Old KL Kopitiam: Heritage spot serving all-day breakfast with loaded butter kaya bun & yam cake
If you’ve been reading my articles for some time, you’ll recognise my fondness for local breakfast cuisine. Who can resist the temptation of a velvety soft-boiled egg and a toast slathered with luscious butter and kaya? Certainly not me. So, when I stumbled upon Old KL Kopitiam online, I wasted no time in arranging a visit to Maluri, Cheras.
The eatery is situated at Jalan Jejaka 2. It looked rather ordinary on the outside, not drawing much attention from the roadside amidst neighbouring buildings.
Before entering the shop, I noticed the signage at the entrance; it exuded a nostalgic, old-school Chinese eatery vibe.
An array of nyonya kuih and nasi lemak was being sold at the entrance. You will have more options if you visit the shop earlier in the morning.
It wasn’t too crowded when I visited— there were only a few patrons dining in. The eatery offers spacious seating arrangements, providing ample space for customers to dine comfortably.
What I tried at Old KL Kopitiam
Before visiting the shop, I researched online to find out what the most popular dishes at Old KL Kopitiam were. I learnt that its toasted bun and eggs were favourites among customers, so I decided to order a set that consisted of a Charcoal Toast Mini Bun and Soft-boiled Eggs with a drink (RM8.90).
I was amazed by the buns when they arrived at my table— they were so cute! The buns were indeed mini-sized (just as how it’s named). I didn’t pay much attention to the dish name when ordering, so I didn’t expect them to be so tiny. Since I wasn’t very hungry that day, this portion size was just right for me.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed a thick layer of butter nestled between the buns, which instantly whetted my appetite. I grabbed the bun and took a bite, eagerly anticipating its buttery goodness, and it didn’t disappoint. I felt pure bliss in that moment!
The bun was lightly toasted, lending a hint of crispiness to each bite, while the interior remained soft and tender. The kaya and butter also complemented each other seamlessly, achieving a harmonious blend of flavours.
The presentation of the soft-boiled eggs was charmingly old-school— it came in an enamel mug containing the eggs and hot water, covered with a ceramic plate on top. The staff informed me that I would need to wait for 1 minute before cracking into it, to get an impeccable soft-boiled egg.
Despite one of the egg yolks rupturing when cracked, it didn’t affect the dish as a whole. I could spot the creamy yolks and the tender, fully-set whites with no hint of rawness. The eggs offered a velvety smoothness, complemented by a subtle saltiness from the seasoning. It created a gratifying indulgence with each spoonful.
While researching the restaurant, I discovered that many patrons were also ordering the Yam Cake (RM5.50), so I decided to have a go at it. I wasn’t impressed when the yam cake was served to me. It appeared like any other ordinary yam cake, with some sesame, fried shallots, and spring onions on top.
However, I clearly understand why the yam cake is well-liked after having the first bite. I detected a strong scent of yam emanating from the cake, and with each bite, I encountered chunks of it, signalling the generous use of authentic yam in its preparation. Meanwhile, the fried shallots on top added a delightful crunchy texture to each bite.
I also sampled it with the sambal, which was perfectly infused with the fragrance of dried shrimp. The combination of yam cake and sambal produced a delightful symphony of flavour on my palate.
Due to the hot weather, I decided to upgrade the hot drink in my set meal to Cold Salted Lime with Lemon (additional RM1). As soon as it arrived at my table, I instantly recognized its refreshing nature. The drink contained around 3 pieces of salted lime, 2 slices of lemon, and a handful of mint leaves. There was also condensation forming on the mug— it looked just like a perfect cooling drink that could instantly relieve your heat.
The taste wasn’t disappointing either! I noticed a strong saltiness from the lime, but it was well-balanced by the lemon and the freshness of the mint leaves. It was incredibly refreshing.
Final thoughts
In summary, my dining experience at Old KL Kopitiam was remarkable. All the dishes were spot-on for my palate. The Charcoal Toast Mini Bun unquestionably stood out as my favourite with the generous amount of butter and tender bun.
However, the area was bustling with many cars, so parking might be challenging. You can also opt for public transport if you’re planning to visit the shop. It’s near Maluri MRT station— you’ll find yourself at the doorstep of Old KL Kopitiam in an approximate 10-minute walk.
Expected damage: RM6 – RM12 per pax
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