Malaysians and food go hand in hand, no matter where we are in the world, we’ll go the extra mile (and pay extra ringgit) just to get a taste of home.
Photo via YouTube (Dumpling Soda)
So when Malaysian YouTuber Lizz Chloe, known for her lifestyle and food content, stumbled upon a kopitiam in Alhambra, California, she couldn’t resist. But what caught her off guard wasn’t the menu… it was the price!
Chloe, who is currently in the United States, visited a Michelin-starred eatery called Ipoh Kopitiam in Los Angeles and ended up spending a total of RM457 (approximately USD95.25) for just five dishes.
Earlier that day, she had already splashed out on a trendy drink — Hailey Bieber’s viral Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie, which set her back another RM96 (USD20). “Far from what I expected,” she said, clearly stunned by the price.
She also highlighted how much more expensive petrol is in the US, compared to back home. While Malaysians are used to subsidised RON95 fuel, Chloe paid USD4.93 per gallon (about RM24), racking up a fuel bill of USD 56.60 (around RM272).
At Ipoh Kopitiam, Chloe ordered some Malaysian classics:
Despite the high price, Chloe admitted the food didn’t disappoint. “It’s actually a good curry,” she said in her vlog, and also gave props to the char kuey teow for its signature “wok hei,” that smoky, charred flavour every Malaysian looks for in a good stir-fry.
She even managed to speak briefly with the restaurant owner, who shared that he employs about 50 staff to keep the kopitiam running.
According to the restaurant’s website, Ipoh Kopitiam aims to serve authentic Malaysian flavours to Americans and those missing a taste of home. Alongside rice and noodle dishes, they also offer kopitiam staples such as toast, white coffee, and more.
It might be five times the price of what we’d pay back home, but for Malaysians abroad, sometimes comfort food is just worth it.
