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.