The Malaysian capital metropolis of Kuala Lumpur has lengthy been often called a hub for espresso tradition. This metropolis of two million is house to the tangible cultural heritage establishment of the kopitiam, a standard fashion of cafe / snack store that serves copious quantities of espresso and tea alongside native delicacies, together with the enduring kaya toast smothered with coconut jam, butter, and a soft-boiled egg. However right here you’ll additionally discover a deeply rooted specialty espresso scene, one which we’ve been masking for the worldwide reader neighborhood at Sprudge since 2015.
This story you’re studying at this time is definitely our third information to Kuala Lumpur within the final decade; the most up-to-date version was revealed in 2019 and lined extra of the downtown space between Bukit Bintang and Chinatown. Since then the town has undergone a significant transformation in its pursuit of specialty espresso perfection, with new locations popping up seemingly each month. The vast majority of this new class of high-end espresso outlets are positioned within the suburbs, the place rents are extra reasonably priced and the cafes can profit from common guests who don’t solely pop in rapidly on the way in which to work. These espresso outlets act extra as a social hub for individuals to style, discuss, and find out about new espresso varieties and processes, turning into the equal of an area pub in a majority Muslim nation the place alcohol isn’t the driving drive of social life.
The suburb of Petaling Jaya is maybe the best-known of those espresso districts, and the very best outlets are all unfold all through its octopus-like streets. Starting from tiny hole-in-the-wall mom-and-pop outlets brewing single-origin Ethiopian espresso and baking delectable in-house pastries, to uber trendy outlets that overtly sport worldwide design and cultural influences, to roasters set in neighborhood streets the place guests can style a large number of various beans earlier than selecting their cup on the counter.
Nestled amongst the extremes are some hidden gems the place espresso is the final word driving drive, and the environment are obscure sufficient to make you are feeling you have got found a secret treasure trove, but not thus far that you just’re delay by the commute. Petaling Jaya is linked by the native metro and practice system, so getting there’s a breeze.
On this information, the espresso outlets talked about are all locations we really feel are pushing the Kuala Lumpur scene ahead, principally within the Petaling Jaya suburb, however with a pair nearer to downtown if you’re quick on time.
One Half Espresso Roastery
This two-branched pinnacle of caffeine pursuance lies within the hipster space of Taman Paramount, separated by a brief taxi journey. One Half Espresso Roastery is the beehive of the whole operation, roasting in-house, promoting coffee-related merchandise for the nerd in us all, and dazzling with a modern minimalist espresso tasting desk to take a seat at and watch the baristas create perfection. That is espresso excellence of the final word plateau, with handbook grinders getting used for sure beans, electrical for others, and an entire myriad of drippers and filter papers to adapt for taste profiles. A lot of their baristas are award successful within the Malaysian scene (helmed by Keith Koay who gained the Malaysian Barista award 3 times), so you might be within the most secure of arms.
The One Half crew are disciples of Nordic “mild roast” fashion, which implies every thing from Panamanian Geshas to much less frequent Malaysian Liberia coffees roasted with a mild contact. Their Ilaica department serves extra as an informal atmosphere to get an awesome cup of espresso, pastries made by legendary Doudoubake, and even a clothes and niknaks retailer with rotating Korean-style designers. Out entrance they’ve a merchandising machine promoting analog movie and cameras.
Merely put, this is without doubt one of the most on-trend and internationally minded specialty espresso bars in KL. In the event you’re after a really Third Wave expertise, however with distinct Malaysian influences, be certain that this cafe is in your itinerary.
Fade by SB
Opening the door right here you would be mistaken that you just have been transported to a tiny cafe in Koenji, Tokyo. The easy wooden paneling, nook home windows, and small counter give off a distinctly Japanese aesthetic. There’s a quiet buzz at Fade by SB, solid by a crew working collectively in unison who know their roles and love what they do. All of the cups and saucers are purchased at thrift shops, the furnishings is mismatched, the wooden panelling largely unpainted or undecorated, giving this an unpretentious calming ambiance.
The main target right here is on Ethiopian coffees, that are used for each espresso and filter espresso choices throughout the cafe’s service. Pastries are baked in home, and the store’s almond cookie may be very extremely regarded by locals. The vibe inside is calm and serene; you’ll be able to learn a ebook right here, and the music isn’t performed too loud. (The music in KL cafes can typically be deafening.) Any neighborhood on the earth can be glad to have a restaurant like Fade by SB, however you’ll be able to solely discover it right here, in Petaling Jaya.
