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Early Mornings at the Laksa Cafe
A mouthwatering and uplifting story about honouring tradition and finding your own way in life, set in family-run restaurants between Malaysia and Hong Kong
‘Deeply comforting and nourishing' SAMUEL BURR, author of The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers
‘A delicious read with lots of heart' SHANNA TAN, translator of Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop
Every morning before sunrise, Lim Ah Hock opens the shutters of his small kitchen on Carpenter Street, lights an incense stick and prepares the best laksa soup in all of Kuching. According to Lim family legend, the laksa’s secret ingredient – their ancestral broth – was gifted to them by a deity, who promised the family prosperity as long as the broth is passed down through the generations.
But Ah Hock is aging, and the broth’s quality is fading. His only son, Wei Ming, has no interest in the family business, having spent eight years in Hong Kong trying to prove himself as a chef. Now, he's struggling with gambling debts, embroiled in a love triangle, and the restaurant he's been left to run has lost its Global Restaurants Guild star.
Invited home to Malaysia for his father's 60th birthday, Wei Ming sees a chance to escape his troubles. But when old conflicts resurface and a local businessman threatens to destroy the family legacy, father and son are forced to ask themselves what truly matters.
Readers love Early Mornings at the Laksa Cafe
'A delicious read'
'Warm and emotionally honest...a very comforting book'
'A delightful read for anyone who loves food-centred narratives, stories about family dynamics’
‘Beautifully captures the idea that love doesn’t always need to be spoken – sometimes, it’s served in a bowl of food'
'This book truly stands out'
'Addictive, thoughtful, and beautifully written... It lingers long after the final page, much like the memory of a meal shared at dawn'
‘Deeply comforting and nourishing' SAMUEL BURR, author of The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers
‘A delicious read with lots of heart' SHANNA TAN, translator of Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop
Every morning before sunrise, Lim Ah Hock opens the shutters of his small kitchen on Carpenter Street, lights an incense stick and prepares the best laksa soup in all of Kuching. According to Lim family legend, the laksa’s secret ingredient – their ancestral broth – was gifted to them by a deity, who promised the family prosperity as long as the broth is passed down through the generations.
But Ah Hock is aging, and the broth’s quality is fading. His only son, Wei Ming, has no interest in the family business, having spent eight years in Hong Kong trying to prove himself as a chef. Now, he's struggling with gambling debts, embroiled in a love triangle, and the restaurant he's been left to run has lost its Global Restaurants Guild star.
Invited home to Malaysia for his father's 60th birthday, Wei Ming sees a chance to escape his troubles. But when old conflicts resurface and a local businessman threatens to destroy the family legacy, father and son are forced to ask themselves what truly matters.
Readers love Early Mornings at the Laksa Cafe
'A delicious read'
'Warm and emotionally honest...a very comforting book'
'A delightful read for anyone who loves food-centred narratives, stories about family dynamics’
‘Beautifully captures the idea that love doesn’t always need to be spoken – sometimes, it’s served in a bowl of food'
'This book truly stands out'
'Addictive, thoughtful, and beautifully written... It lingers long after the final page, much like the memory of a meal shared at dawn'
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2026
28 people are currently reading
683 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 18, 2025
I normally race through every book that I read, but this one really made me slow down and devour every word. Living in Malaysia, I do enjoy reading books by Malaysian authors and this debut novel is really something special. The characters were complex and authentic- the relationship between the traditional, stubborn father Ah Hock and his slightly self-centred, impulsive, prodigal son Wei Ming was at the centre of the book, supported by a cast of other believable characters. I liked the resolutely calm Sensei and deceptively friendly ‘baddie’ Towkay Lau.
The settings were beautifully described and I could really picture them in my mind’s eye. However, the star of the show was the food! I wouldn’t consider myself someone particularly interested in cooking, but the description of not only the ingredients, but also the cooking process made my mouth water (well, apart from the bits about pig’s trotters and intestines!)
This was a book about the pressure of finding the balance between living up to family expectations whilst achieving your own dreams. I often get frustrated by book endings, but this one left me feeling very satisfied. A brilliant read that I’d highly recommend.
I was pleased to read an advance copy of this novel and this is my honest review.
The settings were beautifully described and I could really picture them in my mind’s eye. However, the star of the show was the food! I wouldn’t consider myself someone particularly interested in cooking, but the description of not only the ingredients, but also the cooking process made my mouth water (well, apart from the bits about pig’s trotters and intestines!)
This was a book about the pressure of finding the balance between living up to family expectations whilst achieving your own dreams. I often get frustrated by book endings, but this one left me feeling very satisfied. A brilliant read that I’d highly recommend.
I was pleased to read an advance copy of this novel and this is my honest review.
September 7, 2025
Such a true delight to read! I poured over the words which lead me down a scenic path through Malaysia and a bit of Hong Kong, telling a story of family, tradition, friendships, yearning, dreams, perseverance, hard decisions, loyalty and of course luscious-sounding cuisine, its aroma rising and steaming, swirling around my head. This is a comforting read but also with elements of suspense and leaving me wondering how it would all end! But also not wanting it to end as I was enjoying being a part of Ah Hock and Wei Ming’s world. I also loved the brother/sister characters of Dennis and Alice! And oh my gosh I wish I could meet Sensai!
Although I’ve lived in Malaysia for 6 years, I feel this book taught me a lot about the country’s traditions and culture. I’m also now sort of grieving the fact that I have mostly continued eating western cuisine since I’ve been here, and now can’t wait to find out what I’ve been missing! I now will be hunting for that perfectly balanced laksa!
I’m so grateful to have received an advanced copy of this debut novel and am excited to see what Tay has in store next!!
Although I’ve lived in Malaysia for 6 years, I feel this book taught me a lot about the country’s traditions and culture. I’m also now sort of grieving the fact that I have mostly continued eating western cuisine since I’ve been here, and now can’t wait to find out what I’ve been missing! I now will be hunting for that perfectly balanced laksa!
I’m so grateful to have received an advanced copy of this debut novel and am excited to see what Tay has in store next!!
October 8, 2025
I’ve always wished for a Malaysian novel just like this, and here it is!
I enjoyed this read so much. It is so beautifully crafted and I thought the intersection between themes of family, food and place is just as balanced as that perfect bowl of laksa that I now can’t get off my mind. The characters really endeared, and at the end I really wanted to meet every one of them!
I’ve had the privilege of walking down Carpenter Street some years back and I think Janet has really captured the charm of this street and infused it with life and imagination. What would it look like if it retained the stories of the past and of tradition, while welcoming innovation and reimagining?
