Good Luck Kopitiam serves local dishes that fellow Malaysians are familiar with. The restaurant preserves the traditional kopitiam atmosphere with elements of Hong Kong-style “cha chaan teng” (茶餐厅).

Barbecue Pork Pastry (叉烧酥, RM4.80) comes in two pieces per serving. The baked pastry is glazed with honey and coated with sesame seeds. Unfortunately, the pastry is too dry for my liking.

Lucky Fried Mee Hoon (好彩炒米粉, RM4.90) is cooked reasonably well. The rice vermicelli is topped with cabbage and fried shallots. Chili sauce on the side really helps to accentuate the overall taste.

Dried Shrimp Chili Ban Mee (虾米辣椒板面, RM10.90) is served with minced pork, mushrooms and fried anchovies. The noodle dish comes with a bowl of soup that contains sweet leaves (马尼菜).

Minced Pork Loh Shu Fun (大头菜肉碎老鼠粉, RM8.90) has similar ingredients as the previous dish, but uses springy “loh shu fun” instead. This type of noodle is also called “rat noodle” because it resembles a rat’s tail.

Curry Noodle Soup (招牌咖喱面, RM12.90) is served with chicken, potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, tofu puffs, yardlong beans and mint leaves. Alas, the curry is not as tasty as I expected; more coconut milk would certainly help.

Curry Chicken Nasi Lemak (咖喱鸡椰浆饭, RM13.90) is one of the main highlights on the menu. The rice is infused with coconut milk and pandan. The dish comes with hard-boiled eggs, fried anchovies, roasted peanuts, cucumber slices and sambal (chili paste) too.

We also ordered a serving of Ham, Egg, Chicken Floss Long Bun (熏肉蛋鸡丝面包, RM7.50). The bun resembles a croissant but is not nearly as flaky.

My choice of drink is Ho Ga Sai (虎咬狮, RM5.90), which literally translates as “tiger bites lion”. This popular drink from Taiping combines the bold taste of coffee and the familiar sweetness of Milo.

The food at Good Luck Kopitiam is somewhat acceptable, but there is certainly much room for improvement. Meanwhile, the price is pretty reasonable considering the fact the restaurant’s air-conditioned ambience.

Address: The Palette, Shop 12, Taman Danau Kota, 53000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: N/A
Business hours: 8:30am-11:00pm, closed on Mondays
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To save manpower, customers are asked to order and collect food at the service counter.

Vegetable Bun (菜包, RM1.60) is the signature dish at Kedai Kopi Shin Lok. The bun is soft and fluffy indeed. It contains jicama (芒光) and hard-boiled egg.

The Yam Puff (芋角, RM1.80) here is quite popular too. It is made of taro paste filled with minced chicken and green peas. The outer layer has a delightful light crisp.

Going to a kopitiam would be awkward without ordering Kopi (咖啡, RM2.20). I like the bitter-sweet taste of local black coffee.

The food taste at Kedai Kopi Shin Lok is absolutely satisfying. The pricing is quite reasonable too. For customers who find Jeram too far away, the kopitiam has another outlet in downtown Klang.

Address: 1, Jalan Kenari 1, Taman Kenari, 45800 Jeram, Selangor
Contact: 03-3264-7591
Business hours: 7:00am-5:00pm, closed on Mondays
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Roti Bakar Hutton Lane was founded in 1957. The personality whose likeness appears in the logo is Mr. Ansari. As son of the late founder, Mr. Ansari is still very involved in the stall’s daily operations. When not taking orders, he is usually busy slicing bread and removing bread crust.

I ordered a serving of Roti Balut Telur (RM4.00). Although it appears similar to French toast, the bread is not soaked but wrapped in beaten eggs. Roti Balut Telur can be enjoyed with Kari Ayam (RM3.00) or chicken curry.

Roti Bakar Georgetown (RM4.00) is a healthy breakfast meal which consists of buttered toast and soft-boiled eggs. One way to enjoy the toast is by dipping it in eggs. Despite its simplicity, the meal is pretty satisfying.

Teh Tarik (RM1.00) is perhaps the most popular drink in Malaysia. The tea has a bubbly consistency because it is repeatedly “pulled” between mugs.

Roti Bakar Hutton Lane has been serving the people of George Town for more than 60 years. This explains why it attracts a continuous flow of customers throughout the day. It is advisable to arrive before 8:00am because some dishes may be sold out quickly.

Address: 300, Jalan Phee Choon, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 017-571-6404
Business hours: 5:00am-1:00pm
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Penang Science Cluster has a workshop inside Wisma Yeap Chor Ee at China Street Ghaut (Gat Lebuh China). This non-profit organization strives to instill interest in science and technology among the younger generation. Penang Science Cluster is colocated with an intriguing eatery called Nazzeeras’.

