If you’re looking for good food in Kuala Lumpur and around the Pasar Seni area, Ho Kow Hainan Kopitiam should be on your radar.
This 67-year-old Chinese coffee shop was given a facelift last year and now sports a modern exterior and a touch of vintage allure on the inside.
The stairs leading to the second floor can be a challenge for older people. But their diverse menu featuring local delights is enough to keep you wanting more.
So read on to find out what’s in-store at Ho Kow Kopitiam, which is packed during breakfast and lunch!
About Ho Kow Hainan Kopitiam
Ho Kou Hainan Kopitiam was founded in 1956 by Uncle Ho Kow. The kopitiam has evolved over time, and its shape-shifting menu has helped make the Kopitiam popular with the crowd.
Now run by the fourth generation comprising of a brother and sister duo, Ho Kow’s breakfast menu is so tasty that the place is filled to the brim the moment it opens at 7.30 am.
The kaya butter toast, soft-boiled eggs, and dried shrimp curry chee cheong fun make Ho Kow a highly sought-after breakfast spot for locals and tourists alike.
We visited the Kopitiam for lunch, and Uncle Ho Kow, the proprietor of the restaurant greets guests with a smiling face. For a man in his 80s, he spots a sturdy posture, is full of vitality and brimming with happiness.
Accessibility
Ho Kow Hainan Kopitiam is only a 3-minute walk from Pasar Seni MRT station, making it a preferred mode of transportation.
If you choose to drive, you can drive to the nearest public parking lot at Jalan Balai Polis and alight from there. The parking fee is RM5 per entry.
Alternatively, head for the outdoor parking lot along Jalan Panggung and near Ka Fei Dian, which costs RM5 per entry too.
Ambiance
Ho Kow combines vintage vibes with modern charms seamlessly to create a well-composed exterior. The cashier counter in deep woody mahogany lends a nostalgic touch reminiscent of old Chinese traditional medicine hall counters.
The mosaic floors complement the vintage iron doors and lattice windows that deck the back of the outlet.
While navigating the narrow, wooden stairs can be challenging for some, I fondly recall it as a trademark feature of olden double-story houses in Ipoh.
The industrial wall décor with exposed bricks on the second floor makes the perfect backdrop for watercolor paintings. These paintings depict scenes of the original Ho Kow Kopitiam that once occupied part of the street walk.
The upstairs is airy and spacious with a bigger seating capacity per table. While the seating area downstairs is limited to a pair per table. Throw in the steaming coffee brew and heat from the oven, it can feel slightly warmer downstairs.
Service At Ho Kow Hainan Kopitiam
Upon our arrival, we noticed a built-up lunch queue and the greeter assigned us a number to wait in line. The QR code is web-based. You can stroll along the neighboring shops without losing sight of queue status through your phone.
Once it's your turn, the TV screen at the entrance flashes your number. This signals guests to enter and be seated. The staff will then guide you to your table and you can place your orders using a QR code menu.
Service was prompt, and we only had to wait 10 minutes before food was served.
Food
Ho Kow Hainan Kopitiam is famous for its Butter Crunchy Peanut Kaya Toast. A huge fluffy bun is generously slathered with roasted peanut shavings and fragrant butter. The warm bun melts the butter to create a velvety paste, with a robust aroma of crushed peanuts adding texture to each bite.
For something more conventional, the kaya butter toast is a fail-proof delight. The lightly toasted bread is sandwiched with thick slabs of Anchor butter and creamy, pandan-infused coconut paste. It melts into a crumbling delight of rich flavors.
The Roti Banjir, which features two jiggly poached eggs on top of a white toast, was too soggy for my liking. However, the curry sauce was superb and not spicy. But the bread was a tad cold when served.
The Curry Chee Cheong Fun made up for the disappointment as the curry gravy was tasty. Topped with dried shrimp flakes and sesame seeds, the toppings added dimension and texture to this surprisingly delicious dish!
The nasi lemak with fried chicken is a hearty meal good to the last bite. The crunchy chicken skin and tender, juicy meat pair like heaven with their sweet sambal sauce.
Wash down their signature dishes with an aromatic cup of local coffee (Kopi). Mild undertones of burnt roasted beans lend a distinct richness to this decadent beverage.
Alternatively, have your tea and coffee mixed with milk for a calming blend of Cham that’s equally as good.
Pricing
The average price per breakfast dish is RM6.20 while the heartier rice and noodle dishes are not more than RM15.90. For Kuala Lumpur standards, the price of food is very reasonable.
Conclusion
The queue at Ho Kow Kopitiam starts as early as 7 am, not long after it opens its doors at 6.30 am. Patrons are here to enjoy the good old taste of Hainanese classic food, like soft-boiled egg, kaya butter toast, and their full-bodied coffee blends.
Some say this is a tourist trap, while others enjoy its unique ambiance and traditional Hainanese food in a comfortable venue.
To each its own. But I have to admit that Ho Kow’s varied menu is quite a draw for families and gatherings with friends that also includes dim sum.
So go ahead and give it a try, and share your experience with us!
While you're in this area, head over to Ka Fei Dian located along Jalan Panggong for more options!
Address: 1, Jalan Balai Polis, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 6.30am – 3pm daily. Close on Monday.
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