Kopitiam in the Musuem

Kopitiam was once a medium for the early Chinese immigrant workers to meet up and gathered for a good cup of drink, essentially coffee, to relax after a tiring day at work while chatting and exhanging news from homeland, China. It used to be the Hainanese or Hock Chiew Chinese who ran the kopitiam business. We can say that it was like happy hour sessions for these immigrant workers. Then the idea caught up with the locals and even other foreigners who would enjoy their coffee at kopitiam. Gradually, hawker food such as noodles and steamed dumpline were also served as well as the popular egg custard spread (serikaya) on toast. Serikaya is made from eggs, sugar and coconut milk and steamed for several hours.

more of the coffee story in the museum