Wisma Yeap Chor Ee is actually Nazzeeras’ second outlet; the first one is operates from Kompleks Penjaja Desiran Tanjung. The menu here covers Mexican dishes, pasta, toasts, sandwiches, pastries and coffee. Thanks to the comfort of air conditioning, the café provides a relaxing ambience for casual dining.

Today’s meal begins with Huevos Rancheros (RM20.90), which literally means “ranch-style eggs” in Spanish. This ubiquitous breakfast dish in Mexico is given a creative spin to suit the local palate. Besides eggs, the Huevos Rancheros is also made of Spanish sausage, tomato, cheddar cheese, basil and chili flakes. It comes with two slices of toasted multigrain bread.

Next, Chicken Fajitas (RM23.90) are primarily prepared from grilled chicken, onions and spices. This popular Tex-Mex street food is wrapped with flour tortilla, which presents a unique texture when chewed. I also find the spiciness rather tantalizing. Chicken Fajitas come with garden salad on the side.

Greek Yogurt Banana Smoothie (RM12.90) is one of the beverages on the menu. The yogurt’s distinctive sour taste keeps one’s palate refreshed between bites of spicy food. The drink is presented in a glass mug with a stirring rod.

Nazzeeras’ operates from 10:30am to 6:30pm daily and is closed every Monday. While waiting for food to be served, feel free to explore the interactive exhibits in the Penang Science Cluster. There is also a small library with reading materials for people from all walks of life. The facility is open to the public and admission is free.

Name: Nazzeeras’
Address: 37, Gat Lebuh China, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 019-220-1355
Business hours: 10:30am-6:30pm, closed on Mondays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Nazzeeras
Coordinates: 5.41528 N, 100.34225 E
Directions: Nazzeeras’ is located inside Wisma Yeap Chor Ee at China Street Ghaut (Gat Lebuh China). Street parking is available.

Tasty Toasty is an air-conditioned eatery at Cantonment Road (Jalan Cantonment). It serves all-day breakfast and Western dishes.

Only the ground floor of the two-storey building is used as dining area. A drinks counter occupies a substantial portion of it.

Titan Breakfast (RM19.90) comprises of hash browns, chicken ham, grilled tomato, toasted bread, sausages, fried eggs, baked beans and garden salad. I am also surprised to see passion fruit on the platter.

The cup of Latte (RM8.90) contains two shots of espresso. Steamed milk provides creamy consistency and a small degree of sweetness. The coffee is reasonably smooth, but its bitter aftertaste does not linger for too long.

Address: 52, Jalan Cantonment, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-218-9623
Business hours: 8:30am-6:00pm (Monday-Friday), 8:30am-8:30pm (Saturday-Sunday)
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Just across Gaya Street from Sabah Tourism Board is a local eatery called Kopi Ping Cafe (咖啡冰). This air-conditioned place is quite popular among youngsters. The menu is entirely pork-free.

Kopi Ping Cafe serves local favorites that one may find in hawker centers. Its signature dishes are KP Nasi Lemak (招牌椰浆饭), Black Pepper Beef Ho Fun (黑胡椒炒牛河), Creamy Butter Chicken Rice (奶油鸡饭) and Fish Sauce Mee Hoon (雨露米粉).

For drinks, Kopi Ping (咖啡冰, RM3.90) is the right choice if you enjoy bold coffee flavor. Chilled and served with ice, the drink is quite satisfying.

Meanwhile, Bandung Special (玫瑰糖浆三色奶茶冰, RM4.90) consists of milk tea, rose syrup and gula melaka (palm sugar). Unfortunately, the drink is way too sweet for my liking.

Address: 64, Jalan Gaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact: 08-820-4086
Business hours: 10:00am-12:00am
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Fook Yuen Café & Bakery (富源) is one of the many eateries along Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu. This local kopitiam is right next to OldTown White Coffee, and a short distance from Sabah Tourism Board. Fook Yuen serves dim sum (点心), bread and local hawker dishes. It does not serve pork.

Butter & Kaya Toast (RM1.70) is known among locals as Roti Kahwin. A single slice of bread is cut into halves, toasted and then filled with butter and kaya (coconut jam). Because the toast is unusually thin, it turns out very crispy.

For drinks, we ordered Kopi (RM2.40) and Kopi Cham (RM2.40). I notice that beverages are generally overpriced in Kota Kinabalu. As Sabah produces coffee and tea locally, this begs the question, why are drinks so expensive here?

