Old Town Kopitiam (1-Utama)
I was out at 1-Utama yesterday, just bumming around and passing the time. After walking around for awhile, checking out what’s new and what’s not, I decided to have brunch at Old Town Kopitiam.
The coffee shop is located on the top floor of 1-Utama old wing, next to the old Tanjong Golden Village (TGV) cineplex. It was a quaint and cozy looking place, spotting old school marble top tables and wooden furniture, mixed with a very modern looking kitchen and service counter. Surprisingly, the place was packed with customers, which is a good thing in my books.
- Old Town Kopitiam: Sign -
- Old Town Kopitiam: Outside Looking In -
- Old Town Kopitiam: Crowd -
I initially thought that ‘Old Town’ referred to ‘Petaling Jaya Old Town’, located not too far away. However, I found out later from reading the menu that it was actually referring to Ipoh Old Town. Apparently, this was a branch of the original Ipoh Old Town Kopitiam which, among other things, is famous for its Ipoh White Coffee.
- Old Town Kopitiam: Menu -
History lessons aside, the menu contained qutie a large selection of specialties and drinks. Since I was wanted something light (after all those heavy Chinese New Year binges), I went for a cup of Ipoh White Coffee (RM2.20), and two sets of single old town toasts, one with butter and kaya while the other with plain peanut butter (RM1.10 each).
Since it was such a simple order, it didn’t take long for the food to arrive. Unfortunately, the waiter that took my order had messed it up and I wound up with a single butter and kaya toast and a double butter and kaya toast! Why in the world would I make such a silly order?
- Old Town Kopitiam: Coffee And Toasts -
I called one of the many waitresses working at the shop to try and sort things out. Its a good thing that I can converse in mandarine because the staff there had trouble understanding English. After explaining my problem to her, we finally managed to clear things up and I got what I actually wanted.
- Old Town Kopitiam: Good Coffee -
I was very pleased with the white coffee, which was served in one of those antiquated coffee mugs. It gave it a nice nostalgic touch, reminding me of the old coffee shops that I used to frequent long before Starbucks and Coffee Bean had set up shop in Malaysia. It was a throwback to the good old days when coffees were RM0.50 a pop (too bad that isn’t actually the case here). The coffee itself was rich and aromatic, with just the right amount of milk and sweetness to it. One of the better coffees that I’ve had in a long while.
- Old Town Kopitiam: Bad Toast -
In contrast, I must say that the toasts were very disappointing, especially when they were marked as ‘hot’ (popular) items in the menu. The toast was lukewarm at best. Not even hot enough to melt the butter and peanut butter spread. Also, they were very stingy with the spreads (it was barely enough to give the toasts any taste!). I had to resort to dipping the toast into my white coffee to get it down.
The small meal of coffee and toast cost me RM5.06 including 5% govt tax and 10% service charge. Rather pricey for something so simple. The same order at a REAL coffee shop would probably cost me half the price. Personally, I feel that that neither the food nor the atmosphere warrants the price tag.
While the coffee was excellent, the toast was lousy. I don’t know about the rest of the menu though. I overheard a conversation on another table claiming that the nasi lemak there was good. I got peek at the serving and it did look rather apetising. Maybe I will pay the place another visit to try it out. I suppose the place is good if you’re looking for a quick drink of coffee. One thing for sure, its a lot more economic than having a cuppa at Starbucks.
Old Town Kopitiam
Top floor 1-Utama Old Wing
Next to TGV cineplex.
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Jayelle Said,
February 13, 2006 @ 12:02 am
there’s one in SS15, Subang Jaya as well. I had to push my food away..and had to reject the hot chocolate. It just did not taste right. .. thumbs down from me though!
gbyeow Said,
February 13, 2006 @ 8:12 am
They have about 10 outlets around Malaysia. IMHO, they need to up the quality of their food and staff.
Lin Peh Said,
February 13, 2006 @ 10:21 am
Peng you !
Lin Peh was there (One-U) yesterday oso la. How cum u no belanja Lin Peh kopi O ah ?
gbyeow Said,
February 13, 2006 @ 11:12 am
How I know lin peh there? Next time you see me come whack me on the head and say “Oi! Where my kopi susu latte?”. I sure bring you to kopitiam. I also ku ling ling one fella rounding the place like zombie. No peng you to tok kok. Next round!
boo_licious Said,
February 16, 2006 @ 5:38 am
I didn’t really like their thick toast too. However this place plus the one in Tescos’ Mutiara is always packed.
gbyeow Said,
February 16, 2006 @ 9:32 am
Yeah, it was really packed. Made me wonder what was all the fuss about. I suppose people are just dropping in for a coffee and leaving cause quite a number of people came and went while I was there.
