Kaya Butter Toast Set ($4.30) from Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee at Amoy Street Food Centre.
It is as authentic as its signboard says, as the owner was from Hainan Island and set up his original stall at Lau Pa Sat in 1964, before relocating to its current location in 1997. Still preparing their food with the same techniques, I had to visit them to enjoy it, along with a taste of history.
Toast: 7/10. Serving brown bread from a baker they sourced and bought from through all these years, these were prepared using the traditional method of toasting on charcoal. The result was a slightly charred exterior with a mild crisp and hint of smokiness. I expected more crunch because the toast was quite thin, but it was still pretty enjoyable
Kaya & Butter: 7/10. There was quite a generous slather of their homemade kaya in between the toasts, which had a nice pandan and egg flavour. Although it was good that it was not very sweet, I would have preferred it if it were more aromatic. Few thick slabs of butter made sure its mild saltiness was enjoyed throughout, pairing well with the aforementioned sweetness and bitterness
Overall: 7/10. The toasts had a good balanced taste and texture, though a bolder flavour would have made it more flavourful to go with the eggs and strong coffee. As a Hainan person, having the privilege to savour a piece of my history was heartwarming. Food is a pathway to reconnect, and I look forward to uncovering more of such places.
The prices and opening hours may vary.
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