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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
18 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 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.
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.
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…
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! 🥰
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.
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.
November 22, 2025
4.5 i loved this so much!!
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.
Want to read
June 3, 2025I AM SO SAT FOR THIS. KUCHING REP LETS GOOOOOOO. THIS IS WHY I WORK IN PUBLISHING.
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.
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.
Review of advance copy
Set between the contrasting rhythms of slow Sawakian living and bustling Hong Kong life, this debut novel offers an intimate portrait of memory, history and familial ties that feel personally rooted. The main setting, Carpenter Street in Kuching, is both deeply nostalgic for me as a Kuching-lang myself, who frequented many a local kopitiam growing up.
The novel's delivery is understated, carried by everyday moments full of family tension and peaceful descriptions of food. A whole chapter dedicated to ayam pansuh? I never thought I'd see the day. Instead of relying on a complex storyline, the story unfolds very gradually and authenticically, with characters that feel comfortingly familar. A grumpy old uncle who's a laksa purist? He would have screamed to find vegan laksa now available in 2025 LOL.
For readers familiar with Borneo, there is a deep sense of satisfaction in recognition; for those less familiar, I believe the novel serves as an immersive yet gentle introduction.
Big thanks to Definitely Books for the ARC!
The novel's delivery is understated, carried by everyday moments full of family tension and peaceful descriptions of food. A whole chapter dedicated to ayam pansuh? I never thought I'd see the day. Instead of relying on a complex storyline, the story unfolds very gradually and authenticically, with characters that feel comfortingly familar. A grumpy old uncle who's a laksa purist? He would have screamed to find vegan laksa now available in 2025 LOL.
For readers familiar with Borneo, there is a deep sense of satisfaction in recognition; for those less familiar, I believe the novel serves as an immersive yet gentle introduction.
Big thanks to Definitely Books for the ARC!
January 24, 2026
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐬𝐨 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬.
𝖤𝖺𝗋𝗅𝗒 𝖬𝗈𝗋𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖺𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖫𝖺𝗄𝗌𝖺 𝖢𝖺𝖿𝖾 𝖩𝖺𝗇𝖾𝗍 𝖳𝖺𝗒
𝘼 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙙, 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮.
A cosy, heartwarming read rich with delicious food and life lessons, exploring purpose and responsibility in a way that feels comforting and deeply relatable. Wei Ming wants to be more than a laksa owner, but gambles his life away in Hong Kong and eventually returns to his family, the very place he was desperate to escape from and had not spoken to in eight years.
I recommend this if you enjoy reading about family responsibility versus finding oneself, love venturing into different cultures, and want more depth in your cosy collection.
Thank you for my HB finished copy @harvillbooks @vintagebooks @janettaywriter and @bookramblerpr.
𝖤𝖺𝗋𝗅𝗒 𝖬𝗈𝗋𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖺𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖫𝖺𝗄𝗌𝖺 𝖢𝖺𝖿𝖾 𝖩𝖺𝗇𝖾𝗍 𝖳𝖺𝗒
𝘼 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙙, 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮.
A cosy, heartwarming read rich with delicious food and life lessons, exploring purpose and responsibility in a way that feels comforting and deeply relatable. Wei Ming wants to be more than a laksa owner, but gambles his life away in Hong Kong and eventually returns to his family, the very place he was desperate to escape from and had not spoken to in eight years.
I recommend this if you enjoy reading about family responsibility versus finding oneself, love venturing into different cultures, and want more depth in your cosy collection.
Thank you for my HB finished copy @harvillbooks @vintagebooks @janettaywriter and @bookramblerpr.
January 29, 2026
Thank you to Book Rambler PR for the review copy.
Early morning at Laksa Cafe is a stunning debut by Janet Tay that is rich in culture, food, identity and healing from generational trauma. This book will make you hungry, there is so much food and recipes involved in the story and at the center of it is Laksa. A dish I didn’t know existed until I picked up this book. The book takes place in Malaysia and Hong Kong and it was while reading it I realized I haven’t read any book that takes place in these countries until now.
Janet Tay with the help of a recipe passed down through generations of a family has written a story that talks about the complexities of human relationships with special focus on father son bond. There is a line in the book that goes something like while trying to be a good son you forgot to be a good father. I think that sums up Asian family dynamics pretty well.
Early morning at Laksa Cafe is a stunning debut by Janet Tay that is rich in culture, food, identity and healing from generational trauma. This book will make you hungry, there is so much food and recipes involved in the story and at the center of it is Laksa. A dish I didn’t know existed until I picked up this book. The book takes place in Malaysia and Hong Kong and it was while reading it I realized I haven’t read any book that takes place in these countries until now.
