Our HistoryFour generations of the Wong family
First generationSin Yoon Loong Kopitiam was founded by Wong Bao Ting, a Hainanese immigrant from China, alongside his brother Wong Bao Chao, in colonial Malaya — a modest kopitiam catering to the local community.
Second generationWong Thin Choong defied family objections at 19 to seek his fortune in Malaya. A clerk at a tin mining company, he also helped his uncle at the kopitiam, and eventually took over its management — under his stewardship the kopitiam flourished.
Third generationAfter retirement, the reins passed to the third generation of brothers, who have since steered and nurtured the family business.
TodayA cherished symbol of resilience and heritage for nearly a century, recorded by the fourth generation.
The Secret of the Burlap SackHow “white coffee” got its name
Located in the bustling Old Town of Ipoh, Sin Yoon Loong saw high demand and chose to buy unroasted coffee beans and roast them using traditional techniques. One day, customers chatting over kopi noticed a torn sack of beans spilling onto the floor. Having never seen unroasted beans before, they believed these lighter-coloured beans were the legendary “white coffee” — a tale that spread by word of mouth and remains popular to this day.
Ipoh Old Town — photo from the kopitiam's current website