During that same trip to Kuching I had enjoyed not just my favourite version of laksa, but thought the general quality of hawker food was stellar. We owe so much of our culinary heritage to the humble hawker, who operated out of tiny workspaces, serving up the same dish over and over, day after day, through sheer hard work. I just really appreciated how their story is told through Ah Hock’s story, and I hope these dishes live on like in Wei Ming’s story.
While this was a cozy read, it had me turning pages in anticipation, and I could come right back into the story even after a million interruptions by my toddler. It had me hungry, moved me to tears and *maybe* even inspired me to consider starting a perpetual broth.
Grateful to have read an advanced copy of this novel, and I can’t wait to press this novel into the hands of all my food lover reading friends!!
January 25, 2026
Early Mornings at the Laksa Cafe was an absolute DELIGHT. A gorgeous novel about traditional values, familial relationships and making your own path, set between Malaysia and Hong Kong.
The star of the show? The food. Don’t recommend reading this on an empty stomach, ya girl is now hungry. The descriptions of the food were impressive.
I always enjoy learning new things about different cultures that I don’t necessarily know much about, and this was no exception! I also find it interesting reading about conflict within different cultures (this is definitely the psych student in me), and that made this all the more interesting to me.
The relationships were so well written. The very complex family dynamics were brilliantly done, and felt genuine. How the relationships all flowed to reach the ending felt very natural and the ending was just so lovely - not completely unrealistic either which was nice!
This was such a cosy, heartwarming story. I’ve never tried Laksa, but I really want to curl up with a bowl of it to try, and a re read of this book.
The star of the show? The food. Don’t recommend reading this on an empty stomach, ya girl is now hungry. The descriptions of the food were impressive.
I always enjoy learning new things about different cultures that I don’t necessarily know much about, and this was no exception! I also find it interesting reading about conflict within different cultures (this is definitely the psych student in me), and that made this all the more interesting to me.
The relationships were so well written. The very complex family dynamics were brilliantly done, and felt genuine. How the relationships all flowed to reach the ending felt very natural and the ending was just so lovely - not completely unrealistic either which was nice!
This was such a cosy, heartwarming story. I’ve never tried Laksa, but I really want to curl up with a bowl of it to try, and a re read of this book.
February 3, 2026
Early Mornings at the Laksa Cafe is not, as I had thought for some unknown reason, a sweet romance, but, you guessed it, a multi-generational family story about food. Set in Kuching in the 1990s, it follows the owner of a local kopitiam owner famous for his laksa, and his son who wants to spread his wings and become a famous sushi chef in Hong Kong.
I liked the cultural specificity and the strong sense of place in this novel. I also enjoyed everything to do with food - the father's and the son's discussions of the recipes they use, their different approaches to cooking and their thoughts on the philosophy of food.
The plot is very simple and cookie-cutter. I also found both the main characters quite annoying - the son, in particular, was really getting on my nerves. We are introduced to him as a gambler who owns money to his landlord and local crime gangs in Hong Kong and who steals money from his by all means caring and supportive employer who had given him a chance to become the chef he wanted to be. He also is shown to be a pretty mediocre cook (especially compared to his hardworking sort of girlfriend). He does not have any sort of a redemption arc and there is no reckoning in his story - he just feels bad about these things, and a positive outcome is handed to him on a plate without any atonement.
The book reminded me of Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson, but Early Mornings comes across as even more generic when it comes to the plot and the character development.
I liked the cultural specificity and the strong sense of place in this novel. I also enjoyed everything to do with food - the father's and the son's discussions of the recipes they use, their different approaches to cooking and their thoughts on the philosophy of food.
The plot is very simple and cookie-cutter. I also found both the main characters quite annoying - the son, in particular, was really getting on my nerves. We are introduced to him as a gambler who owns money to his landlord and local crime gangs in Hong Kong and who steals money from his by all means caring and supportive employer who had given him a chance to become the chef he wanted to be. He also is shown to be a pretty mediocre cook (especially compared to his hardworking sort of girlfriend). He does not have any sort of a redemption arc and there is no reckoning in his story - he just feels bad about these things, and a positive outcome is handed to him on a plate without any atonement.
The book reminded me of Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson, but Early Mornings comes across as even more generic when it comes to the plot and the character development.
November 19, 2025
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
“If cooking was his religion, then eating was his meditation.”
The book in a nutshell: Ah Hock is the epitical traditional Asian father, unyielding in his beliefs and deeply rooted in heritage. He runs a humble noodle shop, treasured for its legendary broth that has been passed down through generations and believed to be blessed by a deity. His son, Wei Ming, however, dreams of forging his own path and has no desire to inherit the family legacy. Will Ah Hock learn to loosen his grip on tradition and see things from his son’s perspective? And what fate awaits the magical broth that has defined their family for decades? That forms the rest of the plot.
I truly enjoyed reading this. It captures the atmosphere, flavours, and cultural subtlety of Asian family life so vividly that everything felt familiar. It even made me crave a comforting bowl of laksa while flipping through the pages.
I think the author did a great job in adding depth and emotional element to each of the characters. I initially abhorred Ah Hock and his stubborn and ways of dealing with things. Later on, we get to catch a glimpse why he ended up this way. Of all the characters, I think I empathise most with Kim Choo, his wife. The amount of sacrifices she made so that Ah Hock could have his life is just baffling.
It’s a fast paced book with some notable twists here and there. The descriptions are flavourful and mouth watering.
Overall, this is a delightful read for anyone who loves food-centred narratives, stories about family dynamics, or tales that gently explore generational conflict through a distinctly Asian lens. I would absolutely recommend it.
ARC copy gifted by Definitely Books #pansing.
“If cooking was his religion, then eating was his meditation.”
The book in a nutshell: Ah Hock is the epitical traditional Asian father, unyielding in his beliefs and deeply rooted in heritage. He runs a humble noodle shop, treasured for its legendary broth that has been passed down through generations and believed to be blessed by a deity. His son, Wei Ming, however, dreams of forging his own path and has no desire to inherit the family legacy. Will Ah Hock learn to loosen his grip on tradition and see things from his son’s perspective? And what fate awaits the magical broth that has defined their family for decades? That forms the rest of the plot.
I truly enjoyed reading this. It captures the atmosphere, flavours, and cultural subtlety of Asian family life so vividly that everything felt familiar. It even made me crave a comforting bowl of laksa while flipping through the pages.
