The Ultimate Kelantan Food Hunt

After going on a few trips to Kota Bharu and posting quite a number of food photos on Instagram and Facebook, I decided to compile a list of ultimate food hunt in Kelantan.  The best and only way to hunt for these authentic meals is with a local. They know all the hidden and everyday spots with the best food. These are also places that I have personally tried and tested, to share with all of you who plans on visiting this charming state.

It is quite easy to see why Kelantan has such good taste in their food as the cooking is still as authentic as how their mothers or grandmothers used to cook them. Most of these places have been around for quite some time while there are one or two new restaurants that is included in the list. Hope you enjoy it and do try out the street food and local delights if you’re ever in Kota Bharu.

Kedai Kopi Pok Loh Milo Tonggeng

This humble stall pulls in a big breakfast crowd, serving local favourites such as Nasi Dagang Ikan, Himpit Satay, Nasi Ayam Gulai, Nasi Kerabu Ayam Bakar at prices as low as RM 1.00 a packet. There weren’t that many seats, therefore the easy way to do this is to choose the food, order drinks and sit at the island area which faces the counter activity. Food served in packets are normal here in Kota Bharu and it makes for convenient eating experience for both customers and sellers. Once you’re done, you can chuck the paper wrap into the dustbin, pass the used utensils and glasses to the stall owners, and be on your way.

But before you do that, don’t forget to order the main attraction from this stall which is the Milo Tonggeng drink. Watch them prepare this special drink as the Milo is knocked directly from the tin, giving it a powdery chocolate top. I love that it’s ‘kau’ (thick) and crunchy in taste. This is definitely the OG of Milo Dinosaurs everywhere.

Address: 110, Jalan Dusun 2, Kampung Dusun, 15200 Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Opening Hours: 6:30 am – 4:00 pm, closes on Friday

 

 

Kedai Kopi White House

I often confuse the name of White House Coffee with White Castle, for no reason. It made my friends sigh in exasperation whenever I tell them that we should try to visit this popular coffee spot in Kota Bharu. The one thing you need to know about White House is that their opening hours is hard to predict. We’ve personally been to Kota Bharu a few times and only managed to visit the coffee house twice.

If you happen to drive back during the day or night and see that it’s opened, my advice is to get in and order without having second thoughts. Their popular item on the menu is the oven baked roti bakar (toasted bread) with butter and jam, coupled with perfect half cooked eggs. Their signature coffee with milk is dark but not bitter in taste. It’s probably one of my favourites to drink in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

Address: 1329-L, Jalan Sultanah Zainab, 15050, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, 15050
Opening Hours: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm, 9:00 pm – 1:00 am; closes on Thursdays)

 

Kopitiam Kita

The restaurant name is so friendly that you feel as though the place does belong to you and everyone else. This place is well known to the locals for its’ roti titab, which is toasted bread that comes with a dollop of kaya and an egg. Personally I’ve never tasted anything like it but I loved it nevertheless. Besides that, it is the only restaurant which houses all the popular dishes available Kelantan.

The concept is indeed clever because it makes it easier for them to maintain the restaurant as they only needed to prepare drinks and roti menu for breakfast while the rest can be taken for the shelf and eaten right away. From the wall of fame, you can see that many celebrities and politicians have also made their way to Kopitiam Kita for their food menu.