JOHOR BAHRU - In a Johor Bahru cafe, my steaming hot kopi-o comes in a thick porcelain cup and saucer, set on a marble-top table. The surroundings are cool and comfy, the furniture is retro, and the floor tiles are chequered black-and-white vintage. Around me are families tucking into their nasi lemak and laksa, and Instagramming Gen Zs scrolling on their phones.

If you’ve visited Johor recently, you would likely have come across such eateries offering humble coffee-shop orkopitiam fare like coffee, kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs and noodle bowls. All this in air-conditioned comfort with spacious seating, served with a dose of nostalgia amid decor featuring old-school wooden tables and chairs, vintage patterned tiles, and even a classic Singer sewing machine.