8 Modern-Day Kopitiams In KL To Visit For Roti Bakar, Kopi Peng & More

Modern-day kopitiams in KL

Mention kopitiams and most of us conjure up images of uncles and aunties sipping on kopi and having slow conversations in a coffee shop. But the delicious, and often simple, meals that these ubiquitous eateries dish up in Malaysia still appeal to the old and young.

While trendy cafes and restaurants have been mushrooming across our capital city, you’ll still find a good number of kopitiams in Kuala Lumpur. We gathered a list of eight modern-day ones, so you know where to head to when cravings for roti bakar and kopi peng hit.

1. Ho Kow Hainan Kopitiam – over 60-year-old kopitiam with signature curry chicken

Image adapted from: @projectartz12

Ho Kow Hainam Kopitiam has been around since 1956, serving old-school Hainanese breakfast staples and a rich kopi cham that remains beloved by its loyal customers.

Though the coffee shop is now run by a 4th generation owner, its signature dishes haven’t changed. A highlight is the Dried Chicken Curry (RM12.90), which has generous portions and huge chunks of chicken to go with your choice of noodles – mee, mee hoon, or kuey teow.

Image credit: @haoyee_

The Butter & Kaya Toast (RM3/pc) is another popular order, with thick slices of butter tucked between fluffy bread. Opt for a side of half–boiled eggs (RM2/2 pcs) to dip your toast in, for a truly classic Malaysian breakfast.

Complete your meal with a cup of kopi. Ho Kow Hainan Kopitiam’s must-try is the fragrant and thick Cham (RM3.40), which strikes the perfect balance of milk, water, tea, and coffee.

Image adapted from: @walter_x_tang, @sycookies

As the coffee shop always sees a snaking line whether it’s a weekday or the weekend, they have a convenient virtual queue system, so you can explore nearby Petaling Street while waiting to dine here. Simply get a ticket, scan a QR code, and wait for your number to be called.

Address: 1, Jalan Balai Polis, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8am-2.30pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: Ho Kow Kopitiam website

2. Yi Feng Restaurant – customisable curry noodles & salted coffee

Image credit: @robxlim

One of the highlights of a good bowl of curry mee is the toppings that it comes with. Over at Yi Feng Restaurant, you can opt for the kopitiam’s signature thick and rich bowl of Curry Laksa Noodle (from RM11.50), with springy wantan mee and your choice of char siew, siew yoke, or poached chicken. If you’re coming with a huge appetite, you can size up your noodles for RM1.90.

Their Wonton Noodle (from RM11.50) can be ordered with the same choices of protein.

Image adapted from: @lavieenrose

Another kopitiam staple to order here is porridge. Opt to have it plain (RM3.50), or with poached chicken (RM8), salted egg & pork (RM7.50), or double eggs & pork (RM8).

For drinks, a must-try is the Salted Cham Ping (RM5.60), which comes topped with cheese foam. Stir it well before sipping, for an extra creamy kopi with just a slight touch of saltiness.

Image credit: @houyeh.eats

Address: 2, Jalan Hujan Emas 4, Taman Overseas Union, 58200 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL
Opening hours: 7.30am-4pm, Daily
Contact: 016-309 9899 | Yi Feng Restaurant Facebook

3. Yut Kee Restaurant – famous Hainanese chicken chop

Another oldie-but-goodie is Yut Kee Restaurant, which has been operating since 1928 in the Chow Kit area. If starting off your day with a hearty meal is the only way to go for you, this spot serves a wide range of old-time Hainanese faves, including chops, noodles, and pork roasts.

Image credit: @ayummy_kl

Their Chicken Chop (RM15.30) is a must-try. It’s a simple yet comforting dish, comprising egg-battered chicken chop doused with an in-house gravy. You can have different proteins to go with the same signature brown gravy: pork (RM16.20), lamb (RM19.20), or fish (RM14.20).

Image credit: @thesolitaryowl

While their heavier breakfast dishes are what patrons gravitate towards, consider having their Marble Cake (RM1.60/pc) and Kaya Roll (RM1.40/pc). These pair especially well with the coffee drinks, including the satisfyingly kaw Kopi and Cham, each priced RM2.60.

You can also order these sweet bakes whole to snack on at home – an entire Marble Cake goes for RM21, and the Kaya Roll, RM14.

Image credit: @kokongopi.id

Address: 1, Jalan Kamunting, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 7.30am-3pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 03-2698 8108 | Yut Kee Restaurant Facebook

4. Woo Pin 45 Kamunting – highly-raved fish head noodles

Image credit: @thekohmakan

Hiding out in Chow Kit is Woo Pin 45 Kamunting, which is one of many unassuming yet locally-loved eateries. While their menu may not be as extensive compared to the other kopitiams on this list, it’s not an issue among their loyal customers who are here for one thing only – the fish head noodles.

Image credit: @heydavina

There are eight variations of the popular noodle dish, including fresh or fried fish, clear or milky broth, and different fish types. But a popular order among patrons is the Fried Fish Noodles (RM12.50) with generous portions of noodles and tender fish in a creamy and flavourful broth.

Image credit: @mikey_wes

There are sides to order too, such as fried Fish Skin, Bean Curd and Fish Cake for RM9.90/plate.

Apart from the fish head noodles, customers often flock here for the restaurant’s flaky and buttery Portuguese Tarts (RM3.80/pc), which are baked fresh daily.