Janet Tay with the help of a recipe passed down through generations of a family has written a story that talks about the complexities of human relationships with special focus on father son bond. There is a line in the book that goes something like while trying to be a good son you forgot to be a good father. I think that sums up Asian family dynamics pretty well.
January 26, 2026
Kisah 'the return of the prodigal son' ke kampung halaman di Kuching, Sarawak, kembali ke kopitiam laksa turun temurun milik keluarga selepas penghijrahan ke Hong Kong bagi berkecimpung di dunia kulinari yang lebih moden dan hype tidak menjadi seperti diharapkan.
Kisah ayah dan anak yang perlu mencari titik keserasian dan tolak ansur setelah sekian lama menjerut rasa.
Resepi unik milik keluarga yang perlu dipertahankan agar Laksa Sarawak yang authentic dapat terus dinikmati oleh generasi masa depan.
Den paling suka baca bab memasak Laksa Sarawak, hidangan harijadi bertemakan masakan untuk Maharaja Cina, menyediakan aneka sushi, dsb.
Mengingatkan den kepada beberapa movie/drama Hong Kong tentang pertandingan memasak, pertelingkahan antara tauke restoran, dsb circa 90an.
Kisah ayah dan anak yang perlu mencari titik keserasian dan tolak ansur setelah sekian lama menjerut rasa.
Resepi unik milik keluarga yang perlu dipertahankan agar Laksa Sarawak yang authentic dapat terus dinikmati oleh generasi masa depan.
Den paling suka baca bab memasak Laksa Sarawak, hidangan harijadi bertemakan masakan untuk Maharaja Cina, menyediakan aneka sushi, dsb.
Mengingatkan den kepada beberapa movie/drama Hong Kong tentang pertandingan memasak, pertelingkahan antara tauke restoran, dsb circa 90an.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2025
I may be slightly biased in reviewing this book as I recorded the audio for it but it's the first book in a long time that I found hard to put down once I started. The description of the food and cooking was immersive and the characters are so well observed and written and the arcs of the protagonists are really satisfactorily drawn.
December 17, 2025
Rezension
Buchname: Morgens im Laksa Café
Autor: Janet Tay
Seiten: 416 (Print)
Fromat: als Print, Hörbuch und Ebook erhältlich
Verlag: Rowohlt Wunderlich
Sterne: 4
Cover:
Das Cover ist richtig schön gestaltet worden. Der Buchtitel steht in hellen bzw weißfarbenen Buchstaben im oberen Bereich. Man kann ein Mann in einer Küche auf dem Cover erkennen.. .. Auf dem ersten Blick ist das schon mal sehr ansprechend.
Klappentext: (aus Amazon übernommen)
Ein tröstlicher Roman, der an kalten Tagen wärmt wie eine gute Nudelsuppe.
Jeden Morgen, noch bevor die Sonne aufgeht, bereitet Ah Hock die beste Nudelsuppe der Stadt zu. Anis, Kreuzkümmel, Galgantwurzel und das rauchige Aroma des Holzofens sind nur einige der geheimen Zutaten des Rezepts, das von Generation zu Generation weitergegeben wird. Doch Ah Hock ist älter geworden, die Suppe gelingt ihm nicht mehr so wie einst – und sein Sohn hat kein Interesse, den Familienbetrieb fortzuführen. Vor Jahren hat er seine malaysische Heimat verlassen, um im fernen Hongkong die Kunst der Sushi-Zubereitung zu erlernen.
Als Ah Hocks sechzigster Geburtstag naht, kehrt sein Sohn endlich zurück. Doch bald brechen zwischen den beiden alte Konflikte auf. Denn während Ah Hock darauf bedacht ist, dass alles bleibt, wie es immer war, träumt Wei Ming von neuen kulinarischen Kreationen. Als ein Geschäftsmann droht, Ah Hocks Lebenswerk zu zerstören, müssen Vater und Sohn sich fragen, was wirklich zählt.
Schreibstil:
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist total flüssig, liest sich super und ist sehr leicht verständlich.
Charaktere:
Der Hauptprotagonist ist Ah Hock und Wei Ming
Ich fande alle Charaktere von Anfang an total sympathisch und liebenswert. Des weiteren gibt es noch ein paar andere Charaktere. . Meiner Meinung nach sind alle Charakter sehr gelungen und haben einen sehr guten Platz im Buch bekommen.
Meinung:
!!!! Achtung !!! Könnte Spoiler erhalten!!!
