On my first visit to Kelantan, we managed to try two meals outside of the “kenduri kahwin” that brought us there, first was the nasi kerabu Liniey, and the second was this quintessential Malaysian breakfast set at Kedai Kopi Wah Mui.
Kedai Kopi Wah Mui, Kota Bahru
This little old school restaurant is located by the main touristy area of Kota Bahru (if you can call it a touristy area at all), just across the road from Muzium Diraja Istana Baru, or the royal museum of Kelantan, a place Sultan Yahya Petra lived from 1939 to 1960. Worth visiting if you’re into a walk down the memory lane for a bit.
Anyway, back to this kopitiam.
Kedai Kopi Wah Mui is operated by a Chinese owner, but the Kelantanese way is such that everyone is a customer so long as halal food is served, and in this case, it is.
I ordered the simple classic mix of roti kahwin (toast with kaya & butter), half boiled eggs, and kopi ais for some afternoon tea time indulgence. It was simple, and for the lack of a more sophisticated word .. tasty! Love the richness of kaya, how the eggs are executed perfectly, and crispy toast bread.
roti kahwin, telur setengah masak, and kopi ais
If you want a simple 1 Malaysian breakfast (or afternoon snack) and a good cup of coffee at Kota Bahru, this won’t be a bad choice.
Address: Kedai Kopi Wah Mui 1448, D1, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan GPS: 6.133082, 102.237111 Hours: breakfast and tea time
If you’ve been following my instagram or facebook page, you’ll know that Imbi morning market is fast becoming one of my favourite breakfast places lately.
Imbi market, while situated just off Jalan Imbi, is actually officially named Pasar Baru Bukit Bintang by DBKL. The place is a patch of land seemingly stuck in a time capsule, oblivious to the surrounding development that makes up the rest of the golden triangle area.
Ah Weng Koh at Imbi market (Pasar Baru Bukit Bintang)
There are quite a few hawker stalls and coffee shops/shacks within Imbi market, almost all operates from as early as seven in the morning till almost noon. It is a breakfast and brunch place, trying to catch lunch by 12:30 pm here and you won’t be terribly lucky, I’ve tried.
The busiest place at the whole market is right at Ah Weng Koh Hainan Tea.
one of the best Hainanese tea, Malaysian style breakfast with egg, bread, and coffee/tea
Finding an empty table here can sometimes be quite a challenge, and table sharing is a norm. Once you’re seated, wave frantically and hopefully one of the two or three serves will notice and take your orders.
If it’s your first time, try their signature Hainanese tea, you can have it either hot or cold and neither version would disappoint. The milk tea is well smooth and full of flavor, with a layer of tiny bubbles on top that make it looks as pleasing as it tastes. Those foam doesn’t just belong to cappuccino I guess.
have your bread steamed or toast, and crack the eggs yourself
Other than drinks, they also serve classic Malaysian breakfasts of boiled eggs and bread. The eggs come in a big stainless steel cup with hot water, and if you want it half boiled, fish them out after 5 minutes. Want it a little more cooked? Just wait for an additional 1-2 minutes.
As for bread, you can choose from Bengali bread or normal buns and have them either steamed or toasted. A slice of frozen butter and some kaya accompanies is served as a side for steamed bread, but already applied for toast.
check out my helmet hair, cheers!
With the current development of KL International Financial District, it is unsure that Imbi market will be left untouched in it’s current form. For now, the place is still happily buzzing along in the mornings while construction work is being done a stone’s throw away.
I hope this place stays.
Address: Ah Weng Koh Hainan Tea Imbi Market (Pasar Baru Bukit Bintang) Jalan Melati, Kuala Lumpur GPS: 3.14340, 101.71664 Hours: breakfast and brunch