Image credit: @lewyee_ng

Address: 45, Jalan Kamunting, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 7.30am-4pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: Woo Pin 45 Kamunting Facebook

5. Yitcha Kaw Kaw Kopitiam – a variety of old-school baked goods

Image credit: 壹茶浓浓咖啡店 Yitcha Kaw Kaw Kopitiam

A charm of old-school kopitiams is the selection of traditional Chinese baked goods they carry alongside the buttery toasts and kopi drinks. Over at Yitcha Kaw Kaw Kopitiam, you’ll find all the classics – from siew paus, kaya puffs, and coconut tarts priced RM2.40/each, to BBQ pork buns and their crowd-favourite Portuguese Tarts for RM2.70/each.

Other, more unique specialities to order are Ostrich Egg Tarts (RM2.90/each) and Curry Potato Bun (RM2.50/each).

Image credit: @lovetoeat.my

If you do swing by this kopitiam super hungry, good news – their menu features a variety of hearty Ipoh-famous dishes, such as Ipoh Shredded Chicken Hor Fun (RM10.90) and Ipoh Authentic Curry Mee (RM11.90).

Opt to have your next yum cha session here, as they have a Happy Hour deal from 3pm to 5pm on the weekdays – you’ll get a free freshly baked pastry with an order of a coffee drink.

Image credit: Kel Vin / Google Maps

Yitcha Kaw Kaw Kopitiam has four outlets in the Klang Valley: Kota Damansara, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, and Sri Petaling. Their KL outlet is located just a stone’s throw from Masjid Jamek Seri Petaling.

Yitcha Kaw Kaw Kopitiam @ Sri Petaling
Address: 84, Jalan Radin Tengah, Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL
Opening hours: 7.30am-4.30pm, Daily
Contact: 016-601 3068 | Yitcha Kaw Kaw Kopitiam Facebook

6. Kam Fatt Restaurant – pork offal noodles & porridge

Image credit: @andytwc

There are plenty of notable food haunts along the famed Jalan Alor. But if you’re looking to gorge on kopitiam classics in an air-conditioned space, head to Kam Fatt Restaurant. This recently-renovated spot serves an array of beloved staples, including Curry Laksa and Asam Laksa. If your appetite is on the smaller side, the restaurant even serves mini portions of these noodle bowls for RM6 each.

You can also choose the noodles for your order. Options include hor fun, mee hoon, and lai fun.

Image credit: @germaine_25

Besides the noodles and kaya toasts with half-boiled eggs (RM5.50) that diners usually go for, the restaurant also has Pork Offal Noodle (RM10.50) and Pork Offal Porridge (RM9.50) for those with more adventurous palates.

Smaller bites you can order here include their selection of Nyonya kuih (RM2.50/each) and Economy Noodles (RM3).

Image adapted from: See Wai Sum / Google Maps

Address: 23, Tengkat Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 6.30am-2.30pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 017-252 6813 | Kam Fatt Restaurant Facebook

7. Jia Kopitiam – pork- and lard-free kopitiam

Image credit: @onlynnwan2eat

It can be difficult to find a kopitiam that doesn’t serve pork. But Jia Kopitiam is one spot where you won’t have to leave out any of your friends for breakfast or lunch, as their menu is pork- and lard-free.

Image credit: @vel.eats.kl

Find almost every Malaysian breakfast staple here, at affordable prices to boot. Popular offerings include nasi lemak with curry chicken (RM9.80), Ipoh-style chee cheong fun (RM2.80) with red gravy, and porridge with yu tiao (RM4.50).

Image credit @elinchow

If you’re swinging by for breakfast, don’t miss out on their croissants, which you can have plain (RM3.80) or filled with kaya & butter (RM5) and fried egg & ham (RM6.80).

Address: G02, Danau Kota Suite Apartment, Jalan 1a/6, Taman Danau Kota, 53300 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 8am-4pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: 016-200 0000 | Jia Kopitiam Facebook

8. Nian Dai Kopidiam – old-school retro dining area

Image credit: @cktiu

Hiding out in Setapak is the relatively new Nian Dai Kopidiam, which has been receiving rave reviews from patrons for its charming ambience. Step through their front doors, and you’ll be greeted by an old-school-style dining area complete with vintage decor items.

Image credit: @guiltyjit

A highlight on Nian Dai Kopidiam’s menu is the variety of sides they offer, which include pan-fried carrot cake (RM5.90), deep-fried Chinese mantou (RM6.90) with condensed milk, and luncheon meat, cheese & egg toast (RM10.90).

As for breads, they serve Toasted Soft Buns with Butter & Kaya (RM4.90) and also Roti Goyang (RM5.50) – half-boiled eggs over toast. For something heartier, go for the nasi lemak (from RM14.90) or curry laksa (from RM10.50), which comes with a variety of sides and toppings.

Address: G2, Wisma Setapak 33, Jalan 3/23d, Off, Jalan Genting Kelang, Taman Danau Kota, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-10pm | Sat & Sun 8am-10pm
Contact: 03-4032 3280 | Nian Dai Kopidiam Facebook

Modern-day kopitiams to visit in KL

We Malaysians can never say no to a visit to a local kopitiam – whether it be for breakfast, lunch, or tea time. There’s something for everyone at these ubiquitous and unassuming eateries, which keeps us coming back for more.

So, for your classic Malaysian breakfast fare in comfortable modern-day spaces, check out these kopitiams in Kuala Lumpur.