Salted Coffee at WS Kopitiam Kepong

Salted coffee (ham kopi). A little salt goes a long way. As a person who appreciates salt, I have been wanting to try the salted coffee in Kepong ever since I heard of it. So much so that I am willing to cross the toll for it. And today, I finally did.

Frothy and overflowing in a mug, I excitedly sipped the blend of salty and sweet. I realized I made a mistake of not stirring of beverage when a surge of saltiness awakened my tastebuds. After a good stir, I gave it another chance of judgement. It was very smooth with good body. The saltiness gave an elegant way for the sweetness to unfold. However, the saltiness could be more tactful if the salt was reduced just by a bit I reckon. That explains why it was more delicious when it was watered down by the ice. I deduced that I prefer the iced version to the hot version. Himalayan salt is used just in case you want to concoct your own at home.

The beverage is brewed with butter and a generous amount of evaporated milk which give it it's viscosity. Salted tea is also available but tea didn't quite have the chemistry that coffee has with salt. My mother however, prefers the salted tea. We both concur that one mug can be quite filling for one person considering the butter content. RM3 per mug. The salted beverages could be more popular if it's poster is not hidden at the back of the shop.

If you happen to try them, tag me to tell me which you prefer. The salted coffee or tea?

RM3 per mug

Salted tea is also available

Sipping salted tea

WS Kopitiam is a corner shop at Kepong

Coffee is made by the husband-wife duo

Other food stalls at the coffeeshop

Chong Kok Kopitiam @ Klang

This coffee shop made me look twice at its sign board when I caught sight of a very heartwarming scene the likes of coffee shops in Kelantan where muslims dine in non-muslim eateries. Apart from the multi-racial harmony, the queue outside the shop is quite convincing.

Chong Kok Kopitiam needs no introduction among Klang folks. The coffee shop, owned by the Hainanese Foo family, has been a center of good coffee and all-day breakfast. Located near the Klang railway station, Chong Kok Kopitiam was established in 1940 as a joint to provide meals for locals at the busy area.

The muhibbah story started when a nasi lemak seller needed a space for his stall in 1940. He was then allocated a place at Chong Kok coffee shop and the stall became a resident ever since. If you see a Malay uncle stirring gravy at the nasi lemak stall outside, it is most probably the very nasi lemak seller from 1940. Because of him, muslim patrons began sharing tables with the rest of Chong Kok's customers until today. The restaurant serves halal food.

This is a living testament of how peace and harmony can benefit all. I believe it is this aura in the coffeeshop that drives its survival through time hand in hand with their unfaltering breakfast menu.

Chong Kok kopitiam famed for their coffee

A harmonious scene

Although crowded, Chong Kok imbues a very warm and homely feeling that draws customers to it, which explains their customers' persistence to queue.

Chong Kok's signature yellow cup is used for local's favourite beverages like kopi, cham and teh. Their coffee, I believe, has pandered to the addiction of many. Their coffee is definitely kau (thick) and slants more to the bitter side.

Other than their coffee, most of their table tops are occupied with at least a plate of half-boiled eggs. I would not be surprised as they produce the most beautiful half-boiled eggs. Being an avid egg consumer, I envy their mastery. 

Other staples in Chong Kok are of course their porous toasts and buns that are served with a dollop of kaya and a cold cut of butter. Interestingly, eating chunks of butter here doesn't feel much of a crime. In fact, it is if you don't.

Nasi lemak is the next thing you want to try. If you are looking for a quick fix of carbs, Chong Kok has nasi lemak bungkus for you to self-serve. If you want a more 'developed' plate of nasi lemak, you can opt for pakcik's. It can be a little sweet for some but I could not stop at my first spoonful.

For fun munching, there a store selling all sorts of fritters. The cucur udang (prawn fritter), as crisp as potato chips, is especially tempting and makes a wonderful communal snack. Their cheesecakes in original and blueberry flavours stick out awkwardly as they are the only western food in the menu but it does not matter as long as they are yummy!

People from all walks of Klang convene here for classic breakfast of coffee, bread, kuihs and nasi lemak

The most anticipated drink during breakfast. Local coffee at RM1.80 per small cup like in the photo.
You will get a larger glass for RM2.80 and with ice for RM2.20

Half-boiled eggs (2) RM3.00

Telur atas roti RM6.00

Left: Roti with butter sejuk and kaya RM3.80
Right: Jagung set with butter sejuk and kaya RM3.80

Classic old mirrors with writings

A speciment of pre-war material that survived modernization

An antique safety box that existed since 1940

Mdm Foo, the granddaughter of the owner, doesn't take holidays.
She works everyday of her life and closes the shop only for CNY and weddings because she loves the interaction with the locals

The nasi lemak stall is as old as this shop. This is the uncle behind the muhibbah in the shop

Nasi lemak

Crispy prawn fritters or cucur udang

All sorts of fritters at only RM1 per piece

The busy situation during breakfast

Kuih lapis and Chinese ang ku

Curry puff

Hard boiled eggs is left at the counter at your disposal

Pulut bakar

Onde-onde

Chong Kok Kopitiam was famous among people in Klang before there was internet. Now that internet is at our finger tips, looking at how well-preserved this 79-year-old coffee shop is, it will continue to be one of the foodie community's favourite subjects online for years to come.

Chong Kok will be opening a branch in Shah Alam, honouring Foo's grandfather's Hainanese chicken chop. 

Inside the 79-year-old shop

The coffee shop is just opposite the Klang railway station

Chong Kok Kopitiam

中国酒店
5, Jalan Stesen, Kawasan 1, 41000 Klang
Tel: 03-3371 0996
Business hours: 6:30 am – 5:00 pm except Sunday until 1:00 pm

What to Eat in New Imbi Market (ICC Pudu) @ Kuala Lumpur

If you want to know the definition of 'variety' in Malaysia, check out the new Imbi Market (ICC Pudu). There is almost nothing you cannot find here and something for every appetite in terms of Chinese hawker food. If you are in the mood for some Chinese breakfast and too indecisive that morning, just hop on the STAR LRT. Walk 15 minutes or so and let the fated stall pick you by the nose. Unless you have a never ending gut, one trip is definitely not enough to say you have tried the best food here.

The sea of people enjoying breakfast at ICC

The huge grey complex is indeed home to so many hawker stalls that the sight of them can be paralyzing. All my senses were pricked when I entered. My eyes grew larger as they bounce from one hawker stall to another. My ears picked up all the sizzling and clanking of woks. Despite my excitement, I felt that the ventilation definitely needed some work. As I went inner into the food court, the air was stuffy and could pass as a sauna! I ended up seating closer to the entrance.

The old Imbi market has shifted to the Integrated Commercial Complex (ICC) 

Kaya Butter Toast, Soft Boiled Eggs and Local Coffee

This is one of my favourite Malaysian breakfast. The old village taste of the simple kaya and butter toast followed by the slurp of the soft boiled eggs is unwarrented. After that, finish off with sweet sips of the aromatic local coffee. There is one stall at the corner particularly busy with the toaster. He even had newspaper clippings of what I believe to be review of his food on the wall of his stall. When compared with other stalls, indeed, his toasts were crispier. Another talk of the town is Ah Weng Koh's toasts and Hainanese coffee. I will have to try them the next round.

This toast stall seems like the popular one

The classic Malaysian breakfast. Perfect!

Put Zai Gou (Earthen Bowl Cake) and other Chinese Sweet Cakes

This one is a delight to see! The traditional Chinese sweet and sticky cakes are still made in these tea cups here. I recommend the pandan flavour as it is more fragrant than the brown sugar ones. Usually eaten on a stick, these cakes reminds me of the way Hong Kong people like their tea time. This place won't miss out other Chinese kuihs (cakes) like ang ku kuih (red cake with bean filling), jin dui (rice balls) and layered cake.

The traditional put zai gou (earthen bowl cake)

Chinese cakes and sweets

Imbi Road Pork Noodle

This pork noodle stall became famous when the market was still in Jalan Imbi. For pork noodle lovers like myself, this stall is on my must-eat list. The broth is clear yet sweet with essence of pork. An additional egg simply made my whole weeekend. 

The famous Imbi Ming Kee pork noodle store

Enjoying my bowl of pork noodles

Ah Fook Chee Cheong Fun

One of the most prominent things of the food court is the beeline in front of Ah Fook Chee Cheong Fun. Their curry gravy is said to be worth the wait. Not knowing that earlier, I chose their sweet sauce and found it to be nothing out of the ordinary. Their fish filling is quite meaty with fish flesh though. Another item on my list the next visit!

The queue at Ah Fook chee cheong fun stall

The long awaited plate of chee cheong fun

Bunn Choon Egg Tart Stall

Another stall worth mentioning is Bunn Choon's egg tart stall. Even without my mention here, you will surely be tempted to try when, again, you see their queue. The egg filling is silky and smooth. However, it was not as fragrant as I thought it would be. They did quite a good job with their pastry though. 

The crowd at Bunn Choon egg tart stall

Original egg tart and charcoal egg tart

On the first floor, are fruit and vegetable stalls and also stores that sell household items. Perambulating the floor after a heavy breakfast is enjoyable. The market was just 11 months old when I visited it. It still smelled of fresh cement and paint while accommodating occupants that have been long trading in Jalan Imbi.

Fruit stalls at ground floor

Who needs glasses when you have magnifying glass. Look out for quirks at the market!

Intergrated Commercial Complex (ICC)
Jalan Kijang, Pudu, 
55100 Kuala Lumpur

03-2111 1111

Opens everyday 9am-6.30pm
Closed on Mondays

Brunch at Level One Coffee House @ Glenmarie Shah Alam

What wakes me up on a Saturday morning is the thought of a delicious and hearty breakfast waiting for me. In cases I need to catch up on sleep after trudging through the week, brunch does the same magic too. And on my ongoing quest of searching for interesting brunches, I chanced upon this charming coffee house just recently birthed in Temasya Glenmarie Square, a newly developed area not too far way from Subang Jaya.

