DOJO Nanyang Kopi House has arrived in Kuching with a mission — to preserve and revive the charm of ‘Nanyang culture’, an early cultural fusion unique to Malaysia. With its nostalgic kopitiam setting, locally sourced ingredients, and a focus on community, DOJO offers more than just coffee and toast — it delivers a taste of heritage in every sip and bite.
Brewing nostalgia, serving tradition
With community at the heart of its premise, the newly opened DOJO Nanyang Kopi House Sarawak at Galacity, Kuching, reflects the spirit of togetherness over a cup of coffee or tea. It is the epitome of the Malaysian kopitiam culture, infused with the essence of the ‘Nanyang culture’ — a heritage where diverse cultures once collided and coexisted in one shared space.
Historically, the ‘Nanyang culture’ represents the assimilation between Chinese and Indian migrants, along with the local indigenous communities of Sarawak and Malaysia. This cultural blend gave rise to a shared identity through language, beverages, and food. Often seen in such kopitiams are colourful mosaic tiles and symmetrical, tiny windows in well-ventilated, open-air settings.
Wanting to recreate this old-fashioned café experience reminiscent of the early 20th century, DOJO Nanyang Kopi House Sarawak pays close attention to these nostalgic details in order to revive a fading cultural memory. Sharing further, HQ Management Director Adrian Lau said it was important for DOJO to reflect the culture as accurately as possible.
“We want to carry the mission of delivering the ‘Nanyang culture’ to Malaysians, especially the younger and future generations. We believe that food is the easiest medium to convey this message. Through this venue, we offer a calm space to unwind and connect over coffee. It’s a place that can feel warm and familiar.”
DOJO Nanyang Kopi House originated in Sabah, and its first branch opened in 2018. Since then, it has expanded to over 19 outlets across the state. Driven by its aim of spreading love among Malaysians, the brand eventually made its way to Miri — its first location in Sarawak — and most recently, to Kuching.
A drink of warmth
With community and connection-building at its core, Lau shared how a cup of coffee can bring people together — not just through the act of drinking it, but also through its origins: the locally harvested beans.
“We work closely with local community farmers to carefully source premium Robusta and Arabica beans. With love, we created the coffee recipe that we serve here. I believe this is an important part of the culture handed down from our ancestors — coming together to enjoy coffee over toast.”
But it’s not only the coffee beans that come from the local community — most of the café’s ingredients are also sourced from local farmers. Lau emphasised that this is yet another way of uniting the community through opportunity and support.
The attention to detail extends further. Lau explained that there are notable differences between the parent company and the Galacity outlet, particularly in the menu, which is tailored to suit local taste buds. The specificity even includes using pepper that is produced right in Sarawak.
To ensure the menu matches local preferences, DOJO regularly receives and responds to customer feedback. Whether something is too sweet or needs more salt, recipes are revised accordingly to local tastes.
A familiar feeling
In an era where modernity often clashes with tradition, preserving cultural heritage is more vital than ever. Lau believes that the ‘Nanyang culture’ is a distinctly Malaysian identity from the past that must not be lost.
“I believe kopitiams will always remain. They will continue for generations because everyone enjoys going out for a cup of coffee and roti kahwin. Whether if it’s for some alone time or a catch-up with friends, a kopitiam is a calm place to relax and share stories.”
It is also a place of familiarity — where children remember visiting with their parents for meals, or a spot forever tied to memories of favourite Malaysian dishes. Lau is confident that the kopitiam culture will always have a place in Malaysian hearts.
“Although our brand is still young and growing, we see this as a chance to grow together as a community and learn from one another.”
So whether it’s coffee and toast, or the three-layer Teh C Peng and nasi lemak, the kopitiam culture is undoubtedly here to stay — to capture laughter and memories over food.
