From a Family Kopitiam to a Well-Known Seafood Restaurant: How SC Lee Built Zaman Ku Seafood

In an era where technology dominates daily life and genuine human interaction is becoming increasingly rare, Malaysian entrepreneur Lee Sien Chern, widely known as SC Lee, believes the answer to reconnecting people may lie in something remarkably simple — a quality meal shared together.

For Lee, food is not just about dining. It is about bringing people back to meaningful moments with family, friends, and the important people in their lives.

This philosophy became the foundation of Zaman Ku, a halal Chinese seafood restaurant located in Galaxy Ampang Mall, Selangor. The name “Zaman Ku,” meaning “My Era” or “My Moment,” reflects the brand’s core idea: every meal shared around the table can become a memory that belongs to that moment in time.

In a world filled with screens and constant distractions, Lee envisioned Zaman Ku as a place where people could slow down, reconnect, and rediscover the warmth of shared meals.

The story behind the restaurant, however, begins with a deeply personal family history.

Lee took over a traditional kopitiam called Na Xie Nian Kopitiam (那些年茶室), meaning “Once Upon a Time.” The coffee shop was originally built by his father with a heartfelt intention — to encourage Lee’s grandfather to stay in Kuala Lumpur instead of returning to his hometown in Seremban.

To recreate the comfort of home, the kopitiam featured authentic wooden tables, served his grandfather’s favourite breakfast of half-boiled eggs with bread, and even included a karaoke corner, reflecting his grandfather’s favourite pastime. It was a place created not just for business, but for family, nostalgia, and community.

When Lee eventually took over the operation, he inherited more than a coffee shop — he inherited a legacy centred around people and memories.

That legacy soon faced its biggest test.

During the Movement Control Order (MCO) in 2020, dine-in dining across Malaysia came to a halt. At the time, Lee was managing a modest chicken rice stall, struggling to operate with almost no customers.

Rather than retreating, Lee turned the crisis into an opportunity to help others. He launched a chicken rice donation campaign, allowing members of the public to donate meals according to their financial ability. There was no fixed amount — anyone could contribute whatever they wished.

The donated meals were then prepared and distributed to homeless individuals, unemployed workers, and struggling families affected by the lockdown. The initiative quickly gained support from many kind-hearted people within the community. Through this experience, Lee realised something important: food should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial background.

This belief became the inspiration behind the transformation of the family kopitiam.

Lee reimagined the concept into Zaman Ku, introducing a halal Chinese seafood restaurant designed to make seafood dining more accessible to the public. One of the restaurant’s most recognisable promotions — three large crabs for RM48 — was introduced so more families could enjoy seafood without the usual high price.

Despite rising global seafood costs, the weakening Malaysian ringgit, and multiple pandemic lockdowns, Zaman Ku remained committed to maintaining both quality and affordability. The restaurant continued serving good quality crabs while keeping the promotion price, even when the cost of seafood left little or no profit.

For Lee, the reasoning was simple: long-term trust from customers is far more valuable than short-term margins.

The strategy resonated strongly with customers. Within just three years, Zaman Ku sold more than 300,000 crabs, establishing itself as one of the most recognised halal Chinese seafood dining destinations in the local community.

In 2026, the restaurant’s commitment to quality and accessibility was recognised when Zaman Ku received the “Best Halal Seafood Restaurant 2026” award from the ASEAN Food & Travel Awards.

Yet for Lee, the journey is only beginning. He envisions Zaman Ku growing beyond a single restaurant into a broader platform where food, culture, and human connection intersect.

Through resilience, purpose, and a vision rooted in human connection, SC Lee is building more than a restaurant.

He is building a place where people reconnect — and where every shared meal becomes part of someone’s Zaman.