But don’t be fooled. You’re in a restaurant. For one, there’s the tantalising aroma of freshly brewed coffee in the air and there are menus too but yes, they are placed in office PVC binder files, much like the ones you see in a typical office.
This newly opened neighbourhood kopitiam is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Shin Ng Aik Hooi and Germayne Ho Su Li.
Ah Wong Office is a nostalgic homage to Ng’s family’s culinary legacy. From freshly baked bread and milk buns to laksa broth simmered for hours, the offerings here are made from treasured family recipes.
Ng hails from Taiping, Perak where his grandparents owned a kopitiam in the 1950s, mainly serving British soldiers.
His parents then operated a second kopitiam in Taiping in 1989 before relocating to Kuala Lumpur, calling it Ah Wong Kopitiam, which is still running.
With a background in branding and marketing, Ho decided to rebrand the family business in 2020 during the pandemic.
“We gained a lot of followers who liked our food. So, we started planning a physical store. That’s how all of this started,” she shared.
The restaurant’s interior is a delightful blend of vintage and office-themed elements. Thick binders serve as menus, a typewriter sits proudly on a desk, and the mugs look like they belong in a 1970s boardroom.
“My husband and I are like those employees who work from seven to seven. It’s a very stressful and boring kind of life. So, since we can’t avoid it, we thought, why not create an office that’s fun and happy, with good food and drinks?” Ho explained.
The result is a space where customers can escape the daily grind and enjoy a bit of comfort in both atmosphere and cuisine.
Ah Wong Office offers a menu as intriguing as its décor, featuring traditional recipes with a modern twist.
The Mothership, a soft bread roll filled with scrambled eggs, cheese, and chicken slices, is a comforting start.
The bread is fluffy and buttery, the eggs are perfectly scrambled, and the cheese adds a rich, creamy touch that ties it all together. Pair this with a cup of hot coffee, and you’re all set for a satisfying breakfast.
For something more nostalgic, try the Kari XY, a bowl of chicken curry served with three freshly baked milk buns. The curry is rich and creamy, with a perfect balance of spices.
The milk buns are a revelation – soft, fluffy, and with just the right amount of sweetness to complement the savoury curry. The Kari XY will remind you of a hearty meal on a cold, rainy day spent at grandma’s.
The asam laksa kembong fish with noodles is another must-try. The broth is tangy, vibrant, and thick, with a generous portion of mackerel adding a delightful depth to the dish.
Made fresh daily and simmered for hours to achieve a rich broth, the asam laksa here is reminiscent of the ones from your favourite roadside stalls, packing an authentic, spicy punch.
For something with rice, the nasi ayam rendang, served with cabbage and a fried egg is a great pick. The rendang boasts the perfect combination of coconut, kerisik, and spices, while the cabbage adds a refreshing crunch, and the fried egg is a comforting touch.
To wash it all down, try the “Holiao,” a family recipe drink made from a concoction of locally sourced kopi, barley, and pandan water.
It’s a unique blend that’s both refreshing and soothing, with the pandan adding a subtle sweetness that complements the robust coffee.
So, what are you waiting for? Take a break from your office and step into theirs – you’ll leave with a full belly and a smile on your face.
Ah Wong Office
20, Jalan 17/1A
Seksyen 17, 46400
Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Business hours: 7.30am-5pm
Contact: 012-681 6968
For location, click here.
Follow Ah Wong Office on Instagram.