I love breakfast. Whether it be a Filipino breakfast with atsara, tapa/tocino/hotdog, sinangag, pritong itlog, at kape or a continental breakfast with eggs benedict, bacon, waffles, and sausages complete with marmalade and some orange juice, breakfast food is just awesome. Since I am in Singapore, I couldn’t pass up the chance to go try some authentic Singaporean breakfast. So last Sunday, I got up at 8 am and start strolling the streets for a quaint Kopi Tiam.
What is a Kopi Tiam?
A kopitiam or kopi tiam is a traditional breakfast and coffee shop found in Southeast Asia. The word is a portmanteau of the Malay word forcoffee (as borrowed and altered from the Portuguese) and the Hokkien dialect word for shop (店; POJ: tiàm). Menus typically feature simple offerings: a variety of foods based on egg, toast, and kaya, plus coffee, tea, and Milo, a malted chocolate drink which is extremely popular in Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore, Malaysia and Riau Islands.
Kopi tiams in Singapore are commonly found in almost all residential areas as well as some industrial and business districts in the country, numbering about 2,000 in total[1]. Although most are an aggregate of small stalls or shops, some may be more reminiscent of food courts, although each stall has similar appearance and the same style of signage.
In a typical kopi tiam, the drinks stall is usually run by the owner who sells coffee, tea, soft drinks, and other beverages as well as breakfast items like kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs and snacks. The other stalls are leased by the owner to independent stallholders who prepare a variety of food dishes, often featuring the cuisine of Singapore. Traditional dishes from different ethnicities are usually available at kopitiams so that people from different ethnic backgrounds and having different dietary habits could dine in a common place and even at a common table.
Kopitiam is also the name of a food court chain in Singapore.
Some of the more common foods that can be seen in kopi tiams, besides the ever-popular eggs and toast, consist of char kway tiao (fried hor fun, sometimes cooked with eggs and cockles), Hokkien mee (mee noodles served with various seafoods as well as egg) and, possibly the most common, nasi lemak, or coconut rice (a Malay dish of coconut-flavoured rice, served with sambal chilli paste, egg, and ikan billis or anchovies).
source: htttp://www.wikipedia.com
It took no less than 5 minutes to chance upon a Kopi Tiam. I found it at the corner of Rocher Canal Rd and Short Street. I entered and quickly looked for the open stall. The Auntie who was there was very accommodating. Although initially she tried to speak to me in Chinese. Only 1/4 of which I understood. (Ok I really am going for Mandarin classes when I get back to Manila!) I ordered Set A which consisted of Kaya Toast, 2 Soft boiled eggs and a drink. I didn’t want coffee or tea since I can have those anytime, so I went with Milk Tea. The entire meal cost me about $5 I think.
I took my tray back to one of the many empty tables and sat. There was a light breeze and the sun shone brightly which just lifted my spirits. I love breakfast. I am the few who relish breakfast alone. It allows me to gather my thoughts and prepare for the day.
The eggs were perfectly done. I guess over time they have perfected the way to boil these eggs just right to get the perfect combination of firm whites with the yolk just runny. It was just the way I liked it. The kaya toast was also just right. The thin slice of bread not burnt but toasted just perfectly. It allowed the Kaya to just burst with flavor upon biting into the toast. For the uninitiated, Kaya is made of eggs, sugar and coconut milk and flavored with pandan. Don’t get me wrong. The place was nothing special nor was it fancy or a MUST-TRY. But it was on my list. I wanted to try a general Singaporean breakfast.
It was a truly a delight to take a break from the usual stuff that I eat. I enjoy variety. I enjoy a bit of excitement exploring the culinary world and adventure of Singapore.
Had a few breakfasts in this chain coz one was near our hotel on bencollen street.
Yumz….. hope u will miss spore’s food but miss its people more!!
Glad you were able to have this kopitiam experience. =) Next time, you have to try my favourite kaya toast place – Wang’s. I’ve tried all the Kaya toast places and Wang’s is the BEST. I think it was the establishment that single handedly gave me 10 pounds =\
hahahaha when are we going to Singapore then?
Hey Estee! Thanks for visiting! I will definitely miss the variety and quality! The people, of course! I think that goes without saying!