KL Mocha Fest 2026 brews up success, uniting coffee and chocolate lovers under one roof
The explorace proved to be a crowd favourite, with participants taking on aroma identification challenges, trivia quizzes, QR treasure hunts and physical activities.
SHAH ALAM – The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and handcrafted chocolate filled KLGCC Mall over the weekend as the inaugural KL Mocha Fest 2026 drew thousands of visitors, proving that Malaysians have developed an appetite not only for good coffee and chocolate, but also for the stories and communities behind them.
Held from July 3 to 5, the three-day festival brought together specialty coffee roasters, artisan chocolatiers, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts in a celebration of craftsmanship, creativity and collaboration.
From hands-on workshops and curated tasting sessions to business conversations and competitions, the festival offered something for everyone, creating an experience that extended beyond a typical food fair.
Festival director Karen Khoo described the inaugural edition as an incredible success, saying the vision had always been to build a platform that celebrates the entire ecosystem behind coffee and chocolate.
“Our vision was never just to organise another consumer event. We wanted to create a platform that celebrates everyone in the ecosystem, from farmers and producers to Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMEs), artisans, baristas, chocolatiers and consumers.
“Seeing thousands of visitors engage with workshops, competitions, community activities and curated experiences showed us that Malaysia is ready for a festival that brings coffee, chocolate, creativity and entrepreneurship together,” she said.
One of the festival's key highlights was the inaugural KL Mocha Competition, the first dedicated platform in Malaysia to celebrate the art of creating mocha beverages by combining specialty coffee and fine chocolate.
According to Khoo, the competition was designed to encourage creativity, technical excellence and storytelling while showcasing the relationship between two industries that are often celebrated separately.
“Beyond crowning a champion, the objective was to elevate appreciation for Malaysian coffee and chocolate, inspire innovation and create opportunities for baristas, chocolatiers, farmers, roasters and SMEs to connect through one shared platform,” she added.
The competition attracted strong support from industry players and spectators, many of whom stayed to watch the participants present their creations and explain the inspiration behind their drinks.
Emerging as champion was Yap Wei Yuen of Toothless Coffee, whose mocha creation impressed judges with its balance of coffee and chocolate and memorable sensory experience.
The first runner-up title went to Nur Syazwani Sulaiman of Coffex Coffee Roaster, while Jarod Nicholas Leong, also from Coffex Coffee Roaster, finished as second runner-up.
Khoo said the competition was particularly special because it challenged competitors to master the relationship between two complex ingredients while bringing together coffee professionals, chocolatiers and sensory experts to establish a new benchmark for mocha as a specialty beverage.
The festival also saw strong participation in the KL Mocha Fest Explorace, an interactive challenge that invited participants to navigate coffee and chocolate-themed checkpoints around the mall.
Five teams took part in the explorace. The event proved to be a crowd favourite, with participants taking on aroma identification challenges, trivia quizzes, QR treasure hunts and physical activities.
Siblings Syed Jazli Syed Jamaluddin, 35, and Syarifah Jamiamirah Syed Jamaluddin, 31, emerged as champions after completing the challenges in the fastest time.
The duo said they had joined the explorace simply for fun and did not expect to win.
“We're quite happy. We honestly didn't think we would win because we came here just to enjoy the event,” said Syed Jazli.
The siblings credited their familiarity with the mall and their love for coffee as unexpected advantages during the competition.
“We're both coffee lovers, so that kind of helped. We just read the clues carefully and tried to figure out what they meant,” he said.
Asked about the toughest challenge, both laughed as they recalled the physical checkpoint.
“The jumping challenge was definitely the hardest because I actually fell,” Syed Jazli said.
Despite the mishap, they said the experience was still worth it.
“We started this just for fun and didn't even plan on running seriously. It was a nice surprise,” added Syarifah Jamiamirah.
Beyond the competitions, visitors also took part in latte art workshops, doodle sessions and the sustainability-focused Brew Again Workshop, where used coffee grounds were transformed into keepsake creations through 3D-printed moulds.
The Saudagar CIMB sessions also provided a platform for entrepreneurs and industry players to discuss business growth, creativity and the future of artisanal industries in Malaysia.
Khoo said the most meaningful outcome of the festival was the connections that were formed throughout the three days.
“KL Mocha Fest created meaningful connections. It gave SMEs visibility, encouraged knowledge exchange, inspired aspiring professionals and strengthened collaboration across industries.
“We hope this inaugural edition becomes the foundation for an annual event that continues to elevate Malaysia's coffee and chocolate communities,” she said.
As the curtains closed on its first edition, KL Mocha Fest 2026 demonstrated that coffee and chocolate are more than just indulgences. They are catalysts for creativity, community and conversations, and perhaps the beginning of a new cultural tradition for Malaysia's growing specialty scene.
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