It’s not every day you find a cheap coffee shop in the bustling city center. If you’re looking for vegetarian or vegan options, the chances of finding such a place are slim. That is, until vegan cafe Minf Houze opened in 2019 at Cosway Guesthouse.
“Being a vegetarian myself, I love cooking and sharing my food with family and friends,” owner Kelvin Goh, 45, told FMT Lifestyle.Goh said he turned to a vegetarian diet at the age of 17 for health reasons. He said that he was often sick and tired, unlike his vegetarian friend who was in good health and always optimistic. As expected, his decision was met with skepticism from his family who feared that a diet without meat would make him stronger. “I’m not going to lie, though, it’s hard for me to get used to new food.”
But that was a few years ago, when he turned 38, Goh took the plunge and switched to veganism, giving up dairy and eggs. The main item on the menu is the Malaysian dish, nasi lemak. Goh’s vegan version features sambal that is not spicy and has a touch of sweetness. When you are served with rich santan rice, crunchy peanuts and poisonous mushrooms, you will have a complete meal.
With a passion for cooking for a long time, this former computer scientist ensures that all meals are cooked on site using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. This includes tofu skin, or fuchuk, a staple in many vegetarian and vegan meals. The Hainanese rice is also memorable. Goh’s homemade hot tofu with a smooth texture, elevates the dish to another level. It is served with broccoli and cucumber.
Don’t want rice? So opt for homemade ramen curry. Little pepper, it is the richness of the dish that is the real winner here. But if you’re looking for a snack, vegan satay is your best bet. Although these skewers are fragrant and delicious on their own, the accompanying peanut sauce makes them a winning combination.
