Kopitiam, which means Coffee Shop in the Hokkien Chinese dialect, is an integral part of Malaysian culture and an important component of its social scene. It’s somewhere to meet up, relax, and catch up for a chat. There are thousands of Kopitiam’s in Malaysia, and in this guide, we’re looking at the five of the best in Selangor, one of the country’s most popular destinations for overseas visitors.
At the start of the day, there are generally two things on the Malaysian menu, Nasi Lemak, considered to be Malaysia’s national food dish and a Kopitiam breakfast menu. This guide will focus on Kopitiam, which was first introduced by the Hainanese people working in the hospitality industry.
Fast forward to today, and Kopitiam’s are still an incredibly popular option for Malaysian’s wanting to dine-in or order a takeaway. In this guide, we’re taking a closer look at five places in Selangor where you can be assured of an authentic taste of coffee along with some tasty toast.
Auntie Kopitiam, Kuala Selangor
Auntie Kopitiam is a renowned coffee shop located in the Kuala Selangor District that first opened its door back in 1935. It’s a popular haunt for Malaysian celebrities and has starred in numerous television programs. In addition to the traditional Hainese coffee on offer, they also serve Nasi Lemak, cake, toast and much more.
One of Auntie Kopitiam’s signature dishes is their Curry Laksa Mee, an ideal meal with which to start your day.
Thong Kee Cafe, Petaling
Thong Kee Kopitiam is a popular place to head to in the Petaling District, thanks in no small part to its unique coffee menu. Its owner boasts more than three decades of experience in the world of Kopitiam and, during this time, has come up with something new on the beverage front, which may or may not appeal to all our readers.
It’s called “1+1 Cham Peng”, which is a rather unique combination of Hainan coffee and tea. Although this might come across as a little odd to some readers, it’s gone down a storm with locals. In addition to the “1+1 Cham Peng” menu, Thong Kee Cafe also serves a variety of breakfast options, including toast, half-cooked eggs and a variety of pastries such as croissants and doughnuts. For more information, visit https://thongkee.com.my.
Chong Kok Kopitam, Klang
Chong Kok Kopitiam used to be a hotel but is now a classic coffee shop, and its been in operation for more than eighty years. One of the unique things at the Chong Kok Kopitiam is it prepares its half-cooked eggs menu using a machine. This non-traditional method makes their half-cooked eggs tastier and creamier compared to the other methods.
Nam Wah Kopitiam Bt 18, Hulu Langat
Another of the classic coffee shops in Selangor is Nam Wah Kopitiam Bt 18, located in Hulu Langat District. It is a popular stop-over for cyclists due to its close proximity to some relatively challenging natural bike tracks. One of the special things about this Kopitiam is that it serves a toast menu with a selection of kaya, or chicken curry, which the owner of this shop has specially prepared.
Kedai Makan Hailam Sun Sun Nam Cheong, Hulu Selangor
Sun Sun Nam Cheong is one of the longest-operating coffee shops in Selangor and is famous for its original recipes that date back more than a century. In addition to the coffee, they also offer a special menu that includes Hailam Chicken Chop and Hailam Mee.
The former is a dish that was created by the Hainanese people who migrated to Malaysia during the British colonial era. It is a menu with both Western and Chinese influences, essentially, the best of both worlds. Kedai Makan Hailam Sun Sun Nam Cheong is also halal-friendly, with the food menu being prepared using halal ingredients.
Final thoughts
You’ve heard the saying, “When in Rome…”, well, when in Selangor, the same thing applies! We hope that this guide to some of the best Kopitiam shops in Selangor will help when you next pay a visit to Malaysia.
Given that the world is still operating with a nasty virus in the air, please ensure that you always abide by the local health and safety rules which the country’s National Security Council has set. Quite simply, when visiting Malaysia, maintain social distancing, wear face masks in public, as well as apply hand sanitiser regularly.
Although we’ve highlighted some great Kopitiam shops in Selangor, the state has a vast amount more to offer. If you’re planning a trip and want some inspiration, please visit www.selangor.travel.
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