Best Lei Cha in Ipoh

For many locals, this humble stall is the birthplace of lei cha obsession. On par with the reputation, they draw a huge crowd over during lunch hours. Generously portioned, julienned vegetables and nuts are filled to the brim in a bowl and an algae-hued warm soup tows along to shower over the colourful concoction. The tea soup is the main appeal here, meticulously made with assorted herbs, one would walk out of the dining space with an herby stupor once mopping the bowl clean. Planning to wrap up your meal the healthy way, opt for the Ginseng tea. 

This well-known restaurant is easily identified with a striking sky blue and yellow façade. The menu features something special for almost all sorts of diners out there with a mixture of Western and local dishes. And for you healthy advocates, lei cha is up for grabs. Assorted chopped greens and roasted peanuts are liberally loaded onto a serving of white rice and a brimming bowl of green gruel made from a mixture of herbs and tea leaves is tethered along. If plain rice isn’t wowing your taste buds, then noodles would do the job here. If might look like pesto pasta once the soup is ladled over but it's a whole lot healthier and herbier. 

Nothing to write home about the ambience of this food court but a variety of local delights is far from short. There are many sinfully satisfying dishes like char kuey teow and chicken rice but to reduce your guilt to a certain extent, kick start with a bowl of lei cha. A colourful concoction of diced vegetables and roasted nuts are sprinkled with herbs and dried shrimps and escorted by a bright-green broth which offers an earthy punch to your palate. Drench the soup over and mess up the concoction, then devour to your heart’s content. Changes are quite less you’ll be heading back to any unhealthy dishes on offer. 

This unassuming eatery has earned a dear place in the heart of the locals with its lei cha. Serving of white rice is draped with a mixture of vegetables and roasted nuts and its co-star, the thick herbal soup does nothing but notches the flavour to a whole new level. Aside from the crunchy and creamy elements, the inclusion of salted radish and dried shrimps offers distinctive notes to your palate. Clearly, each and every component thrown into the bowl is given lots of attention. Contrasting to the ambience, this healthy bowl isn’t anywhere near unexciting.