Mahjong Workshop Connects Generations at FabCafe Kuala Lumpur

The global resurgence of mahjong over the past five years has introduced an entirely new generation to the game. Its popularity as a social meeting point in third spaces have made its influence from London to Singapore, emerging as a point of social activity and material experimentation which include biomaterials and contemporary aesthetics. FabCafe Kuala Lumpur’s approach differs by centering the traditional craft of mahjong tile making itself where participants can even try traditional fabrication techniques. 

The mahjong tile painting workshop was created in partnership with Karen Aruba who is from a third generation mahjong tile making family in Hong Kong. She first had the opportunity to collaborate with FabCafe Kuala Lumpur in 2023 while on holiday in Malaysia. After holding a series of successful tile painting workshops in 2023 and 2024, Karen Aruba had formed a partnership with FabCafe Kuala Lumpur to develop mahjong tile painting kits for their workshops in 2025.

FabCafe Kuala Lumpur’s workshops can accommodate up to 20 participants per session and have a wide range of attendees. Sessions run for approximately two to three hours, as participants come with family and friends to bond over their love of mahjong.

“One memorable workshop included three Indian aunties in their seventies who regularly played mahjong together using international scoring rules. They joined specifically to paint their own times and gain hands-on experience with the craft.”

“Another participant, a husband purchasing the workshop to make a birthday gift for his wife, returned for a second session. Several families have attended. Mothers with daughters. Mothers with sons. Creating moments where younger generations discover their parents’ knowledge of the game. In one case, a son was surprised to learn his mother knew how to play mahjong at all.”

Gwyneth Jong and Ignatius Andi Permadi, FabCafe Kuala Lumpur Co-Founders

FabCafe Kuala Lumpur’s collaboration was also made possible through a unique tile fabrication process where participants have the opportunity to paint tiles that are especially designed and illustrated by Karen Arbua. These customized tiles feature Malaysian themed landmarks and symbolism.

While modern fabrication tools enable the workshop and provide Karen Aruba’s unique illustrations to the Malaysian themed designs, the workshops also offer a chance for participants to experience hand-drilling techniques. This technique is still used by specialized mahjong tile makers for quintessential decorative elements on mahjong tiles. This combination of digital tools and traditional methods reflects FabCafe’s broader mission: creating platforms where artisans can share specialized knowledge in crafts with a general public that might otherwise have difficulty accessing it. 

Participants frequently ask about playing mahjong at FabCafe Kuala Lumpur with many already belonging to playing clubs with regular gatherings. The interest has led FabCafe Kuala Lumpur to consider offering mahjong playing sessions alongside the painting workshops, recognizing that the game functions as both cultural heritage and social activity. 

After April 2026, Karen Aruba and FabCafe Kuala Lumpur plan to introduce a full-set mahjong painting session with expanded color options. This option allows participants to customize their flower tiles and create their own playable sets from scratch.

The next mahjong tile painting workshop is scheduled for July 26th, 2026 at FabCafe Kuala Lumpur. Participants paint their own tiles, learn hand-drilling techniques, and take home a Malaysian-themed mahjong gift set. For more information please visit FabCafe Kuala Lumpur’s Instagram page.