Cafe World War II by Teels Heritage 饿战茶室 - Hidden Cafe in Ghee Hiang Beach Street Shop in Heritage House - Crisp of Life

Ghee Hiang Beach Street Shop now houses a hidden cafe within that offers kochabi flavour for all guests that includes charcoal toasted bread, steamed bread, kopi kaw, Milo kaw or noodles!

The cafe is named World War II and it has a reason for that. When Japan is invading Penang during World War II time, the present premise where Ghee Hiang Beach Street located is unharmed from the heavy bombing. Therefore, it still preserved its original pre-World War II facade and interior, unaltered till today. Having said that, you are "travelling" back to 1930s when dining in such historical cafe, while enjoying traditional good food in affordable pricing and air-conditioned setting. They are practicing self service concept, which means you order at the counter and pick your own food there.

Cafe World War II by Teels Heritage 饿战茶室 - Hidden Cafe in Ghee Hiang Beach Street Shop in Heritage House

One of the biggest hit All Day Breakfast Set (RM 7.50) that comes with a choice of Kopi-O or Teh-O, Toasted Roti Kahwin (Butter & Kaya) and 2 half boiled egg. Personally, we thought the charcoal toasted bread is good. It has nice aroma and toasted to crisp, then coated with a generous layer of mixture of butter and kaya. The butter and kaya is smooth and sweet to the right point. Such simple and classic taste that reminiscent us of the good old time.

There are other toppings and steamed bread options should your prefer something other than toasted breads. A few notable examples are Pumpkin Kaya + Butter, Steamed Bread with Chicken Bak Kwa or Steamed Roti Kahwin.

Sesame Chicken with yellow noodle and bihun, add on with boiled soya egg and deep fried wanton (RM 12.40)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjssHHvilR8

If you are here after 11.30pm, you may enjoy their Lunch Menu at RM 7.90 only. It is a simple bowl of noodle where you can choose your preferred choice of noodle and toppings, ranging from sesame chicken, crispy chicken chop, vindaloo chicken, vindaloo lamp and etc. The noodle tasted like a lighter version of kway chiap with a scent of the famous Ghee Hiang sesame oil. Overall, the noodle is tasty and live up the expectations of Penang's hawker food.

Several add-ons are available for the noodles and we thought the boiled soy egg is tasty with a slight briny taste.

Cafe WWII also offers an unique drink - Ko Te Lo Bom (RM 6.00), a concoction made up of Kopi, Teh and Milo in overflowed setting. The taste is complex and offers a subtle flavour but we felt the kick of richness in flavour still lacking. Perhaps we left it too long and ice diluted its taste.

Overall, Cafe WWII is a worthy visit place. You may enjoy some classic snacks here, enjoying taking Instagram worthy pictures and understand the unique heritage value left in Penang.