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Bangsar a gastronomic haven

Monday 19 June 2017

Kuala Lumpur

A collaboration between RapidKL, The Malay Mail and RebeccaSaw.com

In KL, Nasi Kandar Kudu and Restoran Mohd Yaseen Nasi Kandar are about 50 metres away from each other and a mere 200-metre stroll from the Sultan Ismail LRT station.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — I like Bangsar. Oh yes, I could easily see myself living there.

Located on the sweet spot between Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur, Bangsar is an upscale neighbourhood that is home to locals and expatriates as well as the address for many office buildings and lifestyle outlets.

The popularity of this suburb is quite understandable. While the charm of old Bangsar has been retained with the places of worship as well as wet market and weekly night markets still standing tall, it’s the newer establishments ― not to mention amenities ― that make this neck of the woods oh-so-appealing today.

Indeed, every convenience imaginable is there for the suburbanite, from an LRT station to banks and jewellers right down to spas, gyms and salons.

And when it comes to fulfilling one’s gastronomic desires, one is truly spoiled for choice here, whether it’s fine dining, street grub, fast food or dessert that you’re after.

Stroll along the Telawi streets and you’ll see what I mean ― Banana leaf rice? Check. Lobster and Steak? Check. Belgian Waffles? Check!

Across the road, over at Lucky Garden, hawker delights abound and prices are friendlier on the wallet.

Take a short walk towards the Bank Rakyat-Bangsar LRT Station and you’ll find more eateries including an established Nyonya restaurant, a modern biryani house, a cosy café, an oyster bar as well as several Indian Muslim restaurants.

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For Peranakan style dining, the Straits Food Company commands a loyal following and a strong lunch crowd, proof there is a demand for good but fairly-priced Nyonya food.
I recommend the pai tee (RM5.50) and the popiah (RM4.50) as appetisers while the nasi lemak (RM6.50) and Nyonya laksa (RM7.00) make for satisfying mains.
Another popular eatery on this stretch is Fierce Curry House.

Proudly a homegrown restaurant with the heart and soul of India, Fierce has since evolved from its early days of serving merely biryani to an outlet that offers tandoori lamb burgers, naan breads, North  Indian food as well as its latest hybrid of banana leaf rice and biryani.

One of its signature dishes is the Hyderabad dhum biryani, arguably the best biryani in town.

The common varieties are the chicken and mutton biryani while Friday specials include fish and vegetarian biryani. The dishes that still get people talking long after they were introduced are the luxury sets of lobster biryani, cod biryani and king prawn biryani. I was told the lobster biryani is the one that is the most sought-after, despite its hefty price of RM200 per set!

I opted for the more modest fare ― mutton biryani (RM19) ― which was served in a pot sealed with flour. Taste-wise, it was  decent. The few chunks of mutton I found were tender and there was enough rice to fill me up.

Along the same road a small café beckons with its cosy interior.

Dr.Inc (pronounced “drink”) is unorthodox and is as unique as its name.

Accessible within 200m from the Bank Rakyat-Bangsar LRT station, Dr.Inc is a café-cum-retail outlet stocking unique stationery, jewellery and hand-crafted souvenirs by local designers.

At its front is a little pebbled garden where guests can enjoy the outdoors with their choice of caffeine.

Inside is a cosy space that can sit about 30 customers comfortably at any one time. It’s charmingly decorated with the unique artwork and handicraft by local brand Nala Designs, whose creator is one of Dr.Inc’s co-founders.

Recommended drinks are Che Guevara (espresso over ice served with a slice of lemon and brown sugar) and Fat Americano (espresso with Coke) as well as the Presso Bomb (a shot of espresso in Malacca-sourced local ice cream soda).

Getting There

1. Straits Food Company

Jalan Abdullah, Bangsar Utama, Kuala Lumpur

LRT/MRT: Bank Rakyat Bangsar

Distance: 500 metres

Operating hours: 8am-5pm

From the station: Exit the fare gates and head right towards the lobby of Menara UOA Bangsar. From the lobby, exit the building and walk towards the street. Stay on the same side as Menara UOA Bangsar and walk towards your right for about 500m. The Straits Food Company is the corner lot at the end of the road.

2. Dr.Inc

8, Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur

LRT/MRT: Bank Rakyat Bangsar

Distance: 400 metres

Operating hours: 9am–10pm, daily

From the station: Exit the fare gates and head right towards the lobby of Menara UOA Bangsar. From the lobby, exit the  building and head towards the street. Stay on the same side as Menara UOA Bangsar and turn right. Dr.Inc is approximately 400m to your right.

3. Fierce Curry House

16, Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur

LRT/MRT: Bank Rakyat Bangsar

Distance: 400 metres

Operating hours: 12pm-10pm

From the station: Exit the fare gates and head right towards the lobby of Menara UOA Bangsar. From the lobby, exit the building and make your way  towards the street. Stay on the same side as Menara UOA Bangsar and turn right. Fierce is approximately 500m to your right. The interior of the Bank Rakyat-Bangsar LRT Station.