This cafe is one of the dining spots my husband found when researching where to find good traditional coffee. Located in a shophouse at Old Phuket Town, it is also known for its Peranakan and classic Thai dishes on the menu.
We initially planned to grab a bite here before our appointment at Kim’s Massage & Spa but it was so crowded that there were no seats available (they seem to perpetually have a full-house)! Thus, as mere walk-in customers, I had to put my name down on a physical wait list to get a table. I then found out that you can make a prior reservation to have a better chance of securing a table but I’m not sure how that works for foreigners though. Anyway, we were eventually seated at about 4pm after our massage.
- Our order:
- Hokkien mee (THB125)
- Chicken fried rice (THB135)
- Hot Thai milk coffee with condensed milk (THB55)
- Iced Thai milk tea with condensed milk (THB65)
- Spent: THB380
The entrance was an eye-catching wall of red with two hanging lanterns, a traditional Chinese aesthetic. Besides the clean and tidy aspects, it was pretty much a legitimate coffeshop experience with barely any walking room between tables, analogue fans spinning overhead and staff speaking at raised volumes over the incessant chatter. At one point during our meal, there was a sudden blackout, adding to the authenticity of the whole experience.
My husband ordered a bowl of hokkien mee, which comprised stir-fried yellow noodles with pork, chicken, seafood, vegetables and an egg. This was delicious and savoury, and the sauce was simply divine (:
Our drinks, which came with some traditional cookies and snacks, were served next. My husband’s hot Thai milk coffee was smooth and had a solid depth of flavour. It came with a light tea too, presumably as a palate cleanser to balance out the strength of the coffee. My iced Thai milk tea was more fragrant than the regular Thai milk teas we’ve tried so far.
I got myself a plate of chicken fried rice and this surprisingly took the longest to arrive. Anyway, the initial hit from this dish was overwhelming saltiness but it gradually evolved to be quite balanced when mixed with the plainer-tasting, tender chicken chunks.
My overall rating of the experience: 5 out of 5 stars. I can see why there is always a long queue at this cafe – the food is tantalizing, the drinks are solid (plus they came with surprise local snacks), and the prices are fairly reasonable. Not to mention the quaint, old-school charm about the whole ambience and experience. Some of the staff did seem a tad stressed out by the unceasing stream of customers, but they were always polite in their interactions. The one thing we’d probably do differently next time is to try and make a reservation before coming (they might have their contact listed on their facebook page but I have no idea if it’s updated)!
If this post helped you in some way and you’d like to buy me a coffee, I’d be incredibly grateful (:
Dania Experiences 