If you’re headed to the Johor Premium Outlets, stop by Restoran Tai Chiang for some good, old-fashioned kopi and roti to fuel up on before you hit the shops. Unlike the more commercialised brands that we are more familiar with, there’s only one Tai Chiang, and it’s been open at this location since 1970.
Stepping into Restoran Tai Chiang is almost like walking into a time machine—it doesn’t get more old-school than the get-up here. If kopi and toast isn’t what you’re after, the adjoining unit has pushcarts selling noodle dishes and more.
What most people come for, of course, are the charcoal-toasted Roti (RM1.80/~S$0.60) here. Choose to have your bread toasted—select Bakar on the ordering chit—or steamed.
Complement your order of bread with Telur (RM1.20/~S$0.40)—here, it’s kampong chicken eggs that you’ll get, which are said to have a fresher, more intense eggy flavour than farmed eggs.
The yolks of these eggs are also meant to sport a more vivid, orangey hue. Only light soya sauce and white pepper is provided here.
The kaya in the roti here is house-made too! Enhance the egginess in the kaya by dunking your kaya toast into the soft-boiled eggs.
If you head to the back of Tai Chiang, you’ll be able to spot the charcoal grills, over which they toast the soft white slices of bread to order.
Beyond the charcoal grills is their kopi roastery in the back, where the beans in all of Tai Chiang’s Kopi (from RM2.80/~S$0.90) drinks are roasted. Order Cham (from RM2.50/~S$0.80) for a yuan-yang mix of kopi and teh. We found the drinks to be on the sweet side, so it’s probably better to request for siew dai.
If you’re looking for more hip cafes in JB, we’ve got a list of JB cafes you can suss out on your next visit there! Otherwise, get charcoal-grilled roti at Sen Yen in Singapore.
Address: 7, Jalan Jelawat, Taman Sri Saleng, 81400 Kulai, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 7am to 2pm
Tel: +60 12-789 9787
Website
Restoran Tai Chiang is not a halal-certified eatery
Photos taken by Brad Harrison Lee.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.SGÂ
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