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Malaysian

Roti Bakar Kaya (Malaysian Kaya Toast)

A Malaysian kopitiam-style kaya toast breakfast with crisp toast, kaya spread, butter, and soft-boiled eggs.

Published and reviewed by Kitchgrow on 6 September 2026Updated

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Roti Bakar Kaya (Malaysian Kaya Toast)

20 mintotal

Prep 10 min · Cook 10 min

Serves
2
Difficulty
Easy
Spice
None
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Ingredients

Quantities are for 2 servings.

You'll need: Stovetop.

No inactive time; the eggs sit in just-boiled water off the heat while the toast is made, so the two are ready together.

Method

  1. Toast the bread in a dry pan until crisp and lightly golden on both sides.

  2. Spread kaya on two slices and add a thin layer of butter while the toast is still warm.

  3. Close with the remaining toast slices and cut into halves or fingers.

  4. For soft-boiled eggs, place eggs in hot water just off the boil and cover until the whites are barely set and yolks remain runny.

  5. Crack the eggs into small bowls and season with soy sauce and black pepper.

  6. Serve the kaya toast with the seasoned soft-boiled eggs.

How to tell it's done

The toast should be crisp outside, creamy inside, and the eggs softly set with runny yolks.

Getting it right

Tip

Add butter while the toast is hot so it softens slightly but still leaves a creamy layer.

What to serve it with

Serve for breakfast or evening snack with hot coffee or tea.

Common mistakes

The butter melts into the toast and disappears.
Kopitiam-style kaya toast uses cold butter in a thick slab, not softened butter spread thin. Cut it into slices and lay them on the warm toast so they only half-melt — the contrast is the point.
The eggs come out hard.
Off the boil and covered, not simmering. The residual heat is enough for soft-boiled eggs in about six minutes, and any actual boiling sets the yolk.

Substitutions

  • Use brown bread if preferred, but thin white toast gives the most classic kopitiam texture.

Storing and reheating

Assemble and eat straight away. Kaya keeps two weeks in the fridge in a sealed jar and is the only part that stores; toast and eggs are made to order.