Fast, order-at-the-counter service often connotes poor quality — but Kopi-O is setting out to change that assumption in Eugene. Despite officially opening its doors just last Monday, the Southeast Asian cafe is already set to make an impact on the local food scene.

“We want to become a neighborhood restaurant,” said Aaron Ismail, who handles the business side of the restaurant.

Ismail is just one important piece of the family-run restaurant — his father, Kopi-O’s head chef, made a name for himself at various restaurants around town during the family’s 20 years here in Eugene. “(Opening his own restaurant) was a dream he had always had, and we think that Malaysian food is definitely unique,” he said. “We wanted to bring something new and fresh to the community.”

These “new and fresh” dishes might be unfamiliar to Kopi-O first-timers, but Ismail and his family know that Eugene has room for everything under its gastronomical umbrella, and they are excited to bring their new flavors to an adventurous audience.

While Eugene is home to restaurants of nearly all ethnicities, Kopi-O hopes to create its own niche.

“It’s a casual restaurant with a nicer environment,” Ismail said. While the quick preparation, lack of table service and under-10-dollar entrees evoke a laid-back feeling, the almost-upscale environment creates a contrast that doesn’t yet exist in the area. “The goal is to have good food in a really comfortable environment.”

The food blends flavors from Malaysia and Singapore and dares to disregard the fine American divides between breakfast, lunch and dinner. Staying true to southeastern Asian culture rather than conforming to U.S. norms, Kopi-O isn’t shy to serve egg dishes for dinner and noodle dishes for breakfast.

The restaurant, which seats between 35 to 40 patrons, hopes to lure customers with its unique balance of casual and formal.

“There’s a great environment there,” Ismail said. ”It’s a great fit for Eugene.”

Kopi-O is located at 1530 Willamette St.