Kitchen Bytes: Ah Weng Koh Hainanese Coffee

Location: Ah Weng Koh Hainan Coffee, Imbi Wet Market, Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur

I walked through blood and guts to get to this place and couldn't help but think (a) thank god i swapped my sandals for sneakers and (b) no wonder one of KL's "best kept" secrets is still a secret... Located at the old-school style Imbi wet market (where chickens are still slaughtered right in front of ya) and pork butchers hack their way with huge choppers, getting to Ah Weng Koh Hainan Coffee isn't too difficult as it turns out there's another "less adventurous" entrance from the main road that leads you directly to the eatery section of the market.

The place was jam packed even though it was late morning of a working day but the friendly waiters made sure that service was super fast. As soon as you're spotted, you'll have a seat pointed out for you (sometimes that may mean sharing the table with a stranger), order taken and in less than 8 minutes (i timed it) have a nice hot toast and steaming cup of thick dark coffee.

Established in 1988, the shop keeps its classic labourers breakfast fare super simple - thick freshly dark coffee (the beans are self-roasted with a secret recipe), their "special" which is super sweet and creamy coffee mixed with tea, half boiled eggs and a choice of round or flat toasted bread filled with a thick slab of butter and kaya (a type of coconut and egg jam).

So simple yet good enough to give Starbucks a run for its caffeine trade. Just ignore the "less-than-perfect, retro-inspired" surroundings.