Mir hat „Morgens im Laksa Café“ von Janet Tay ganz gut gefallen. In diesem Buch geht es um Ah Hock, der jeden Morgen seine Nudelsuppe kocht. Das Rezept wird von Generation zu Generation weitergegeben. Allerdings hat sein Sohn Wei Ming wenig Lust darauf und geht stattdessen nach Hongkong um Kunst der Sushi-Zubereitung zu lernen. Sehr zum Missfallen von Ah Hock. Sein Sohn gehrt an seinem sechzigsten Geburtstag zurück und da beginnen die Reibereien zwischen den beiden wieder von Vorne. Mehr möchte ich an dieser Stelle nicht verraten. Mir persönlich hat das Buch ganz gut gefallen. Ich mochte einfach die ganze Art und Weise von Janet gerne. Ihren locker leichten – aber dennoch ein wenig anspruchsvollen Schreibstil, ihre durchdachte Story und ihre authentischen und glaubhaften Charaktere. Des weiteren hat mir das Setting in Malaysia oder in Hongkong echt gut gefallen. Das war jetzt kein aufregendes spektakuläres Buch – ganz im Gegenteil – es war leise und zum Nachdenken. Mich hat es trotzdem beeindruckt und ich habe mich auch wohl gefühlt beim Lesen. Ich habe mich nur ein bisschen schwer mit den ganzen Namen getan, da es ja doch recht „fremd“ für uns ist. Aber ansonsten war es echt gut gemacht. Deshalb bekommt „Morgens im Laksa Café“ von mir auch verdiente 4 Sterne und eine klare Leseempfehlung.
Fazit:
Eine Story, die mit ihren leisen Tönen überzeugt.
Buchname: Morgens im Laksa Café
Autor: Janet Tay
Seiten: 416 (Print)
Fromat: als Print, Hörbuch und Ebook erhältlich
Verlag: Rowohlt Wunderlich
Sterne: 4
Cover:
Das Cover ist richtig schön gestaltet worden. Der Buchtitel steht in hellen bzw weißfarbenen Buchstaben im oberen Bereich. Man kann ein Mann in einer Küche auf dem Cover erkennen.. .. Auf dem ersten Blick ist das schon mal sehr ansprechend.
Klappentext: (aus Amazon übernommen)
Ein tröstlicher Roman, der an kalten Tagen wärmt wie eine gute Nudelsuppe.
Jeden Morgen, noch bevor die Sonne aufgeht, bereitet Ah Hock die beste Nudelsuppe der Stadt zu. Anis, Kreuzkümmel, Galgantwurzel und das rauchige Aroma des Holzofens sind nur einige der geheimen Zutaten des Rezepts, das von Generation zu Generation weitergegeben wird. Doch Ah Hock ist älter geworden, die Suppe gelingt ihm nicht mehr so wie einst – und sein Sohn hat kein Interesse, den Familienbetrieb fortzuführen. Vor Jahren hat er seine malaysische Heimat verlassen, um im fernen Hongkong die Kunst der Sushi-Zubereitung zu erlernen.
Als Ah Hocks sechzigster Geburtstag naht, kehrt sein Sohn endlich zurück. Doch bald brechen zwischen den beiden alte Konflikte auf. Denn während Ah Hock darauf bedacht ist, dass alles bleibt, wie es immer war, träumt Wei Ming von neuen kulinarischen Kreationen. Als ein Geschäftsmann droht, Ah Hocks Lebenswerk zu zerstören, müssen Vater und Sohn sich fragen, was wirklich zählt.
Schreibstil:
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist total flüssig, liest sich super und ist sehr leicht verständlich.
Charaktere:
Der Hauptprotagonist ist Ah Hock und Wei Ming
Ich fande alle Charaktere von Anfang an total sympathisch und liebenswert. Des weiteren gibt es noch ein paar andere Charaktere. . Meiner Meinung nach sind alle Charakter sehr gelungen und haben einen sehr guten Platz im Buch bekommen.
Meinung:
!!!! Achtung !!! Könnte Spoiler erhalten!!!
Mir hat „Morgens im Laksa Café“ von Janet Tay ganz gut gefallen. In diesem Buch geht es um Ah Hock, der jeden Morgen seine Nudelsuppe kocht. Das Rezept wird von Generation zu Generation weitergegeben. Allerdings hat sein Sohn Wei Ming wenig Lust darauf und geht stattdessen nach Hongkong um Kunst der Sushi-Zubereitung zu lernen. Sehr zum Missfallen von Ah Hock. Sein Sohn gehrt an seinem sechzigsten Geburtstag zurück und da beginnen die Reibereien zwischen den beiden wieder von Vorne. Mehr möchte ich an dieser Stelle nicht verraten. Mir persönlich hat das Buch ganz gut gefallen. Ich mochte einfach die ganze Art und Weise von Janet gerne. Ihren locker leichten – aber dennoch ein wenig anspruchsvollen Schreibstil, ihre durchdachte Story und ihre authentischen und glaubhaften Charaktere. Des weiteren hat mir das Setting in Malaysia oder in Hongkong echt gut gefallen. Das war jetzt kein aufregendes spektakuläres Buch – ganz im Gegenteil – es war leise und zum Nachdenken. Mich hat es trotzdem beeindruckt und ich habe mich auch wohl gefühlt beim Lesen. Ich habe mich nur ein bisschen schwer mit den ganzen Namen getan, da es ja doch recht „fremd“ für uns ist. Aber ansonsten war es echt gut gemacht. Deshalb bekommt „Morgens im Laksa Café“ von mir auch verdiente 4 Sterne und eine klare Leseempfehlung.
