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.

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.

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