Hai Peng: 86 years of coffee, community and Merdeka spirit
Opened in 1940, the Chukai institution still draws generations of customers from all backgrounds for kopi and toast at shared tables.
Kedai Kopi Hai Peng, a coffee shop in Chukai, Terengganu, has been a gathering place for generations of residents since its founding in 1940. The shop, originally owned by Wong Sang Hai from Hainan, China, has been run by his grandson, Richard Wong, for the past several years. The name "Hai Peng" means "seaside" in Chinese, reflecting Chukai's coastal identity.
Over the decades, the shop has maintained its original wooden premises, a menu focused on familiar kopitiam favourites, and a welcoming atmosphere that brings together people of different backgrounds. Customers like Mohamed Rahim Hussin and Peter Lau have been frequent visitors since the 1970s and 60s, appreciating the shop's relaxed and inclusive environment.
Richard Wong, who took over the business in 2014, expresses his satisfaction at seeing the friendly atmosphere persist, noting that customers of various races greet and shake hands with one another. The shop continues to be a symbol of unity and community in Chukai, offering a taste of Malaysia's past while remaining a beloved local institution.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Hai Peng: 86 years of coffee, community and Merdeka spirit freemalaysiatoday.com