I think the author did a great job in adding depth and emotional element to each of the characters. I initially abhorred Ah Hock and his stubborn and ways of dealing with things. Later on, we get to catch a glimpse why he ended up this way. Of all the characters, I think I empathise most with Kim Choo, his wife. The amount of sacrifices she made so that Ah Hock could have his life is just baffling.
It’s a fast paced book with some notable twists here and there. The descriptions are flavourful and mouth watering.
Overall, this is a delightful read for anyone who loves food-centred narratives, stories about family dynamics, or tales that gently explore generational conflict through a distinctly Asian lens. I would absolutely recommend it.
ARC copy gifted by Definitely Books #pansing.
February 22, 2026
I devoured this book. It looks understated from the cover but it's a bold book dealing with generational tension, the search for home, finding one's own path and lots of brilliant writing describing delicious food. It's cleverly written and there are real moments of suspense. It's very realistic and there is a fair balance between protagonists and antagonists. I will definitely be looking for more of this author's work when it's available.
April 20, 2026
Thank you to Definitely Books for the review copy!
📌 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑽𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Read this if you enjoy:
🍜 Contemporary fiction
🍜 Food heritage, Malaysia’s hawkey culture
🍜 Malaysian (specifically Sarawakian) representation
🍜 Father–son relationships & generational conflict
🍜 Quiet, reflective storytelling
🍜 Themes of home, belonging & returning
🍜 Immersive food descriptions that make you hungry
🍜 Nostalgic, comfort reads with emotional depth
📚 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
I think I chose the perfect time in my life to read Early Mornings at the Laksa Cafe, because I definitely ended up enjoying & loving it way more than I expected to! There’s a specific comfort with the focus on food heritage & familial connections that this story provided me this month and im genuinely so glad that the book lived up (and even surpassed) my expectations 🥺
Early Mornings at the Laksa Cafe follows Lim Ah Hock, an aging laksa chef whose family recipe, said to be blessed by a deity, is losing its magic. His estranged son, Wei Ming, a struggling chef in Hong Kong burdened by debt and personal issues, returns home for his father’s birthday hoping for a fresh start. As tensions resurface and an outsider threatens their restaurant’s future, both men must confront their differences and decide whether to continue preserving their family legacy or forge their own paths from now on.
I loved Janet Tay’s writing style, it was easy to follow through and there’s a tinge of nostalgia in every page that I could really feel as I read along. Personally I don't think i’ve had the chance to try Sarawak laksa yet but after reading this I literally cannot stop craving for it 🥲
The descriptions, especially when it came to the Ah Hock’s preparations techniques along with the love & passion for laksa was so strong in the novel, and it makes me so happy to see how Southeast asian cuisine can be portrayed so beautifully in a fiction novel.
I also thought the characterisation was intriguing too, especially for Ah Hock and Wei Ming. Wei Ming definitely got on my nerves several times for all his terrible life decisions and inability to see eye to eye with his family but overall, his imperfections and eventual change of heart was so heartening. As for Ah Hock, I was so worried that something bad was going to happen to him especially during the second half of the book but im beyond thankful that it was nothing major, especially since i grew to appreciate and respect him so much throughout the novel.
Overall, I loved how the book focused so much on Malaysia’s food heritage (primarily laksa though other dishes were featured as well) and the importance of preserving & safeguarding one’s traditional legacies in today’s evolving times. Personally I wouldn’t even classify this as cosy fiction (not the biggest fan of the genre tbh) because to me, the focus on familial connections, heritage and culture made it so much more touching & meaningful to me. If you ever get a chance to read this or you find yourself in the perfect mood for it, I highly recommend it! 🍜
📌 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑽𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Read this if you enjoy:
🍜 Contemporary fiction
🍜 Food heritage, Malaysia’s hawkey culture
🍜 Malaysian (specifically Sarawakian) representation
🍜 Father–son relationships & generational conflict
🍜 Quiet, reflective storytelling
🍜 Themes of home, belonging & returning
🍜 Immersive food descriptions that make you hungry
🍜 Nostalgic, comfort reads with emotional depth
📚 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
I think I chose the perfect time in my life to read Early Mornings at the Laksa Cafe, because I definitely ended up enjoying & loving it way more than I expected to! There’s a specific comfort with the focus on food heritage & familial connections that this story provided me this month and im genuinely so glad that the book lived up (and even surpassed) my expectations 🥺
Early Mornings at the Laksa Cafe follows Lim Ah Hock, an aging laksa chef whose family recipe, said to be blessed by a deity, is losing its magic. His estranged son, Wei Ming, a struggling chef in Hong Kong burdened by debt and personal issues, returns home for his father’s birthday hoping for a fresh start. As tensions resurface and an outsider threatens their restaurant’s future, both men must confront their differences and decide whether to continue preserving their family legacy or forge their own paths from now on.
I loved Janet Tay’s writing style, it was easy to follow through and there’s a tinge of nostalgia in every page that I could really feel as I read along. Personally I don't think i’ve had the chance to try Sarawak laksa yet but after reading this I literally cannot stop craving for it 🥲
The descriptions, especially when it came to the Ah Hock’s preparations techniques along with the love & passion for laksa was so strong in the novel, and it makes me so happy to see how Southeast asian cuisine can be portrayed so beautifully in a fiction novel.
I also thought the characterisation was intriguing too, especially for Ah Hock and Wei Ming. Wei Ming definitely got on my nerves several times for all his terrible life decisions and inability to see eye to eye with his family but overall, his imperfections and eventual change of heart was so heartening. As for Ah Hock, I was so worried that something bad was going to happen to him especially during the second half of the book but im beyond thankful that it was nothing major, especially since i grew to appreciate and respect him so much throughout the novel.
Overall, I loved how the book focused so much on Malaysia’s food heritage (primarily laksa though other dishes were featured as well) and the importance of preserving & safeguarding one’s traditional legacies in today’s evolving times. Personally I wouldn’t even classify this as cosy fiction (not the biggest fan of the genre tbh) because to me, the focus on familial connections, heritage and culture made it so much more touching & meaningful to me. If you ever get a chance to read this or you find yourself in the perfect mood for it, I highly recommend it! 🍜
April 18, 2026
The cover immediately caught my attention—and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a story full of Eastern atmosphere, complex relationships, and culinary delights.
The plot is told from the perspectives of a father and son. The father is strict, emotionally closed off, and devoted to tradition. The son—a dreamer and free spirit—returns from Hong Kong after years away to prove himself as a chef.
The characters are well-developed, and the multi-threaded plot is engaging, exploring universal family conflicts. Another strength is the vivid portrayal of Malaysian society, with its rich mix of cultures and flavors.
