I was driving past the undermined commercial area of Sengkurong during one of my nonchalant lunch breaks. I had my 'tapau' food (it was a Friday, mind you). As I was doing one a confusing maneuver on the jagged paved roads, I stopped my car to have a second look. Outside were a few by standers sitting around a Kopitiam table and ..a distinct smell of roasted coffee?

Brought up in a Kopitiam culture, the love for coffee runs in my veins – I have what I would proclaim as caffeine radar. I know my coffee and traveled for the sake of coffee. I tend to get political with my coffee especially with the whole consumerism and politics behind what goes in the process of making coffee.  A crowd gathered around the table taking photos of what appeared to be a live coffee drip demonstration - almost like a fascination, well dressed uncles in their tucked shirt and their smart phones attempting to take photos with the best angle. Interesting - I thought, and worth sacrificing my lunch 'break' for.

I was warmly welcomed by the crowd and the owner introduced himself and his family. The man behind the small coffee drip was grinding fresh coffee beans to obtain fresh coffee powder. Here smell this one - fresh. I prefer mine non citrusy. Brown sugar and condensed milk please.

They say good coffee stimulates good conversations. We cry over coffee, we think over coffee and most lucky ones fall in love over coffee.

 Not sure if it was the caffeine buzz or the overwhelming chatters of the crowd, I had an interesting conversation with the co-owner, Theresa. Of Vietnamese origin, she told me that they are one of the biggest importers of coffee in the world. She has also a noticed a trend on how Bruneians love their coffee and the growing coffee culture in Brunei.

Apart from coffee, they also serve Vietnamese desserts - both hot and cold and also the famous Vietnamese BBQ bread. Theresa mentioned that they will be introducing new dishes every day. She believes in giving the best and reasonable prices such as their $1 drinks and also free delivery for orders above $20.

Ending my day on a Friday in hope for a great weekend ahead, I’d say it has been a productive day thanks to the coffee and the good vibes!

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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