What Makes KOPI by Jim’s Recipe Different From Other Salcedo Cafés

This Salcedo Makati Kopitiam Serves Malaysian Tarts in Makati.

In a city like Makati where coffee shops are everywhere, KOPI by Jim’s Recipe leans away from the usual espresso-and-croissant café scene in Salcedo Village with its kopitiam-style drinks, pastries, and rice meals.

Located along Valero Access Road, this modern kopitiam serves Malaysian-inspired comfort food, traditional kopi and teh, and freshly baked tarts that start at just ₱48. It is casual enough for a quick coffee break, but the rice meals and late closing time also make it a practical dinner spot in Makati.

*Iced Kopi and Iced Teh served with Lava Cheese Tart and Hong Kong Pudding at KOPI by Jim’s Recipe in Salcedo, Makati. Photo courtesy of **@justsomepostcards**.*

From Malaysian Sponge Cakes to a Full Kopitiam Menu

Jim’s Recipe was founded in Malaysia in 2017 and originally became known for its soft, eggy sponge cakes. The brand eventually expanded beyond its bakery roots with KOPI by Jim’s Recipe, a café concept built around the familiar food and drinks of a Southeast Asian kopitiam.

Instead of relying only on espresso-based drinks, the menu includes traditional-style kopi, teh, Malaysian tarts, noodles, curry dishes, toast, and rice meals.

*The pastry counter and brightly illuminated KOPI sign inside the Valero branch. Photo courtesy of **@justsomepostcards**.*

The Salcedo branch keeps the concept contemporary. Green tiled walls, warm wooden tables, red ceiling details, and a bright neon sign give the café a distinct personality without making the dining room feel overly themed.

*Café’s signature red and green details. Photo courtesy of **@justsomepostcards**.*

There are regular tables for groups and a long counter beside the window for anyone dining alone or stopping by for a quick drink.

*Window-side counter seating overlooking the street*. Photo courtesy of **@justsomepostcards**.

What We Ordered at KOPI by Jim’s Recipe

For drinks, we ordered an Iced Kopi and an Iced Teh.

The Iced Kopi is the darker and more assertive of the two, balancing the bitterness of coffee with the sweetness and creaminess commonly associated with traditional kopi. The Iced Teh is smoother and milkier, making it an easy pairing for both savory meals and pastries.

Both arrived in tall glass mugs, a simple presentation that feels right at home in a modern kopitiam.

*The darker Iced Kopi and creamier Iced Teh with two freshly baked Malaysian tarts. Photo courtesy of **@justsomepostcards**.*

If you prefer your drinks less sweet, it may be worth asking the staff about adjusting the sweetness before ordering.

The ₱48 Hong Kong Pudding Is an Affordable Add-On

The pastry counter is difficult to ignore, especially when the tarts are freshly displayed near the ordering area.

We tried two of the most affordable choices: the Hong Kong Pudding and the Lava Cheese Tart.

The Hong Kong Pudding, priced at ₱48, is the more classic-looking tart. It has a smooth golden filling with a gentle eggy sweetness inside a crumbly pastry shell. It is simple, comforting, and inexpensive enough to add to almost any coffee order.

The Lava Cheese Tart, priced at ₱68, is richer and creamier. Its pale cheese filling has a slightly savory character that keeps it from tasting excessively sweet. Between the two, this is the more indulgent choice and the better match for anyone who enjoys cheesecake-style desserts.

The latest tart prices were also promoted by the brand through its official social media page.

*Hong Kong Pudding, Lava Cheese Tarts, and other freshly baked pastries displayed at the counter. Photo courtesy of **@justsomepostcards**.*

Order the Nasi Lemak If You Want a Full Meal

KOPI by Jim’s Recipe is not only for coffee and pastries. The menu also includes Nasi Lemak, one of Malaysia’s best-known comfort dishes.

The plate comes with fragrant coconut rice, chicken, roasted peanuts, crispy anchovies, cucumber, boiled egg, and sambal. Each component adds something different, from the richness of the coconut rice and the crunch of the peanuts to the saltiness of the anchovies and the heat of the sambal.

*Nasi Lemak served with coconut rice, chicken, sambal, boiled egg, cucumber, roasted peanuts, and crispy anchovies. Photo courtesy of @justsomepostcards.*

The serving is substantial enough to turn a casual coffee stop into a proper lunch or dinner. Mix a little sambal into the rice first, then alternate it with the chicken, cucumber, peanuts, and anchovies so every bite has a different combination of textures.

You Can Also Bring the Tarts Home

The counter carries several pastries beyond the two we tried, including croissant egg tarts and the sponge cakes that originally made Jim’s Recipe popular.

Branded takeaway boxes are available, making the tarts easy to bring back to the office or take home.

*Jim’s Recipe takeaway boxes ready for pastry and tart orders. Photo courtesy of **@justsomepostcards**.*

Is KOPI by Jim’s Recipe Worth Visiting?

KOPI by Jim’s Recipe is worth considering when you want more than another standard coffee shop in Makati.

Come for an Iced Kopi or Iced Teh, add a ₱48 Hong Kong Pudding if you only want merienda, or order the Nasi Lemak when you need something more filling. The roomy interior and window-side seats also make it suitable for solo diners, casual meetings, and after-work catch-ups.

*A rainy evening along Valero, viewed from inside KOPI by Jim’s Recipe. Photo courtesy of **@justsomepostcards**.*

One practical consideration is parking. The curb directly outside is marked as a no-parking and no-waiting area, so drivers may need to use a nearby paid parking facility. The branch is more convenient for people already working or staying around Salcedo Village, or those arriving through a ride-hailing service.

KOPI by Jim’s Recipe Valero Makati Details

Location: 65 Valero Access Road 4, Signa Designer Residences, Makati City
Opening hours: A recent official post lists daily operating hours from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Confirm the schedule before visiting.

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Disclaimer: Menu items, prices, availability, and operating hours may change without prior notice. Coupon Grocer is not affiliated with KOPI by Jim’s Recipe. Please contact the café or check its official social media pages for the latest information before visiting.