A fresh and distinctive novel compared to other Asian stories
The plot is told from the perspectives of a father and son. The father is strict, emotionally closed off, and devoted to tradition. The son—a dreamer and free spirit—returns from Hong Kong after years away to prove himself as a chef.
The characters are well-developed, and the multi-threaded plot is engaging, exploring universal family conflicts. Another strength is the vivid portrayal of Malaysian society, with its rich mix of cultures and flavors.
A fresh and distinctive novel compared to other Asian stories
January 23, 2026
Early Mornings at the Laksa Café was such a bittersweet and heartwarming read. It was like a hot comforting bowl of laksa wrapped around you 🥰 There is a feeling of nostalgia throughout the book that makes you slow down and savour every moment (I wish that was literally 🥲 the food sounds so good 🤤).
I particularly loved the development of Ah Hock and Wei Ming’s relationship throughout- it was so sweet and emotional. Their bond is a reminder that love can live through patience, listening and learning to see the world through someone else’s eyes.
On a side note, all the talk about the special laksa made me want to try it! It sounds delicious 🤭 Ah Hock and Wei Ming NEED to drop the recipe…
I particularly loved the development of Ah Hock and Wei Ming’s relationship throughout- it was so sweet and emotional. Their bond is a reminder that love can live through patience, listening and learning to see the world through someone else’s eyes.
On a side note, all the talk about the special laksa made me want to try it! It sounds delicious 🤭 Ah Hock and Wei Ming NEED to drop the recipe…
March 15, 2026
I love reading an author's love letter to her beloved homeland, together with the people, food, memories and scents that come with it.
I hope this kind of literary inspiration is never lost, and that I will always find books with the same spirit whenever I miss home.
I hope this kind of literary inspiration is never lost, and that I will always find books with the same spirit whenever I miss home.
Want to Read
June 3, 2025I AM SO SAT FOR THIS. KUCHING REP LETS GOOOOOOO. THIS IS WHY I WORK IN PUBLISHING.
March 20, 2026
Early Mornings at the Laksa Café
Author : Janet Tay
Lim Ah Hock together w/ his wife Lee Kim Choo, opened the rustling folding doors of their humble shophouse at six-thirty in the morning when Carpenter Street was still empty, preparing the tastiest laksa as Kuching's famous laksa master. The broth used as a base had been simmering on a clay charcoal stove for almost 60 years, its fire never extinguished in the decades it had existed. It had been bestowed upon an ancestor by a deity, so the legend was passed down for generations in the Lim family.
With Ah Hock soon turning 60 & the soup's quality continuing to falter, he tried to persuade his only son 35-year-old Lim Wei Ming, who had unfortunately no interest in the family business, since he left them 8 years ago to go to Hongkong & pursue his dreams of being a "real chef", as he called it. Due to his terrible gambling habits (even messing up the restaurant's accounts where he worked), he is piled up w/ debts, involved in a complicated romantic entanglement, & even Haruto the sushi restaurant where he worked at, has lost its prestigious award. (Global Restaurants Guild star)
Now faced w/ this dilemma, would Wei Ming be able to keep this divine promise?
This book is so close to my heart --- family relationships w/ their respective beliefs, cultures & traditions practiced for generations from the ancestors; w/ hard work & perseverance being carried out in order to honor the family legacy.
Unfortunately, there will always be conflicts & clashes here & there, w/c is the slice-of-life & realism that this novel points out. If it is not only within the Asian culture, I think every family knows & understands this & accepts this as a "normal" part of being a family.
This was a hard-to-put-it-down 36-chapter novel. I was absolutely engrossed, especially w/ the details of the food, making me even more curious as to how the actual Laksa tastes like!
This read was a definite rollercoaster ride full of emotions. This will definitely be a book I will reread again if I want a heartwarming, uplifting & memorable experience. It's making me homesick, letting me miss my hometown too much. 🥹
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
P.S.
Follow me for more book reviews on:
❥ Instagram @bookwormdenz
❥ Threads @denz.kaye
❥ Meta @bookworm.denz
❥ Goodreads @bookwormdenz
Author : Janet Tay
Lim Ah Hock together w/ his wife Lee Kim Choo, opened the rustling folding doors of their humble shophouse at six-thirty in the morning when Carpenter Street was still empty, preparing the tastiest laksa as Kuching's famous laksa master. The broth used as a base had been simmering on a clay charcoal stove for almost 60 years, its fire never extinguished in the decades it had existed. It had been bestowed upon an ancestor by a deity, so the legend was passed down for generations in the Lim family.
With Ah Hock soon turning 60 & the soup's quality continuing to falter, he tried to persuade his only son 35-year-old Lim Wei Ming, who had unfortunately no interest in the family business, since he left them 8 years ago to go to Hongkong & pursue his dreams of being a "real chef", as he called it. Due to his terrible gambling habits (even messing up the restaurant's accounts where he worked), he is piled up w/ debts, involved in a complicated romantic entanglement, & even Haruto the sushi restaurant where he worked at, has lost its prestigious award. (Global Restaurants Guild star)
Now faced w/ this dilemma, would Wei Ming be able to keep this divine promise?
This book is so close to my heart --- family relationships w/ their respective beliefs, cultures & traditions practiced for generations from the ancestors; w/ hard work & perseverance being carried out in order to honor the family legacy.
Unfortunately, there will always be conflicts & clashes here & there, w/c is the slice-of-life & realism that this novel points out. If it is not only within the Asian culture, I think every family knows & understands this & accepts this as a "normal" part of being a family.
This was a hard-to-put-it-down 36-chapter novel. I was absolutely engrossed, especially w/ the details of the food, making me even more curious as to how the actual Laksa tastes like!
This read was a definite rollercoaster ride full of emotions. This will definitely be a book I will reread again if I want a heartwarming, uplifting & memorable experience. It's making me homesick, letting me miss my hometown too much. 🥹
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
P.S.
Follow me for more book reviews on:
❥ Instagram @bookwormdenz
❥ Threads @denz.kaye
❥ Meta @bookworm.denz
❥ Goodreads @bookwormdenz
November 25, 2025
Reading this book made me so hungry. 😂 I literally wanted to eat everything it mentioned. Set between Kuching, Malaysia and Hong Kong, #EarlyMorningsAtTheLaksaCafe takes us through the story of Ah Hock and his son Wei Ming, who never seem to see eye to eye. Ah Hock, now almost 60, continues his late father Teck Boon’s legacy by running their laksa stall in a kopitiam, while Wei Ming wants to break away and work as an assistant chef at an omakase restaurant called Haruto in Hong Kong. But Wei Ming’s gambling habit and debts force him to return to Malaysia and leave his life in HK behind though fate clearly has other plans.
