In addition to being the royal town of Johor, Muar is a hidden gem when it comes to food spots. One of these food spots has to be Kopi 434 Muar, one of the oldest kopitiams in Johor, as well as in Malaysia.
Kopi 434 Muar
Image Credit: cherzen27.wixsite.com
Located in the town centre, Kopi 434 Muar has been around since 1953. Today, it occupies a rather prominent spot close to the town centre. It is hard to miss it, and even if you do, locals will know how to point you in the right direction.
But why is it called 434? To answer that question, it is best to get to the beginning of the story. That story begins with the arrival of one Kiar Am Sai, a Hainanese lad who arrived in Malaya at the tender age of 17.
Settling down in Muar, he found work as a waiter in a coffee shop. While the pay was menial, Kiar learnt valuable lessons about roasting and brewing coffee. He would eventually begin roasting coffee beans at home.
Come 1953, Kiar had enough of a reputation to open his kopitiam in Muar. It is technically named “Sai Kee”, but its popular name remains “434”. These were the last three digits of his telephone number, which everyone in town memorised.
Special Elephant Coffee
Image Credit: Kopi434.com (Left), Ting Ting on Google Review (Right)
A visit to Kopi 434 Muar cannot be complete without tasting the kopitiam’s uniquely brewed coffee. The coffee beans are roasted with margarine and sugar, following a secret recipe that dates back to the 1950s.
434 is especially known for its Elephant Coffee. If you are thinking it is anything like kopi luwak, worry not. No elephants were harmed in the making (or consumption) of these unusually large coffee beans.
Apparently, the decision to use elephant coffee beans was partly to support local farmers. The beans grow very well in Malaysia due to the climate and geography. Outside of Malaysia, these coffee beans are quite rare.
Tastewise, the Elephant Beans Coffee, which you can try at the kopitiam, is on the sweet side. If you dislike the acidic taste of some coffees, it is not present here. In its place is a unique aroma and a sweet aftertaste.
Mee Bandung
Image Credit: Stephen Tan on Google Review (Left), Mohamad Ayzzudin on Google Review (Right)
Other than that, you should also try the Mee Bandung 434, which recently came in fifth place on TasteAtlas’ list of the world’s best noodles. Yes, despite what the name suggests, Mee Bandung is a creation exclusive to Muar, not Bandung in Indonesia.
If you have never eaten Mee Bandung previously, the taste profile is complicated to describe. It ranges from sweet and sour to salty and spicy. The thick gravy is probably the highlight of the dish, with the taste of shrimp paste ever present.
Nasi lemak & kuih siput
Image Credit: Ahmad Hafiz Ibrahim on Google Review (Left), Calvin Tan on Google Review (Right)
You also cannot go wrong with savouring Malaysia’s national dish and Kopi 434 Muar’s take on it. The nasi lemak here comes in two versions, one with chicken and the other with otak-otak. Given that you are in Muar, the latter is the one which makes the most sense.
If you have a light appetite, then maybe just settle for some Kuih Siput. Another treat exclusive to Muar, this muruku-like snack is named after its spiral shape. If you were thinking this was some sort of escargot, apologies.
Worth your time?
Kopi 434 Muar tends to be busy at lunch hour, with tourists and locals packing the restaurant. Hence, if you intend to eat here, be prepared to wait. All that said, the coffee and the food is certainly worth that wait.
Kopi 434 Muar
Address: 121, Jalan Maharani, Taman Sri Emas, 84000 Muar, Johor Darul Ta’zim
Opening Hours: 8 am – 5.30 pm Thursdays – Sundays | Closed Mondays – Wednesdays
Contact: 06-9513046
Halal Status: Halal
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Feature Image Credit: Encik Awang on Google Review (Left), Peng Wan Choo on Google Review (Right)
