Uncle Chow Kopitiam Cameron Highlands — Restaurant in Pahang

Taste is very subjective and not everyone will agree to my views, one man's food is another man's poison. Some might disagree with me but let's just agree to disagree sometimes :)

This shop is considered one of the earliest point for us to patronize when entering Cameron Highlands from Tapah. Easily found, ample of parking, bad service, bad food, misleading food name, price on a higher side. When price is on a higher side, my expectation is higher.

Staff - When we first came into the shop, few patrons left and table was left with few cups and plates, the staff took the cups and plates away and we were tired from our trip and sat down. We asked the staff to wipe the table and they looked at us weirdly and showed us the 'Not my job' face and had a good 1 minute discussion with his collogue before coming and wiping the table. Bad experience.

Menu - QR Code scanning, saves you time but you are required to pay upfront when you use QR Scanning. Pretty much local food. For 4 pax, we ordered Nasi Lemak with Fried Chicken, Curry Noodle, Hainanese chicken Chop and Fried Kuey Teow, Drinks, we did Kopi O, Honey Lemon, Teh Peng, Kopi C - Total a whopping of RM82.60.

Nasi Lemak - I have never ordered a Nasi Lemak that costed soo much that tasted this bad. Rice - no hint of lemak or even fragrance, i think this is not even considered Nasi lemak. Sambal - Tasted like chilli boh that was heated with oil & the slightest heat and served, tasted bad. Condiments + egg, nothing to shout about. Chicken - Other than being salty, spices is not on point but the meat is soft. RM16 for this portion, KL also kalah oh..

Curry Noodle - Only thing that tasted okay but loads of space for improvement. the Lemak / Santan tasted more here with the spicy kicking in. RM14 for extremely normal Curry Noodles, think about it.

Hainanese Chicken Chop - Gravy too smoky or in another words, tasted burnt, not sure if its a local taste but its a no. Chicken was Fried to crispy served with fresh cucumber and tomatoes. The only thing tasted normal was the cucumber and tomatoes. RM18, as usual, KL also kalah.

Fried Kuey Teow - Not even Fried Kuey Teow, its Fried Hor Fun, not sure if Cameron calls their Hor Fun as Kuey Teow. No Wok Hei, tasted more like Gon lou Hor Fun - Tasted salty which i think too much soy sauce which initially i thought was the taste of fishballs/Fishcakes but no, and you don't get to taste other ingredients other than the blood Clams & Taugeh. only 2 things that taste normal was blood clams and taugeh. - RM15, whole Malaysia also lose to their price.

Overall Experience:- Speed of food came okay, not too slow, not too fast. I felt there was no love by the cooks in food prep, drinks was okay. Shop ambience was okay but it was the flies playground when your food is here. They do have the fly zapper but its spoilt and did not fix it. Overall, extremely bad experience.

Final Say:- This is my first and final time patronizing to this eatery. There are alot of areas for improvement. I understand you need to hike up price due to operational & ingredients fees but your quality should be on top with your price. Perhaps you might be focusing on your Tea time instead of heavy food, who knows?

This shop does not give me the feel good vibe that i has to give a review that is this long. Let my RM82.60 be a lesson here to anyone who wants...

When a food business is unable to find good trainable workers this is what happens. It looks to me like a vicious cycle - quality of food/hygiene of environment etc cannot be maintained due to poor staff attitude/ slowly customers keeping away and the business operating for only 3 weeks in a month despite being closed once a week. Slowly it will only operate for two weeks in a month and then eventually be forced to close down.

I've observed so frequently how such papa/mama businesses suffer and in the end have to close shop due to circumstances. The #1 problem seems to be worker loyalty - local workers leave as soon as they find a better-paying job (you can't blame them bcs they have to survive too) and foreign workers cost a bomb in agency/other fees besides presenting lots of problems to employers. Such small set-ups cannot compete with large franchises/chains which have a big working capital since they are mostly owned by big corporations.

I am positive that when the old couple first set out they must have done so with passion and good intentions. The aunty is a great cook. The quality of food/drinks has dropped drastically probably due to the high costs of raw food/ingredients for which I blame the previous government. The new Harapan government doesn't seem able to do much despite being in office for over a year now. The cost of living is still so high except in the east coast states of Kelantan/Terengganu (only after Kerteh northwards. Prices are high in places where oil-processing plants are located). Perhaps we should give credit to the PAS government in these states for being able to keep the cost of living low due to less corruption.

When cooked-food businesses charge exorbitant prices bcs of overheads they cannot expect customers to patronize their business on a regular basis. I only tried out the food here once. I am sure the owners have no intention of robbing their customers blind by charging expensive prices for unsubstantial servings of poor quality - tasteless,non-authentic food/watery drinks or 3-in-1 cheats which I abhor since I can get a cup of great coffee/tea at ancient kopitiams at very reasonable prices.

I guess Uncle/Aunty Chow have to sit down and seriously take stock of the situation to see how they could turn things around so that customers get good quality authentic food of a reasonable serving portion in a clean, pleasant environment free of flies and dirty tables. Nature has given the Chow couple a cool invigorating environment so they should go all out to make the place clean and relaxing. Otherwise I could foresee them opening for business only for three days a week (Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays)/during school holidays and national public holidays. Sad but it will happen if we go by the frank reviews. I am writing this review very objectively and have no hidden...

Uncle Chow Kopitiam is a quaint and charming café nestled in Taman Royal Lily, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands. This family-run eatery, established by Uncle Chow after his retirement, has become a beloved spot for both locals and tourists seeking a taste of authentic Malaysian breakfast and local delicacies.

The café exudes a warm, nostalgic atmosphere, making it a perfect place to start your day amidst the cool highland air.

The menu offers a delightful mix of traditional Malaysian dishes and Western favorites, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Popular items include the hearty Nasi Lemak, with its fragrant coconut rice, spicy sambal, and crispy anchovies, and the comforting Laksa, a spicy noodle soup rich with flavors of coconut milk and lemongrass.

Their signature Kaya Toast, served with a generous dollop of homemade kaya (coconut jam) and butter, paired with a hot cup of Hainanese coffee, is a must-try for breakfast enthusiasts.

What truly sets Uncle Chow Kopitiam apart is the personal touch in every dish. You can feel the love and care that goes into preparing each meal, reflecting Uncle Chow’s passion for cooking and his commitment to preserving the traditional flavors of Malaysia.

The café is also known for its homemade cakes, including the light and fluffy butter cake and the decadent chocolate cake, perfect for an afternoon treat.

Despite its popularity, the café maintains a cozy and relaxed vibe. Visitors often commend the friendly and welcoming service, making the dining experience even more enjoyable.

While the café can get crowded, especially during peak hours, the staff remains attentive and accommodating, ensuring that everyone feels at home.

The location, set away from the bustling town center, adds to the charm of Uncle Chow Kopitiam. The surrounding greenery and cool breeze make it an ideal spot to sit back and enjoy a leisurely meal.

For those who crave a taste of genuine Malaysian hospitality and traditional flavors, a visit to Uncle Chow Kopitiam is a delightful and satisfying experience.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Cameron Highlands or a regular looking for a familiar, comforting meal, Uncle Chow Kopitiam offers a memorable culinary journey that captures the essence of local cuisine with a touch of...