[Bangkok, Thailand] 𝗘𝗶𝗮𝗵-𝗦𝗮𝗲 (เอี๊ยะแซ), the 88-year-old traditional Hainanese coffeeshop, Yaowarat

Eiah-Sae (Est. 1928) on Thanon Phat Sai, off Thanon Yaowarat (Bangkok Chinatown) is perhaps one of the last two traditional coffee-shops in town. It’s a rather dingy, if atmospheric, spot patronised mainly by older Teochew-Chinese men - tradesmen, writers, local politicians, teachers, retirees, restaurateurs, people from all walks of life in Bangkok Chinatown, Samphaeng.

The signboard at the front entrance bears the name “Eiah-Sae”, inscribed in Thai but meaning “Fortune Incoming”, a Teochew-Chinese term. Below it, also in Thai, is inscribed “Freshly-brewed daily”, whereas the Thai inscription on the top-right corner of the board states “60 years of good coffee” . The board was put up in 1988.

Offerings are the typical Hainanese kopitiam fare such as those served in many Singaporean and Malaysian traditional Hainanese cafes: thickly-sliced, toasted white bread, slathered with margarine and either sprinkles of white sugar or a thick drizzle of sweetened condensed milk, or that favourite Hainanese egg-jam spread - ‘sangkaya’. Eiah-Sae does all of these very well.

One can also order soft-boiled eggs (‘kai luek’)

It also offers the traditional Hainanese hot beverage called “nor kao” in Thai - a mix of coffee and tea (in Singapore or Malaysia, this is called a “cham”).

Eiah-Sae is a short distance up the street from the Hakka Association along Thanon Phat Sai, and is hard to miss since it’ll always be full of customers, mostly elderly Teochew-Chinese men.

Address
Eiah-Sae
103-105 Thanon Phat Sai, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100
Tel: 02 221 0549
Opening hours: 4am-9.30pm

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The current owner, Prinya Thongwiriyakun, is the 4th-generation of the family which started the coffeeshop and currently manages it.

A walk down Thanon Phat Sai will bring you to the Hakka Association. The Hakkas, known among Thais as “Khae” (not “Kek” which the Thais call Indians or anyone from South Asia) have been coming to Thailand since the 1840s.

Walk further down Thanon Phat Sai and you’ll come across the triumvirate of 3 oldest Taechew-Chinese restaurants in Bangkok (all over 80 years old, and all good!): Sin Kwang Meng, Jim Jim and Tang Jai Yoo:

  1. Sin Kwang Meng Restaurant
    4-8 Thanon Phatsai, near intersection with Soi Yaowaphanit
    Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100
    Thailand
    Tel: +66(0)2-2242201/2242170

  2. Jim Jim Restaurant (some locals pronounce it Yim Yim)
    89 Soi Yaowaphanit, off Thanon Yaowarat
    Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100
    Thailand
    Tel: +66(0)2-224 2203/224 2205

  3. Tang Jai Yoo Restaurant
    85-87 Soi Yaowaphanit, off Thanon Yaowarat
    Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100
    Thailand
    Tel: +66 (0) 2224 2167/+66 (0) 81753 0100
    Nearest MRT: Hua Lamphong

Tang Jai Yoo got the attention of international/travelling foodies when Anthony Bourdain had its roast suckling pig and declared it on his No Reservations programme as the best he’d ever eaten. Bangkokians, of course, would know that Sin Kwang Meng just around the corner does an even better version. But we’re not telling, of course. :joy: :joy: :joy:

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Eiah-Sae’s 4th-generation owner, Khun Prinya Thongwiriyakun explained how his great-grandfather used to sell coffee from a pushcart in the streets of Samphaeng. The patriarch had 5 children - 2 sons & 3 daughters. Both sons subsequently took over the father’s trade - the elder son opened Eiah-Sae whilst his younger brother opened Ek Teng Phu Ki ([Bangkok] Traditional coffee at Ek Teng Phu Ki (เอ็กเต็งผู่กี่)).

Of the two, Eiah-Sae was more popular and it became a meeting place for the Chinese tradesmen in Chinatown - so much so that if anyone wants to hire a chef or waiter, or look for a wedding caterer, one only needed to go down to Eiah-Sae and ask around.

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Back again to Eiah-Sae yesterday for a morning cuppa and some toasts. We had two types of toasts - left: Namprik pao moo yong (chili paste & pork floss) toast and sangkaya (egg-coconut milk jam) toast.

Coffee is served Hainanese -style, pre-sweetened - it’s thick & aromatic.

To complete my traditional Hainanese breakfast set, I also ordered the soft-boiled eggs (kai luek), cracked unceremoniously into a cup here. Good for dipping one’s toast into, eggs-and-soldiers-style. Light soysauce and white pepper are provided on the side for the eggs.

Always a pleasure to start one’s morning here before exploring Bangkok’s busy, teeming Chinatown.

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Thanks for sharing, @klyeoh!

So atmospheric - reminiscent of the Irani cafes of Bombay.

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We actually planned a trip to Mumbai for June last year, and I’d already prepared a list of all the Irani cafes in town that we wanted to cover.

Then, COVID hit.

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One day soon…

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