Indeed, if you know where to look, you will stumble upon vestiges of history which continue to quietly survive as the bustling city goes on with its business.

The next time you drive along Jalan Sultan, keep an eye out for a little shop that may just draw you in with how quaint it looks and feels.

With its traditional wooden engraved signage perched above its door, the first thing you’ll notice about Kong Wooi Fong Tea Merchants is the strong aroma of roasted tea leaves, heavy in the air.

The entire length of the shop is lined with shelf upon shelf of tea products, in all shapes, sizes and packaging – truly a paradise for tea addicts.

For the 67-year-old Liew Choon Kong, however, the shop is also his second home. After all, he is the fourth generation of the Liew family to be running the business, since its founding way back in 1928.

Having taken over the business in the 1980s, Choon Kong has remained at his station and will likely be there for the business’ centenary in four years.

There are many challenges on the road ahead, however, and Choon Kong himself is growing old if his shaking hands are any indicator.

Whether a case of nerves or not, he knows how to make a good cup of tea and he did serve good tea when FMT Lifestyle visited his shop recently to commemorate International Tea Day today.

According to family history, Liew’s great-grandfather, Liew Da Zhi, established KWF as a grocery store after arriving in Malaya from China.

“He actually first started the business by peddling on foot,” said Choon Kong. “After he got some money, he bought a bicycle and sold his goods from there.”

Through some good luck and business acumen, Da Zhi earned enough to rent a shop in 1928, the same one which KWF occupies today! The Liews bought over the building in 2000.

Unsurprisingly, as a child, Liew spent a fair bit of his time at the shop, helping his parents or playing pretend with tea leaves in a little wok.

Never once did he expect to take over the shop. In fact, he studied civil engineering.

However, the world economy faced tough days in the 1980s. “Back then, you had to take a pay cut or were forced to work fewer days in a week.”

At the same time, Choon Kong’s siblings had migrated overseas, leaving him as the only viable candidate to inherit the business.

“I thought then, ‘Sooner or later, I would have to take over. So why not start now?’ My father was growing old, after all.”

Despite the heavy responsibility, Choon Kong persevered and moved with the times by expanding the shop’s itinerary beyond its usual Chinese tea products.

That said, Chinese tea still remains the shop’s bread and butter. “80% of our business is built on selling black tea, the type you would use for teh tarik.”

There are other varieties of teas sold though, imported from Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia and Argentina.

Having previously served as the Malaysian Tea Association president, he also remarked how the local tea market is still growing.

“I think more people are realising that tea is a healthier alternative to sugary drinks. People are trying to refrain from drinking those as they grow more health-conscious.

With all that said, will Choon Kong’s children continue the family legacy after he retires? “They’re not really interested yet, just like me,” he laughed.

His children are working professionals, like he once was. “But of course, I do hope someone will step up and take over when the time is right.”

Kong Wooi Fong Tea Merchants
72, Jalan Sultan,
50000 Kuala Lumpur

Business hours: 9am-5.30pm daily

Contact: 03-2078 3015