Coffee beans in Malaysia and Singapore – mainly of the robusta variety – are traditionally cooked with margarine and sugar to create an intensely dark roast. The resulting mixture, after it’s coarsely ground, is prepared drip-style using a sock-like cotton filter. Sweetened condensed milk is then added to temper the toasty bitterness, creating a rich, creamy and mighty strong brew.
You can now sample this unique coffee, known simply as ‘kopi’ in the region, at the popular Singaporean coffee shop chain Ya Kun. From a humble beginning as a stall in 1944, Ya Kun has grown to become a household name in Singapore and expanded to multiple cities in Asia including Tokyo.
Do like the locals in Singapore and pair your kopi with a side of kaya (a caramelly egg and coconut jam) toast and soft boiled eggs. While that’s the staple breakfast in the island nation, you can enjoy this soul food any time at Ya Kun. But if you’re looking for a more filling meal, Ya Kun also offers a selection of classic Singaporean dishes including chicken rice, prawn laksa and chicken curry. Lunch sets with drinks start at a very wallet-friendly ¥620 while the kaya toast set will only set you back ¥400 (or ¥600 with a side of two soft-boiled eggs).