Another look at the Malaysian restaurant which has been a big hit in New York City
Kopitiam, the little Malaysian place with lots of character that is making a name for itself in New York City’s Chinatown, was featured on Eater.com’s Cooking in America channel last month. We also published a short article about it a few months ago in March.
Host Pelin Keskin visits the venue to speak to the chef, third-generation Nyonya woman Kyo Pang, and to try the Malaysian dishes and drink. This included nasi lemak, kaya butter toast and pulut inti.
These dishes were inspired by Kyo Pang’s father, who is also a chef – here in Malaysia – and we’re sure he’s very proud of his daughter.
Although the article does mistakenly say that Penang is “the region of Malaysia that houses the nation’s capital city”, we’ll let them off because we love that Malaysian food is being promoted in the Big Apple.
Here’s the address for those who plan to visit NYC: 51 Canal St, New York, New York 10002.
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Richard Tan have you tried it?
not yet. Looks like lunch next week!
Jeffrey Ignatius
Aidalina Ubaidah
Andrew Ng Shelley Wu… Have you both been here?
Shelley lives about one block away
i prefer the kaya toast
Shelley Wu we make Kaya when I am in NYC . Must buy coconut cream and also pandan leaves
YESSSS I’ll go figure out where we could get it
Will Iams
Please open a Kopitiam in Los Angeles!!! Your food looks fabulously yummy- I am a hungry Malaysian
Zrin Azreen
Alea Rahim
?
sure tak sedap
Jayjay Tan my plan
Let the Yankees know what it means to enjoy Nasi Lemak, as breakfast!!! Enjoy that with black coffee…
That’s part of the problem “americanizing” the food – the kai fan becomes roasted instead of boiled, and the portion of rice served is sized for my cat
In Malaysia, most Kai fan also comes with deep fried chicken because most people prefer fried to boiled chicken. I too order fried chicken 99% of the time.
Bit posh for nasi lemak obviously American style
Casey Chong
America by storm? Do you understand how big America is 99.99% of the people would no nothing about this place. Plus as we can see here in the comments, all the people talking about it are Malaysian or Singaporeans. I’ve been here years. Still would never eat it. And if I was in America….
Still wouldn’t eat what?
We had Kopitiam cafe here in Brisbane but closed down a couple of years ago for lack of support!
Really? well, i thought they dislike ‘nasi lemak’. I remember that day i saw them eat it for like the very first time and they laughed! anchovies seem an alien to them. anyway, thats a good news.
How is Singapore more marketable?
Gargi Ketkar
I know one thing for sure Nasi Lemak has been in NY much longer than this.
The sudden hype * rolls eyes*
Gabriele FD
It’s rice cooked in fat of course it will sell
It’s rice cooked with coconut milk and not fat as you describe it…..go check it out coconut milk and coconut oil are the best, health wise.
coconut milk contains fat, http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/ingredient-focus-coconut-milk
Boon Hoe Chin is this true…
its ok. i mean the owner has a passion for nyonya food and continues on the tradition. in terms of the taste – there’s always room for improvement. For the Americans the media hype and publicity definitely help. Also, for them to transition from a roadside stall to a shop and an amazing feat and Kopitiam definitely has future and finding its way of winning the American heart and bring malaysian food to the hipsters.
Not bad, salute the owner, must make a visit..
Be careful of the yummy oily sauces, can be very high in chlestrol if palm oil s used, just suffered astroke here in makaysia. Docs said 30% of Malaysian get v strokes . That’s 1 in 3! Itits an epidemic.ask them if they’re usin palm oil . Very high in Saturated fat!
I think some palm oil is modified. Depends..i think…
Its deadly stuff if earen too often.
I definetely overindulged and payed a high price. I didnt know how bad they were til it was too late. So I’m trying to warn everyone now.
You are wrong, palm oil has 0% cholesterol .
More stuff on expat society please like if you agree
Raj Raghunandan
Agreed
Christafurious i wanna go everyday all day ;-;
Then lets go <3
i wanna go for my bday too!
cat cafe, afternoon tea, malaysian food. done.
<3
Amazing!!
Pam Lichtman Rosen Richard Cline try some!
Lily Wong go & try this restaurant, it’s in the Chinatown NY…
I will, thank you, hard to find Malaysian taste in Malaysia restaurant.
Not sure sedap or not.. Worth trying if u rindu nasi lemak ?
I try , I let you know. I can’t find Malaysian restaurant open by Malay.
Open by Baba Nyonya also nice one..??
Sharon Kon Shermaine Singh
Thanks you! I’ll check it out but usually Singapore/Malaysian food here is so disappointing.
I heard about this place from another Malaysian friend in NYC. She said its super good as well. I may have to stop by tonight!!!!
Shermaine: It’ll never be the same as the food here of cos!
Sharon: Is that tiny place underground in Chinatown with awesome assam laksa still around?
Yeah but they changed owners and it’s not great anymore. Kopitiam apparently is very close to the Penang Kopitiam who are the same owners apparently.
Jason Tan UK is our first Kopitiam
Good news,we can export more ikan bills , coconut milk etc,etc.
Nina Ayub
Thanks for the heads up mate. As a matter of fact, there’re a lot of Malaysian restaurants in NYC, but only one that bills itself a Singaporean restaurant, Chomp Chomp. IMO, they’re all not too far apart except for one thing – price. The ones in Chinatown are a quarter of the cost of the ones in the rest of Manhattan
Chomp owned and run by Malaysian. Rebranded to “Singaporean” food due to marketing reason. Food wise – still Malaysian recipe from his family. Singapore, Malaysian – same, same but different
My favourite is Nasi Lemak with Rendang/curry chicken or fried chicken with fried egg..Best breakfast ever..Hot fresh.
Shahrulmiza Zakaria betui ka?
IMO, it’s a media hype.. hehehe
Hehe
I’m not denying the popularity of the cafe, just disagree with the caption in this post. It is incorrect and gave distorted connotations.
“Nasi lemak is taking America by storm!” is incorrect caption for the article.
Haha
True! Nasi lemak wt plentiful ikan bilis n kacang…
Time for a New York trip then !
Please open one in Amsterdam
How come I missed that when in the city?! 🙁
Farah Kasim i tok cayo
Me too
Phoosanisa Thammasophakid Trey Molino
Wait wait mc MC Chang
Sean Henchclaw lunch in NYC?
Sure!
Jackie Ong
Cool
Jessica Then
Jay Yap
TS Yong
Are you sure the pic is a nasi lemak dish ? Looks more like mee rebus to me !
Definitely nasi lemak! The rice is hiding underneath the anchovies and nuts 🙂
Lol, mee rebus? Hahaha
Haha mee rebus?
I’ve been there! I agree