Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee’s major charm is the natural scenery around it.
The new branch of Chang Jiang White Coffee has a lovely location that is walking distance from Tasik Cermin (Lake Mirror).
But how does this branch compare to other Ipoh branches of Chang Jiang White Coffee? Read more if you want to find out!
Table Of Contents:
Watch this video of the scenery at Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee:
About Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee
The 4th branch of Chang Jiang White Coffee (Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee) opened its doors in December 2022.
Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee occupies a space in an area of around 2 acres.
The development of this area (Tasik Cermin Eco Park Ipoh) is by Syarikat Sahabat Selamanya Sdn Bhd and has the approval of Ipoh City Council.
Note: Syarikat Sahabat Selamanya Sdn Bhd is under Syarikat Kin Loong Valley Sdn Bhd (Chang Jiang White Coffee)
Besides the café, there are plans for a park as well.
Before the recent developments (the official announcement of the new quarry eco park was some time in Feb 2022), this was the site of a limestone quarry.
Sources:
- https://www.ipohecho.com.my/2022/12/04/chiang-jiang-white-coffee-to-open-in-tasik-cermin/
- https://www.ipohecho.com.my/2022/02/26/mirror-lake-eco-park-set-to-attract-tourists-to-ipoh/
Ease Of Parking At Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee
There is no need to worry about parking at Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee (unless it rains).
Because there are plenty of parking lots at the open-air car park right in front of the café. You don’t have to pay any fees to park here either.
Ambiance At Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee
As you make your way into Tasek Cermin via the dirt road, you’ll notice that Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee has not one but several signs in the valley.
Note: Be wary of the high bumps and potholes on the road
The café is housed in a brick building at one side of the valley. With a separate block for the kitchen as well as for gender segregated toilets and prayer rooms.
There are still ongoing works to expand the seating area too.
In front of the café, there is a perpetual queue of hungry breakfast-goers.
And not that you will any choice if you come at popular breakfast hours (between 8am to 11am), but there is indoor and outdoor seating.
For indoors especially, tables are close together and it can sound like a full dim sum house on a busy morning.
They usually do not turn on the air-conditioning for the indoor seating. And for this reason, it’s cooler to dine outside in the mornings.
Outside, the wind passes along the stone outcrop, and it does feel cooler here at the back of the café.
As with other branches of Chang Jiang White Coffee, the Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee branch has vintage décor and a retro coffee shop theme.
Service At Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee
We have witnessed waiters of Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee trying to shoo off customers when it’s full house.
To join the queue, you have to leave the last 4 digits of your phone number with the staff in charge.
The long queue is only one sign of the chaos within the café.
Another sign (that plagues other branches of Chang Jiang White Coffee) are many empty tables and frustrated faces.
Do not expect food to come quickly here. And sometimes, the food is already cold too. Is it the same case for drinks? Yes, waiting for your drinks to come can also take up to 40 minutes.
PS: Payment is expected after the food is served.
There are a lot more customers than there are waiters. We only saw 2 to 3 waiters waiting on the customers of the main building.
If you do manage to secure a table (this alone can take 30 minutes; 2 hours is not unheard of) and get your food, you’ll be pressured to finish it in a hurry with all the hungry onlookers.
It’s no better on weekdays. And this is not unlike other branches of Chang Jiang White Coffee. You will still have to wait more than 30 minutes for your food to come.
Food At Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee
Do not put your hopes on the food. Aside from arriving cold, the food is not exceptional. It’s not bad, just average. And portions are not generous.
Their one saving glory is the aromatic coffee (sweet by default) and toast but there are still better options elsewhere if you’re looking for authentic Ipoh white coffee.
And if it’s variety you’re looking for, the menu is pretty much the same as other branches of Chang Jiang White Coffee.
Which means several versions of steamed and toasted bread and eggs (not that much different in our opinion), nasi ayam, wantan mee, fried rice, etc.
Vegetarians will have even fewer options here.
And if you’re interested, you can buy their signature 3-in-1 coffee packets at the front in the same fashion as the other Chang Jiang White Coffee branches in Ipoh.
Read more about the main branch of Ipoh Chang Jiang White Coffee.
Pricing At Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee
Prices are much higher than a regular kopitiam. And this should not come as a surprise if you have visited other Ipoh branches of Chang Jiang White Coffee.
Or are just used to modern kopitiam pricing in KL or in Penang.
It costs more than RM18 for a plate of nasi ayam, or around RM9 for a bowl of noodles. Toast costs RM6 to RM7. Drinks cost around RM4 to 5 per cup.
Note: They use real butter (not margarine) for their toast
Conclusion
If it was not for the location, Kin Loong Valley Chang Jiang White Coffee has little to offer (at the current rate of their service). To this day, we don’t understand the hype around Chang Jiang White Coffee.
But those willing to take their chances with having breakfast or brunch here, should bring some snacks to tide your hunger while you wait. Because waiting is inevitable here. Expect to spend a total of 3 to 4 hours here (excluding a visit to Tasik Cermin).
