Toast to a great coffeeshop
THE aroma of freshly made toast and rich aromatic coffee wafts in the air, greeting customers as they walk into Hua Mui, a popular coffeeshop located in the heart of Johor Baru.
The traditional deco and simplistic design gives customers a peek into thetimes where people sat for hours, just to mingle with friends and share the latest gossip while sipping a cup of coffee or tea at the kopitiam.
Waitress Mariam Ibrahim, 59, who has been working at Hua Mui for more than 40 years, says that is the main reason why people keep coming back to the eatery at the junction of Jalan Trus and Jalan Dhobby.
“I remember walking past the shop when I was schooling a long time ago, and even then, Hua Mui was famous for its delicious toast, coffee and tea.
“Another dish that is popular with Hua Mui is its special Hainanese Chicken Chop which comes with crispy potato wedges, green peas and a special mushroom sauce,” she said while greeting several customers by name.
The chirpy Mariam also said the shop had a steady flow of regular customers, and sometimes even welcomed customers who returned to relieve their childhood experiences, after being away for many years away.
v “I have been approached numerous times by customers, who still recognise me from years ago.
“They often tell me that they came here as a child with their parents, and were so excited to return with their own children or grandchildren to enjoy the food here,” she said, adding that it was heartwarming to learn how special the little coffeeshop had become.
Hua Mui kopitiam was set up in 1946 and started off as a popular eatery, frequented by British officials who used to reside in the Bukit Timbalan building located nearby.
The restaurant was also a popular place for families to celebrate special occasions and Mariam said she had lost count of how many birthday parties, anniversary celebrations and other events that the kopitiam has hosted.
“Over the years, not much has changed in terms of the kopitiam’s deco and in fact, most of the flooring, crockery, window panes and even a traditional pulley system has been retained to keep the authentic feel of the place.
“Another signature feature of the kopitiam is the traditional staircase banister which feels so smooth from the thousands of hands that have held it while walking to the restaurant’s second floor,” she said.
Businessman Othman Hitam, 55, said he spends at least an hour a day, chatting with friends and enjoying the food at Hua Mui.
“Hua Mui is like my second home.
“It is nice that I will always find a familiar face whenever I drop by, and the ambience is the main reason why I always keep coming back,” he said, adding that the table located at the corner of the entrance was the best place to relax and observe the city’s transformation as the years go by.
Long time customer, Najmuddin Sockin, 54, has been frequenting the shop since he was a little boy.
“My favourite is the chicken chop and I always crave for the delicious dish whenever I am close by the area,” he said, adding that although there were many new kopitiams around, Hua Mui would always be on the top of his list.
First-time Singaporean visitor Vivienne Soon, 19, described her first experience at the simple kopitiam as memorable.
“We have similar establishments in Singapore but nothing compares to the authentic feel of this charming place,” she said, adding that the flavourful food and friendly staff were some of the plus points for the restaurant.
Besides its signature kopitiam dishes, Hua Mui is also famous for several local food including the Hua Mui Mee Mamak, nasi goreng and their roti bakar which is still toasted over charcoal fire.
The quaint kopitiam also serves up some unusual dishes including Mongolian Chicken Rice and Butter Cream Chicken Rice, which is an equally popular dish among customers.
Hua Mui is open from 9am to 7pm daily. For details, call 07-224 7364.
~News courtesy of The Star~
THE aroma of freshly made toast and rich aromatic coffee wafts in the air, greeting customers as they walk into Hua Mui, a popular coffeeshop located in the heart of Johor Baru.
The traditional deco and simplistic design gives customers a peek into thetimes where people sat for hours, just to mingle with friends and share the latest gossip while sipping a cup of coffee or tea at the kopitiam.
Waitress Mariam Ibrahim, 59, who has been working at Hua Mui for more than 40 years, says that is the main reason why people keep coming back to the eatery at the junction of Jalan Trus and Jalan Dhobby.
“I remember walking past the shop when I was schooling a long time ago, and even then, Hua Mui was famous for its delicious toast, coffee and tea.
“Another dish that is popular with Hua Mui is its special Hainanese Chicken Chop which comes with crispy potato wedges, green peas and a special mushroom sauce,” she said while greeting several customers by name.
The chirpy Mariam also said the shop had a steady flow of regular customers, and sometimes even welcomed customers who returned to relieve their childhood experiences, after being away for many years away.
v “I have been approached numerous times by customers, who still recognise me from years ago.
“They often tell me that they came here as a child with their parents, and were so excited to return with their own children or grandchildren to enjoy the food here,” she said, adding that it was heartwarming to learn how special the little coffeeshop had become.
Hua Mui kopitiam was set up in 1946 and started off as a popular eatery, frequented by British officials who used to reside in the Bukit Timbalan building located nearby.
The restaurant was also a popular place for families to celebrate special occasions and Mariam said she had lost count of how many birthday parties, anniversary celebrations and other events that the kopitiam has hosted.
“Over the years, not much has changed in terms of the kopitiam’s deco and in fact, most of the flooring, crockery, window panes and even a traditional pulley system has been retained to keep the authentic feel of the place.
“Another signature feature of the kopitiam is the traditional staircase banister which feels so smooth from the thousands of hands that have held it while walking to the restaurant’s second floor,” she said.
Businessman Othman Hitam, 55, said he spends at least an hour a day, chatting with friends and enjoying the food at Hua Mui.
“Hua Mui is like my second home.
“It is nice that I will always find a familiar face whenever I drop by, and the ambience is the main reason why I always keep coming back,” he said, adding that the table located at the corner of the entrance was the best place to relax and observe the city’s transformation as the years go by.
Long time customer, Najmuddin Sockin, 54, has been frequenting the shop since he was a little boy.
“My favourite is the chicken chop and I always crave for the delicious dish whenever I am close by the area,” he said, adding that although there were many new kopitiams around, Hua Mui would always be on the top of his list.
First-time Singaporean visitor Vivienne Soon, 19, described her first experience at the simple kopitiam as memorable.
“We have similar establishments in Singapore but nothing compares to the authentic feel of this charming place,” she said, adding that the flavourful food and friendly staff were some of the plus points for the restaurant.
Besides its signature kopitiam dishes, Hua Mui is also famous for several local food including the Hua Mui Mee Mamak, nasi goreng and their roti bakar which is still toasted over charcoal fire.
The quaint kopitiam also serves up some unusual dishes including Mongolian Chicken Rice and Butter Cream Chicken Rice, which is an equally popular dish among customers.
Hua Mui is open from 9am to 7pm daily. For details, call 07-224 7364.
~News courtesy of The Star~
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