In multi-cultural Singapore, a diverse melting hotpot cosmopolitan city state, what would be your choice of breakfast? Traditional local Singapore breakfast? Breakfast from other ASEAN or Asian countries? Western culture style breakfast? For international visitors coming to Singapore, have you heard about traditional Nanyang breakfast? As for those living in Singapore, how much do you know about the history, heritage and culture of the traditional Nanyang breakfast? Come Lim Kopi and Jiak Roti at The Nanyang Breakfast Club! Discover and learn more about traditional Nanyang breakfast in Singapore!
The Nanyang Breakfast in Singapore – A brief history and evolution
While it may look like a humble and simple breakfast food to those who doesn’t know too much about this, the traditional Nanyang breakfast in Singapore tells a rich history and cultural heritage story.
Pioneered by the Hainanese, and shaped by the diverse influences of Chinese, Malay, Peranakan, and Western cultures, the Nanyang breakfast I more than just a meal – It’s a reflection of Singapore’s multicultural identity.
When you visit The Nanyang Breakfast Club, you will get a cosy and immersive clubhouse experience where you can learn more about the history and evolution of the traditional Nanyang breakfast.
The Nanyang Breakfast Club has interactive displays, informative storytelling, and rich archival materials. This exhibition will also showcase the components and impact of this humble and iconic breakfast food on Singaporean life and culture, as well as the role of kopitiams (a.k.a. coffee shops) as community spaces that have connected generations of Singaporeans.
According to Mr Alvin Tan, CEO/SCCC: “With this travelling exhibition, SCCC hopes to provide the historical, cultural and social context behind one of Singapore’s favourite breakfast staples, showcase how this traditional breakfast has evolved with the times, and highlight how local Chinese culture can be found in everyday life here in Singapore.”
Heartwarming Nanyang Kopi Sharing and Brewing at The Nanyang Breakfast Club
At the media launch of The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Lim Kopi, Jiak Roti, we had a heartwarming kopi sharing from the curator on the exhibition. Thereafter, we heard heartwarming Nanyang kopi stories from Kim Guan Guan Coffee and probably Singapore’s No.1 Nanyang kopi fan Kopi Scott!
As a fan of The Nanyang Breakfast myself, this session was heartwarming and fun, connecting and meeting Nanyang breakfast/kopi roasters and fans alike!
Kim Guan Guan Coffee
They have been suppling quality traditional coffee powder in Singapore for almost 40 years. Mr Jason Soon, founder of Kim Guan Guan Coffee, sharing stories about Nanyang kopi (coffee), as well demonstrating how to brew a cup of local kopi. Check out this TikTok video by Belinda Tan of Mr Jason Soon in action!
I managed to have some quick chats with Jason Soon, and also with some of his staff from Kim Guan Guan Coffee there were present at the media launch event, hearing about their kopi stories, hearing about robusta vs arabica coffee beans, roasting Nanyang kopi beans, where we can find/drink their kopi. It was fun, enriching, lim Nanyang kopi and chatting about everything Nanyang breakfast.
@bellaella7777 At today’s launch of @singaporeccc latest travelling exhibition “The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Lim Kopi & Jiak Roti 南洋早餐俱乐部, they had Jason Soon, Founder of Kim Guan Guan Coffee demonstrate how to brew a cup of local Kopi. Kim Guan Guan Coffee supplies to many local kopitiams. You can check out the interesting exhibition and discover how the Nanyang Kopi came about : The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Lim Kopi & Jiak Roti 南洋早餐俱乐部 Discover the rich history, cultural significance, and evolution of Singapore’s beloved Nanyang breakfast in this travelling exhibition! Step into a clubhouse setting and learn more about this iconic Singaporean breakfast, and become a proud member of the Nanyang Breakfast Club! 一起来探索南洋早餐背后的丰富历史、文化影响和演变过程！“南洋早餐俱乐部”巡回展以互动性十足的俱乐部为设计概念，带大家认识我们的国民早餐。 3 Apr – 2 May @ SingPost Centre, Level 2 新邮政中心 （二楼） 3 – 31 May @ Cheng San Public Library 成山公共图书馆 1 – 14 Jun @ Westgate, Level 1 西城购物中心 (一楼) 15 – 29 Jun @ Funan Basement 2 福南 (负二楼) #Singapore #NanyangBreakfast #kopi #kayatoast @yyann1214 @genghuitan @scott_in_sg ♬ original sound – Belinda
To find out more about Kim Guan Guan Coffee, please visit their website and Instagram! Remember to keep a look out for Kim Guan Guan (K.G.G kopi cup) at your local kopitiams and eating places!
Kopi Scott – Probably the No.1 fan of The Nanyang Breakfast in Singapore!
Belinda Tan described this spot on, probably the No.1 of The Nanyang Breakfast in Singapore! A Scottish guy loving The Nanyang Breakfast in Singapore so much that he outshines many of us in eating and sharing about traditional Nanyang Breakfast!
Scott is an amazing person, we can feel (and I can connect with) his immense love and passion for The Nanyang Breakfast, from his kopi stories sharing with us. I would love to hear, share and exchange more traditional Nanyang breakfast stories with Scott when future opportunity arises!
@bellaella7777 Probably the No. 1 fan of the Nanyang Breakfast in Singapore – Kopi Scott, aka @scott_in_sg ! I mean, he eats a Nanyang Breakfast of Kopi, soft-boiled eggs and Kaya toast every morning…..for the past 16 years! Beat his record! That’s like….. astounding! The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Lim Kopi & Jiak Roti 南洋早餐俱乐部 by @singaporeccc Discover the rich history, cultural significance, and evolution of Singapore’s beloved Nanyang breakfast in this travelling exhibition! Step into a clubhouse setting and learn more about this iconic Singaporean breakfast, and become a proud member of the Nanyang Breakfast Club! 一起来探索南洋早餐背后的丰富历史、文化影响和演变过程！“南洋早餐俱乐部”巡回展以互动性十足的俱乐部为设计概念，带大家认识我们的国民早餐。 3 Apr – 2 May @ SingPost Centre, Level 2 新邮政中心 （二楼） 3 – 31 May @ Cheng San Public Library 成山公共图书馆 1 – 14 Jun @ Westgate, Level 1 西城购物中心 (一楼) 15 – 29 Jun @ Funan Basement 2 福南 (负二楼) #kayatoast #kopi #NanyangBreakfast #Singapore ♬ original sound – Belinda
Follow Scott Kopi Nanyang breakfast adventures on Instagram and TikTok!
The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Lim Kopi, Jiak Roti Exhibition Dates and Locations
The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Kim Kopi, Jiak Roti will be travelling around Singapore across malls, schools and libraries till September 2025 before making its final stop at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) until November 2025. More details on exhibition dates and locations can be found in the table below.
The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Kim Kopi, Jiak Roti exhibition is supported by National Heritage Board and Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, is part of SCCC’s SG60 programme offerings.
| Venue | Duration |
| SingPost Centre (Level 2) | 3rd April – 2nd May 2025 |
| Cheng San Public Library | 3rd May – 31st May 2025 |
| Westgate (Level 1) | 1st June – 14th June 2025 |
| Funan (Basement 2) | 15th June – 29th June 2025 |
| Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School (Not open to public) | 30th June – 14th July 2025 |
| Singapore Chinese Girls School (Not open to public) | 19th August – 5th September 2025 |
| Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre | 6th September – 30th November 2025 |
* Information courtesy of Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and DSTNCT *