Check out this really cosy cafe, Level One Coffee House

Aptly called Level One, this cafe sits on the first floor of the corner shop just opposite the Lamborghini showroom. As it is one of the first eateries around this area, it is not difficult to spot this cosy corner. 

Located on the first level of the corner lot

This cafe captured my heart even before I tried their food. Their attention to details of their interior is already worth the visit. Welcomed by a wall of heart-warming quotes and lamps, my vibe for the weekend is already one level up! The cafe imbues a soothing environment with commendable cleanliness. Wait till you check out their chic displays and well-thought concepts to make their patrons feel at home.

Captivating quotes that will reel you in with positive vibes!

Ah relaxed while I order my brunch

The Swedish owner and his Malaysian wife cleverly blends different themes together in their fashionably high-ceiling space to cater to different moods and persona. Eclectic decoration peices coexist in the coffee house successfully creating a wonderful feast for guests' eyes. At one corner there is the Malaysian vintage display, in the other corner there is Scandinavian simplicity, and then English freshness with an Arabic lamp which all surprisingly comes together nicely!

Stylish section for gatherings and group meetings under the shade

Choose your corner of high seating, easy round tables or intimate booths

The displays will keep you fascinated while waiting for food.

Prettily decorated balcony is cooling even though its hot outside

Check out their meaning quotes all around the coffee house

Level One Coffee House places a lot of emphasis on the quality and type of coffee they brew. They take pride in their imported coffees which can satisfy not only coffee junkies but coffee connoisseurs alike- Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, Gourmet Coffee, Indian Monsoon Malabar and Suatra Mandheling.

For latte lovers, try their best seller Coconut Latte which is layered how people with OCD would love. Its aroma is pronounced and has the smoothness that my throat approves

Known for their commitment in food and coffee

If you like lattes like me, do sip on their best seller Coconut Latte
RM12 hot/ RM15 cold for gourmet blend, RM14 hot/ RM16 cold for single origin

Level One boasts a fantastic gamut of European breads. Aromatic and flavourful, these breads serve as a fulfilling meal as alternative to rice. Their breads are brought in fresh everyday and never older than a day. European breads are mostly sourdough which means they are left fermented for at least 36 hours. They are denser and heavier than our local loaves, making it sufficient for a meal. From the familiar croissant to the grainy Bavarian Spelt bread to the sweet nutty-flavoured poppy seed bun, Level One happily stuffs their bread with fresh vegetables and mouth-watering dressings for a balanced diet .

Enjoying my Pepper Seed Bun Chicken Peppercorn

3C (Carrot, celery cucumber) RM10
Comes with shrimp or tuna mayo

Oglio oglio Edamame is a flavourful and healthy snack that teases the tastebuds with its savoury hints RM8.00

Croissant beef salami RM16.00

Mixed salad with smoked fish (herring) and roasted sesame dressing RM12.00 medium (2-3 pax),
RM22 large (4-6 pax) and RM40.00 extra large (8-10 pax)

I must give credit to their mixed salad with smoked fish that comes with the incredibly palatable roasted sesame dressing.The scatter of alfalfa lifts the ordinary out of the salad. Anything that the dressing touches, instantly turns yummy. Herring fish is a favourite among Scandinavians which is sweet although some may find its oceanic taste a little too strong.

Ciabata smoked salmon RM24.00

Honey spelt beef cured RM18.00

Bavarian spelth chicken pastrami RM16.00

Poppy seed bun chicken peppercorn RM16.00

Ciabata Smoked Salmon RM24.00

Smoked Salmon Quiche RM28.00 (Saturday)

Their Smoked Salmon Quiche is the from the original recipe of their chef. Generously packed with ingredients, the quiche is a delicious composition of  smoked salmon, egg and vegetables which has a fluffy texture at the same time. Makes me wonder how she (the chef) could make the dish with so wonderfully balanced.

The generous range of sandwich selection

Level One's desserts are also not disappointing. Accompany your coffee with a slice of perfectly layered crepe cake which sweetness is just nice for a person who is careful about sugar levels like me. This Ramadan month, try their mocktails of the month. I recommend the Kurma Murma which has a fun granular texture with calming date fruit taste. 

Delectable crepe and carrot walnut cakes 

Mocktails of the month
From left: Snowy Mango RM12.00, Waka Waka Mint Tea RM12.00, Lychee Ice Tea RM12.00 , Kurma Murma RM15.00

Freshly baked bread at Level One Coffee House

Level One Coffee House
No. 1, First Floor,
Jalan Penguasa AU1/ 53 A
Temasya Glenmarie Square,
Seksyen U1, 40150
Shah Alam

http://levelonecoffeehouse.com
www.facebook.com/levelonecoffeehouse

Opening hours 8.30am-6.00pm (Monday- Saturday)

Tel: 03-55692161
Email: info@levelonecoffeehouse.com