Heritage in Every Cup: The Story of Hainan Café - Story by FAVSTYLE

-

In an age where trends change faster than taste, true heritage remains unmistakable.

Founded in 2014 in Miri, Sarawak, Hainan Café is a living tribute to the enduring legacy of Hainanese coffee culture. Established by a brother and sister originally from Kuching, the café was born from a journey that began in 2005, when they relocated to Miri in pursuit of new opportunities and a shared vision.


Raised within the rhythm of a traditional Hainanese family coffee shop, they inherited more than recipes. They absorbed a philosophy of patience, precision, and respect for tradition. Those early lessons became the foundation of Hainan Café, where ancestral knowledge is carefully preserved and thoughtfully presented for a modern audience.


At its core, Hainan Café is defined by authenticity. Signature dishes such as Hainan chicken rice, traditional coffee, milk tea, curry chicken, and other classic favourites are prepared using time-honoured methods passed down through generations. Each offering reflects a commitment to original flavours, untouched by shortcuts or compromise.


What began as a neighbourhood café quickly grew into a culinary landmark. Today, Hainan Café is woven into the daily life of Miri, cherished by locals and sought after by visitors, including patrons from neighbouring regions such as Brunei. Its reputation travels not through noise, but through consistency, trust, and taste.


For FAVSTYLE, Hainan Café represents more than a dining destination. It is a reminder that true luxury often lies in heritage, where stories are brewed slowly, flavours carry memory, and tradition is not reinvented but respectfully sustained.


In every cup poured and every plate served, Hainan Café continues its quiet promise: to honour the past, serve the present, and preserve a legacy for generations to come.
Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Return of the Sabah Tourism Awards A Celebration of Resilience, Renewal, and the Spirit of Sabah Hospitality

-
Image
    Photo courtesy to Sri Pelancongan Sabah After a meaningful pause since 2019, the Sabah Tourism Awards return with renewed significance—ushering in a new chapter for one of Malaysia’s most dynamic tourism destinations. More than an awards ceremony, this highly anticipated comeback is a celebration of resilience, reinvention, and the unwavering spirit that continues to define Sabah’s tourism community. The past few years have reshaped the global travel landscape, and Sabah’s tourism industry has responded with adaptability, creativity, and quiet determination. From reimagined experiences to elevated service standards, industry players have worked tirelessly to ensure Sabah remains not just relevant, but remarkable. The Sabah Tourism Awards shine a spotlight on these unsung heroes—individuals, organisations, and businesses that have gone above and beyond to uphold the essence of Sabah hospitality while embracing change. Their efforts have helped position Sabah once again as a...
Read more

Celebrating Culture, Community, and Partnership at the 2026 Chinese New Year Dragons, Unicorns & Lions Dance Festival

-
Image
The 2026 Chinese New Year Dragons, Unicorns & Lions Dance Festival, held on 25 January 2026 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), marked a vibrant and meaningful celebration of cultural heritage, community participation, and intergenerational engagement. Organised by The United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCA KK), the festival brought together community leaders, cultural organisations, invited sponsors, partners, and members of the public in a shared celebration of the Lunar New Year. The full-day programme incorporated a Cultural Village Exhibition, Children’s Colouring Contest, and Chinese Calligraphy activities, reflecting a thoughtfully curated approach to engaging families, youth, and cultural practitioners. These complementary activities reinforced the role of cultural traditions as living platforms for education, creativity, and community bonding. A key highlight of the event was the dragons, unicorns, and lions dance performances...
Read more

So Good Flea Market Sets the Tone for the New Year with Coffee, Collectibles & Creative Community

-
Image
The inaugural So Good Flea Market makes a confident debut, opening the year with a celebration of craftsmanship, culture, and community. Presented in collaboration with Coffee Garage , the market unfolds as a thoughtfully curated weekend where good food, amazing coffee , and a diverse mix of collectible items, pre-loved Books, vintage and pre-loved fashion , come together alongside handcrafted pieces, crafts, and meaningful gifts .                             From the outset, the atmosphere feels intentional and inviting. Visitors move through the space at an unhurried rhythm, pausing over carefully selected finds and reconnecting over cups of coffee brewed as much for conversation as for comfort. It is a setting where discovery feels personal and every object carries a story. Day 1: A Thoughtful Opening Defined by Vintage Appeal Day 1 welcomed a strong and encouraging response from vintage and pre-loved enth...
Read more

DAYA Nyonya Kopitiam A Gentle Return to Authentic Nyonya Flavours in the Heart of Kota Kinabalu

-
Image
"Some flavours do more than satisfy hunger. They awaken memory, settle the soul, and linger quietly long after the last bite." - by FAVSTYLE editor-in-chief Set along one of the city’s busiest and most vibrant streets , DAYA Nyonya Kopitiam enjoys a location that is as dynamic as the city itself. Just a stone’s throw from the iconic Gaya Street Sunday Market , the kopitiam sits at the crossroads of culture, commerce, and everyday life. It is also minutes away from Kota Kinabalu’s newest jetty , surrounded by shopping malls and popular tourist hotspots, making DAYA an easy and natural stop for both locals and travellers exploring the city. Inside, the atmosphere shifts into calm comfort. The kopitiam offers a spacious, air-cooled dining environment , perfect for slowing down after a morning market stroll or a day of sightseeing. Service is led by a friendly and highly attentive crew , adding warmth and ease to every visit. The menu reflects the same thoughtful balance. Eac...
Read more

Where Culinary Excellence Meets Recognition - The Signature Food Fest 5th Edition 2026

