As Malaysia’s coffee scene heats up, several new cafes in Singapore are taking inspiration from the java brewed across the causeway. Others are local branches of Malaysian cafe chains that have set up shop here. Below, a comprehensive guide to the best Malaysian (and Malaysia-inspired) cafes and heritage coffee shops in Singapore.
First, there is the humble kopitiam. Nostalgia for the old-school coffee shop becomes fodder for Ipoh Town Kopitiam. Run by two sisters from the Malaysian town, they convinced compatriot Choy Kee Bakery to sell their famed egg tarts at their dining establishment. Best Ah Ma Cafe also hails from Ipoh, and it recreates the traditional coffee shop vibes with vintage decor and local comfort food.
Malaysian coffee brands have also set up cafes in Singapore. The most famous import is Oldtown White Coffee, an instant coffee brand that opened into a kopitiam in their Ipoh hometown and now boasts locations in Malaysia, Singapore, and as far away as Australia. It is joined by Oriental Kopi. With branches all over Malaysia – its JB outlets draw a long line of people, many of whom are Singaporeans – the eatery is set to open here later this year with its signature Nanyang coffee and polo buns.
Staying with Nanyang coffee, The Daily Cup is a takeaway kiosk at Bishan that specialises in it. Helmed by an Ipoh native, he brews up traditional and modern renditions like one with almond milk. Hailing from Selangor, Ask Coffee Roastery is a Malaysian cafe that has opened on Singapore’s Seah Street to serve coconut lattes and burnt cheese cruffins. Likewise, The Coffee Code expands from Sarawak and onto Neil Road to offer nian gao waffles and cold brew coffee. Check them the best coffee shops in Singapore that take inspiration from Malaysia below.
Hailing from Shah Alam, Selangor, Ask Coffee Roastery expands its reach across the causeway to land on Seah Street. They roast their house blends and single-origin beans in-house and brew them into drinks such as coconut latte and espresso with sparkling water and ice. The cafe also has a small selection of pastries like burnt cheese cruffin and blueberry danish.
What to order
Coconut latte (S$7), flat white (S$6)
Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 5pm
Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 5pm
(Image credit: @askcoffeeroastery / Instagram)
Better known for their live music venues, Tin Box teamed up with Kuala Lumpur eatery Best Ah Ma Cafe to open a branch in Singapore at Bugis Junction. Decked out with nostalgic touches, the kopitiam-inspired venue serves traditional fare from nasi lemak to mee siam, as well as Ramly burgers and croissants.
What to order
Mee siam (from S$5++), nasi lemak (from S$5++), kaya toast and soft boiled eggs set (S$4.80++), best ah ma kopi (from S$2.80++)
Daily, 10am – 8pm
(Image credit: Tin Box Group Eats / Facebook)
Ipoh Town Kopitiam does not exist in the Malaysia, but the retro-modern coffee shop was founded by two sisters who grew up there, where they helped their mother sell local food like nasi ayam goreng berempah and curry toast with soft-boiled eggs. They also convinced Ipoh bakery Choy Kee to join in the concept, making Ipoh Town Kopitiam the first place outside Malaysia to offer Choy Kee’s famed egg tarts.
What to order
Ipoh ‘Overjoy’ white coffee (from S$3.50), fragrant curry toast with soft-boiled eggs (S$4.90), Ipoh Choy Kee egg tart (S$2.40 each), nasi ayam goreng berempah (S$12.90)
Daily, 11am – 10pm
(Image credit: Ipoh Town Kopitiam)
The biggest among Malaysian cafe brands in Singapore, Oldtown started out in 1999 as an instant coffee manufacturer in Ipoh, Perak. The products became popular enough that the brand decided to set up a kopitiam in 2005, and today boasts locations as far away as Australia. The Singapore franchise was brought in by local celebrity Mark Lee and serves dishes such as nasi lemak and wanton noodles alongside its robust Nanyang coffee. Find them in places like Jewel Changi Airport and Kallang Wave Mall.
What to order
Oldtown white coffee (from S$3.30), nasi lemak with fried chicken wing (S$12.40), curry mee (S$13.30)
(Image credit: Oldtown Singapore / Facebook)
It’s common to see people hauling bags of Oriental Kopi back from Malaysia, which was probably one of the reasons why the coffee chain decided to set up shop in Singapore. With outlets throughout Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru, Oriental Kopi is opening its first overseas branch here later this year together with Paradise Group. Expect signature items like Nanyang-style coffee, egg tarts, and polo buns, as well as nasi lemak and Penang char kuey teow. Oriental Kopi Singapore will also have dishes exclusive to it.
(Image credit: Oriental Kopi)
Based in Sarawak, The Coffee Code serves heart-shaped waffles filled with either black rice or nian gao, which add a crunchy or chewy texture to toppings from bak kwa to berries. Other dishes include house-made sourdough ciabatta with fresh kaya and butter, turkey ham pita, and uji matcha soft serve ice cream. Beverages range from nitro brew coffee to the non-caffeinated longan rose soda.
What to order
Nian gao bak kwa waffle (S$19++), nitro brew coffee (S$9++)
Monday – Thursday, 11am – 10pm
Friday & Saturday, 11am – 11pm
Sunday, 10am – 11pm
(Image credit: @thecoffeecodesingapore / Instagram)
The Daily Cup does not hail from Malaysia, but its barista has been brewing coffee since he was a teen in Ipoh and has worked at various cafe chains in Singapore. He brings his experience to this takeaway kiosk to serve both traditional and modern renditions of Ipoh white coffee, from almond milk coffee to biscoff caramel. The stall also sells breakfast sets like tamago sando and kaya butter toast.
What to order
Signature butter kaya toast (from S$2), tamago sando (from S$4.50), almond milk coffee (S$3), signature Ipoh white coffee bing (S$3.30)
Daily, 7.30am – 5pm
(Image credit: The Daily Cup / Facebook)
(Main and featured image credits: @orientalkopi.asia/Instagram)
This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Singapore.
Jethro enjoys wine, biking, and climbing, and he's terrible at all three. In between them, he drinks commercial lagers, and eats dumplings and ice cream.
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