Don't laugh, but this plain-looking, non-descript cup of coffee is one of the coffees that I actually miss whenever I'm not in town.
It comes not from a well-known coffee cafe (that, in this context, often serves up pastries and brunch)
Neither does it come from a place with one of them good baristas who know their coffee beans and coffee types inside and out.
But it is satisfying, it packs a good solid punch, and is remarkably affordable.
I was first introduced to this coffee couple of years ago by Mr. Radioman who brought me to the NTWU canteen of the 'hood's bus interchange after a night of hanging out.
"The coffee here good," he told me, "Solid one."
Back then I had been a little more skeptical.
After all not every coffee shop serves up the best coffee.
But then the shutters of the canteen went up, from the bench we heard the clinking of tea spoons inside the mugs as the lady began stirring up the day's first order, and Mr. Radioman went in to order.
In a few minutes he was back.
Up till today I still remember that sight of Mr. Radioman coming back to the table with two glass cups of kopis in his hand.
I'll also always remember the taste.
See, with this coffee, it isn't merely the sweet from the condensed milk that strikes you.
It is also the roundedness, the richness, and the thickness of the coffee that hits hard.
I loved the way the coffee first wrapped her flavor around my tongue, sliding oh-so-smoothly down my throat, and then, finally, enveloping my senses with her comforting, revitalizing warmth.
It's been more than two years since with Mr. Radioman I dipped a stick of youtiao dough fritters into a cup of kopi.
It's also been more than two years since with Mr. Radioman we shared a plate of fried noodles along with our cups of kopi.
Perhaps it is that which makes me glad that the taste of this kopi hasnt changed.
I'm still not (emotionally) able to get back to the canteen of Hougang Bus Interchange for the same glass cup, but thankfully there're other canteens at other bus interchanges that I can go to whenever I need, and want.
Like the other day when I happened to alight at Serangoon Bus Interchange, and because it had been a somewhat long day- like most days this season seems to be- I needed a coffee.
Desperately.
In the NEX shopping mall there was McDonalds and MOS Burger and even the food court at the end of the same floor but then I passed by the NTWU canteen whilst walking in, I had cash on hand, and so into the functional, hole-in-a-wall canteen I went.
The lady did the coffee for me in a quick jiffy, and let me tell you, words cannot describe just how much comfort the very first sip gave me.
Would it be exaggerated if I say I felt suddenly alive?
Would it be too much of a overkill if I said I felt instantly revitalized?
Because that's how it was.
So good, rich and thick it was.
Honestly, I'm glad for the consistency.
It's like I don't have to think whether or not this place's kopi be good today or otherwise.
I don't have to worry that the standard of today's kopi fall below what I need and want.
I don't even need to worry too much about price.
I've not understood very much what exactly the presence of the unions are (sometimes) in the system of this country- it gets complicated- but if there's one thing I know, it is that the Workers' Union doesn't screw around with the needs and the tastes of bus drivers all around the country whether it be the meals, the snacks, the drinks, the cakes, or the coffees.
What they want, they get.
At their price.
Not the same for us, of course, it's higher, but because they get what they want, because the canteen is open to everyone and anyone (just so long as we give them their right of space) we citizens, we bus passengers, get to have the same blessed standards too.