Kafei Dian near Petaling Street (and Pasar Seni) isn’t an average café. It has a nostalgic ambiance, delicious kaya, and authentic Hainanese food.
What else can you look forward to here?
Read on because we’ve taken a peek inside this promising café that serves good homey food.
Table Of Contents:
About Kafei Dian
Kafei Dian is a kopitiam-style chain store. They are famous for serving old-school Malaysian comfort food.
The branch on Jalan Panggong (near China Town) is one of the most popular branches across Klang Valley.
This branch is in an old building that was formerly a post office.
Ease Of Parking At Kafei Dian
Kafei Dian is a 2-minute walk from the Pasar Seni MRT station. And so, it is convenient to get here by taking the MRT line.
If you’re driving your own car, it’s not hard to find a parking bay close to the café either. Because there’s an open-air car park right next to it. The parking fee is RM5 per entry.
Or, you can head to the nearest public parking lot on Jalan Balai Polis. This is less than 5 minutes away from Kafei Dian and also costs RM5 per entry.
Ambiance At Kafei Dian
Kafei Dian occupies an old, colonial-era post office built in 1911. The owners have large preserved most of the building’s structural shape.
But the original Tudor-style façade now showcases a distinct Shanghai Tang feel.
For a sprawling café, the entrance is modest and consists of a path to enter and exit.
Inside, Kafei Dian opens up to a maze of separate dining chambers. There are marble tables and teak furniture.
Bright peonies and plum blossoms add a vibrant touch to this Insta-worthy café. And stained-glass windows break the earthy monotony of the furniture.
On the ceiling, there are giant red lanterns. There are artificial plants around the cafe too. Yet, Kafei Dian looks lively without feeling cramped.
While the dining area on the ground floor is air-conditioned:
The alfresco seating area on the first floor offers a sweeping view of the surroundings.
Seats upstairs have shade from the sun. Large portable air conditioners provide further comfort from the heat of the day.
Service At Kafei Dian
Even though everything may seem old-fashioned:
The service is top-notch. Guests order food using the QR code.
Once you confirm your order, the food comes within 15 to 30 minutes.
But since the crowd can be overwhelming (especially at breakfast and lunchtime):
Prepare to wait a little longer to get a seat during peak hours.
Food At Kafei Dian
Kafei Dian serves local cuisine and hawker fanfare. The kind you would find at a down-to-earth kopitiam.
At the top of the list is their butter kaya toast which is a must-try entrée. The luscious pandan paste tastes best with plenty of butter on a spongy slice of toast or steamed bread.
While the selection of dim sum isn’t the greatest, the yam cake is an essential appetizer:
The yam cake has generous portions of roasted dried shrimp. This gives it a distinctive aroma that’s enhanced by its springy, soft texture.
The highlight of the Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng is none other than the fried chicken. The crispy fried chicken skin crackles when you tear it.
Another best seller is their Hainanese chicken chop. The breaded chicken is deep-fried with tender meat to boot.
There is a tangy tomato sauce and chips on the side. So this dish takes a little longer to cook. But that shouldn’t stop you from ordering it.
Other must try orders include the char kuey teow. This has a fragrant char (wok hei) with generous portions of fresh prawns too.
Chee cheong fun is another crowd-puller. The dish has silky springy noodles in a sweet brown sauce. It has a topping of fried onions and sesame seeds for added aroma.
Assam laksa Penang here is as authentic as it gets. It consists of a divine fish broth with mackerel, which has a nice balance of sour and spicy nuances.
The tasty prawn paste as well as generous slices of pineapple, cucumber, and onion slices add zest. As well as crunch to this appetizing dish.
Custard egg steamed bun is another option in their sterling breakfast lineup. This soft pillowy indulgence oozes with a creamy egg custard that melts in your mouth.
Diners rave about the other breakfast staples like soft-boiled eggs and steamed bread. These go with a buttery cup of the classic “kao” coffee or cham (coffee and tea together).
Note: You can buy kaya spread, prawn sambal, bread, and croissants here.
Pricing At Kafei Dian
Despite the good ingredient quality and unique ambiance:
Food at Kafei Dian is cheap by KL standards. The breakfast menu is available from as low as RM6 while the most expensive main dish costs around RM30.
So a meal for a family of 4 costs around RM100, which is an absolute bargain considering the rising food prices!
- Address: 16, Jalan Panggong, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
- Location: Google Maps
- Opening Hours: 7.30am – 5.30pm daily
- Contact: 011-1019 3159
Conclusion
Kafei Dian is near a major attraction, Petaling Street. And so, the location is convenient if you plan to browse the local market here.
Its superb kopitiam menu makes it a hearty weekend treat too. A relaxing atmosphere and courteous service are other reasons to come here.
You can check out Luckbros Kopi on Jalan Panggong since it is close to Kafei Dian.
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