New Favourite Kopitiam: 金巷子 Golden Alley Kopi in Ipoh

Step into 金巷子 Golden Alley Kopi and you’ll quickly understand why it’s one of Ipoh’s rising stars in the kopitiam scene. Founded by Stephen Yap, this cosy café brings together time-honoured flavours, handmade fare, and a modern kopitiam concept that locals love.

The Story Behind 金巷子 Golden Alley Kopi

Stephen Yap is no stranger to great food. With over a decade of F&B experience in Singapore, including his role at Din Tai Fung handcrafting Siew Loong Pau, Stephen now channels his skills into his own eateries.

You may know him from 80 Kopitiam (80后冰室) The Xiang Palace in Pusing. With 金巷子 Golden Alley Kopi, he brings his signature favourites to a wider crowd in Ipoh.

Two Outlets and Counting

You can enjoy 金巷子 Golden Alley Kopi at two convenient spots:

AEON Mall Station 18

– the flagship outlet, opened in 2022.

AEON Midtown Falim

– located to the left of the main entrance, occupying the lot formerly Sin Yoon Loong.

By the way, plans are already underway to expand the Station 18 outlet, almost doubling its seating capacity by June 2025

A third location in the Botani area is in the works. This upcoming outlet will be 金巷子’s first stand-alone café, not situated inside a shopping mall.

Classic Dishes, Prepared Daily

The menu boasts Malaysian favourites like curry mee, Hakka mee, chee cheong fun, laksa, nasi lemak, wonton mee, and even Western-style breakfasts.

The emphasis is on freshness and you can taste the burst of flavours in every bite.

One of the highlights is the curry noodles, made with a rich, house-blended curry paste that’s cooked daily using fresh santan (coconut milk) and infused with a stronger lemongrass profile.

金巷子 Golden Alley Kopi owner Stephen Yap presents his bowl of Signature Curry Mee with knife-cut banmee (刀麻切板面)

There’s no dry curry option just yet, but the soup version shines, especially when paired with 刀麻切板面 (knife-cut banmee).

Signature Must-Tries

Don’t miss out on sampling some of Golden Alley Kopi’s standout dishes:

Huang Chew Chicken with Egg

– available only on weekends

Hakka Black Vinegar Pork

Hakka Black Tiger Prawn with Egg

Handmade Lava Buns

– available in seven different flavours

At RM13 per person on average, it’s a deliciously affordable experience. There’s no service charge, and only 6% SST applies.

Sip on Something Special

A kopitiam wouldn’t be complete without a good cup of coffee. Their White Rose Black Coffee is smooth yet robust, offering a fragrant brew that’s fast becoming a household favourite.