[Malaysia's Local Coffee Experience]

Local cuisine on a trip offers a unique chance to experience a region's culture and history through taste. As coffee lovers, we always look forward to that perfect cup of coffee while traveling. Whether it's stepping into a popular local chain for their signature drink or stumbling upon an unexpected flavor and aroma in a café we ducked into during a rain shower. Even the complimentary instant coffee in hotel rooms offers variety—from classic black to the so-called “3-in-1” type, where coffee, cream, and sugar are pre-mixed. Among these experiences, two coffee encounters in Malaysia this summer stood out particularly.

The first was in George Town, Penang Island. Near our hotel, a cafe menu caught my eye with the words “Egg Coffee.” Egg coffee is a Vietnamese-origin drink where a custard-like cream—made by whisking egg yolk with sugar and condensed milk—is gently spooned over hot coffee. I'd always wanted to try it somewhere, so I ordered it right away. Peering into the cup that arrived shortly, I saw a whole egg yolk floating atop the coffee. Ah, this wasn't the Vietnamese style—it was the cafe's original “egg coffee.” The small spoon provided—was it for breaking up the yolk? I tentatively scooped it up and was surprised by how large the yolk was. First, a sip of the coffee. It was less bitter than expected, with a sweet, sugary taste. Thinking, “While the coffee's hot!” I broke up the yolk, scooped it up with the spoon, and drank. The natural saltiness of the egg blended perfectly with the sweetness of the sugary coffee, creating a deep, complex flavor. My body, slightly weary from the heat, seemed to regain its energy in an instant. It was an unforgettable encounter with egg coffee—simple, bold, and highly nutritious.

And when discussing Malaysian coffee, one cannot overlook “Ipoh White Coffee.” This coffee beverage originated in Ipoh, Malaysia's third-largest city, and spread worldwide. It is said to have been created by Chinese immigrants who moved from Hainan Island in the 19th century. While locally roasted coffee beans typically incorporate sugar, margarine, and wheat, white coffee employs a unique method: roasting with only a small amount of margarine added. Interestingly, the “white” in white coffee doesn't refer to the color of the beans or brew. Instead, it originates from the Chinese word ‘bai’ meaning “nothing added” (in this context, signifying that nothing besides a trace of margarine is added during roasting). Characterized by its rich aroma and flavor with less bitterness, it has been cherished by the people of Ipoh for many years. Incidentally, in local coffee shops, it's common to brew it using sweetened condensed milk instead of sugar.

To try this white coffee, I visited Kopitiam “Nan Xiang Tea Restaurant,” established in 1958 and considered one of the birthplaces of white coffee. In Malaysia, a “kopitiam” is a type of coffee shop serving Malaysian-style Chinese cuisine. The menu is diverse, featuring beverages like white coffee, breakfast items, noodles, and dim sum. The shop was packed with locals and tourists. I ordered the popular egg tarts that other customers were enjoying, along with their signature white coffee—one hot and one iced. The egg tarts, filled with rich egg custard, had a flaky pastry crust. They paired perfectly with the white coffee, which had a pleasant roasted aroma and mild bitterness. The sweetness was ideal for the hot climate, and I thought, “Ah, this is a truly Southeast Asian way to drink coffee.”

In Georgetown, I encountered egg coffee that exceeded my expectations, and in Ipoh, white coffee made with a unique local roasting method. Both coffees showcased distinct regional character, from the use of eggs to the roasting techniques. The sweet coffee might be a clever way to ease the heat, while the eggs represent practical wisdom to sustain working bodies. Furthermore, considering that the roasting method brought by immigrants and the high-quality water filtered through the limestone mountains surrounding Ipoh gave birth to this unique white coffee found only here, you can see the connection between the history and environment behind the flavor.

A single cup of coffee blends together the region's history, climate, and the flow of people and culture. With one sip, even a traveler can temporarily synchronize their pace with the lives and rhythms of the people who live there. Coffee transcends being merely a luxury item; it might be one of the most accessible yet profound cultural experiences offered to us as we seek to understand different worlds.

Ceramic Japan's Moderato
https://www.shokunin.com/en/ceramicjapan/moderato.html
Ceramic Japan's Duetto
https://www.shokunin.com/en/ceramicjapan/duetto.html
Toh Soon Cafe by Coffee Cave
https://maps.app.goo.gl/w7v3hAUdQSfXpRsQ7
Kedai Makanan Nam Heong
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QniamaxrvZqFmpLq8

References
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A8%E3%83%83%E3%82%B0%E3%83%BB%E3%82%B3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%92%E3%83%BC
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A4%E3%83%9D%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9B%E3%83%AF%E3%82%A4%E3%83%88%E3%82%B3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%92%E3%83%BC
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B3%E3%83%94%E3%83%86%E3%82%A3%E3%82%A2%E3%83%A0
https://travel.asean.or.jp/malaysia/2912/