Over a hundred stalls line narrow lanes, divided neatly into halal and non-halal sections, a rare and oddly comforting Malaysian arrangement. The smell hits first: oil, garlic, sweet sauces, and the faint tang of history. Some stalls have been frying, steaming, and pounding away for more than thirty years.
Start with the Goreng Koey Teow. This isn’t your Penang-style, dry-fried noodle. It’s thick, chewy, and cooked with fish balls, fishcake, char siew, pork slices, and choy sum. Stall 63 and 78 are the places to hit. The Mee Rebus, thick and potato-rich, comes with crunchy prawn fritters and sambal that will punch the tongue awake. Wanton Mee here is thicker than elsewhere, with noodles that spring and wobble under char siew, chicken, and dumplings.
Breakfast is dominated by fried carrot cake, soft yet crisp, and Nyoya kuih in bright, almost scandalous colours. Fried buns stuffed with glutinous rice and sweet potato are soft, sweet, and slightly stubborn. The radish cake is rectangular, and breakfast locals dunk it in chili or sweet sauce without shame.
The drinks are no less theatrical. Hor Ka Sai (“Tiger bites Lion”) is a black coffee and Milo concoction that somehow works. Len Chee Kang cools the throat on hot days. Air Assam ice kacang rises like a snowy mountain, stacked with flavours from ABC to fresh fruit.
The place is loud, cramped, and smells like a kitchen caught in a tropical storm. Tables are tight, the floor sticky in spots, and the tropical heat is relentless. Expect crowds, slow service, and occasional rats if you peek under tables. But the food—cheap, vibrant, and unapologetically local—makes it all worth it. Pasembor, murtabak, popiah, curry mee, chicken rice, oyster omelette, satay, fried fishball noodles: the list goes on and on.
Some stalls have slipped in quality, and some drinks disappoint. For the toilets, bring fifty sen and a sense of adventure. Yet Larut Matang is a living museum of Malaysian street food, a place where tradition and...
Read moreA centralised place for hawker foods with some nice good things to eat. Prices are reasonable compared to many other hawker centres in Taiping & this year the prices has not been raised as compare to the few years back. Many local tourists from out side Taiping frequent this place early in the morning due to easy assessibility. Only problem is the lack of washroom where you will walk a longer distance to look for one. Those really in need to use a washroom just walk behind casual market and notice a ten storey hotel named NOVORTAL HOTEL, 4 stared, and inside a very clean washroom awaits you for relief. Prices for hawketfoods are now a bit more expensive but will still be money worth. Review: Nothing much has changed in this hawker central place except prices of hawker foods has risen by a small percentage but still consider affordable and reasonable when compare to bigger towns in this country. There is one stall very exceptional as its fried noodles are supplemented with pork meat (char siew), fish balls and cakes, and other food ingredients. At a cost of RM5.50 per plate, it is still within the ordinary peoples budget. Try it if anyone are around in this hawker place. One of the things that always happen in food hawkering in this country, with no exception in Larut Matang Hawker Centre, is that hawker foods always increased in prices after Chinese New Year. Its between 10 to 25% but the quality and quantity remains the same. So do go and enjoy the hawker foods but at an inflicted price if you are agreeable to the increments. Many reasons are put forward by the hawker stalls owners which you will still have to accept them although some may...
Read moreThis vibrant hawker centre is a food lover’s dream, offering an incredible mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian Muslim, and traditional kuih—so much that one visit isn’t enough to try everything! While it’s busiest in the morning (7 AM–2 PM), some stalls stay open until 9:00 PM, though many take breaks in between, so timing is key. Packed with out-of-towners and tourists, this place buzzes with energy, serving up delicious and affordable eats in generous portions.
The stalls are neatly divided into halal and non-halal sections, but the hawkers are super accommodating—if you order from a halal vendor but sit in the non-halal area, they’ll prepare your food in disposable containers. Sit in their section, and you’ll get proper plates and utensils.
From fresh morning pastries and kuih to sizzling char kway teow, fried noodles, and hearty soups, the variety is endless. While some dishes are decent rather than outstanding, the prices are unbeatable for the portion sizes. Parking is usually easy, though peak hours might require a short walk. Be prepared for a bit of smoke and that lingering hawker-centre aroma on your clothes—it’s all part of the experience!
Must-tries include: Stall 46’s Char Kway Teow (ask for extra spicy, worth the wait!) Stall 58’s Koay Teow Mee (perfect for lovers of wet-style noodles) Stall 102’s Ice Kacang (loaded with peanuts, jelly, and gula melaka) Stall 53’s Nasi Ayam Sunquick (a tasty, non-traditional fried chicken rice)
Whether you come for breakfast, lunch, or a late snack, this hawker centre is a must-visit for its lively vibe, diverse flavors, and wallet-friendly prices. Just check stall timings—some close for breaks...
Read more