Heap Seng Leong Coffeeshop (Lavendar)

Coffee with Butter (Kopi Gu You) $1.10, Kaya Toast $1.20 and Soft Boiled Eggs $1

Heap Seng Leong Coffeeshop (Lavendar) is located at Lavendar at the back of ICA behind Lavendar MRT station. It is 5 minutes walk away from the famous Tai Wah Minced Pork Noodles (Bak Chor Mee).

When I first stepped into the coffeeshop, it felt as though I had stepped into a time machine and travelled back to the past! 

It is as if time has stood still in this coffeeshop while everything else outside becomes modernise. The white tiles are brown, ceiling fans, no false ceiling, orange coin operated payphone and even abacus! 

This is the 78 year old owner. He is wearing a singlet and old style pyjamas pants which seems out of place in today's context. But this was the way people wore in the past. Most of the customers in the coffeeshop were elderly folks who are reading Chinese newspapers while sipping their coffee. Only the owner's son and I were using smartphones!

Coffee with Butter (Kopi Gu You) $1.10 and Kaya Toast $1.20

Coffee with Butter (Kopi Gu You) $1.10 

I have never tried Kopi Gu You (Coffee with Butter) before. Yes, if you are wondering, it is literally coffee with a thin piece of butter floating on top! The butter would then melt and form a layer of grease on top. Give it a good stir before drinking it. 

Surprisingly, I did not hate this! I was initially worry that it would be greasy/oily. It was not! Taste wise it was rich and complex with a salty caramel taste. Moreover at $1.10, this is so affordable. 

 Kaya Toast $1.20

The Kaya Toast $1.20 was quite well executed too!

 Kaya Toast $1.20

 Interestingly, the owner would use the top of a milk can to scrap off the charred parts of the toast. 

Soft Boiled Eggs $1

I was initially worried the Soft Boiled Eggs would be under or overcooked. Hence, when the Soft Boiled Eggs $1 arrived, I was thrilled that it was cooked perfectly! Do note, the eggs are cooked only upon order. Hence, there is a need to wait around 6 to 8 minutes for this.

At the counter, there are many plastic containers filled with local confectionery (snacks). There was also a orange coin operated payphone which was a common sight in the past! Now, with the high mobilephone penetration rate in Singapore, I cannot even find such phones anymore. Do you spot another item from the past?

Abacus

Yes, its the abacus!

I can forsee more trips back to this coffeeshop. My breakfast consisting of Coffee with Butter (Kopi Gu You, Kaya Toast and Soft Boiled Eggs cost just $3.30! This is so affordable. Furthermore, it was delicious, what a bonus!

Heap Seng Leong Coffeeshop (Lavendar) 

Blk 10 North Bridge Road, #01-5109

Opening Hours: Daily 4 am to 8 pm

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