Experiencing Malay Culture with Breakfast
- October 18, 2009
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Eric from Aiea from San Jose, California
Throughout Singapore you will are likely to see many Kopi Roti type cafes crowded with all types of people, especially workers wanting a quick breakfast or a morning cup of coffee with condensed milk. The one at Central mall is one of the best places enjoy your coffee or Teh Tarik tea and watch the people coming and going during the morning breakfast rush.
In Malay, the word Kopi means coffee, and roti means bread. The Singapore version of the Malay coffee house started years back when the Kopi Tiams (coffee shops) started catering to a very demanding local mixed cultural clientele who knew how coffee and teas should be blended and who wanted good food as well and all at a very reasonable cost. The Malay version of coffee that has been roasted Hainanese style is poured into condensed milk to create a creamy rich brown color in the glass coffee mug. It is very similar to the Vietnamese means of making coffee – and just as wonderfully addictive. Teh Tarik is milk tea that is processed through the pouring of the tea from cup to cup to create froth.
Here you not find a huge extensive menu, but a pretty simple and straight forward one. You can either go to the counter and order and take a seat – or take a seat and they will take your order. (Many of those going to the counter are to go orders). Service is usually pretty quick, and when you are done you pay your bill at the counter.
As you look at the menu, you will see the word kaya often used. Kaya jam is made through a mixture of coconut and egg base into one wonderful substance that has a sweet and coconut taste to it. Kaya toast is a toast covered in the kaya jam. Do not be put off by seeing the peanut butter and kaya toast on the menu and thinking it must be for children– it is an item you should actually order and give a try to. The peanut butter and the kaya jam mix to a taste that is perfect! A kopi bun is a feshly baked white bread bun covered with a hard layer of coffee flavored crust, and a creamy butter filling. A kopi bun is the perfect breakfast on the go – and I would recommend that you do try dipping it into your coffee.
Kopi Roti will usually have a daily special going, and Indonesian Laksa is one of those specials that you have to come early for before they run out. The daily specials are a plate full of Indonesian or Malay food! Some may be noodles, while other days may be soup. They also have some Chinese dim sum items as well, of which the dumpling with chestnut was really good and can make for a quick breakfast. All the items are inexpensive, and a good breakfast with coffee or tea may set you back less than SD5.
After you have your first Kopi Roti experience, you will quickly find that it is a great way to save money. But just as importantly as saving you money, it opens the doors to a great cultural experience.
From journal The Uniqueness of Dining in Singapore