Witness to a Dream- Tea Kadai (Penang & KL)



In the heart of Georgetown, hidden among narrow streets painted with old murals and the scent of incense, there’s a place called Tea Kadai.

I was never in the kitchen. My hands never smelled of tea leaves or cardamom, nor did I feel the heat of the stove against my skin.

Instead, I watched from the outside — standing by the door, sometimes pulling a chair near the entrance, where the smell of freshly brewed chai would drift out and wrap around me like a memory waiting to be kept. -Anne oru Tea!

Back then, it was just the first branch — a handful of tables, the laughter of regulars, and dreams so fragile they trembled each time the rain fell too long or a day ended with unsold snacks. But then it started to go viral, stories spreading from one person to another, covered by bloggers and foodies alike. And that spark of excitement never stopped — it only made them more eager to push forward, to dream bigger, and to do even more.

I didn’t do much beyond standing by, offering words when needed, and quietly cheering them on. Now, watching from the outside as they open the third branch in KL Brickfields — bigger, brighter, filled with new faces who never saw how it all began. Yet deep down, there’s a quiet pride too: knowing I witnessed the first spark of this dream, and that it’s still burning stronger than ever. Congratulations!

Then Covid came — empty chairs, shuttered doors, fear hanging heavier than the steam rising from the kettle. But they didn’t give up. I watched them fight, reshaping menus, pushing takeaway orders, sharing late-night updates that held both worry and stubborn hope.

Somehow, they made it through. And when the city slowly breathed again, they opened the second branch — not just as a business move, but as proof that hard days don’t last forever when hearts refuse to quit.

And now, the third branch stands. Bigger, brighter, with new faces behind the counter. We’re strangers now — just polite nods and quiet prayers — but from outside, I still see the same spirit that brewed the very first pot of chai.

We’ve become strangers, each of us walking our own path. But my prayers haven’t changed. I still hope Mohamed Rizwan keeps that fire in his chest, that Bro Thanif’s chai keeps warming cold evenings, and that Bro Faiz’s quiet effort keeps the walls standing tall.

Because even from the outside, I saw the struggle. I saw the nights of doubt, the small victories that felt huge, the tired smiles at closing time. And maybe they’ll never know how closely I watched or how deeply I cared.

But that’s okay. Sometimes love doesn’t need a seat in the kitchen or a name on the shopfront. Sometimes it lives quietly — just beyond the door, carried in a prayer each time the tea kettle hisses into the night.

Because I saw their struggle with my own eyes. And somewhere in the swirl of every cup they serve, I know there’s a part of those first days, still alive.

πŸ’“πŸ’“πŸ’“πŸ’“πŸ’“πŸ’“πŸ’“πŸ’“πŸ’“πŸ’“πŸ’“πŸ’“πŸ’“





1st Branch Tea Kadai HQ - Queen Street, Penang


2nd Branch Tea Kadai - Chulia Street, Penang


3rd Branch Tea Kadai - Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur









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