Inside, lively jazz music fills the air as patrons chat over coffee, desserts, and food on a sunny afternoon.
There are also several tables with marble countertops and wooden chairs, reminiscent of old Malaya-style kopitiams.
“Occasionally, we do have older people coming in asking for a cup of kopi-o, mistaking this for a Chinese coffee shop,” Simon Lim Teck Chun, 35, the owner, told FMT. Incidentally, this café was once known as Seraph Awaken.
Well, it is a perfectly honest mistake. After all, the shophouse, built in 1928, still maintains about 80% of its architecture, said Lim.
“Even the doors are old. I believe we are the last place on this street to maintain this type of traditional door. I’d find it a waste to renovate this place as it is part of Klang’s heritage.”
Located in a historically-rich area, the cafe is a stone’s throw away from the Klang Komuter station and the Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery, a majestic colonial building built in 1909.
It is easy to imagine this bustling cafe in pre-independence Malaya. But as much as its unique architecture is a feast for the eyes, the aroma of fresh coffee and desserts tantalises the senses more.
The strong, semi-sweet hot café latte is a rich blend of chocolatey and nutty flavours, and plays well against the sweetness of the cakes, pastries, and cookies here.
“Based on my observation, customers in Klang enjoy strong coffee with chocolatey flavours,” Lim shares, adding that they always want their coffee “kaw” (which means “strong” in Chinese).
Lim purchases the coffee beans from a local coffee roaster, The Roast Things.
The iced hojicha latte is creamy with strong roasted notes, and certainly a refreshing drink on a scorching day.
Other beverages here include a selection of drip coffees, teas, chocolate, and kombucha along with staples like Americano and cappuccino.
Now to dig into some sinful desserts.
Every bite of the unbaked avocado cheesecake is heavenly. The cake is topped with pumpkin seeds that complement the biscuit base and contrasts with the smooth filling.
Other interesting offerings are the purple sweet potato burnt cheesecake, chocolate banana chiffon cake, and red velvet cream cheesecake.
The cakes are baked at Blackstone Bakery Café, Lim’s other outlet in Bandar Botanic in Klang.
There are also cookies, freshly baked croissants, focaccia, rye, and ciabatta bread. A selection of Danish pastries is also available during the weekends.
In the mood for a light and nutritious breakfast? The smoked salmon toast here, seasoned with oregano, dill, and black pepper, is generous in terms of portion and is served with sour cream and a salad.
But if you’re ravenous, best to opt for the Taiwanese Chicken Rice – a hearty meal of poached shredded chicken and rice with a hard-boiled egg, pickled cucumbers, and a thin soup. The pickled cucumbers in particular, are a nice touch and rather addictive.
“For me, chicken rice is a traditional dish. And I also believe that we should learn from our history and find ways to improvise and perhaps make it better so that it continues. Although it is still “old style”, it is a new creation,” he explained.
Lim said he studied culinary arts in Taiwan, and when he opened the café in May this year, he added his special touch to the menu.
“I find that the selection of food makes a cafe more interesting, and I wanted Klang residents to have these options in a local cafe,” Lim explained, adding that previously the cafe only served coffee and desserts.
Today there’s Thai Basil chicken noodles, lala (clams) noodle soup, as well as an all-day brunch menu that includes the classic big breakfast, tomato toast, and mashed avocado toast.
“I hope that everyone who walks into this place will feel like it’s a home and that they’ll come back for more coffee, desserts, and food.”
As you leave the café, you’ll spot a signboard that reads, “coffee made your day”. And after a meal here, you’ll find that, quite simply, it’s true.
Blackstone Café (Pork-free)
No 28, Jalan Stesen 1
41000 Klang
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Business Hours:
10:30am-4pm: Monday, Tuesday, Friday
9:30am-6pm: Saturday and Sunday
Closed: Wednesday and Thursday