Located within the grounds of Kepong Baru's wet market, freshness is guaranteed at Pak Thong. The restaurant sources ingredients from its neighbours to cook up a combination of fresh seafood and delicious comfort food. Navigate to this hidden gem for a business lunch and gain points for resourcefulness! We have a special spot in our hearts for the Bitter Gourd Vermicelli (from RM10), which melds thick vermicelli with yummy pork slices and bitter gourd in a soothing, milky soup. For seafood, turn to the Lala In Superior Soup (RM16) that nails the perfect spicy-savoury broth with plump, juicy lala to boot. The Steamed Crabs (RM140 per kg) also deserve a mention. Imported from seaside Sabah, these crabs are incredibly fresh, meaty and make a delicious treat if you're looking to splurge — the Sabahan variant are typically pricier than local ones.
Avg price per person: RM25
Gone are the days when great bak kut teh can only found in Klang. This is especially true for Sheng Huat, the first offshoot of Klang's notable 'under the bridge' bak kut teh. Unlike its predecessor, this outlet only opens for business after dark at 9.30pm to serve claypots filled with deeply flavoured Bak Kut Teh (from RM11). The broth pays homage to its Klang origins — dark and concentrated from long hours of simmering. Coupled with tender pork belly that boasts lustrous layers of meat and fat, the suppertime dish is foodie heaven. Your supper doesn't end there. Tastemaker Brian Leow has only praise for their Wrapped Intestines in Pepper Soup (from RM14). The super smooth delicacy is the result of a tedious wrapping process and it is must-try for all intestine-lovers — if you've never been a fan, this one might just convert you. Also give their melt-in-your-mouth Braised Chicken Feet (RM10) a shot!
Avg price per person: RM15
Within steps of Kepong's Big Tree Head Mamak, a low-profile food truck dishes out super supper alternatives: Fried Carrot Cake (from RM4.50) and Fried Oyster (from RM7). The young man in his thirties is not to be underestimated, for he is remarkably adept at the wok. The fried oyster pleases with bite-sized oysters amid scrambled eggy bits whereas the wok hei-laden carrot cake is boosted by the taste of chopped garlic. Place your order of both fried fares and watch him whip up shimmering plates for you and your partner — there is something quite romantic about sharing supper in a dim setting shrouded by leafy trees. For a sweet end to the night, enjoy a bowl of soothing tong sui (sweet soup dessert, RM2) of the day.
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burppler Tiffany Ng
The Champ Kitchen prides themselves on braised pork knuckles and a cooking method like no other — up to 180 pork knuckles are thrown into a ginormous steel pot and slow-cooked over 72 hours to achieve off-the-bone tenderness. Come for a luscious lunch and bring a trotter-loving friend with you. We recommend a quick treat with the Pork Rice (RM8), jewelled with a gleaming piece of knuckle, pork belly, preserved vegetables and a seasoned boiled egg (runny centre guaranteed). For something a little more ambitious, it will have to be the Claypot Pork Knuckle (RM38) that's good for two to three people. The slab swims in a dark yet lightly-flavoured sauce that suggests of the establishment's homey cooking style — no MSG here, but feel free to jazz up your pork with soy sauce. Have this with white rice or our all-time favourite Fried Mantou (RM1.50 per piece).
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh
Ah Yee, meaning 'aunty' in Mandarin, used to peddle curry noodles at a roadside stall. Nearly 20 years later, the Kepong-favourite gets an upgrade to now occupy an airy shoplot along Jalan Kepong Baru. Regulars fill these seats at lunchtime for their famous Curry Chee Cheong Fun (RM4) — a bright-coloured delight that's doused in runny sauce and garnished with sliced pork and fragrant fried onions. Load up your plate with something extra from the tempting trays of Yong Tau Foo (RM1.20 per piece) — our top pick is the fuchuk (beancurd sheets)! Aunty also makes a mean bowl of Curry Noodles (RM5.50), the more luxurious alternative with char siew, fuchuk and rich curry broth. Curry is known for its food coma-inducing properties, so save this for a winning weekend lunch with friends.
