Two Little Coffeeshops in JB

What I love best about coming to JB (Malaysia is just minutes away) is the meal at the coffee shop that not only tastes fantastic, but is half the price of a similar meal in Singapore. The place also feels rustic and these were what coffeeshops were like in Singapore during my childhood. There are still coffeeshops in Singapore but they seem to be getting replaced by modern trappings like banks and fast food outlets.

Malaysian coffee shops feel so homey and cosy. I think the more laid back style of the people here allow me to feel absolutely relaxed and serene. It was even more lovely as the air was cool with the downpour.

Our neighbours in Malaysia are just so much nicer and I attribute that to having the right values. In Singapore everything is so over commercialized and it is success at all costs. I really don’t like that vibe. I don’t like that people are superficially measured based on their job titles, the brands they wear, the home they own or the vehicle they drive. What happened to valuing people for being nice and kind? I always think, when we die we can’t take any of those material things with us and they won’t matter any more. We are all the same – the rest are trappings. Wish we could learn from Malaysia and not be so snobbish like we normally are. I do love many aspects of Singapore of course (my place of birth after all) but there is something about the superior quality of life here. I am just glad we can escape here once in a while, whenever it gets too claustrophobic on our tiny island.

About the two coffee shops – they are located side by side. We always start with the bigger one which serves the Malaysian style wan tan mee we really like. The noodles are thinner and the char siew (BBQ pork) is finely sliced. Even the vegetables taste sweet and not bitter. The portion size is also much smaller, but I like it as it allows me to indulge in a tau sar pao (steamed bun with red bean paste within) at the other coffee shop.

I’ll start with the first coffee shop where we satisfied our Wan Tan Mee craving.

Here’s a close up of those tempting noodles.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

A meal is not complete without tea. Decided to have tea instead of Kopi as the Kopi can be pretty strong (bitter). I wasn’t it the mood for it, but maybe next time. I just also had to mention that the aunty who served us was so polite and nice. Everyone at both the coffee shops were nice, including the patrons.

photo by bookjunkie

The coffee-shop next to this seems more preserved in time.

photo by bookjunkie

You can see both coffee shops in this photo.

photo by bookjunkie

Does the Lor Mai Kai (glutinous chicken rice) looks so yummy. I think so anyway.

photo by bookjunkie

And I love the Tau Sar pao too. The filling just melts in my mouth. I adore the simple wooden chopsticks. I want a pair now.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

More photos of the old gas canisters and the rustic surroundings.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

Saw this nearby. Wonder if that is a political poster? I am still not sure of the location of the coffeeshop as B just knows how to get here visually.

photo by bookjunkie

And some of the other shops in that same row. Maybe it will look familiar to you?

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie