy texture.
Some of the best places to try Nga Choy Kai in Ipoh include:
Restaurant Hin Loong
Address: 33, Jalan Ali Pitchay, Taman Jubilee, 30250 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Hin Loong Restaurant in Ipoh is one of the oldest and most authentic chicken rice joints in town. Their classic version of chicken rice is simple yet delicious, with oiled rice and poached chicken served with soy sauce. The taste is enhanced by a hint of sesame oil and topped with minced ginger, making it a favorite among regular patrons.
The prices at Hin Loong are very reasonable, and even cheaper than popular eateries. However, street parking can be limited, so it's best to plan ahead before visiting.
Aside from their signature chicken, patrons also enjoy their side dishes like Kerabu Chicken Feet and Acar. It's recommended to serve the chicken rice with their homemade chili sauce and juicy beansprouts for the best experience.
Many customers have raved about the delicious taste of Hin Loong's chicken rice, and it's easy to see why. The flavors are simple yet satisfying, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Lou Wong
Address: 49, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, Taman Jubilee, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
When it comes to finding the best Nga Choy Kai in Ipoh, Lou Wong is a top purveyor.
The restaurant has grown from a small push-cart in 1957 to the large and popular restaurant it is today. The restaurant is located at the busy foodie epicenter of Ipoh New Town, at the intersection of Jalan Yau Tet Shin and Osborne Street (now called Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar).
The original owner-chef, Mr. Wong Chiew Sun, nicknamed "Lou Wong," started off helping his father sell pork and chicken porridge from a push-cart in 1955. He later switched to selling "hor fun" noodles with poached chicken and bean sprouts and moved his business to its current location in 1986.
Today, the business has been passed down to his nephew, 45-year-old Simon Leong Shing Ching. A visit to Ipoh is never complete without a meal of this legendary dish, Nga Choy Kai, served at Lou Wong.