The 3️⃣ Things:
🍜𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒔𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒖𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆.🫕
With food as the main theme, Janet Tay really brings Asian dishes to life, especially Sarawak laksa. From the cooking terms to the differences in preparation styles, this book truly stands out, especially since food-themed novel by Malaysian authors isn’t something we see often.
🫵🏻 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒚.💰
Ah Hock and Wei Ming never get along. To Ah Hock, Wei Ming is too naive to understand life. To Wei Ming, his father is too stubborn and stuck in the past to improve things. Towkey Law takes advantage of their strained relationship by challenging Ah Hock with an outrageous bet that risks his laksa shop since Ah Hock doesn’t want to work with him. The drama really adds flavour to the whole story.
🏮𝑨 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏.🪭
I love how the book brings Carpenter Street community, feels like I’m living there too. Learning about Teochew opera, also the differences between Hokkien and Cantonese. Inamura-sensei’s kindness towards Wei Ming and how Kim Choo, as a mother and wife, quietly holds the family together, it’s just beautiful.
✍🏻: @janettaywriter
🖨️: @harvillbooks
📄: 348
⭐️: 4/5
It’s so rare to see local novel centred around food and cooking, and honestly, this book deserves a spot on your shelf. Congratulations Janet Tay for this debut. Thank you @izahisreading and @definitelybooks for the arc and for having me in the pre launch event.🫰🏻#parareads #pansing
The 3️⃣ Things:
🍜𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒔𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒖𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆.🫕
With food as the main theme, Janet Tay really brings Asian dishes to life, especially Sarawak laksa. From the cooking terms to the differences in preparation styles, this book truly stands out, especially since food-themed novel by Malaysian authors isn’t something we see often.
🫵🏻 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒚.💰
Ah Hock and Wei Ming never get along. To Ah Hock, Wei Ming is too naive to understand life. To Wei Ming, his father is too stubborn and stuck in the past to improve things. Towkey Law takes advantage of their strained relationship by challenging Ah Hock with an outrageous bet that risks his laksa shop since Ah Hock doesn’t want to work with him. The drama really adds flavour to the whole story.
🏮𝑨 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏.🪭
I love how the book brings Carpenter Street community, feels like I’m living there too. Learning about Teochew opera, also the differences between Hokkien and Cantonese. Inamura-sensei’s kindness towards Wei Ming and how Kim Choo, as a mother and wife, quietly holds the family together, it’s just beautiful.
✍🏻: @janettaywriter
🖨️: @harvillbooks
📄: 348
⭐️: 4/5
It’s so rare to see local novel centred around food and cooking, and honestly, this book deserves a spot on your shelf. Congratulations Janet Tay for this debut. Thank you @izahisreading and @definitelybooks for the arc and for having me in the pre launch event.🫰🏻#parareads #pansing
December 5, 2025
Lim Ah Hock is the owner of a small laksa shop where he serves the best laksa soup in Kuching, cooked to perfection with a secret ingredient — the broth, passed down from generation to generation and believed to be gifted by a deity. It’s Ah Hock’s legacy. He believes that keeping the ancestral broth simmer alive will keep the family safe and prosperous.
But now, both Ah Hock’s health and his broth are deteriorating. He’s frustrated with his only son, Wei Ming who chose to become a sushi chef in Hong Kong instead of continuing the family business. Little does he know, Wei Ming is drowning in his own problems abroad. When Wei Ming returns after eight years, tension and conflict rise as the father and son live under one roof again. Will they reconcile or will the distance between them only widen?
Reading this book is addictive. The author is masterful at describing mouth-watering cuisine, proving her meticulous research and making you hungry! She also weaves the plot skilfully, spreading little sparks of turmoil here and there, which eventually explode into a fire of unspoken anger and disappointment.
I often felt frustrated with both Ah Hock and Wei Ming. Ugh. One is too fixated on the past, while the other is too hungry for a future built on a blurry role model. In doing so, both jeopardise what they have — their talents, their abilities. And causing suffering to the mother caught in between.
My favourite character is Sensei, Wei Ming’s mentor in China. He acts as the moral compass in Wei Ming’s life, especially when Wei Ming is blinded by his desire for fame, sacrificing trust and whatever dignity he has left.
Thank you @definitelybooks and @izahisreading for this delicious read I truly treasure. 4/5 ⭐️ definitely recommended!
P.S. Reading this made me crave Laksa Sarawak, so today I cooked it for the first time! 🥰
March 24, 2026
Ah Hock is a laksa master in Kuching, Malaysia. With age catching on, he hopes to pass down his secret recipe and family business to his son, Wei Ming. But their strained relationship makes things tricky and Wei Ming would rather chase his own dream of becoming a chef in his own right. When Wei Ming eventually returns to Kuching from Hong Kong, father and son are forced to confront their differences and even as a businessman threatens to take over Ah Hock’s laksa business.
Warning: You might get really hungry reading this as Early Mornings at the Laksa Cafe story is such a feast for the senses 😌 I was transported to Kuching's famous Carpenter Street with its old shophouses, traditional eateries and nostalgic charm, where the aroma and taste of hawker food like laksa and kolo mee practically rose off the pages.
The cultural backdrop felt both fresh and familiar. Singapore and Malaysia share many similarities, so while the book whisked me to Kuching, it also carried a comforting sense of home. The characters themselves are relatable: Ah Hock, the grumpy hawker who’d rather turn you away than entertain too many customisations, yet underneath that sharp tongue lies a soft heart; and Wei Ming, torn between ambition and duty, wants to prove himself in the food world but wrestles with the weight and duty of being the only son.
Beyond the mouthwatering food and rich cultural setting, I also enjoyed the novel's deeper and relatable themes: the push-and-pull between ambition and family, the question of whether we’ll ever be “good enough”, and the ties that bind us even when we try to break free.
Warning: You might get really hungry reading this as Early Mornings at the Laksa Cafe story is such a feast for the senses 😌 I was transported to Kuching's famous Carpenter Street with its old shophouses, traditional eateries and nostalgic charm, where the aroma and taste of hawker food like laksa and kolo mee practically rose off the pages.
The cultural backdrop felt both fresh and familiar. Singapore and Malaysia share many similarities, so while the book whisked me to Kuching, it also carried a comforting sense of home. The characters themselves are relatable: Ah Hock, the grumpy hawker who’d rather turn you away than entertain too many customisations, yet underneath that sharp tongue lies a soft heart; and Wei Ming, torn between ambition and duty, wants to prove himself in the food world but wrestles with the weight and duty of being the only son.