Fazit:
Eine Story, die mit ihren leisen Tönen überzeugt.
December 20, 2025
Jeden Morgen bereitet Ah Hock in seinem traditionellen Laden, einem Kopitiam (= ein günstiges lokales Kaffeehaus, in dem Getränke und Speisen serviert werden) den Tag vor. Alle seine Gerichte basieren dabei auf dem Familienschatz, einer über Generationen weitergereichten Brühe. Mit ihr zaubert Ah Hock das beste Laksa (=eine würzige, cremige Nudelsuppe) der Stadt Kuching zu. Doch in letzter Zeit will ihm der Geschmack nicht recht gelingen. Liegt es an seinem Alter oder daran, dass ihm der Streit mit seinem Sohn Wei Ming auf der Seele lastet? Der ging schon vor vielen Jahren nach Japan, um seinen eigenen Träumen als Koch zu folgen. Doch dann bringt eine Bedrohung für den Laden Vater und Sohn wieder zusammen.
„Morgens im Laksa Café“ ist der, wie ich finde, vielversprechende Debütroman der aus Malaysia stammenden Schriftstellerin Janet Tay; die Übersetzung aus dem englischen Original verfasste Susann Rehlein. Die Geschichte wird sowohl aus der Perspektive des Vaters, als auch der des Sohnes erzählt, so dass wir als Leser beide Seiten des Konflikts nachvollziehen können und spielt in den 90er Jahren. Hin und wieder gibt es auch kleine Ausflüge in die Vergangenheit, zum Beispiel in Ah Hocks Kindheit, in der er mit dem Vater aus China fliehen musste.
Was zunächst wie „eine dieser vielen Laden-Geschichten“ klingt, entwickelt im Lauf der Handlung eine für das Genre ungewöhnliche Tiefe. Denn neben den altgedienten kleinen Geschäften, die gegen modernere Konkurrenz kämpfen müssen, steht vor allem die komplizierte Beziehung zwischen Vater und Sohn im Mittelpunkt. Ah Hock liebt seinen Sohn, kann aber die eigene Erziehung und die Fluchterfahrung nicht hinter sich lassen und stößt Wei Ming mit seinen altmodischen Erwartungen immer wieder von sich. Der hingegen wünscht sich einfach nur die Freiheit, seinen eigenen Weg gehen und Dinge ausprobieren zu dürfen. Beide haben ihren eigenen Kopf und doch verbindet sie die Liebe zum Kochen und zu guten Zutaten. Gut gefallen hat mir auch Wei Mings Beziehung zu seinem Sushimeister Inamura, dessen Unterstützung ihn stark geprägt hat.
Absolute Empfehlung!
„Morgens im Laksa Café“ ist der, wie ich finde, vielversprechende Debütroman der aus Malaysia stammenden Schriftstellerin Janet Tay; die Übersetzung aus dem englischen Original verfasste Susann Rehlein. Die Geschichte wird sowohl aus der Perspektive des Vaters, als auch der des Sohnes erzählt, so dass wir als Leser beide Seiten des Konflikts nachvollziehen können und spielt in den 90er Jahren. Hin und wieder gibt es auch kleine Ausflüge in die Vergangenheit, zum Beispiel in Ah Hocks Kindheit, in der er mit dem Vater aus China fliehen musste.
Was zunächst wie „eine dieser vielen Laden-Geschichten“ klingt, entwickelt im Lauf der Handlung eine für das Genre ungewöhnliche Tiefe. Denn neben den altgedienten kleinen Geschäften, die gegen modernere Konkurrenz kämpfen müssen, steht vor allem die komplizierte Beziehung zwischen Vater und Sohn im Mittelpunkt. Ah Hock liebt seinen Sohn, kann aber die eigene Erziehung und die Fluchterfahrung nicht hinter sich lassen und stößt Wei Ming mit seinen altmodischen Erwartungen immer wieder von sich. Der hingegen wünscht sich einfach nur die Freiheit, seinen eigenen Weg gehen und Dinge ausprobieren zu dürfen. Beide haben ihren eigenen Kopf und doch verbindet sie die Liebe zum Kochen und zu guten Zutaten. Gut gefallen hat mir auch Wei Mings Beziehung zu seinem Sushimeister Inamura, dessen Unterstützung ihn stark geprägt hat.
Absolute Empfehlung!
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