Drive Utara ni ramai orang buat. Tapi yang buat dia seronok – bila kau tahu mana nak makan best. Kalau korang jenis macam kita yang drive sambil fikir pasal makan, this article is for you.
The ones who look at Google Maps and think:
“Keluar tol untuk ni… worth it ke?”
“Berhenti R&R ke terus drive?”
“Kalau lauk ni depan mata, sanggup stop tak?”
It doesn’t matter if you geng nasi kandar ke, good friends planning a short makan roadtrip, or just a solo food lover who believes good food is a valid reason to drive.
Stop scrolling and start driving. Guna highway PLUS je, senang! Ikut this guide.
🚗 KL → IPOH
Start Light. Don’t Sabotage the Trip Early.
Dari PLUS Highway, kita keluar PLUS Tol Plaza Ipoh kejap. Start light dengan…
Mat Jasak Kedai Kopi, Ipoh
Before kuah banjir, before kambing, before ayam bawang — you need a warm-up.
Mee Kari or Mee Kicap, loaded with fishballs and fucuk.Tip : Get some keropok fucuk! Steam hits your face before flavour hits your tongue. This is comfort without commitment.
Kenapa light? Kalau makan berat sekarang,
kau masih ada space untuk nasi kandar tak lepas ni?
🍛 IPOH’S FIRST CONTACT!
Nasi Kandar Dato Sagor
Four generations. Since 1955. Ayam Merah is non-negotiable. Add telur masin, sambal nyoq, kuah campur secukupnya.
This is where the trip officially starts to matter. Kalau ni jadi pinggan pertama kau hari ni… kau puas tak?
Now, back on the PLUS Highway. Tak payah keluar highway, kita stop di…
🛑 R&R BUKAN BERERTI “ASAL BERHENTI”
R&R Sungai Perak (NB) – Aini Sajian Selera (#4)
Patin Tempoyak yang pedas, masam, lemak. Kuah boleh hirup. Patin berlemak cantik. Ulam on the side.
You stop here not because you’re tired —but because you want to makan best.
Kalau R&R boleh cari makanan macam ni,
kau masih anggap PLUS R&R sekadar rest stop?
Lepas PLUS Tol Plaza Juru on the way nak ke Alor Setar…
🌙 SEBERANG PERAI — NASI KANDAR GETS REAL
Nasi Kandar Pokok Ketapang
Rice texture dia lain sikit — almost like nasi minyak. Get ayam ros, daging hitam, perut kambing (kalau berani). Kuah banjir culture.
This is where nasi kandar fans realise mana satu lejen & mana jenis “mamak” sahaja.
Continue PLUS Highway menuju Utara and exit di PLUS Tol Plaza Alor Setar Selatan.
🌾 KEDAH — REGIONAL LOGIC, NOT VIRAL LOGIC
Nasi “Lemak” Haji Ali, Alor Setar
Despite the name — many people think this is Kedah-style nasi kandar. Tapi nasi kaler kuning. Owner kata it’s closer to nasi minyak. Tu dia! Tapi letak kari campoq (campur)!
Nasi minyak dengan santan nipis , dipanaskan atas dapur arang. Empat kuah campur. Tujuh jenis ‘kari’ Ayam. Lost? Start dengan Ayam Masala dulu.
Different negeri. Different logic.
And that’s the point, kan?
☕ HEAL BEFORE YOU PUSH
Rumah Kopi, Alor Setar
Sawah padi. Small wok. Big heart. Ni tempat healing best!
Mee rebus daging , nasi goreng mak, sambal pulut. Masakan kampung. Run by a 20+ year-old Syamil. Mak dia yang masak. Ayah dia dulu ada dlm F&B. Syamil buat Kopi.
This is where you slow down so the rest of the drive doesn’t feel rushed. Healing sikit.
So, trip ni elok bukan makan je… tapi tahu bila nak slow down. Datang pagi pun best! Ada Pek Nga dengan kari ikan termenung.
🌙 NIGHT REWARD (YES, NOT NASI KANDAR)
Dhubai – Steak & Mediterranean Dining, Alor Setar
Surprising Find! Local-built Casual fine dining Western & Middle Eastern food done right. Tengah sawah padi.
Worth stopping for Wagyu steak (value gila), nasi arab, grilled lamb, Adani tea.
Kalau rasa & feels premium, tapi harga still very accessible, rasa rugi tak kalau skip Dhubai?
REST FOR DAY I
🔁 TURNING BACK – PENANG MODE!
Masuk PLUS Highway balik, this time menuju Selatan. Tapi before kita cross the Island…
Nasi Kandar Jeti, Butterworth
Humble. Local. No drama. Great Hidden place. Pagi happening giler (like 7am!).
One lauk only. This is how locals eat when nobody’s watching. Nasi kandar with kuah campur, ikan & bendi. Or daging. Kuah kari cair, rasa light-light je.
Jujur tanya, kau suka kari campoq light atau heavy pagi pagi? Kalau suka heavy, kita cross ke Penang Island now!
🔥 PENANG VIRALS (CHOOSE WISELY)
Nasi Kandar Sulaiman, Penang
Kuah pekat, pedas, aggressive. Ayam goreng + sotong mengandung favourite kami. Kuah banjir wajib. Que selalu panjang. Datang weekdays kalau nak selamat.
Nasi Kandar Hajah Mydin, Bricklin Road
Fish head curry RM10. Tip : Order dengan telur ikan sekali or don’t order at all. Sedap Giler.
TO DO : Tangkap gambar dengan Mamu PMP. Dia suka.
Decision To Make:
Kalau perut lepas untuk makan satu je kat Penang… kau pilih yang mana? Sulaiman atau Hajah Mydin?
☕ RESET BEFORE CONTINUE
Bricklin Cafe / Grind by Rasta Brew
Coffee, salmon bagel, espresso martini, calm vibes. Sat & Sunday ada morning market & live music. Great place to chill with great coffee & “people watching”. Macha lovers will be in for a good surprise here.
Because selepas semua kuah tu – good coffee matters. Maybe tambah some Beef Pasta Tomato Sauce & Acai bowl for a quicker tastebud reset. A couple of shops down, Owner Rizal also runs a coffee “slow-bar”.
Go to experience what a coffee “slow bar” is. Alang-alang dah dekat tu, singgahlah Grind.
Last Plate Before Calling It a Night
Nasi Natrah, Teluk Kumbar
Nasi kandar meets nasi Melayu. Mix kari kandar with sambal petai, terung, lauk kampung. Natrah says the fish is always sourced fresh daily. Kalau tak local customers complain – that’s the draw. Memang sedap.
The picture below is Ikan Biji Nangka. It is CHUNKY BIG! And tasty too. Rasa macam ikan kerisi tapi besar.
Above is Natrah with her “nasi kandar collab x nasi lauk melayu“. Kari, Cencaru sumbat, kuah campoq and kari udang. Perfect for when you don’t want rules. Just makan ikut rasa. Ngam! Pagi-pagi Makcik dia buka kedai nasi kandar di tempat sama.
REST AFTER DAY 2.
Esok Balik KL Tapi Jangan Terus Tekan Minyak Balik. Tunggu Next Article!
Ada lagi hidden gems on the way yang ramai tak tahu.