Beyond the mouthwatering food and rich cultural setting, I also enjoyed the novel's deeper and relatable themes: the push-and-pull between ambition and family, the question of whether we’ll ever be “good enough”, and the ties that bind us even when we try to break free.
March 2, 2026
I love this book so much 🥹 congrats miss @janettaywriter for the debut! Im craving your next book, the same vibes of the food… please 😭
First time im trying Laksa Sarawak 5 years ago, when im working with my Sarawakian collague. She introduce me the laksa sarawak that i thought it is a mihun kari at first 😅
So, after im being a full housewife… honestly i havent craving laksa sarawak until i read this book. Luckily, there is a restaurant ata Negeri Sembilan (waze Kopi Tapok) that serve laksa sarawak and mee kolok too 😂
Okay, back to the story… i love family drama and the differences between two generation. Everyone has their struggle in life to gain trust in bussiness, same like Ah Hock and his son. His son has an own dream at Hong Kong and Ah Hock dream wanted his son to be his heir to continue his laksa sarawak’s bussiness.
Would they work together as a team at the end of the story? As we know, both of them had their own dream to chase. Will Ah Hock’s son will comeback to Penang from Hong Kong to continue his father’s bussiness?
Guys, please read this book. Seriously, i give it 5⭐️ as an honest review because im truly love the story! So i hope, you will enjoyed it too as much as i am. This book will make you craving of Laksa Sarawak either you had tried it or not before this.
First time im trying Laksa Sarawak 5 years ago, when im working with my Sarawakian collague. She introduce me the laksa sarawak that i thought it is a mihun kari at first 😅
So, after im being a full housewife… honestly i havent craving laksa sarawak until i read this book. Luckily, there is a restaurant ata Negeri Sembilan (waze Kopi Tapok) that serve laksa sarawak and mee kolok too 😂
Okay, back to the story… i love family drama and the differences between two generation. Everyone has their struggle in life to gain trust in bussiness, same like Ah Hock and his son. His son has an own dream at Hong Kong and Ah Hock dream wanted his son to be his heir to continue his laksa sarawak’s bussiness.
Would they work together as a team at the end of the story? As we know, both of them had their own dream to chase. Will Ah Hock’s son will comeback to Penang from Hong Kong to continue his father’s bussiness?
Guys, please read this book. Seriously, i give it 5⭐️ as an honest review because im truly love the story! So i hope, you will enjoyed it too as much as i am. This book will make you craving of Laksa Sarawak either you had tried it or not before this.
August 31, 2025
Have you ever struggled between choosing your own path or giving into the one your parents wanted you to follow? Well this book shows us that there’s a way to honour our past without letting it take over our lives.
Wei Ming is a young man who moved from Malaysia to Hong Kong to become a chef but his life is slowly unravelling so he takes the chance to go back to visit his parents whom he hasn’t spoken to in eight years.
Throughout the story we also get Ah Hock’s pov, Wei Ming’s father. He’s a stubborn man and he knows something isn’t right in his life but he’s too set in his ways to see a different path.
I’d recommend Early Morning at the Laksa Café to those who:
– crave more depth in their cosy reads
– love to discover different cultures through food
– enjoy stories about imperfect families and flawed characters but still want a realistic happy ending
Thank you to the Penguin Export team for the proof copy, I can’t believe I got to discover this wonderful story early, I can’t wait for it to come out and discuss it with everybody.
Wei Ming is a young man who moved from Malaysia to Hong Kong to become a chef but his life is slowly unravelling so he takes the chance to go back to visit his parents whom he hasn’t spoken to in eight years.
Throughout the story we also get Ah Hock’s pov, Wei Ming’s father. He’s a stubborn man and he knows something isn’t right in his life but he’s too set in his ways to see a different path.
I’d recommend Early Morning at the Laksa Café to those who:
– crave more depth in their cosy reads
– love to discover different cultures through food
– enjoy stories about imperfect families and flawed characters but still want a realistic happy ending
Thank you to the Penguin Export team for the proof copy, I can’t believe I got to discover this wonderful story early, I can’t wait for it to come out and discuss it with everybody.
January 26, 2026
I enjoyed the audiobook of this heartwarming novel set in Malaysia and Hong Kong that evolves around a family-owned restauranf famous for laksa and their special recipe. I love books about food but the description of dishes in this book is amazing and one of the best I’ve ever read. I could picture the visual and even the scent! Crazy. It is not just about laksa but a lot of reference to Japanese food as well.
This is 99% heartwarming. I say 99% because there was one part that was really difficult for me to read and I was caught off guard (killing of an animal was involved with a really horrid situation for the animal… so if you’re an animal lover, be warned. ) I personally wish it wasn’t in the book. Because of the scene, I am not comfortable enough to recommend this as a gentle, heartwarming, healing novel. Skip end of Ch 14 if you want to avoid it, then you’ll be fine for the rest of the book!
But I still enjoyed it and want to recommend it as a good family drama focusing on food!
3,5-4 🌟
This is 99% heartwarming. I say 99% because there was one part that was really difficult for me to read and I was caught off guard (killing of an animal was involved with a really horrid situation for the animal… so if you’re an animal lover, be warned. ) I personally wish it wasn’t in the book. Because of the scene, I am not comfortable enough to recommend this as a gentle, heartwarming, healing novel. Skip end of Ch 14 if you want to avoid it, then you’ll be fine for the rest of the book!
But I still enjoyed it and want to recommend it as a good family drama focusing on food!
3,5-4 🌟
January 26, 2026
There was a time, when it was an unsaid rule that sons would take over their father’s profession and continue their legacy. Deviating from your parents’ desires and expectations was unheard of and deeply frowned upon. But things have changed quite a bit since then. People want to carve out their own paths and follow their own dreams. At the precipice of this changing society, is this story, set in Malaysia of 1994.
🍜🍜🍜
I love a good family saga and this one shows two generations of Chinese immigrants settled in Malaysia, trying to save their Laksa shop. Their ideologies and thinking are polar opposites, and I loved seeing that neither viewpoint is given extra weight. Readers are free to root for either father or son based on where their own beliefs lie.
And at the centre of it all is their ancestral broth which was apparently bestowed upon the family by a deity and brings them good luck. But is it more important than family and the dreams and aspirations of the next generations? That’s the question this book tries to ask and answer.
