I love to find food lovers at heart and that is exactly what I found in two individuals in Ipoh, Malaysia. A couple of years ago I launched a series on my youTube channel that I titled Iconic Chef’s. I based the premise not by finding Michelin rated restaurant Chefs, but finding those in my travels who went above and beyond within their communities, yet also made delicious food. They didn’t even need to be actual chefs as far as I was concerned. Whether they’re a street food vendor, a mom and pop shop or a humble home kitchen. I wanted to meet people who did more than make beautiful presentations with their food. And I wanted them to be somebody that all of us could relate to. While I love a good Hell’s Kitchen episode, Gordon is not hanging out with us plebs.
Today, I want to introduce you to Jason and Kane. Two young men from Ipoh, Malaysia that embodied my vision perfectly. Their journey is about more than just the food they make at their humble establishment, it’s about giving back to the community they love and serve. And it doesn’t hurt that they make mind numbingly-good food.
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A Memorable Meeting
During my time in Ipoh, I was encouraged by many locals to reach out to Jason and Kane to gauge their interest in being a part of my Iconic Chef series. After some back and fourth discussion through Facebook, I arranged a time time to go and try out their food. I couldn’t feature someone for this series without knowing if the food would be top notch.
Jason and Kane are the owners of Meng Foong Mee Kar located within Soon Wah Kopitiam in Ipoh. And my first meeting with them was a hit from the very beginning. they are two of the most genuine and humble individuals you will ever meet. Their food turned out to be phenomenal and every vendor within the Kopitiam was spectacular, including the owner who makes the best cham and kaya toast in the city. After the initial meeting, we scheduled a day to film at Soon Wah Kopitiam which was glorious.
Spending Time With Jason and Kane
When we finished filming that day Jason and Kane asked if we would like to go on the weekend to see more of the surrounding areas of Ipoh and have lunch. This was a no brainer that these two awesome chefs were going to take me to some of their favourite food spots not named Meng Foong Mee Kar. We spent a Sunday with Jason and Kane exploring places like Kelly’s Castle, Tin Dredge No.5 and we had lunch at Restoran Makanan Laut Yau Kee. Insanely good food here and you should check it out if you’re ever in Tanjung Tualang, Malaysia.
Jason and Kane weren’t done here though. After finishing our day trip out with them, they invited us to a private dinner for New Years Eve that would be held at their home. Here is where I learned a bit more back story on Jason and Kane and their commitment to their community.
This is the video featuring Jason and Kane:
From Singapore to Ipoh — Makan Nonya Cafe
Jason and Kane are both originally from Ipoh but they spent several years working in Singapore. Jason in the corporate world and Kane working alongside legendary chefs. After Jason’s mother fell ill, they decided to return to Ipoh and open up their own cafe that they named Makan Nonya Cafe.
Makan Nonya Cafe served a variety of Paranakan and Malay dishes. As well as freshly made breads and pastries along with teas and even Italian espressos. Both Jason and Kane were an integral part of the Ipoh community often leading fundraisers and hosting private functions at their own home for those that couldn’t get enough of their delicious food. Unfortunately, after seven successful years, the owner of the building they were located in decided to sell the property. Jason and Kane had to do some soul searching at this point, and after much deliberation they decided to scale back their business operations.
Ultimately, they realized that while they loved running the cafe, it was time for a change. The pressures of full-time restaurant ownership had taken it’s toll. Rather than chasing expansion or opening another large establishment, they chose to scale back. Allowing themselves a more balanced lifestyle while still sharing their passion for food. And with that, Meng Foong Mee Kari was born. A smaller, more intimate setup that still lets them connect with the community they love.
Where to Stay in Ipoh, Malaysia
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Scaling Back — The Birth of Meng Foong Mee Kari
After closing Makan Nonya Cafe, Jason and Kane simplified their approach, focusing on standout dishes that reflect their passion. This led them to open Meng Foong Mee Kari, a humble stall within Soon Wah Kopitiam. For those unfamiliar, a kopitiam is a traditional Malaysian coffee shop where various food vendors set up stalls in a shared space. It’s a community-driven setup where locals gather to enjoy a variety of affordable dishes under one roof.
At Meng Foong Mee Kari, Jason and Kane have streamlined their offerings to just 7-8 signature dishes. Some of the menu items are Nonya curry mee, asam laksa, prawn mee, and Hokkien mee. By focusing on fewer items, they ensure that each dish is crafted with care and attention to detail, delivering consistent quality to their customers. This smaller menu has allowed them to maintain a more manageable workload while still offering delicious, authentic meals.
All of the dishes at Meng Foong Mee Kari are noodle based, making things much easier to manage. These days, instead of fixed restaurant hours they are open early morning until supplies run out. Some days they will be heading home by 11:00.
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A Weekend Affair — Private Dinners at Home
On weekends, Jason and Kane open their beautiful home for exclusive private dining. It’s become one of Ipoh’s most sought-after events. Surrounded by antique furnishings, guests are treated to multiple courses, each dish meticulously prepared by the duo themselves. With limited seating and personalized menus, these dinners are highly in demand, often turning away many hopeful attendees. Pricing varies depending on the menu, but the intimate, home-cooked experience keeps people coming back. We were invited for his New Years eve gathering. The food was delicious, the drinks were strong, and everybody had a great time.
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A Passion for Food
Jason and Kane aren’t just chefs, they’re food lovers at heart. Always on the hunt for the best flavors. They thrive on discovering local ingredients and supporting fellow small businesses in and around Ipoh. They believe good food is best enjoyed in great company, whether at their favorite seafood restaurant, market, or café.
During my day trip with them I questioned them on just how many restaurants they had tried in Tanjung Tualang, and how they finally settled on Restoran Makanan Laut Yau Kee as the best in the area? Without hesitation, the answer was “all of them”. Their new work-life balance allows more time for exploring the region and discovering local culinary treasures. On our day trip, we also enjoyed breakfast at Kedai Kopi Tai Kong, feasting on wanton mee, pan mee, and deep-fried wantons.
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Giving Back to the Community
After the pandemic, Jason and Kane noticed many of their customers were men between 45 and 60. These men were the sole bread winners in their families. To help these individuals, they introduced more affordable meal options by creating ‘economy’ versions of their dishes.
“What we noticed was, below RM5, basically what people can eat was like economy bee hoon with a fried egg. We came out with this idea where anyone can have a good meal, with carbohydrates, protein, and greens for RM4.50 & RM4.00,” said Jason. For reference, RM 4.50 would be the equivalent of a little over $1 USD.
Though these are called “economy” meals, the noodle portion is nearly identical to the regular servings. To make the pricing sustainable for Jason and Kane, they’ve only reduced the amount of toppings. Ensuring they can still provide a quality meal at a lower cost.
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Food Lovers at Heart – Conclusion
Jason and Kane’s story exemplifies what it means to be food lovers at heart, showcasing how passion and community can come together. Their commitment to providing affordable, quality meals while giving back to Ipoh truly sets them apart. If you’ve had the chance to visit their stall or have recommendations for other great local food spots, drop a comment below! Your insights could help fellow travelers discover their next unforgettable meal.
