The Kopitiam...

In Malaysia, as in Singapore, kopitiams are found almost everywhere. However, there are a few differences. In Malaysia:

• the term kopitiam in Malaysia is usually referred specifically to Malaysian Chinese coffeeshops;
• food in a kopitiam is usually exclusively Malaysian Chinese cuisine;
• food courts and hawker centres are usually not referred to as kopitiams.

Recently a new breed of "modern" kopitiams have sprung up. The popularity of the old-fashioned outlets along with society's obsession with nostalgia and increasing affluence has led to the revival of these pseudo-kopitiams. The new kopitiams are fast-food outlets which are reminiscent of the old kopitiams in terms of decor, but are usually built in a more modern, hygienic setting such as a shopping mall rather than in the traditional shophouse, catering mainly for young adults.


This has come after the creation of so-called "coffee culture" by western coffee chains such as Starbucks and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. The kopitiams offer a viable alternative wherein the coffee culture could be experienced with local flavour and for a more affordable price.


To offer the true kopitiam experience, modern kopitiams such as Uncle Lim's Cafe mostly offer authentic local coffee brews, charcoal grilled toast served with butter and kaya (a local version of jam made from coconut milk and eggs) and soft boiled eggs. Some have extended menus where local breakfast, lunch and dinner meals are served. To tap into the sizable Muslim market, these kopitiams usually serve food that is halal (permissible for consumption by Muslims) unlike the traditional shophouse kopitiams
Today there are no less than 100 brand names of modern kopitiams operating in various parts of Malaysia.


Kopitiams in Ipoh oldtown district serves Ipoh white coffee. The coffee beans are roasted with palm-oil margarine and with less sugar. Resulting in a brew that is lighter in colour than normal coffee beans that uses sugar. Hence the name 'white coffee'. The colour is almost comparable with coca-cola.

Jalan Maharani’s coffee addicted

Kafe Kopi  434 using quality coffee makers.

Muar  is one stop destination unique. As well as the manufacturing center of the spice, the district in Johor is also famous for its coffee 434.

Aroma Kopi  434 developed by Syarikat Sai Kee Coffee Serbok Sdn. Ltd. located at Jalan Maharani is able to attract anyone to be going to the cafe.

According to his successor who is also a cafe manager involved, Kiar Cher Yong, 26, dedicated his grandfather's coffee revenue, Kiar Am Sai which he started in 1953 Brambati processed using leading technology from Italy.

"Kopi  434 guarantees the freshness, color, aroma and taste, we are able to process 10 tons of coffee beans in one day," said Yong Cher when met recently.

Why is this coffee called 434? In fact, the figures refer to the three-digit phone number one time Am Sai.

It is very fortunate to have gladdened the hearts of the brand and well known among customers, especially the people in Johor.

First the product is known as Kopi Cap 434, and a favorite beverage among the local coffee lovers.

Commenting on the products, Cher Yong told, they process the three types of coffee a Kopi Kampung , espresso and coffee premixes. "Kopi Kampung  or Coffee ‘O’  has its own taste but not only aromatic taste. It is processed with traditional recipes that use sugar and margarine as an ingredient, "said the young entrepreneur said, adding that type of coffee is also available in bagged form.

As for the type of espresso, the company has five types of coffee that is Elephant Bean AA, Sai Kee Special, Arabica Gold, 434 Java Cafe Coffee Roast and that of Robusta coffee taste very sweet and thick.

ATTENDANCE you to Muar town is incomplete if it does not buy coffee as Ole-Ole 434 or to enjoy yourself.

Reasonable prices

Cher says Yong, coffee premixes 434 different coffee products are available in the market.

For example, coffee premixes are labeled as Full Coffee White creamy and rich with natural chocolate flavor. Similarly, simple Monalisa Coffee provided.

Kafe 434 also provides a light menu, such as toast, ice cream, including two types of variations of this menu at very reasonable prices.

Cafe deluxe

Does coffee brewed at home have the same taste like coffee at a cafe? Yes, to get a delicious cup of coffee, the company provides some useful guidance to customers.

Before the coffee brewing, make sure to separate chlorine filtered water to drink coffee felt good and never boil water and cooked.

"We recommend 10 grams (g) ground coffee to one cup size 200 milliliters (ml), add water if the coffee is strong," said Yong Cher.

For the brewing equipment, children's identity advise Johor filter cloth rinsed with boiling water before use.

What about the cafe interior design? Not too much to be formulated, luxury-class interior. Therefore, do not be surprised if overheard some quarters as a cafe nicknamed 'Little Starbucks'.

To come once in a while enjoying coffee 434, what did you buy souvenirs in the form set of cups and saucers made from Johor Ceramics Claytan mementos.

The best mee bandung in the world

To find the best mee bandung in the world, you need to come to Muar; and to find the best in Muar, you go here:

You can't miss stall plastered with reviews & photos of famous patrons.

Abu Bakar Hanipah runs a stall in Restoran Wah San: 9A, Jalan Abdullah, Muar. They also have a stall in Tanjung Emas.

In a set-up typical to Muar and a lot of colonial towns, Abu Bakar prepares the food while the owners of Wah San prepares the drinks and other dishes.

Uncle with old legs preparing breakfast. Check out his teko.

The mee bandung was top notch, as always. We came early in the morning, so the lauk was generous. Besides the whole egg & sawi, there are beef pieces, sotong & small shrimps:

Mee was generous, but Uncle made my coffee a bit weak this morning.

