Our Story and Recognition: Behind Kopitiam Lah
Kopitiam Lah started with a simple dream: to bring a piece of my Malaysian Chinese heritage to Bengaluru. It has been a messy, joyful, and truly rewarding journey that my husband Vinesh and I have poured our hearts into.
A snapshot of me and Vinesh, the couple behind India's first Malaysian cafe. This journey has been a dream, and building this space together has been an incredible experience.
This explains it well. Kopitiam Lah was born from my Malaysian Chinese heritage and Vinesh's deep understanding of Bengaluru's food scene. We met, fell in love, and decided to build our future together here in India.
A quiet moment captured at the cafe. We often spend time here, talking about new ideas and just enjoying the space we've created. It’s our second home.
Another shot of us, caught in a moment of conversation. We are partners in life and in business, and our different strengths are what make our team work so well.
I love what our Head Chef, David D'Souza, said about how Vinesh and I work together. He sees Vinesh as the out of the box creative mind and me as the one who focuses on organization and timelines. It's this balance that helps us run things smoothly.
Working together as a couple can be tricky, but for us, it has been a seamless transition. We respect each other's skills and have clear roles, which is the secret to our partnership.
I am so grateful and humbled that Kopitiam Lah was awarded 3 Ultimate Stars by Culinary Culture. This honour is a testament to the hard work and passion my entire team pours into bringing authentic Malaysian flavours to you every single day.
A screenshot from a wonderful article about how I brought Malaysian coffee shop culture to Bengaluru. It was lovely chatting about my journey and the story behind Kopitiam Lah.
This part of the review highlights our menu, from the breakfast sets to the main courses. It also mentions our talented head chef, who took research trips to Malaysia to perfect our dishes.
This article beautifully captures the essence of a 'kopitiam' as the heart of the community. I shared how I wanted to bring that same robust culture and authentic Malaysian food to the city.
About Our Story & Recognition
We didn’t just open a cafe; we wanted to recreate the local 'kopitiam' (coffee shop) vibe where life happens over a cup of Kopi. When you visit our space in Indiranagar, look out for the old tiffin tins and antiques—these are real pieces of my childhood in Malaysia that we brought over to make the cafe feel like a second home.
Building Kopitiam Lah has been an exercise in balancing my heritage with the vibrant food scene of Bengaluru. My husband Vinesh handles the wild creative ideas, while I obsess over timelines and operations—a divide that keeps our small team running smoothly.
Recognition and The Journey
We are incredibly grateful for the recognition we have received so far. Being awarded 3 Ultimate Stars by Culinary Culture was a massive honour and a testament to the hard work our team pours into every dish. It was also a proud moment to be featured in Condé Nast Traveller India, where they highlighted our mission to bring authentic Malaysian coffee shop culture to the city.
Why We Do It
This isn't just about serving food. It's about preserving the memory of the Kaya toast and soft-boiled eggs my mother made for me before school. Our Head Chef, David D'Souza, has been instrumental in this; his research trips to Malaysia ensure that when we serve Nasi Lemak or Curry Laksa, it tastes exactly as it should. We invite you to step into our space, grab a Teh Tarik, and share a meal with us.
Joonie Tan
Hi, I’m Joonie. I left a corporate life to build Kopitiam Lah with my husband, Vinesh, because I missed the taste of home. We work together as a team—he’s the big-idea thinker and I’m the one obsessed with getting things done—to bring a slice of Malaysia to our favourite corner in Bengaluru.
Find what you're looking for
Explore more about our menu, events, or baking classes.
More from Authentic Malaysian Cuisine by Joonie Tan