🍜🍜🍜
This book is a delicious hotpot of food and cultures. There are characters from Malaysia, China, and Japan and they all talk about their food, culture, & customs. I would have definitely tried some recipes from here if I were not a vegetarian.
The characters in this book are real and flawed. While Ah Hock is grumpy and a stickler for what he believes is right, Wei Ming has gambling issues and wants an easy way to success. My favourite character however is Wei Ming’s sensei Imamura. His calmness, trust, and patience are something I strive to achieve but fail every day.
🍜🍜🍜
I feel I can go on, but this book is an experience I would recommend you try and experience yourself. A bit nostalgic of the times gone by, it’s a great family drama with gangsters and whatnot. It’s the whole package really. But don’t go in expecting something cosy, as it covers darker themes too and is quite intense at times.
🍜🍜🍜
I love a good family saga and this one shows two generations of Chinese immigrants settled in Malaysia, trying to save their Laksa shop. Their ideologies and thinking are polar opposites, and I loved seeing that neither viewpoint is given extra weight. Readers are free to root for either father or son based on where their own beliefs lie.
And at the centre of it all is their ancestral broth which was apparently bestowed upon the family by a deity and brings them good luck. But is it more important than family and the dreams and aspirations of the next generations? That’s the question this book tries to ask and answer.
🍜🍜🍜
This book is a delicious hotpot of food and cultures. There are characters from Malaysia, China, and Japan and they all talk about their food, culture, & customs. I would have definitely tried some recipes from here if I were not a vegetarian.
The characters in this book are real and flawed. While Ah Hock is grumpy and a stickler for what he believes is right, Wei Ming has gambling issues and wants an easy way to success. My favourite character however is Wei Ming’s sensei Imamura. His calmness, trust, and patience are something I strive to achieve but fail every day.
🍜🍜🍜
I feel I can go on, but this book is an experience I would recommend you try and experience yourself. A bit nostalgic of the times gone by, it’s a great family drama with gangsters and whatnot. It’s the whole package really. But don’t go in expecting something cosy, as it covers darker themes too and is quite intense at times.
January 28, 2026
The story follows Ah Hock and his son Wei Ming. One he is a traditional laksa shop owner and the other one a chef based in Hong Kong the last 8 years. The narrative is a traditional ancestral broth passed from a son to a son for generations.
It’s a cosy and atmospheric book. Between the pages, we see tension, stubbornness and lots of attempts for one to change his inheritance.
Funny enough there is a twist towards the last chapters of the book that sets everything into a positive motion. Ah Hock is very stubborn and the laksa traditions led his son away. The mom in an attempt to bring father and son together tries to work her magic.
It’s a cosy and atmospheric book. Between the pages, we see tension, stubbornness and lots of attempts for one to change his inheritance.
Funny enough there is a twist towards the last chapters of the book that sets everything into a positive motion. Ah Hock is very stubborn and the laksa traditions led his son away. The mom in an attempt to bring father and son together tries to work her magic.
April 6, 2026
i initially picked up this book because of how much i love the laksa dish. little did i thought this book would make me feel engrossed in the narrative and empathy for the characters. this book feels hearty, warm, and authentic, just like the dish itself. a beautiful and real story about family, food, and remembering what's important in life while also acknowledging the hardships that one must go through to find meaning in their lives. thank you janet tay for creating a memorable and refreshing piece of southeast asian literature.
March 21, 2026
I liked this book. It made me tear up towards the end. It’s very authentic and is a love letter to Malaysian food and the art of cooking. Great writing. At times I’d get so stressed I couldn’t continue. That’s how invested I was. 😂
November 22, 2025
4.5 i loved this so much!!
April 7, 2026
Such a heartwarming and warm novel that I couldn't put down because it was so interesting to read. So glad both Wei Ming and Ah Hock worked out their differences and reconciled.
January 4, 2026
Noch bevor die Sonne aufgeht, steht da dieser Duft im Raum. Anis, Kreuzkümmel, Holzrauch – und plötzlich fühlt sich der Morgen wärmer an, selbst an grauen Tagen. Morgens im Laksa Café ist genau so ein Roman: leise, tröstlich und voller Geschmack. Einer, der nicht schreit, sondern langsam zieht wie eine gute Suppe, die Zeit braucht.
Ah Hock kocht nicht einfach Nudelsuppe, er kocht Erinnerungen. Jede Kelle wirkt wie ein stilles Gebet an die Vergangenheit, an seine Herkunft, an ein Leben, das immer gleich schien und genau darin Sicherheit bot. Dass die Suppe ihm nicht mehr so gelingt wie früher, ist kein Zufall, sondern ein stilles Symbol fürs Älterwerden. Für das Gefühl, dass einem etwas entgleitet, obwohl man sich doch so fest daran klammert.
Dann kommt Wei Ming zurück. Sohn, Fremder, Hoffnungsträger und Störfaktor zugleich. Einer, der neue Ideen im Kopf hat und alte Regeln infrage stellt. Zwischen Vater und Sohn knistert es gewaltig – nicht laut, nicht dramatisch, sondern mit diesen kleinen, schmerzhaften Momenten, die jeder kennt, der Familie hat. Blicke, Schweigen, unausgesprochene Sätze, die schwerer wiegen als jedes Geschrei.
Besonders stark ist, wie Essen hier zur Sprache der Gefühle wird. Laksa gegen Sushi, Tradition gegen Veränderung, Stillstand gegen Mut. Und irgendwo dazwischen die Frage, was eigentlich bewahrt werden sollte: das Rezept oder die Liebe dahinter. Der drohende Geschäftsmann bringt zusätzlich Druck rein, aber der Roman bleibt stets bei seinen Figuren, nie bei der großen Show.
Morgens im Laksa Café ist kein Buch für Tempojunkies. Es ist für Leser, die gern verweilen, die zwischen den Zeilen schmecken wollen. Warm, menschlich, ehrlich – und am Ende bleibt dieses leise Gefühl, verstanden worden zu sein. Wie nach einer Schüssel Suppe, die mehr war als nur Essen.
Ah Hock kocht nicht einfach Nudelsuppe, er kocht Erinnerungen. Jede Kelle wirkt wie ein stilles Gebet an die Vergangenheit, an seine Herkunft, an ein Leben, das immer gleich schien und genau darin Sicherheit bot. Dass die Suppe ihm nicht mehr so gelingt wie früher, ist kein Zufall, sondern ein stilles Symbol fürs Älterwerden. Für das Gefühl, dass einem etwas entgleitet, obwohl man sich doch so fest daran klammert.
