Uncle Teck's Kopitiam 德记 — Restaurant in Borneo

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Uncle Teck's Kopitiam, and I must say, it was an incredible experience from start to finish. This charming little coffee shop located in the heart of Sarawak offers an authentic taste of Malaysia that is nothing short of outstanding.

Let's start with the food. Every dish I tried was an absolute delight. The flavors were robust, the ingredients fresh, and the presentation impeccable. From classics like Nasi Lemak and Hainanese Chicken Rice to local favorites like Mee Jawa and Laksa, Uncle Teck's truly captures the essence of Malaysian cuisine. The rich and aromatic spices used in their dishes elevate the dining experience to a whole new level.

Now, let's talk coffee and tea. Uncle Teck's Kopitiam takes pride in serving some of the finest coffee and tea selections. Their traditional Malaysian coffee, also known as kopi, is a must-try. Its bold flavor and smooth texture are truly captivating. For tea lovers, their Teh Tarik, a frothy and aromatic pulled tea, is a true treat for the senses. Whether you prefer your beverage hot or iced, Uncle Teck's has got you covered.

What sets Uncle Teck's Kopitiam apart from other establishments is their exceptional service. The staff is warm, welcoming, and highly knowledgeable about the menu. They go above and beyond to ensure that every customer is well taken care of, providing recommendations and explaining the origins of each dish. Their passion for Malaysian cuisine shines through in their genuine enthusiasm, making the overall dining experience even more enjoyable.

The ambiance of Uncle Teck's Kopitiam deserves a special mention as well. The decor draws inspiration from traditional Malaysian coffee shops, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. It's the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage that Malaysia has to offer.

Whether you're a local looking for an authentic taste of Malaysia or a traveler craving a culinary adventure, Uncle Teck's Kopitiam is an absolute must-visit. The blend of amazing food, incredible coffee and tea, and exceptional service make it a true gem in Kuching. Don't miss out on this hidden treasure—you won't be disappointed!

Disclaimer: This review is based on my personal experience...

Had to wait a fair 15 mins for a table for 2 because the place was crowded, but the root problem was due to inexperienced staff being slow in clearing up tables.

When we were finally being served there were menus on the table but we were informed afterwards that they had a QR menu (which you would normally find pasted on the tables at eateries instead). Staff not particularly helpful in explaining (though not lacking manners) but very limited options available in the menu. For such a high pricing the food choices definitely didn't stand up to what they were being worth sold, using very common and typical kopitiam ingredients but short of kopitiam flavours.

Ordered coffee but was served their signature salted caramel coffee (seemed like it) and was ignored for my special requests of less sugar and wanting the coffee to be more 'kaw'. It was ok but still a tad sweet for me. Kaya butter toast wasn't exceptional, but their kaya stood out. Kuih seri muka is nice, if you prefer a soft texture of the top layer, saturated with pandan and santan but glutinous rice layer could have been salted a little more for contrast of flavours.

The laksa: extremely small portion, extremely raw beansprouts with 2 prawns, sweet but not especially fresh. Broth was so-so. I think there's much to be improved

I think Kuching has a lot of places with good ambience. With Nanyang style coffeeshops/eateries popping up, I don't think many managed to keep their food quality on par and well-aligned with their decor/ambience/services. Times like this where food authenticity is amiss, more efforts are required for businesses to stay afloat. Not...

The overall atmosphere inside is quite nice, although there are some parts that can be further improved in terms of the placing of items / furniture.

Even though this place has been opened for quite awhile already, but some of the staffs still look inexperienced. I was quite annoyed when the staff even considered serving me the chicken rice after they accidentally spilled the soup over it. They did change the chicken in the end, but still gave me the leftover spilled soup 🙄

The food in my opinion was quite average. Nothing special although price was quite okay I think. Would rather eat elsewhere with that kind of quality.

As for the toilet, I expected better after how they renovated the interior. But in terms of cleanliness and hygiene, I thought it was below average for a place like this. The smell, the rubbish on the floor and how the toilet is slightly small just lowered my rating for this place.

Also, I feel that their service can be better and faster in terms of clearing up the tables and directing the waiting customers to their seat. Counting the number of staffs, I expected better efficiency.

Won’t be coming back here anytime soon / anymore. Hope they make the improvements needed, then maybe I might consider...