321 Cafe: Wallet-friendly JB breakfast place by the bay with nasi lemak, toast & mee siam

321 Cafe has been on my must-visit list for quite a while, but I never had the opportunity to try it. Since I’m writing for Sethlui.com now, it is a great opportunity to explore this restaurant.

Located by the bay at Senibong Cove, this humble restaurant offers more than just a meal— it also provides a serene escape with stunning views of the sea. The seats are in a semi-open space where you can feel the breeze and sunshine in the morning.

Upon entering the shop, I was amazed by the crowd on a weekday morning. The image doesn’t really do it justice, as I forgot to take a picture when it was almost full. After scanning through the place, I realised that most of the patrons were middle-aged office workers and senior citizens. 

The staff immediately served me once I was seated. We had a brief conversation which  exhibited the warmth and hospitality of the people there.

What I tried at 321 Cafe

My friend and I were starving that day, so we opted for 2 mains. The Mee Siam (RM5.80) arrived first, and the sunny-side-up eggs on top immediately caught my attention once it was placed on my table. The egg yolk was perfectly done and it lusciously flowed when I poked it.

The bee hoon was fragmented, so it was quite difficult to pick up with chopsticks. Its spiciness was just perfect without any accompanying sauce. With the addition of sambal, it enhanced the flavour of the whole dish. They also fried the Mee Siam with beansprouts which amplified the texture for a richer mouthfeel.

Next, I indulged in the Nasi Lemak with Fried Chicken (RM11). The fried chicken wasn’t that attractive when it arrived at my table (as I’m not a fan of fried food). However, it amazed me after having the first bite. The fried chicken was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a tad bit of saltiness on the skin. My friend went as far as to say that it resembled the taste of KFC fried chicken.

The rice had a touch of blue, which is butterfly pea flower rice. The fluffiness of the rice didn’t quite meet my expectations, even though the overall look of it  was appealing. It was slightly too moist— a reduction in the amount of water would’ve improved the rice texture.

We also ordered the local breakfast dish— Soft Boiled Egg (RM3.60) and Butter Kaya Toast (RM3.20).

Personally, I prefer my toast generously slathered with butter, but this one had just a hint of it, leaving me a tad disappointed. The toast had a stronger kaya flavour than the expected buttery goodness. What a bummer!

As a fan of soft-boiled eggs, I would say this was perfectly done. The egg yolk was runny, while the white was slightly firm. The yolk oozed out the moment I gently pierced it with a spoon. This dish was spot-on for my palate.

While having my meal, I heard an auntie from the next table recommending dishes to her friends. She sounded like a regular at this restaurant. According to her recommendations, the Mee Rebus (RM9.90) was also one of the signature dishes.

We also ordered Iced Coffee (RM5.20) and Iced Teh O Limau (RM4.80). The coffee had the ideal level of creaminess. There was a thick layer of velvety foam on top, and it was appealing. As for the Iced Teh O Limau, I feel if it was a bit more sour, it could make the drink even better. Overall, the drinks were decent.

Another thing to note about this place— the bills for food and beverages are split.

Final thoughts

All in all, the food served at 321 Cafe was average (perhaps I didn’t order the right dishes). Having said that, I must highlight that their soft-boiled egg stood out as my favourite. 

Despite the mediocre food, I found the ambience quite appealing. I felt like I could chill there for the whole morning without doing anything. 

I’ll surely revisit them for the warm hospitality and tranquil ambience, as well as to sample the popular Mee Rebus. If you’re hunting for a casual meal with a chill dining experience, 321 Cafe might be worth a try.

Expected damage: RM12 – RM20 per pax

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