JACKSON TAN Said,
July 31, 2006 @ 6:17 pm
GOOD……..
zak si kia Said,
August 22, 2006 @ 1:24 am
no FOOD to eat.BORING WORST WORST WORST-
alex Said,
February 12, 2007 @ 9:59 pm
got sumbody tell me,how can get the franchising of old town kopitiam?i m hav interest to open it,how much is the franchise price?thx…
G: No idea, really. Sorry. I’m guessing around 100k? You might like to talk to one of the shop owners and ask them about it.
alex Said,
February 14, 2007 @ 11:02 pm
thx 4 ur suggest….G…
adrian Said,
February 24, 2007 @ 9:52 am
actually im like the kopitiam inmaged design.im also do a similar design for my client.no matter how…..i wish all of the kopitiam all the best in their business!
G: Design wise it’s not too bad. A throwback to the old style.
Koay Leng Keong Said,
March 27, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
I’m wishing to buy the franchise of Old Town Kopitiam. Can i know what’s the requirement? n how much i should pay for the franchise! Hope to hear from u as soon as possible.
Thanks!
G: Last I heard, it was 200k to buy the franchise. Can’t help aside from that. You might like to check with the outlet.
Ryan Said,
March 29, 2007 @ 11:41 am
I’m interested to purchase the franchise of Old Town Kopitiam. Can anyone get me to the owner for a discussion ? Pls call my secretary at 017-3616072 for appointment. Thank you.
Tony Lai Said,
April 13, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
Hi,
We are pleased if you could consider opening an outlet in Bandar Damai Perdana, we have many new shoplot coming out soon.
Majority of your residents here are Chinese (90%), we really need a good location as our daily business meet-up place with our clients, this will ease us for traveling far to the “Old Town” in Jalan Cheras everyday.
Thanks.
Best regards,
Tony Lai
G: Haha. There you go. A happy customer and a good location to open up an outlet if you choose to ;)
Stephanie Said,
May 15, 2007 @ 11:20 am
Im from Kuching, Sarawak. I have visited a few Old Town Kopitiam outlet in KL. I realise that in Kuching there are still dont have any coffee shop with such concept as Old Town Kopitiam and i can see there are opportunities that can bring this concept into East Malaysia especially in Kuching. Can anyone furnish me with more information about franchising old town kopitiam? I am really interested in venturing into this. Thank you.
Email: stephany0610@gmail.com
brian Said,
May 26, 2007 @ 2:38 pm
can ask something …
how can i open an old town ???
i need to contact who ?
reply to my email..
soon_min1986@hotmail.com
G: There’s actually an Old Town Kopitiam and an Old Town White Coffee. Which one are you referring to? Recently, Old Town White Coffee have been opening quite a number of outlets.
malay songket Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 2:55 pm
hye…
i love the aroma of the coffee… nice..
im interested of this franchaise business… how can i get the information?
thanks,
malay songket..
lim lee chin Said,
September 27, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
i’m ntersted to purchase the franchise of old town white coffee can anyone get me to the owner for a discussion? my contact 012 6050529
Evolution Said,
November 5, 2007 @ 11:48 pm
i’m intersted to purchase the franchise of old town kopitiam. Can anyone get me to the owner for a discussion? my contact is 012 3276083.
Rae Cheah Said,
July 18, 2008 @ 10:37 am
I am interested to purchase the franchise of old town kopitiam. Can anyone tell me roughly how much for the franchising fees, and how much needed to set up the shop with same renovation. my contact is 0175216366
Thanks.
Night Said,
September 26, 2009 @ 12:25 am
I am interested to purchase the franchise of old town kopitiam. Can anyone tell me roughly how much for the franchising fees, and how much needed to set up the shop with same renovation. my contact is 0124581328..please let me as soon as possible..thanks a lot!
JOE Said,
December 2, 2009 @ 5:27 pm
I am interested to purchase the franchise of old town kopitiam in terengganu. Can anyone tell me roughly how much for the franchising fees, and how much needed to set up the shop with same renovation. my contact is 019-9890426..please let me as soon as possible..thanks a lot!
Any Idiot Can Said,
September 25, 2010 @ 3:36 pm
I’ve only eaten at two of these old-time coffee shops in Malaysia and both were terrible.
I think we’re just so used to Starbucks and other similar coffee shops, the old stuff just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Malaysia - just not the old-time coffee so much :)