Pohutukawa
Pohutukawa occurs if you mix an Ikebana retailer (a Japanese flower arranging self-discipline) and specialty espresso home in the identical ground area. The result’s a quiet central oasis, opening into a bigger room with communal tables for laptop computer staff and a tiny counter overlooking the road under for extra reflective souls.
The espresso store runs its espresso machine exhausting, but in addition makes a speciality of pour-overs that they grind from a rotating alternative of worldwide beans. Aside from espresso, Pohutukawa are well-known for his or her tea menu and desserts, with every thing from burnt cheesecake to grapefruit Genmaicha chiffon desserts on supply.
The second ground location of this cafe is charming, and seems like a refuge from the town life under. The Ikebana retailer spilling out into the cafe makes the area really feel particular, like a secret backyard of fossilized objects. Finally what issues is the espresso, and right here it’s nice.
Kita
They are saying location is the final word promoting level for many companies, however in Kita’s case, it’s the alternative. Purposely elusive, hidden on the finish of a nondescript hallway resulting in an English Language faculty on the bottom ground of a shopping center in Bukit Bintang, no person is discovering this place randomly.
Nonetheless, for these within the know, this espresso store run by the inimitable Rain Lee (2022 Malaysian Barista Champion and renegade incense lover) is the right spot to drop in throughout a buying journey and luxuriate in a scrumptious espresso or pour-over. Aside from espresso, they’ve a dynamite milk pudding and a few plant-based meal choices.
Rain travels typically between Malaysia and mainland China, and hand-picks beans to showcase a few of the up-and-coming roasters from throughout China. In the event you’re into experimental roasting and attempting espresso from a rustic extra well-known for its tea, then subsequent time you’re in Bukit Bintang, seek out Kita. Please mistrust your instincts right here; if you suppose you’ve walked down the improper hallway, you haven’t.
Toothless
Toothless roast their espresso behind a automotive workshop in Petaling Jaya. You’ll be able to instruct your taxi to drop you off on the entrance and stroll round—previous the automotive storage and a nondescript cafe—and Toothless will seem housed in a glorified transport container.
Identified for roasting their coffees light-medium and providing a number of in-house choices together with a separate menu with handpicked beans from the cafe’s favourite roasters the world over, you’ll be able to mingle with locals when you seize your pour-over and sit within the small nook on the again.
The cabinets are stacked with beans on the market and the employees are extremely pleasant and educated. They have an inclination to tread a fantastic steadiness between clear, washed espresso and a few extra trendy strategies resembling thermal shock or co-ferment preparations from their visitor sequence.
For these on a bonafide espresso pilgrimage, it may very well be an concept to ebook a lodge on this space since One Half, Fade by SB, and Pohutukawa are all close by.
Ghostbird
Ghostbird is a perfect vacation spot for any type of espresso drinker. Upon entry, a customer is confronted with a wall of espresso gear, a roasting/packing room to the left, and an extended three-tiered desk stacked with beans, thermos flasks and tasting be aware playing cards. Earlier than you head into the primary cafe, you’ll be able to choose up a small cup and assist your self to coffees that take your fancy, then, upon singling out one thing that tickles your fancy, head on in and order. Of the myriad of coffees on the tasting desk are every thing from Colombia Gesha, Kenya, jackfruit-forward native Liberica, and extra choices from Central America, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.
The principle cafe is a spacious hideaway cooled by large air conditioners, and its bar is stacked with each gadget identified to man: AeroPress, V60s, Orea drippers, siphons, and naturally espresso. On the counter, you’ll be able to even odor the totally different beans on supply and pattern numerous sorts of water they use to point out how a lot of an influence it has on the top taste. The crew are all meticulously ready for any questions, glad to information you, and affected person with novices.
Ghostbird feels nearly like a “Faculty of Specialty Espresso” for individuals able to open the floodgates and dive into their new obsession. Positioned behind Mid Valley Megamall makes it a simple attain for individuals staying in any a part of Kuala Lumpur.
For explorers who need nothing greater than to spend a month dissecting KL’s espresso scene, could we advise the next so as to add to your lists: Afloat, Contour, Curate, Kuro, Ting, Airplane Mode, and The Roast Issues. For much more choices, seek the advice of previous KL protection on Sprudge.
Benjamin Sand is a contract journalist and the creator of The Mouth. That is Benjamin Sand’s first function for Sprudge.
