Malaysia’s First Military Concept TOKB Café

Have your craze for Descendants of the Sun died down? If not, you must visit this cafe! Malaysia’s first Military Concept Cafe. That aside, the food really is from Kota Bharu, TOKB being for Taste of Kota Bharu, so if you are missing that hometown taste, that’s another reason to stop by this cafe because it’s authentic as it can get.

Located in Avenue D’ Vogue, TOKB just opened its doors to diners end of last month and we were there to savour some of their signature dishes. However, first, let me show you around the cafe because the deco is just superb. When it comes to concept, they nailed it for sure.

Spanning over 6000 sq ft, the café has a semi-outdoor area for alfresco dining, an indoor air-conditioned area and a cosy mezzanine floor, all in all seating around 100 diners comfortably. And for private functions, the area can be further extended to accommodate up to 300 pax!

We noticed lots of big bikes hanging around, they are mostly Japanese and American replicas and some are actually real momentos.

Why Jap and Americans? Well, it’s due to the history behind this café which literally got its beginnings from ‘history’. “On 8 December 1941, Kota Bharu was invaded by the Japanese. Unbeknown to most, the infamous attack on Pearl Harbour only took place 70 minutes later, and World War II was declared.

This point is left our in many history books and we feel that TOKB Café provides an opportunity to learn more about the major role Kota Bharu played in the early years.” said Bernard Tung, Director of TOKB Café. This place is really like part café and part viewing gallery with various wartime memorabilia.

This area looks somewhat like a jail cell or a punishment area.

The cafe also features an upstairs dining area, great for friends catching up and hanging out over some nice drinks.

A view from the top.

NOW TO THE FOOD!

TOKB Café focuses on serving authentic Kelantanese fare such as Nasi Kerabu, Nasi Dagang, Laksam, Nasi Rocket (Nasi Tumpang), and Teh Atom (Teh Tarik Madu) flanked by Japanese and Western tidbits like Edamame and Smoked Salmon canapes, demonstrating the presence of the two ruling parties who may have introduced their flavours to Malaya, however, they did not affect the original tastes of Kota Bharu.

There are many types of drinks to satisfy coffee lovers and there’s even a matcha latte on the menu, but what’s popular is the Teh Atom (RM9.00). It’s teh tarik with honey that’s literally exploding out of the huge mug, guaranteed to keep you awake for hours. The Milo Ice (RM8.90) also looks good and the Kopi O Ice (RM5.50) is quite mild compared to local coffee shops.

We were first served some keropok ikan (RM4.00) first as appetiser, even the napkin used is military themed.

First up, Nasi Kerabu (RM17.90) , that famous blue rice dish with raw vege, salted egg and fried chicken (ayam goreng berempah) accompanied by budu and sambal. Mix up the rice and vege and the sauces together to create a fragrant and spicy tangy taste that is one of a kind.

I’ve always loved nasi kerabu and really liked the authentic version here that is less spicy than usual which I like as I can’t take much spicy food at all.

This one is real special, first time I see a rice dish like this, it is called Nasi Rocket RM15.90. You can see the long looking rice, it’s actually fragrant white rice wrapped in banana leaf, layered with gulai ikan tongkol, gulai udang and with an option of beef or fish serunding. The one I had was the beef version, and the beef was a little like meat floss. It’s served with protein goodness fried chicken, keropok ikan and cucumber slices. Did you know, this is a traditional Kota Bharu breakfast that was once a convenient pick and go meal for farmers, fishermen and workers; the multi-tiered rice can be held and eaten just like that while on the go, very smart idea eh.

Laksam is actually known as Laksa of Kelantan, a white one. It’s made of Rice rolls in creamy white fish and coconut gravy served with aromatic herbs, vegetables and sambal. I love the combination a lot, there’s a twist of spiciness from the sambal and the fish is super soft and delicious.

Next we ate a few dishes with Nasi Dagang, a large basket of rice for sharing with the many spiced dishes. tried the Ikan Patin Masak Tempoyak (RM16.90), another specialty Kota Bharu dish. I always have a love for fish and ikan patin is a fav as it is soft and juicy and sweet.

Gulai Udang (RM14.90) : I found the prawns a little small but maybe that was how they were back in the days traditionally.

Ayam Masak Merah (RM11.90) is spicy and sweet, a simple dish yet something that needs skills passed down from generations to make it perfect.

Ikan Keli Paprik (RM12.90) : Ikan keli is another delicious fish whichever way cooked, but this way it’s bursting with taste from the daun limau, really a great option for the nasi dagang dishes.

All in all, the food is great and will be memorable for Kelantan folks while the cafe is modern and a great hangout for work or with buddies as there are many corners with plug points that the young and hippy crowd that work anywhere can utilise. The standout point will be the drinks are good and not pricey compared to coffee joints and owners Lee and Tung won’t mind if you hang out there all day. Parking wise is also easy there, there are lots of space in the basement and some reserved for diners on the ground floor too.

Fans of the café can opt to join the Loyalty programme which will see them accorded with their very own engraved military ‘dog tag’ bearing their key personal details and ranking from Sergeant to General, depicting their discount entitlement beginning from 8% all the way up to 22%!

Can bring the kids here too as they really get mesmerized by the military collections.

The café is open for dining from 12:00pm to 9:00pm daily with take-out options. Delivery services are not yet available but will be in the near future.

John with the young founders, L-R Bernard Tung and Lucas Lee

For more information about our TOKB Café or to make a dining reservation, please email tokbcafe@gmail.com or visit them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tokbcafe/