Founder Peggy Chow named the place Poppy Kat Café, as a tribute to her father who she called ‘pops’.
She said she chanced upon the space while looking for a place to store stocks from her gifting business. When she saw the empty living area, she immediately thought it would make for a nice café.
Having worked as a barista in Melbourne and being the proud owner of a coffee machine, she thought it was the perfect opportunity to showcase her talents.
In the midst of renovation however, she heard the cries of kittens in an alleyway and discovered five of them with no mommy cat in sight.
She rescued the kittens but her mother was adamant that the kittens be kept anywhere else but her home. And that’s how they came to live at the café.
After three kittens were adopted, Chow decided to keep the remaining two and they (unknowingly) transformed the place into a cat café.
It was tough going at first but only because the Covid-19 pandemic meant they were forced to survive on takeaway orders and deliveries the first few months.
But since opening its doors in May 2021, business has been good. Chow explained how the café’s best-selling croffles were actually the result of a happy coincidence.
“I was trying to make waffles but couldn’t get the consistency right and ended-up making croffles instead,” Chow laughed, referring to the hybrid of a croissant and waffle, which was first popularised in South Korea.
Luckily, not many people sold croffles then and it soon became her café’s unique selling point.
FMT visited Chow at the café recently while the resident felines strutted about nearby, keeping a close watch on their human mommy.
What’s on the menu? For the month of Ramadan they have introduced the Rendang Fried Chicken Burger Set.
Seasoned and fried to perfection, the chicken is flavourful and juicy, offering an unforgettable first bite with curly fries on the side.
For dessert, the Pandan Jackfruit Croffle will make for a sweet change after the savoury main dish. The crunchy croffle base, sweet pandan mascarpone cream and sliced jackfruit make for a nice combination.
Wash it all down with the Fruits of Eden cold brew tea for a refreshing end to your meal.
If you want something lighter, opt for the Poppy Fried Chicken Bites. Dip the crispy morsels into the accompanying Thai dipping sauce and you’ll be going back for seconds very fast.
For a greener option, you won’t go wrong with the Apple Brie Salad. Mixed green veggies are tossed with fruits and crushed pistachios for extra bite, while the maple balsamic reduction ties it all together for a healthy, guilt-free choice.
And while you’re here, why not pay the cute resident kitties a visit? If they’re the main reason you’re dropping by, just be sure to order at least one item on the menu, whether food or a beverage.
“All of my cats here are rescues or strays, and once they become old enough, we vaccinate and spay them so as to keep them safe,” she said.
Chow does keep a close watch when kids come to the café with their families, as the young ones tend to get too excited upon meeting the cats, and sometimes, this stresses the cats out.
“On the other hand, I’m glad that my cats can cheer people up when they come in after a stressful week, since seeing their adorable faces melts your worries away,” she said.
Follow Poppy Kat Café on Instagram or head to their website for more information.
Poppy Kat Café
34A, Jalan Nadchatiram
Taman Taynton View
Cheras
56000 Kuala Lumpur
Business Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 11.00am-10.00pm
Friday to Sunday: 11.00am-12.00am
Contact: 011-5417 3453