TeetoTurtle embraces the culture of camaraderie and openness (All photos: Emily Yap/The Edge)
Nights out about town certainly appear different than how they once were. While some of us look back at our twenties as a time of reckless decision-making, spurred by one too many cheap shots and the nasty taste of tequila that still triggers a gag reflex to this day, the ideal Friday night for most youngins now are 6pm dinners with perhaps a cheeky kombucha for the fizz and giggles.
That is not to say we have something against meals pre-sunset or probiotics, only that the definition of “fun” has evolved — unfortunately, to the detriment of many local bars. Zero proof menus — once treated as an afterthought and offering a poor imitation of the real thing — are being seriously reviewed, sometimes commanding as many pages as their spirited counterparts.
For those who lived through the cocktail revival or learnt to appreciate the craft of a balanced drink (and not the haphazard mix of neon liquids), a degree of mocktail scepticism is entirely fair. After all, what is a gin and tonic without the gin?
Enter TeetoTurtle, a play on the rising teetotaller movement and everyone’s favourite snorkelling sighting. One might ask, is the latter a metaphor for a sheltered retreat? The mascot donning a smirk and a pair of sunnies surely suggests a much livelier vibe. The answer hangs on the seagrass-green walls, captured in the handwritten words of a late industry veteran.
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Karl Too’s epizeuxis of #persaucocktail harks back to a dream. Persau, extracted from the Malay word persaudaraan, meaning “brotherhood”, reveals his vision for a place where anyone can find a sense of belonging over a tipple. Despite co-founding the acclaimed Omakase + Appreciate alongside bartender extraordinaire Shawn Chong, Too was never much of an imbiber, a label accompanying the frame divulges. As a tribute to his legacy, TeetoTurtle carries forward the spirit of inclusivity, ensuring there is always a seat at the table for everyone, no matter their background or religion.
So, why a turtle? Turns out, its Malay moniker (penyu) sounds a lot like pengyou, the Mandarin word for “friend”. And don’t we all use the hash sign, repeated thrice on Too’s scribbles, to denote the reptile’s scutes when we doodle? Surely, that is serendipity in action.
Dark, heavy curtains demarcate the bar from a gallery, where illustrator Charis Ng, responsible for the menu’s graphics, is currently exhibiting her works. While the former may look as dim as a den, the hospitality is instantly warm. Across wooden floors, simple seating for two is positioned sparsely against the green wall, while a long communal table awaits larger groups.
Once the eyes adapt to the shadows, they are drawn straight to the bar — the venue’s central anchor. Patrons might detect the familiar silhouette of a traditional kampung house, which was partly the design intent, but the single entry and exit point intentionally mimics a turtle’s deliberate movement. Stepping back, the dark hues and tile arrangements evoke the layered armour of a samurai — a subtle Japanese nod to mixologist Chong’s main playground, Bar Mizukami.
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The entire menu is built around two infusions. Inspired by the traditional Indonesian herbal tonic, Jamu blends ginger, lemongrass and turmeric, cooked down with warm spices like cinnamon and clove, creating a robust base that plays up the toastier and nuttier beverage offerings.
Pudina, on the other hand, was initially crafted as a substitute for vermouth bianco. A vibrant medley of chamomile, orange peel, coriander seed, mint and thyme, this complex yet versatile infusion shape-shifts in the shaker to elevate the bartender’s herbaceous and aromatic creations.
Emerald Chill (RM25) is a good place to start. Building upon the Jamu blend, the refreshing concoction layers cucumber, lemon and aloe vera to deliver a bright, tart kick that stimulates the tongue’s acid-sensing cells, effectively waking up the palate to make every subsequent flavour pop. Attached to the stem of the glass is a sprig of thyme that releases a clean, peppery aroma with every sip. It is highly recommended if you are planning to grab a plate of wings from Mana Dining next door — the other new kid on the block. TeetoTurtle and Mana are currently enjoying a symbiotic set-up where guests at either spot can cross-order directly from both menus.
Matcha lovers will naturally gravitate towards Kyoto Mist (RM35), where Jamu is laced with Calpico and lychee. The main component is whisked to order and poured over the mixture for a bit of theatrical flair, though, unfortunately, the cloying sweetness proved overwhelming even for this certified sweet tooth. The matcha is stripped of its characteristic depth and umami, resulting in a muted drink that offers more style than substance.
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Having a mint-averse companion along for the evening meant the Pudina-based mocktails had a much tougher crowd to win over. A zero-proof take on the classic summery piña colada, the Annona Colada (RM30) strikes a lovely balance of sweet, tart and creamy with soursop, coconut cream and a calamansi infusion. The flavours dance harmoniously with the cherry on top replaced with chewy attap chee steeped in rose syrup for a local touch. It is vacation in a glass, eliciting the image of swaying palm fronts, sandy toes and a crystalline sea.
Our last order was just as transportive. The Apple Pie Sour (RM28) grounds the Pudina with green apple, caramel and lemon for a warm, velvety treat that tastes just like its moniker. Silky aquafaba foam — an egg-white alternative derived from the viscous liquid found in a can of chickpeas — crowns the top with a dusting of cinnamon in a lattice pattern channelling the flavours and look of the classic dessert. The choice of green apples ups the tartness and tang, keeping it from veering towards saccharine. The dark, toasty notes from the caramel seal the deal for this yuletide season-approved libation, which had us mentally counting down to Christmas (only 20 weekends left, by the way).
Chong dedicated 1½ years to bringing TeetoTurtle from concept to reality, though he has no plans to personally step behind the bar, placing full faith in the team to work their magic. For him, the venue represents embracing a fresh chapter of sober mixology, a sentiment playfully underscored by the pink flag garnishing each drink, proudly declaring, “I am a mocktail”.
62-1, Jalan Hang Kasturi, KL. Open Wed to Sun, 3pm-11pm.
This article first appeared on Aug 3, 2026 in The Edge Malaysia.