-
Image
In today’s evolving travel economy, food is no longer a supporting act. It is the destination. The reason flights are booked, itineraries rewritten, and cities remembered. The Signature Food Fest 5th Edition understands this truth with quiet confidence and curatorial precision, positioning itself not merely as a food festival, but as a benchmark of culinary recognition and tourism excellence. Now in its fifth year, The Signature Food Fest has matured into a respected platform where F&B establishments are not simply showcased, but formally evaluated, acknowledged, and celebrated. At its core lies the Signature Awards, a curated suite of honours designed to recognise excellence across cuisine, presentation, service, innovation, ambience, and hospitality standards. These awards are not decorative. They are declarative. For participating establishments, recognition at TSFF signals credibility. It tells diners, travellers, and industry peers that your brand has been measured against pro...
Read more

Supporting & Boosting Sabah Tourism Through Gastronomic Experiences - The Signature Food Fest 5th Edition 2026

-
Image
By FAVSTYLE Editorial Kota Kinabalu, Sabah | 22 January 2026 In a city where sunsets melt into the sea and flavours tell stories older than time, gastronomy has become one of Sabah’s most compelling cultural ambassadors. Strengthening this narrative, MediaCraft Marketing, organiser of The Signature Food Fest (TSFF), recently paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Executive Officer of Sabah Tourism Board, Julinus Jimit, reaffirming a shared vision to position Sabah as a must-visit gastronomic destination in Southeast Asia. Leading the visit was Alfred Allen Ginsos, Project Director of The Signature Food Fest and Editor-in-Chief of FAVSTYLE Magazine, together with a collective of industry voices shaping Sabah’s evolving food landscape. Among them were Adjunct Professor Jessie Jong Chung Jin (A.S.D.K), TSFF SME Advisor; Mr Rory Richardson, Permanent Judge of TSFF; Mr Erick Teh, Regional Manager (East Malaysia) of Kitchen Shop and Gold Sponsor of TSFF; as well as Mr Andrew Lee CK and Ms Lainie...
Read more

Love in Every Cup of Coffee - Where Every Cup Tells the Story of Sabah

-
Image
In 2020, as the global pandemic swept across the world, uncertainty clouded the future. Flights were grounded, businesses stalled, and many plans were put on hold. Yet for some, this period became a turning point. In Sabah’s rural landscape, a quiet but determined coffee dream was taking root. Located in the interior of Sabah, Nature Coffee Farm began as a humble experiment driven by passion, persistence, and belief in the land. What started with curiosity soon evolved into a long-term commitment: to cultivate coffee that truly reflects Sabah’s soil, climate, and spirit. Coffee That Grows With the Land Coffee trees require patience. From planting to harvesting, the process takes years before results are visible. At Nature Coffee Farm, the team carefully nurtures each plant without rushing nature. The coffee cherries are grown in harmony with the environment, allowing the land to dictate the rhythm rather than industrial timelines. The founders believe coffee is honest. It reflects how ...
Read more

A Special Afternoon Hi-Tea Invitation by Jesselton International - Beyond Airbnb: Smarter Property Investment in Kota Kinabalu

-
Image
  An atmosphere of quiet confidence and cultivated dialogue enveloped the Jesselton Sales Gallery as more than 200 registered guests gathered for an exclusive afternoon seminar on smarter property investment in Kota Kinabalu  The full-house event welcomed a distinguished audience of discerning investors, industry leaders, and representatives from the mainstream media—an unmistakable reflection of the city’s growing stature as a strategic and forward-looking property destination. FAVSTYLE’s Editor-in-Chief was honoured to be part of this invitation-only affair, where conversations rose above market chatter and ventured into the realm of refined investment intelligence. The discourse was thoughtful, measured, and anchored in long-term vision rather than short-term speculation. Bringing together two respected Malaysian voices in real estate and finance, the session featured Sean iHerng , widely recognised as RealEstateGuy , alongside Peter of Mr Money TV . Together, they unpacked...
Read more

Lihing Experience with Grub N Vine Where Taste Meets Tradition, and Learning Becomes Sensory By Mr Alfred Allen Ginsos, Editor-in-Chief, FAVSTYLE

-
Image
In Sabah, tradition is never static. It ferments, matures, and evolves. Few cultural expressions embody this living process as eloquently as Lihing. More than a rice wine, Lihing is a cultural language, articulated through patience, ritual, and refinement. This philosophy came vividly to life at the Lihing Experience hosted by Grub N Vine , where guests were invited not merely to taste, but to understand. From Heritage to the Glass Rooted in the same ancestral brewing lineage as Tapai, Lihing represents a more composed and refined expression of fermentation. Crafted primarily from glutinous rice and fermented over an extended period of two months or more, Lihing undergoes a deliberate separation process, removing rice and yeast sediments. What remains is a translucent amber liquid, elegant in clarity and deepening in tone as it matures. This distinction is not cosmetic. It is philosophical. Where Tapai remains intimate and rustic, traditionally stored in jars for household enjoymen...
Read more

SHERATON HOTELS & RESORTS UNVEILS SHERATON KOTA KINABALU

-
Image
  A NEW CHAPTER FOR HOSPITALITY IN SABAH’S COASTAL CAPITAL Where panoramic views meet innovative design, Sheraton Kota Kinabalu sets a new standard for connection, comfort, and contemporary hospitality in the heart of Borneo Renderings: Sheraton Kota Kinabalu Lobby & Standard Guest Room KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA – December 29, 2025 – Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, proudly announces the opening of Sheraton Kota Kinabalu, a striking destination set to redefine the hospitality landscape of Sabah’s capital city. Rising as one of the tallest towers in Borneo, the 307-room hotel introduces the brand’s new vision to the culturally rich destination, as part of a worldwide transformation which focuses on design and experience signatures that foster community, gathering, and productivity in all areas of the hotel. Perfectly positioned in the heart of Kota Kinabalu, embraced by sweeping views of the South C...
Read more