We almost missed this meal. I’m so glad we didn’t. Yam 918 Kopitiam ended up serving one of the best meals we’ve ever had in Desaru. If you want honest, no-fuss Desaru seafood with generous portions, put this place on your list.
How We (Nearly Didn’t) Get Our Desaru Seafood Fix
We had to collect our race packs at the IRONMAN Festival Village first. By the time we got back to the hotel (Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast), it was past 2pm. We were starving.
We tried booking a Grab. No drivers. So we ordered from FamilyMart instead. Then they cancelled the order because some items ran out. So annoying.
We tried Grab one last time. A driver accepted almost immediately and drove us straight to Yam 918 Kopitiam. Woohoo! The ride took 11 minutes and cost less than RM9.
First Impressions of This Desaru Seafood Spot
We arrived after 3pm. The place was empty, and the staff had just sat down for a break. One of them handed us the menu the moment we sat down.
You’ll find quite a few seafood tze char restaurants along this stretch of road. But locals clearly love this one, and the glowing reviews convinced us.
Good to Know Before Your Desaru Seafood Feast
- Want aircon? Walk further inside and turn left. You’ll find a much cooler, air-conditioned dining room there.
- Washroom: It’s in the same aircon section.
- Live seafood: Check out the tanks of crabs, lobsters and white clams. The restaurant charges by weight at seasonal prices and offers plenty of cooking styles.
What We Ordered
Drinks
- Kedondong Juice (RM5.90): My pick. Sweet, salty, tangy and grassy all at once. The kedondong brings the tang and grassiness, sugar syrup adds sweetness, and a salted plum rounds it off. It works like lime juice or a sour plum drink and cuts right through a rich meal.
- Honey Wheatgrass (RM3.90): Hubby’s pick. Sweet and earthy. Not my thing, haha.
Signature Tofu (RM17, Small)
Think fried silken tofu topped with crispy chye poh. The golden crust contrasts beautifully with the soft, wobbly centre. The savoury sauce ties it all together. Lovely.
Salted Egg Squid (RM30, Small)
We ordered small, but it looked big. The kitchen cuts the squid into chunky pieces, yet each bite stays tender and easy to chew. The salted egg coating smells amazing. One warning: it’s oily. Expect a pool of grease at the bottom of the plate.
Thai-Style Fried Chicken (RM28, Small)
Another generous “small”. This one tastes really refreshing. I expected a cloyingly sweet chilli sauce, but it strikes a good balance. The veggies add crunch. They use chicken leg, so the meat stays juicy under that crispy exterior.
Kam Heong White Clams (RM35/500g)
We usually order kam heong lala, so we hesitated. In the end, we went for the live white clams. Great call. The meat is plumper than regular lala, and it tastes fresh and clean. Zero sand. The sauce packs serious flavour and a good spicy kick. Very moreish.
White Rice (RM2 per Portion)
Even the rice comes in big portions. Hubby normally demolishes two plates on his own. Here, he managed one plate plus half of mine.
The Damage
Our total came to about RM138, including SST and service charge. Fair, considering how much food we got.
Verdict: Is It Worth the Desaru Seafood Hype?
Absolutely. Here’s the quick summary:
- Taste: Fresh, hot and full of flavour
- Portions: Generous, even for small sizes
- Service: Quick and efficient, even mid-break
- Environment: Clean, with an aircon section
- Minor gripe: The salted egg squid gets greasy
Honestly, we have nothing serious to complain about. The kitchen cooks everything fresh, and it all suited our taste perfectly. If you’re heading to Desaru and craving seafood, go. Just maybe book your Grab early.
