Located beneath an apartment block, 7th Mile Kitchen's nondescript storefront sets it up to be a real hidden gem discovery, if only their excellent East Malaysian eats would stop making constant foodie news. Open only from 7am to 2:30pm, the kitchen doles out a succinct Sarawakian menu made up of only four items. That's all they need. As it is, the lunch crowd snaps up every seat in their two-shoplot space, which is why we recommend swinging by for a more enjoyable experience of breakfast noodles instead. We can never decide between the Kolo Mee (from RM5.50) and the Sarawak Laksa (from RM6). While the former is a meaty treat tossed in minced pork and lard, the laksa broth surprises with a glorious hit of sweet, spice and zest every time — come with a friend and share both. True blue Sarawakian owner-chef Alex will also advise a serving of Kiaw (RM5), a delicate side of slippery wantons served sans soup. After several visits (and your fill of their top dishes) comes high time to attempt the lesser known (but also delicious) Tomato Noodles (RM5), kueh teow doused in a thick red concoction of wholesome tomato gravy.
Avg price per person: RM10
Located in the sleepy SS4 part of Kelana Jaya, this endearing coffeeshop is saluted for its deluxe seafood noodles. The Teochew-style dish is a luxury in KL considering that only a handful of these seafood noodles stalls still subsist, so if you're in the area, go ahead and make the trawl for a fresh fish lunch! Though housed in a humble shoplot (which toggles to tai chow service at night), B & Best's eats comes with a price — from RM13 a bowl depending on add-ons. The selection of fish is laid out in a ice chiller for the taking, from local favourite Seabass (RM13) to collagen-rich Pearl Grouper (RM20). But if you're not planning to get hands-on in picking out your fish, go by our best bets: the plump Oysters (from RM5) and the Red Snapper (RM13) for its prized, melt-in-your-mouth cheeks. Ask for your choice of noodles, which will come bathed in their clear, fish-fragrant soup. The not-so-secret success at B & Best? Their kickass sweat-inducing sambal chilli sauce.
Avg price per person: RM25
Photo by Burppler Anna Wong
Although thoroughly obscured by the signage of a typical tai chow restaurant, Yat Yeh Hing's daytime tenant Kee Kee sees no trouble drawing the crowds and we can see why. The gleaming, bright yellow-skinned chickens hanging behind the display are sourced from a Bentong farm, where they are fed a strict diet of corn for firmer, more tender flesh. Have the Poached Chicken (from RM6) that retains juiciness better than its roasted counterpart, though both are tender. Also mandatory are Oiled Rice (RM1.50) and a sharing plate of Beansprouts (from RM5), all to have with freshly grated ginger, mixed into their hot chilli sauce. Advertised to be their best dishes, the Fried Gizzards (from RM4) and Glass Chicken Feet (from RM10) make sublime sides for offal-loving diners. Stewed over long hours to result in a soft, gelatinous texture, the Glass Chicken Feet will tick all the boxes for those who fancy themselves adventurous. If not, there is always regular chicken feet, found in their hearty home boiled soups.
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burppler Tian Hong
Frequented by hungry families and elderly uncles rallying for an innocuous beer night, Kuan Yew sees its fair share of buzz, which makes it a great, no-frills spot to bring a friend. The unassuming hawker centre also houses one of Kelana Jaya's most-loved choices for Western food, the perennial Michael's. Score a value-for-money dinner of Chicken Chop (RM10), a generous serving of deep-fried battered chicken with a slosh of their trademark sauce. A little sweet but mostly savoury, the onion-topped orange gravy also goes well with fries — we'll say skip the less appealing coleslaw. For RM20, Michael's turns out a more than decent Sirloin Steak, usually seared to a nice, reddish medium-well. You could ask for a pinker cook on the steak, but seeing as the shop is often up to their necks in orders, there'd be no guarantees! Apart from this stall, there is also a small tai chow (otherwise known as siu chow) hawker and a satay spot that comes in handy for variety.
