Good food near Pasar Seni LRT: Madras Lane curry mee, Lok Ann

LRT No. 09/50 articles  –  LRT Pasar Seni:  Prasarana x Malay Mail x Rebecca Saw

NOTE: This is my year long collaboration with Malay Mail and I am charged to explore gastronomic around (within 600 m walk) fifty selected (Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (RapidKL) train stations (LRT & MRT).

** Written work (pre-edit by editor) and images are mine.


Published article: Published 14th August 2017


1. In Malay Mail e-Paper:  

Malay Mail PASARSENI good food

2. On Malay Mail.com: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/print/eat-drink/of-old-school-eateries-and-charming-cafes


ORIGINAL submitted article: My long winded one! 


You may not realize it, but there are many delicious discoveries within 500 – 700 metres walk from the Pasar Seni LRT.

For a start, a flavourful bowl of beef noodles is just steps away once you descended the stairs to ground level from the elevated station.
Restoran Zhing Kong, a typical kopitiam offering numerous hawker fare is home to this 52 year old family business, currently managed by the 2nd generation.
I found the soup base light yet tasty though uncharacteristically sour-ish for beef stock.

More hawker delights await another 100 metres away at Pusat Penjaja Jalan Tun HS Lee. The locals make a beeline for the yong tau foo, the rich, aromatic curry laksa and the slippery smooth chee cheong fun.
What could be a better recommendation than the locals’ choice? There are 3 curry laksa stalls and my personal pick is the middle one manned by a sister and brother team.

Onn Loke Kopitiam and Ho Kau Hainanese Coffeeshop are 2 old school eateries that exude nostalgia vibes in spades.

Uncle Lee, previously from Hotel Lok Ann in Petaling Street for 2 decades had resurfaced to run Onn Loke Kopitiam, a pretty, refurbished two-storey shophouse within Penjaja Gallery Jalan Tun HS Lee. His regulars are thrilled to be able to enjoy his coffee again, brewed the traditional way and using the same coffee powder they knew and loved. Coffee aside, a breakfast staple here is his traditonal toast with butter and homemade kaya.

In comparison Ho Kau Hainanese Coffeeshop (better known by its Chinese name 何九茶店) lost out on decor but won big for its coffee. The full-bodied, potent brew was excellent!
Sustenance came in form of toast and eggs as well, but plus an option from a daily rotating menu. On Mondays it is nasi lemak while fried noodles is for Tuesdays and so on.
You can order chee cheong fun from the stall just at the corner from Ho Kau shop too. Apparently they are friendly with each other.

BELOW: Ho Kau Hainanese Coffeeshop ( 何九茶店) with tables and chairs on the sidewalk plus inside the “coffeeshop”.

BELOW: The chee cheong fun stall is just a makeshift stall.

Not too long ago, Pasar Seni and the surroundings of Petaling Street are synonymous with wholesale businesses, hawker food and atmospheric Chinese restaurants. Now artisanal java joints are common, and they come with WIFI, air conditioning and a bright, languorous ambiance.
Lucy in the Sky, Chocha, Merchant Lane and Aku Café and Gallery were just a few I spotted. I was particularly attracted by Aku Café and Gallery for its cosy space, wonderful service, the great initiative of book swapping and of course, their coffee.
The attentive staff took time to ascertain a patron’s preferences before offering their recommendations. I find that to be a nice touch!

BELOW: Aku Cafe Gallery is cosy and the service was commendably attentive.

BELOW: Merchant Lane – beautiful decor but food was merely decent.

If coffee isn’t your poison, there is a speakeasy named PS 150 in the vicinity, welcoming patrons from 6pm.
Edit: Same for Botak Liquor who specialized in botanical cocktails and gins.

Hot from the ovens, the mini egg tarts from Bunn Choon are worth the 200 metre walk from Pasar Seni LRT. A family business currently in the capable hands of the 3rd generation, the quality of the tarts are maintained over the years. One is never enough since it is possible to pop the whole thing into your mouth! The eggy custard is creamy, not overly sweet yet rich and the flaky base is just marvelous.

On the same row, Ali Muthu, Ah Hock serves one of the best nasi lemak in town in a informal, nostagic ambiance. While we are on the subject of ambiance, Old China Café and The Canteen by Chef Adu are your best choices in this area if you are looking for an eatery with charm. Old China Café serves Peranakan cuisine and it is housed in a quaint old shophouse with old fashioned decor and historic pictures. Over at The Canteen by Chef Adu, located in a colonial building, one dines in a cool and oasis tastefully decorated with a mix of traditional and modern pieces. This is where quality cuisine are made with the heart, and served with a smile too! I can’t emphasize how much I love Chef Adu’s Laksa Johor!

BELOW: The famous nasi lemak at Ali Muthu and Ah Hock.

BELOW: Pork Pongteh and bubur chacha at Old China Cafe.

BELOW: Laksa Johor at The Canteen by Chef Adu.

DSC03495

Last but not least, one can’t mention Pasar Seni and not speak of Central Market. Among the souvenir, fashion and art shops, Precious China serves pork free Nyonya dining while the Central Market food court on the second level offers everything from Indonesian fare to hotplate noodles to Thai and western.


DIRECTIONS:


** Please refer the Malay Mail article as shared above.  


Last but not least…. 


My original article is usually longer/ ‘more complete’ since I wrote on and on without restriction.
Understandably, due to space constraints, the original was edited prior to publication. Thus I’ve shared my original article as above.

You may also find that my articles for this Prasarana x Malay Mail x Rebecca Saw series rather diplomatic/non- opinionated, but it is meant to be so as per the brief given.

Anyhow, if you think I’ve missed out on some eateries worth highlighting near any MRT/LRT stations, please let me know! I’ll be sure to go check it out.
Please do be in touch via FB message HERE.

Thank you and I look forward to your suggestions! 😀

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Alan

    Hi Becks, I love the food and ambience at Old China. Upstairs even smells like an old laundry guildsmen meeting place. Just off Jln Petaling is a good apam stall, cant remember the name but the old uncle was miserable but the apam was good and hot. Great eating places in Chinatown. Hope to get back soon.

    Alan xx

  2. Sean EDKL

    i’m ashamed to say i’ve only been to the hipster places in this neighbourhood but very few of the kopitiams (and none of the ones on your list). they’d definitely be worth exploring too, as i can tell from your recommendations! 😀

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