Address: 53, Jalan Gaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact: 08-874-3406
Business hours: 6:30am-11:30pm (Sunday-Thursday), 6:30am-12:30am (Friday-Saturday)
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Kopi & Toast (咖啡吐司) is a small eatery along Chulia Street Ghaut (Gat Lebuh Chulia), just across the road from The Press and The Legend Nyonya House. The shop’s entrance has an overhead signboard with its Chinese name carved in golden characters.

Kopi & Toast was recently renovated to provide air conditioning. The dining area has several wooden tables and stools, giving an appearance of a homely coffee shop. Meanwhile, the interior brick walls are covered with sketches of London and Paris. There is even a retro-style gramophone on display.

Nasi Lemak With Curry Chicken (RM9.99) was recently added to the menu. The rice is dyed by the extract of butterfly-pea flowers (蝶豆花). Other traditional ingredients for nasi lemak are sambal (chili paste), anchovies (江鱼仔), roasted peanuts, sliced cucumber, fried egg and crackers. In my opinion, keeping the sambal and anchovies separate will result in a crispier mouthfeel.

The bowl of chicken curry contains chicken thigh and potatoes. The curry is remarkably appetizing despite the fact that it is slightly dilute today. Nevertheless, the lovely blend of spices really tantalizes the taste buds.

The bestselling dish at Kopi & Toast is Cheese Noodle (RM9.99), which is cooked and presented on a skillet. The instant noodle is served with mozzarella cheese, sausages, potatoes and fried egg. The cheese solidifies as it cools down, so it is advisable to consume this dish while the cheese remains molten.

As for beverages, the Galaxy (RM7.90) is probably the most unique choice. The drink is a mixture of apple cider vinegar, grape juice and green tea. The sharp taste of vinegar really helps to quench thirst. Butterfly-pea flower juice is also added, giving this iced drink an alluring purple color. Customers who are not used to apple cider can try the lemonade-based Fantasy instead.

Besides all-day breakfast, Kopi & Toast also serves a special burger called Cheezy Cheese. Unfortunately, I am not able to try it today. Based on what I have tasted so far, the food here is commendable. The pricing is also surprisingly affordable despite the fact that there are many tourist attractions nearby.

Name: Kopi & Toast (咖啡吐司)
Address: 63, Gat Lebuh Chulia, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 012-568-1856
Business hours: 7:30am-4:00pm, closed on Tuesdays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/kopitoast
Coordinates: 5.41405 N, 100.34075 E
Directions: Kopi & Toast is located at Chulia Street Ghaut (Gat Lebuh Chulia) and near the junction with Weld Quay (Pengkalan Weld). It is opposite of The Press and The Legend Nyonya House. Street parking is available along Chulia Street Ghaut and Victoria Street (Lebuh Victoria).

There are separate menus for brunch and dinner. We are trying the former today. The breakfast menu includes combination platters, toasts and sandwiches.

As for omelettes, the Ultimate Cheezy Omelette (RM12.00) is our choice today. The omelette is filled with molten cheese and then folded in half. This egg dish is great for cheese lovers.

Set B (RM8.50) consists of sautéed ham, sausage, mushrooms, mashed potato, toasted wholemeal bread and fried egg. Fried egg can be replaced with scrambled egg for RM2.00 more. The breakfast platter is cooked with olive oil.

For something lighter, go for Tuna & Egg Double Decker Sandwiches (RM6.50). Also sandwiched between slices of wholemeal bread are tomato and cucumber. Chips and carrot curls are provided.

Meanwhile for hot drinks, many people rely on Local Coffee (RM1.50) and Hong Kong Milk Tea (RM2.70) for their morning caffeine fix.

The food at Big Ben is reasonably good and affordable. In the evening, the eatery serves Western food instead.

Address: Kuarters D, MK18, Jalan Kebun Bunga, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 016-433-6900
Business hours: 8:00am-2:00pm, 5:00pm-10:30pm, closed on Mondays

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Sunway Pyramid West is a section of the shopping mall that is accessible by walking through Padini Concept Store. Located along the skywalk to Sunway Clio Hotel is a pancake house called Slappy Cakes. This brand originated in Portland, Oregon in the United States.

Breakfast Special is served from 8:30am to 11:00am every day. There are 5 options on the breakfast menu; our choice is the Classic Pancake (RM9.00). The pancakes have pleasant fluffiness especially while they are still warm. As per tradition, the pancakes are served with honey and butter.

Interestingly, there are only 2 pancakes on the plate even though the menu clearly shows 3. As the usual disclaimer goes, “All pictures shown are for illustration purposes only.”

Breakfast Special comes with either black coffee or hot tea I opted for the former. As for taste, I feel that Slappy Cakes’ choice of coffee beans leaves a lot to be desired.

Address: SPWF001, Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: 03-5650-5125
Business hours: 8:30am-10:00pm

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