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Sok Chien Lim
By 5pm, locals fall in line at Kepong Wai Sek Kai's end-stall for delicious nighttime Nasi Lemak (RM2.50). The humble dish appeals to older patrons, likely for the aromatic rice cooked just enough so that every grain still holds weight, much like basmati rice. In other words, bring your parents and queue in their stead! When it's your turn, order the sweet-spicy Sambal Sotong (from RM1.50) and if you're really hungry, the flavourful Curry Chicken (from RM1) alongside. The jolly pak cik (uncle) who started the business years ago knows his crowd and will be sure to offer you extra rice and sambal — take it. You can thank us once you've had your first spoonful of rice smothered in punch-packed sambal.
Avg price per person: RM5
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh
This one-of-a-kind Chinese restaurant is famed for their specialty claypot dishes and there are many, so mark this down for a family dinner. Your experience here should begin with the centerpiece seen at every table: the Claypot Catfish With Spicy Bean Paste Broth (RM48). Spoon over the savoury, spicy broth to best enjoy the flavours of this fleshy fish. Tastemaker Sok Chien also swears by their Nutty Buttermilk Chicken (from RM18), also served in a claypot — delightful fried chicken covered in creamy buttermilk glaze and a sprinkling of nuts. With two meat orders down, complete your meal with the Stir-Fried Romaine Lettuce (RM20), which surprises the palate with bits of crispy pork lard for supreme flavours. The Crispy Fried Pork Belly (from RM20) makes a great pre-dinner snack to accompany conversations as you await the mains.
Avg price per person: RM25
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Sok Chien Lim
Nestled in Kepong's Wai Sek Kai (food street), Hong Kee is widely known for their Roasted Chicken Wings (RM3.10 per pair), but also for a portrait of Gurmit Singh devouring those wings plastered on stall's glass display. The Phua Chu Kang-approved wings hit the roadside rotisserie upon order and arrive at your table smokin' with a mouthwatering glaze. Dip them into the sharp-tasting chili sauce for a burst of flavour. This is a place for groups, so bring friends who will gladly gorge with you and order by the dozen (any less is blasphemy!). Pro tip: You might notice that the tables and chairs are grouped in colours — this indicates which stall they belong to and while you can order chicken wings at any table, you are also obliged to order something from the stall where you are seated. Go for the Herbal Tea (RM1.50) to cool you off after the hot wings.
Avg price per person: RM10 per person
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh
It takes some effort to track down this secluded restaurant amidst the surrounding industrial buildings, but the reward is a tasty Thai treasure. Make this your next after-work dinner den with friends or colleagues! The rustic set-up offers tantalising dishes prepared by Yee Wen's Thai chefs. Instead of all-consuming heat, they focus on a balance of flavours sealed with a spicy finish. Order the signature Seafood Tomyum (RM30) served in a deep claypot, and have rice ready for this addictive broth. Another dish not to be missed is the Otak-Otak (RM20), which arrives in a coconut teeming with seafood and minced fish marinated in spice-laced coconut cream. To renew appetites, share the refreshing Som Tam with Salted Egg (RM15) — the Thai-style papaya salad is known to be tangy, but here, the velvety salted egg adds a creamier dimension to the dish.
Avg price per person: RM20
Named after an actual port area in Penang, Chew Jetty doles out the island's famous hawker delights for the Kepong crowd. The establishment opens as early as 8am so swing by for a Penang-style breakfast, minus the four hour-drive. For RM6.50, the Penang Curry Mee is a generous serving of milky-white curry noodles with cockles, cuttlefish and pig's blood that come together to hit the spot. Also an authentic fare is the Penang Hokkien Mee (RM6.50) with thick, flavourful prawn broth — in Penang, Hokkien mee denotes prawn noodles and not KL's stir-fried yellow noodles of the same name. The Penang Char Kuey Teow (from RM6.50) also warrants an order for coming close to its namesake's standards. Wash down the oily breakfast with Pat Poh (RM2), a herbal tea drink that earned its popularity in — you guessed it — Penang! Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Sok Chien Lim