#2: The Disappearing Coffee Houses of Malaysia

Kopitiams are a waning vestige of Malaysia's dining past. These are classic coffee shops that serve a hodgepodge of Chinese and Malaysian drinks and dishes with flecks of British influences. Decades ago, their dark coffees (called kopi), chicken chops, and kaya (coconut jam) toast were all the rage, especially in Malaysia's capital of Kuala Lumpur. But nowadays, kopitiams are few and far between, and many have been forced to shutter. This episode, we learn how kopitiams first came to be from Anisha Chai, a researcher at Sunway University, Malaysia—a heady mix of Chinese traditions and British colonialism is involved—and hear an inter-generational story of one famous kopitiam's woes about its murky future. (Connect with us and subscribe to our newsletter at takeabaopodcast.com, or on Instagram @jun.and.tonic.)

Om Podcasten

Take A Bao is a show exploring anything and everything around Asian food. From unpacking the origins of rice and rendang, to deep dives into the depths of Chinese tea and Vietnamese pho, this show aims to give voice to the intriguing food stories of Asia. On each episode, you'll learn about how the different cultures and communities across Asia shaped its food. You’ll hear from chefs, farmers, food writers, and eaters, learn how to cook and eat iconic Asian dishes, and really celebrate the food of Asia to give it the representation it deserves, letting it have its moment to—wait for it—take a bow!