Avg price per person: RM15
This hawker in Selera Wawasan promises painstakingly cooked Malay food with heart, enjoyed amongst neighbours and friends in the communal food court setting. Our love for Cik Mek Molek runs deep, and a big part of that is credited to their Nasi Kerabu (RM7), a colourful dish done exceedingly well. It is heavy on greens — eight types, to be exact — and sports a single fried fish to boot. Those who avoid the rice dish out of apprehension for budu (a pungent Kelantanese sauce made of fermented fish) can turn to this version. Aside from a side saucer of budu, it comes also with rendang gravy and sambal. Early risers should go for their morning Nasi Lemak Special (RM4.50), a homey passed down recipe that's intuitively simple but delicious all the same. On noodles, Johor-born chef Kadri dishes out an excellent Laksa Johor (RM7) that sees thin spaghetti noodles in a curry-like gravy. If you're here on a Monday, try their Laksam (RM7), the Kelantanese dish of rice rolls in pleasantly pulpy fish broth. Since everything is made in small batches, arriving early gives you a better shot at getting your desired dish.
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burppler Rueann Dass
Some say Kean Fatt's pork noodles is to blame for the traffic build-up in the corner of Jalan SS3/59E. We can't tell you if that's true, but we can be sure the noodle dish is worth stopping for. The over 60-year-old Mr. Ooi is committed to his trade of ladling hot, meaty soup over bowls after bowls of Pork Noodles (RM10) — the best in Petaling Jaya, according to Tastemaker Brian Leow. Expect a bowl filled to the brim with noodles, spare parts (pork offal), minced pork and an egg yolk on top. The soup is sweet of pork flavour, but the ultimate yum factor lies in the tender pork shoulder and liver slices. With Mr. Ooi slated for retirement, we strongly urge you make a visit as soon. Otherwise, settle for his daughter Vicky's take on his pork noodles at the same store, or head over to Ah Or in Sunway Mentari, where his sister replicates the recipe. Kean Fatt is also home to several other hawker stalls, one of which is Chun Kee, the place to go for pulled Pan Mee (RM7) with a wonderfully flavoursome soup!
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Brian Leow
In a neighbourhood where local food is king, Western establishments might find trouble garnering a following. That's not the case for Eighty9, which strikes a smart balance between the two, cooking up locally-inspired eats in a finer setting replete with beer and wine. Come for the pork dishes, executed with the wok hei know-how of local cooks and the finesse of Western chefs. The Aromatic Tossed Siu Yuk (RM12) reigns supreme — twice-cooked roast pork belly evenly coated in a sweet-sticky glaze redolent with dark soy sauce and fried garlic. Also easy to love is their Dan Dan Noodles (RM20) that sees springy noodles on spicy dried prawn chilli, topped off with a small serving of that aromatic roast pork. For something meat-based, the tender Bak Kut Teh Ribs (RM29) nuanced with herbal flavours might be right up your alley. The menu also sees some quintessentially Western dishes, but we found that they do fusion best, so stick to the hybrids!
Avg price per person: RM35
Amidst industrial stores and car workshops, this low-key Malay restaurant offers fiery grilled fish in the neighbourhood. The setup is simple, clean and fits the bill for a work lunch with two to three colleagues. Ordering is largely a verbal affair, which involves asking the server for a list of grilled goods available. Alternatively, just ask him what's "Top!" and he'll point you to the Nasi Ikan Pari Bakar (RM14). It yields a rather hefty piece of stingray, grilled to nice char and then, slicked in a hot and spicy sauce. Coming in second is the smaller Keli Bakar (from RM8) in the same glaze, sometimes preferred for its softer flesh. All grilled fish meals come with white rice, curry gravy and plenty of sambal — a sheer combination of delicious heat! There is also an option to add Ulam (chopped greens, RM4), which we highly recommend to help freshen up the otherwise hot, hot dish. For something extra to share, get your hands on a bowl of Kerang Bakar (RM6) that adds fun, addictive pops of flavour.
Avg price per person: RM15