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It’s always nice to have a new kopitiam to add to your go-to list, and I fear Ordinary Kopitiam might just be making that list (spoiler alert).
Tucked away in a neighbourhood in Cheras, Ordinary Kopitiam is a fairly recent addition to the area’s growing F&B scene. Modern kopitiams seem to be popping up everywhere these days, but finding one that serves genuinely good food isn’t always easy. Curious to see how this one compared, I dropped by to give it a try.
What to order at Ordinary Kopitiam
Before my visit, two different people had recommended two different dishes to me, so I already knew what I wanted to order first.
The first was their Wok-fried Char Kway Teow (RM15), one of the kopitiam‘s signatures. While the menu isn’t as extensive as those at some city-centre kopitiams, the selection immediately caught my attention with dishes that sounded appetising from the get-go.
The char kway teow made a good first impression with its visible char and unmistakable aroma of wok hei. The portion also felt generous for the price.
Accompanying the noodles were fish cakes, cockles and three sizable shrimps. I was impressed by the char on each ingredient, which added even more smokiness to the dish. The cockles were admittedly quite small and a little fishy, but they blended well with the noodles and added a subtle seafood flavour. The shrimps, meanwhile, were properly cleaned and not overcooked.
It also came with chopped red bird’s eye chillies in a soy sauce and vinegar mixture, which is personally my favourite way to enjoy char kway teow, so that was a nice bonus.
The second recommendation was the Smoked Chicken Sandwich (RM9.34). For the price, I was expecting something much smaller, so I was surprised by the size when it arrived. Each half could easily fill one person, making it a fairly substantial serving.
The fillings were simple and old-school: smoked deli chicken, onions, cabbage, tomatoes, processed cheese and chilli sauce, all tucked inside toasted pita bread. Even with such modest ingredients, every bite was satisfying, while the pita stayed crispy on the outside and soft throughout the meal.
I don’t make the rules, but part of the fun of visiting a modern kopitiam is checking out the side dishes. I usually gravitate towards the dim sum and toast sections, so that’s exactly what I did here.
The Fried Chicken Sui Kow (RM12.74 for 4 pieces) ended up surprising me the most. Served over a bed of vegetables with chilli sauce on the side, the wonton skin stayed crispy without turning tough, even after they had cooled down.
The filling of minced chicken, greens and mushrooms was flavourful, with a strong taste of presumably chicken bouillon. Every bite had a satisfying crunch that kept me reaching for the next piece.
To finish, I ordered the French Toast (RM11.23). It consisted of three layers of bread with kaya and peanut butter spread between each layer, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
The combination worked really well, although I did wish the bread had been soaked in the egg mixture a little longer to make it softer. Thankfully, the melting vanilla ice cream helped bring everything together.
For drinks, I’d recommend the Signature OK Iced Kopi (RM6.51) if you enjoy your coffee rich and kaw. If you’re after something more refreshing, the Sweet & Sour Black Berry (RM10.85) was fizzy and refreshing, making it a good choice after a heavier meal.
Who Ordinary Kopitiam is best for
Located in an established neighbourhood, I’d say Ordinary Kopitiam is best suited for families or anyone looking for a comforting meal. It feels more like the kind of place you’d visit after a long day at work than somewhere you’d go for a special celebration.
How to get there
Ordinary Kopitiam isn’t connected to public transport, so driving is the easiest option. Parking can be a little difficult to find during busier periods.
Do we recommend Ordinary Kopitiam?
Yes. If you’re around Cheras, Ordinary Kopitiam is worth checking out, especially for its char kway teow and fried chicken sui kow. The menu isn’t the biggest, but the dishes we tried were consistently well-executed, fairly priced and good enough to earn a spot on our list of neighbourhood kopitiams to revisit.
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