4/1/2025
The concept of a power spot exists in Japanese. It refers to spiritual places where you feel at one with the surroundings. Something about the calmness and tranquility that makes you recharge your batteries.
It may seem strange to say this, but my power spot is this coffee stall at Blk 91 Whampoa Market. I’m not kidding. I delayed my breakfast for an hour so that I could consume food at Whampoa Market. Which is an amazing feat given how hangry I easily become. Anyway, I was delighted to buy my kopi o kosong (black coffee) from the uncle. I put two fifty-cent coins on his territory, thinking that he would accept my ten-cent tip out of convenience.
If you find it incredulous, I took a picture of the menu. Yes, kopi o kosong costs a mind-blowing 90 cents here. He resolutely returned me 10 cents and went about his business.
It was my first day of work in this new year. Uncle obviously has a very strong will and conviction. I hope to develop my steely conviction and live life according to my rules - even more this year.
90 cents for caffeine and spiritual energy. Thank you, Uncle.
27/10/2024
Last week was a hectic week, but ironically I had the time to sip my morning coffee at 0103 Coffee Stall at Blk 91 Whampoa Market.
The kopi o kosong (black coffee) still remained a shockingly and disturbingly low 90 cents. Idk about your area but the coffee shop nearest my house recently raised its price to $1.50 in a wth moment.
Being straightforward, I told the hunchbacked old man that he shouldn’t keep his coffee prices so low. He just smiled at me and went back to his business.
Subsequently, I discovered two things that made me even more thrilled at spending the 90 cents. First, I admired at the beautifully embossed glass - so refreshing from the non-descript cups we have come to expect. Second, I was touched by the bent spoon. It was a small gesture but the fact that the owner had thought of it says very much about his commitment towards service excellence. It was a hearty drink, for sure. Both my palate and heart were filled.
I hope Uncle manages to remain this unapologetically based.
19/06/24
今天，我在Blk 91 Whampoa Market 吃早餐，从0103咖啡茶室买一杯Kopi kosong。顾客很多，所以老夫妇忙得不可开交。老板娘跟顾客很熟，直接叫他们的名字，有时还亲自端上咖啡。老板娘抱歉地告诉我说得等一等，我说那我先去吃carrot cake。老板娘说没问题，接着也帮我送咖啡。咖啡只算90毛钱。天啊❗️在这物价暴涨的年代还坚持卖这么便宜！我给老板娘一块，说不用找钱了啊。老板娘不肯，说这是老板坚持这样卖。
其实，在步伐紧促的新加坡，还能找得到窝心的人情味。喝了杯洋溢着热情的咖啡，吸收的正能量不止90毛钱。
At #01-03 Whampoa Market, I observed a hunchbacked elderly man painstakingly making coffee. A lady, who presumably is his wife, was busy calling their customers by name and even serving them their orders at times. When she served me my coffee, I was shocked to learn that my Kopi o kosong cost a mere 90 cents. I wanted to pay $1 because I would still feel that I had gotten a sweet deal, given that I’m used to paying $1.20-1.70 for my coffee these days. She declined, saying that that was her husband’s operating philosophy.
This prompted me to post this in halting Chinese and hopefully more readable English because I think their exemplary service should be made known to others. Hopefully, more people will patronise their stall so that they won’t have to worry about making a living.
