When I first moved to KL many years back, a good friend recommended this quaint Hainanese coffee shop. And ever since, Yut Kee has been my go-to place for a hearty, comforting meal of Hainanese food, great coffee, and always for their scrumptious butter cake and kaya toast.

Yut Kee was started over 80 years ago by Jack Lee’s father who came to Malaya from the Hainan province. Jack now runs the place with his son, Mervyn.

Stepping into Yut Kee is like taking a walk back in time. This decades old coffee shop looks as if it has barely changed since it first opened in 1928.

What is most heartwarming is its nostalgic charm and the friendly people behind Yut Kee.

Jack Lee in a light-hearted moment, and his son, Mervyn.

I always enjoy coming here. Not just for the great coffee, good food or butter cake.

Yut Kee reminds me of my dear gong gong (grandfather) who emigrated from China as a young man and started a small coffee shop in Melaka. Gong gong makes a mean cup of coffee, and worked in the shop well into his 80s.

Visiting Yut Kee is my way of reconnecting with him, my way of remembering him.

Kedai Makanan Yut Kee

35 Jalan Dang Wangi, Dang Wangi, Kuala Lumpur.  Tel: +603 2698 8108

Open Tuesday – Sunday, 8am – 5pm (closed on Mondays). Get directions/map here

My Yut Kee favourites: Coffee, Pork chop, Belachan fried rice, Beef noodles, Lam mee, Sunday roast (only available on weekends), Toasted bread with kaya, Roti babi, Butter cake.

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