HazelDiary

It has been 2 years since my last visit to Penang and I was there over the weekend. I met my Penang friend who came to pick me from the airport and headed for breakfast. He brought me to Kong Thai Lai coffeeshop located in Hutton Lane, Georgetown. This is one of the oldest traditional Hainanese coffeeshop that has 100 over years of history. ( 3 generations and on-going). While Toh Soon Café located at Campbell Street was crowded with tourists, I am glad that we are here for kaya toast and kopi instead without even queuing.


This old coffeeshop is situated at the rows of old shop houses in Gerogetown which has sentimental values for the locals. However, it is sad to say that they are moving out next month to the new location following an eviction notice issued by the landowner. No more nostalgic atmosphere here. If you ever wonder how popular this place is, late Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew used to patronize the place daily, Tan Sri Robert Kuok and Chief Minister of Penang, CM Lim Guan Eng also visited the shop before.

The price for the food and drinks are all stated on the board where everyone can see.

We ordered kaya butter toast, 2 half boiled eggs, kopi and tea. What so unique about the kaya butter toast here is that the kaya is made from in-house and their own coffee beans to brew kopi. My friend strongly recommends the kopi and it was indeed aromatic. Instead using bowl or plate to serve the half-boiled eggs, Penang coffee shops served them in a cup.

As I head to the kitchen for a peep, I did asked permission from the aunties whether can I take few shots. The breads are toasted using charcoal in a traditional way and they scrapped off the burnt ends with spatula before spreading the kaya and butter onto the bread.


And if you are in love with their handmade kaya and roasted coffee beans, there are available on sale too.

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Kong Thai Lai
Address: 6, Jalan Hutton
10050 George Town
Penang ( Pulau Pinang)
Tel: +60 11-2344 7832
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 7:30AM – 3:00PM (Closed on Sunday)

New Location with effective 1st October 2016
No. 38 Leith Street,
10200 Penang (Pulau Pinang)

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