TOKB Cafe at Section 13, PJ: Snapshot

It’s not easy to write about TOKB – on one hand, we believe its founders have pure intentions, striving to create a place that reflects on the lessons of World War II and honours the memory of those who suffered, fought or lost their lives. But for now, those themes seem lost in a hodgepodge of wartime relics and replicas that teeter perilously close to exploitative gimmickry.

Spotlight on Kelantanese flavours

The menu spotlights flavours from Kelantan state (TOKB stands for Taste Of Kota Bharu, Kelantan’s capital), with northeastern recipes like laksam (RM13.90) and nasi tumpang with serunding daging, ikan tongkol and ayam goreng (RM15.90) sourced from a woman who’s cooked for three decades in Kelantan (the WWII connection lies in how Japan’s invasion of Malaya began in Kota Bharu).

The food on its own is inoffensive, though the signature drink, a frothy teh tarik with honey, left us disquieted – it may be inadvertent, but the beverage’s name, ‘Teh Atom,’ feels unmindful of the grievousness of August 1945’s atomic destruction.

Plus, the cafe’s huge portrait of soldiers from all sides happily sharing a feast of nasi kerabu in the jungle while attack planes soar overhead strikes too much of a false note, even if its motives may be noble.

But we wish TOKB’s friendly founders the best, and we hope their initiative will evolve to leave a positive impact by reminding us to value historical truths.