The inconspicuous facade of an old building on the edge of Chinatown hides one of the most popular and unusual cafes in Kuala Lumpur. Its uniqueness lies in its original interior; it feels as if nothing has been renovated here since it opened. The cafe's rooms look more like the home of a Chinese family - the walls are hung with clocks and paintings collected over generations, posters with Chinese calligraphy, framed photographs, and portraits of some important people in uniform. Vases and pots with the most ordinary houseplants stand everywhere, and the refrigerator in the middle of the room is straight out of the 50s, with peeling paint and a retro handle.
There is also an essential feature of any Chinese home here - two mirrors positioned directly opposite each other; according to feng shui, they should endlessly capture and multiply good fortune.
But don't let the plainness and even a certain carelessness of the setting fool you - Old China Cafe owes its popularity to its magnificent cuisine and excellent service.
Traditional Chinese-Malay dishes are served here, following Chinese culinary recipes with adjustments for local spices and ingredients. Be sure to order Nasi Lemak - rice in coconut milk is served with a complex composition of boiled egg, fried anchovies, peanuts, pickled vegetables and seaweed, fresh cucumber, and a spicy shrimp sauce.
