restaurant review

Light Cafe is a hidden gem I could not wait to discover. Launched in 2019, this family business is essentially run by three people: Jason, the young and dynamic owner is the ultimate entrepreneur, balancing the managerial, accounting side, and maintenance of the cafe. Talk about multi-tasking! Jason’s sister is behind the brand’s social media accounts, and his mother is the sole cook, handling orders and pouring her heart into every recipe. An enterprising family at its best! When asked if they were considering a possible expansion, Jason stated that it would be challenging, as his mother would have to cook for both places, thus doubling her workload. In the case of having to hire other chefs, she would need to trust them enough to share her family’s recipes with them, which goes to show how much each meal means to her. Formerly a jewellery shop, Jason’s mother had the idea of turning it into a cafe after a series of burglaries. Situated at the Ground Floor of Asia City –not a particularly busy area – this homely area comes as a wonderful surprise for somebody walking by. Its charm is unique to small places, a lovely change from the charged atmosphere of trendy spots.

I was warmly welcomed by Jason with a delicious rose coffee. The first thing one notices upon arriving at Light Cafe is a simple black and white sign of the name “Light Cafe”, adorned with a lamp in the place of the “i” letter and “来客” written inside of it. My first question was the meaning of the Chinese signs. Jason informed me that it was a clever play on words: “来客” means “visitor” and is pronounced “Láikè”, phonetically like “Light”.

Although cosy with its wallpaper in warm and wooden tones, the mirrors on some of the walls – a remnant of the old jewellery shop – make the room seem more spacious. However, the seating arrangement is what made this place unlike any other I had been to: it is the first double-deck sitting cafe in the city of KK, with the hardwood tables and benches superposed, with clients accessing the upper tables using a ladder. Such a productive and innovative use of space! The colour scheme matches nicely, with consistent touches of browns and greens, reminiscent of a secret garden. When I asked Jason about the inspiration for the decor, he told me that there was not a particular theme: “My father sometimes comes in and brings items to include” was his simple reply. So far, this method seems to be a success.

We were served with four dishes, three of them including a side of white rice, and each one equally generous in portion. We started off with the cafe’s speciality, the herbal chicken soup. It’s not hard to see why: the meat readily comes off the drumstick and is chewy without being elastic-like. It is the perfect choice for healthy eaters, as it is a great protein source marinating in herbs which can help to alleviate the “chills” in the body, according to Chinese medicine. Simple yet flawlessly done; a definite highlight.

Next up was a traditional Indian dish and a personal favourite of mine: roti canai with chicken curry. Serving a well-known and widely beloved dish is a tough task, as it must rise to expectations, and this roti canai certainly rose to mine. The flatbread has a wonderful consistency, both firm and easy to bite into. One thing I noted was that it was not engorged with oil, a common mistake I tend to see in other restaurants. The chicken was bathed in a thick curry sauce which was just the right amount of spicy and balanced well with the flatbread. While presenting the dish, Jason assured us that the roti had not been cooked using hands (the usual method) to ensure maximum hygiene.

For lamb lovers, I highly recommend the lamb stew, which judging from the comments around the table, was the overall winner of the day. The meat was succulent, moist, and practically melts in the mouth. It was marinated in a tasty broth and accompanied by boiled carrots. Overall, the delicious merging of parsley, chives, thyme, meat, and vegetables made for a real treat, and certainly one you should try!

The menu also offers desserts such as the Longan and Snow Fungus Dessert Soup, the Pandan Leaf Coconut Milk Green Bean Soup, and the Black Glutinous Rice & Red Bean Soup, all which are a filling and complimentary addition to any meal you choose to order.

With the cafe’s humble and comfy vibes, it would be easy to predict for it to remain a hidden gem for years to come. But I have a healthy suspicion that its food quality, affordable prices, and unique decor will rapidly see this place rise to become one of KK’s most popular food spots.

Location: No. G75, Ground floor, Phase 11A, Asia City, KK City

Opening hours: 10AM-6PM (closed on Sunday)

Call/WhatsApp: +6016 831 6585

Instagram: @lightcafekk

Facebook: Light Cafe KK

by Lisa Aveline