In July 2024, I stayed for almost a month in Chinatown, KL. A dear friend of mine recommended this area for me to stay in to find a bit more calm amid the hustle of downtown KL. I liked it so much that I ended spending almost a month there.
The area is famous for its food stalls and breakfast tradition—these places are called KOPI TIAM. So, I was on a mission to discover new local culinary spots while also trying to get to know the people running them a bit better.
One of my most unique discoveries was WONG MEE COFFEE STALL, run by Uncle Wong.
By coincidence, I was strolling through the quieter alleys of Chinatown when, in a narrow street between high buildings and a garage, I came across this little breakfast stall.
Although it must have been around 11:00, it was already late in the day for him. Uncle Wong opens at around 5 a.m. and sells out most of his tasty breakfast by 9, I think. But I still managed to get some coffee, soft-boiled eggs, and bread with Kaya.
The scene felt surreal to me. You’re basically sitting in the middle of the street on these tiny stools, surrounded by the noise and sounds of a pulsating city and its motorways. And then there’s this friendly, nice fella—Uncle Wong—making you traditional coffee, and you just feel like he’s been there forever.
He sat down with me, and we started chatting. Proudly, he showed me a documentary about him that had already been made on YouTube. He also talked about his involvement with an NGO, where he supports people in poor rural areas of Malaysia.
His father had already run a coffee stall—back then, in a different location in Chinatown, KL. When Uncle Wong was about 16, he helped his father with the business, walking around the shops and taking coffee orders from local sellers near WONG MEE COFFEE STALL. Later, when his father passed away, he simply continued the business—so basically, Uncle Wong has been working in the KOPI TIAM for around 50 years now.
I was moved by his openness, friendliness, and humanity, and by all the stories he shared in the setting of this tiny little street business. I knew I had to come back next time with my camera and document his story.
The original portrait
Uncle Wong with the portrait I took of him the other day