They also serve toasts with kaya, half-boiled kampung eggs, nasi goreng and some wicked fried chicken (but I guess you’ve already read the menu in the first photo!). You can also buy ready-made spices to make your own mee bandung at home.

The Rise of The Coffee Shops

There are many cafes around my recent work and a place to stay open. It can be around the famous coffee shop, like Starbucks, coffee beans and the local coffee shop Old Town Kopitiam be seen. The cafe was always popular store in the world, such as Mamak. It's like a new trend, as many people hang in the cafe. This is a little different Mamak store.

Most people like to watch football at Mamak shop, there are some very low prices for food and drinks. Cafe is a little expensive, but it is a quiet, comfortable place for you to hang with your friends and taste of coffee. It's more like a local tasting cup of coffee, listen to soft music. In addition, most cafes free internet access, web browsing, and your favorite coffee is good.

I've even seen how they work together to bring a coffee shop business. This is not just a place to relax, but it has also a good place to be working. May change once in a while to work only inspired to have a good idea. In the coming years, the café will continue, many people want to get into one of the companies involved. This is certainly a worthy cause, of the trend, but it is very competitive. After all, as the people love to drink coffee.

Do you know Muar or Bandar Maharani...?

Do you know that Muar or Bandar Maharani folks aka Muarians, usually have for breakfast in Muar? Instead of the usual breakfast fares like roti canai, roti bakar (toasts), nasi lemak or chee chong fun, Muarians have its own unique taste for breakfast.

They do eat other stuff for breakfast, but the three popular breakfast food items are:

1. Hainanese chicken rice ball

2. Mee Bandung

3. Satay

Hainanese Chicken Rice Ball

Muar Hainanese Chicken Rice Ball

There are two kopi-tiam (coffee shops) along Jalan Sisi which sell this Muar famous Hainanese chicken rice ball. Every morning, you can find Muar folks having their chicken rice ball together accompanied by their hot cup of kopi-O.

Mee Bandung Muar Asli

Mee Bandung Muar Asli

If you want to makan (eat) authentic Mee Bandung Muar, then go to Abu Bakar Hanipah stall in Restoran Wah San at 9A, Jalan Abdullah, Muar. As early as 8.00 a.m. you can see Muar folks of different races chomping away their plates of savory Mee Bandung Muar asli.  

Muar Satay For Breakfast

Muar Satay In Chinese Kopitiam

For satay, you can find them in various Chinese kopitiam (coffee shops) around the town areas around Jalan Maharani, Jalan Abdullah or Jalan Sulaiman. If you are looking for breakfast in Muar, walk along the shop veranda, and you are sure to catch a whiff of the grilled satay coming from one the coffee shops.
Food Quote: “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” – Virginia Woolf

Facts you need to know about kopitiam kafe

Here's my thoughts about kopitiam

Let’s take an honest look at some interesting facts about malaysian coffee culture, or better known as traditional kopitiam in Malaysia. It is a fact the traditional chinese kopitiam is phasing out fast in the last couple of years. These old world charm joints are inevitably moving out from our Malaysian life, just like Morris Minor, cinemas, jukeboxes and joget girls.  

Kopitiam Malaysian Cafe

I used to and I still love to patronize these so-called old world charm of kopitiam. But I have accepted that life has to move on; so are these traditional coffeeshops.
The preference and taste of younger Malaysians are different from their parents or grandparents. They prefer to read Japanese Manga, not Lat’s cartoons, play computer games, not reading books or make friends via social networks,and not writing to pen pals.

Traditional Kopitiam Malaysia

Now they have been replaced by those cleaner and more comfortable modern kopitiam. And definitely more expensive too. The days of coffeeshops owned by Hainanese towkays and manned their “singing waiters” in white Pagoda T-shirts together with their baggy bermuda shorts are over.
Accept the fact that these old Chinese-run coffee joints have to die a natural death together with their loyal customers who are now in their fifties and above. These days it is only the old folks (yours truly is one of them) who still gaga over their favorite old drinking joints.
Comparatively, many of these kopitiam are not cheap, clean or comfortable than those modern cafes. I know most of you dare not even step into their tiny stuffy and smelly toilets (if you call that God-forsaken cubicle, a place to ease yourself).
Let’s be fair, not all kopitiam serve great aromatic kopi-O these days. Some of their coffee is so oily, that you can even see “rainbow” over your cuppa. And not forgetting those coffee-stained cracks on some porcelain cups.
Recently I read that these traditional kopitiam plan to reposition and re-branding themselves, hoping to keep their business alive. As reported in the Malaysia latest news, many coffeeshop proprietors  have prompted Malaysia and Singapore Coffeeshop Proprietors’ Association to seek Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s help so that he would not leave out this industry in his Economic Transformation efforts.
Yes, I know and I agree that traditional kopitiam have been a major part of Malaysian lives for decades. This unique Malaysian establishment is going to be merely a foggy memory for those older generation of Malaysians. Just a few more decades, when these present old Malaysian folks leave here for good (yeah, mati lah!), I believe not many younger Malaysians today can remember or bother to remember about this traditional kopitiam Malaysia. The thing is they were not even born in the kopitiam era. Don’t these old geezers get the drift? I mean don’t they understand?

Chinese Kopitiam Coffee

Anyway, calling all still-living older Malaysian folks, let’s pick up the porcelain cup of your favorite kopi-O kaw and say kaw-kaw goodbye to traditional kopitiam Malaysia. 

Coffee Quote: “I like my coffee like my women:  hot, strong, steamy.” - Unknown