Dann kommt Wei Ming zurück. Sohn, Fremder, Hoffnungsträger und Störfaktor zugleich. Einer, der neue Ideen im Kopf hat und alte Regeln infrage stellt. Zwischen Vater und Sohn knistert es gewaltig – nicht laut, nicht dramatisch, sondern mit diesen kleinen, schmerzhaften Momenten, die jeder kennt, der Familie hat. Blicke, Schweigen, unausgesprochene Sätze, die schwerer wiegen als jedes Geschrei.
Besonders stark ist, wie Essen hier zur Sprache der Gefühle wird. Laksa gegen Sushi, Tradition gegen Veränderung, Stillstand gegen Mut. Und irgendwo dazwischen die Frage, was eigentlich bewahrt werden sollte: das Rezept oder die Liebe dahinter. Der drohende Geschäftsmann bringt zusätzlich Druck rein, aber der Roman bleibt stets bei seinen Figuren, nie bei der großen Show.
Morgens im Laksa Café ist kein Buch für Tempojunkies. Es ist für Leser, die gern verweilen, die zwischen den Zeilen schmecken wollen. Warm, menschlich, ehrlich – und am Ende bleibt dieses leise Gefühl, verstanden worden zu sein. Wie nach einer Schüssel Suppe, die mehr war als nur Essen.
February 20, 2026
I went into this blind only knowing it might be about food judging from the title and book cover. It swept me off my feet with its beautiful descriptions of food - Sarawakian food, Chinese Malaysian food, Cantonese Hong Kong food and Japanese food. The story was a heartache with the strained relationship of a father and son, the struggle to be there for your family against the want to break out of the mould and do what you love, growing up, making mistakes and meeting different people along the journey. It’s definitely a book a lot of Malaysians will be able to relate to.
February 8, 2026
The cover is so attractive and beautifully delicious.
This was such a warm and heartfelt read that pulled me right into the world of Ah Hock, Wei Ming, and their family. The story beautifully blends themes of tradition, family conflict, and the struggle between holding on to heritage versus chasing new dreams.
Ah Hock, with his stubborn grip on the family’s legendary laksa broth, really stood out as a character shaped by duty and pride. As the story unfolded, I understood more about why he was the way he was. Wei Ming, his son, brought a different energy wanting to carve his own path while still being tied to the weight of expectations. Their relationship was layered with tension, but also moments of tenderness.
The descriptions of food were incredible. I could almost smell the broth simmering and taste the spices. It made the cultural setting feel alive and added so much richness to the story. Beyond the food, the book captured the atmosphere of Malaysia and Hong Kong in a way that felt vivid and real, weaving in traditions, family bonds, and the sacrifices people make for one another.
This was such a warm and heartfelt read that pulled me right into the world of Ah Hock, Wei Ming, and their family. The story beautifully blends themes of tradition, family conflict, and the struggle between holding on to heritage versus chasing new dreams.
Ah Hock, with his stubborn grip on the family’s legendary laksa broth, really stood out as a character shaped by duty and pride. As the story unfolded, I understood more about why he was the way he was. Wei Ming, his son, brought a different energy wanting to carve his own path while still being tied to the weight of expectations. Their relationship was layered with tension, but also moments of tenderness.
The descriptions of food were incredible. I could almost smell the broth simmering and taste the spices. It made the cultural setting feel alive and added so much richness to the story. Beyond the food, the book captured the atmosphere of Malaysia and Hong Kong in a way that felt vivid and real, weaving in traditions, family bonds, and the sacrifices people make for one another.
February 9, 2026
Set in Kuching, Malaysia, this story centers around a famous laksa kopitiam owned by Ah Hock. According to the Lim family legacy, the laksa broth was bestowed by a deity who promised prosperity as long as the broth was kept perpetually boiling. This sacred broth has simmered for decades and forms the heart of Ah Hock’s renowned laksa.
To honor tradition, Ah Hock is expected to pass the broth—and the kopitiam—to his only son, Wei Ming. But Wei Ming wants nothing to do with the family business. Instead, he escapes to Hong Kong, chasing dreams of becoming a sushi chef and making a name for himself. Eight years later, those dreams have soured. He’s burdened by debt, entangled in a complicated love triangle, and far from the success he once imagined.
A sudden invitation back to Kuching for his father’s sixtieth birthday forces Wei Ming to confront the past. What should have been a chance at reconciliation quickly becomes a pressure cooker as unresolved conflicts resurface and tensions reach a boiling point.
I absolutely loved this debut novel. The descriptions are so rich and mouthwatering that I ended up eating two bowls of laksa while reading. Beyond the food (though I must say, I was genuinely impressed by the sheer variety of vocabulary Janet Tay conjures for a single bowl of laksa), the author vividly brings Carpenter Street, the kopitiam, and its cast of characters to life. Every scene felt textured and alive.
If this were ever adapted into a TV drama, I’d watch it in a heartbeat—it has all the elements of a compelling, emotionally charged series. An excellent debut and a truly satisfying read.
To honor tradition, Ah Hock is expected to pass the broth—and the kopitiam—to his only son, Wei Ming. But Wei Ming wants nothing to do with the family business. Instead, he escapes to Hong Kong, chasing dreams of becoming a sushi chef and making a name for himself. Eight years later, those dreams have soured. He’s burdened by debt, entangled in a complicated love triangle, and far from the success he once imagined.
A sudden invitation back to Kuching for his father’s sixtieth birthday forces Wei Ming to confront the past. What should have been a chance at reconciliation quickly becomes a pressure cooker as unresolved conflicts resurface and tensions reach a boiling point.
I absolutely loved this debut novel. The descriptions are so rich and mouthwatering that I ended up eating two bowls of laksa while reading. Beyond the food (though I must say, I was genuinely impressed by the sheer variety of vocabulary Janet Tay conjures for a single bowl of laksa), the author vividly brings Carpenter Street, the kopitiam, and its cast of characters to life. Every scene felt textured and alive.
If this were ever adapted into a TV drama, I’d watch it in a heartbeat—it has all the elements of a compelling, emotionally charged series. An excellent debut and a truly satisfying read.
April 2, 2026
A delicious novel that, like anything good, should be savoured despite wanting to devour it. This story is sure to warm your heart and encourage nostalgia. Beautifully written, it is filled with family traditions, loyalty to family and culture, dreams fulfilled and lost, true friendship, grief. love and healing. I absolutely adored this book, and it was a struggle not to keep turning the pages as I didn't want the story to end. This book will restore your faith in humanity and stay with you long after you close it.
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