SHOWCASING THE HEART OF KUALA LUMPUR AND ITS ASPIRING SURROUNDINGS - STORY EXPLORE
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Showcasing the heart of Kuala Lumpur
and its aspiring surroundings
B
orn & Bred
Eat, play and live
in the Golden
E
XPLORE
Uber-cool
metropolis in old
S
TORY
From tin town to
sleek city
T
RANSACTION
KL address at
a premium
Triangle world charm
play
Assistant General Manager Ernest Towle
ernest@thestar.com.my
EDITORIAL
General Email editor@starproperty.my StarProperty Sdn Bhd
(708369-V)
Contributing Editor David Yeoh
Menara Star, 15 Jalan 16/11,
Acting Head of Content Tharmini Kenas 46350 Petaling Jaya,
tharmini@thestar.com.my Selangor Darul Ehsan.
+603-7967 1388
Content Ng Pau Ling +603-7955 2458
Viktor Chong
Aisyah Suwardi www.starproperty.my
Hakim Hassan
www.propwall.my
Chinese Editor Foo Kok Meng www.ibilik.my
fookokmeng@thestar.com.my
StarProperty.my
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StarProperty.my
Designers Kwong Chee Oon
Nurul Aida Tajudin StarProperty
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Content
04 Editorial note
60 Map of Golden Triangle
08 The River of Life
12 An ode to Malaysian heritage at Pasar Seni
16 Crowning A piece of the old world in a bustling 64 From tin town to sleek city
metropolis 66 Secure and safe triangle
20 Tech up at Plaza Low Yat 68 Breathing new life into old city parts
24 Get close to nature in the heart of KL 70 Dwell in the elegance of Chambers
28 A gastronomical horizon beckons at Jalan Alor KL
32 Green lungs in the heart of central KL 74 More Golden flow of energy
36 A memorial walk down the Merchant’s
Lane Cafe
40 Reminiscence of a KL-born
76 The Golden Triangle:
42 Magazine library to promote possibility
A colourful and eclectic mix of old
thinking
and new
46 Durian lovers’ paradise at Alor Backspace
79 More Property prices hold up well
48 Reasonably-priced European cuisine served
in the Golden Triangle
with panoramic city view
82 Value makes KLCC area attractive
52 Malay cuisine with a modern twist down at
Bijan
56 Immersing in the local flavour at Bazaar Baru
Chow Kit
EDITORIAL NOTE
Vibrant, charming and
captivating
This issue of Best@ zeroing in on. You will also find numbers,
Tharmini on the heart of the nation aims charts and opinions of experts
Kenas to bring you the essence and the that will aid you in decision-mak-
vibes of the city centre. From tro- ing if you are looking to buy, rent
phy skyscrapers to heritage lanes, or invest in the Golden Triangle
the Golden Triangle will have and the areas surrounding it.
everyone hooked to what’s next. What are you waiting for? Hap-
Just like me, you will find the py reading!
best food to eat and the best place Golden Triangle in three words:
to be in the city centre as you read Vibrant, charming and captivating
Iconic, fast-paced,
and strategic
Human beings have the tendency Talking about it further will
to take things for granted. Hav- spoil the magic contained in the
Aisyah
ing been living in Kuala Lumpur Best@Golden Triangle; hence I
Suwardi
for the past eight years, I thought hope readers can take their time
I know all there is to know about and enjoy Kuala Lumpur through
the city. But apparently, I am in the our eyes in this pullout.
wrong. Throughout this project, Golden Triangle in three words:
the city revealed its multifacet- Iconic, fast-paced, and strategic.
ed aspects that I will never get to
know, should I not take the time to
explore the area.
04 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE
Historical, urban,
and traffic
The Golden Triangle despite Even more interesting is
its vast urbanscape somehow the sight of the tall towers
Viktor
managed to cling on to its his- looming above (testament
Chong
tory. to Malaysia’s architectural
I particularly enjoyed advancement), as I explored
traversing the area, witness- the humble markets for deli-
ing the colonial structures cious street food. It is a won-
amalgamating with the archi- derful contradiction — a tug
tectures of today and tomor- of war between history and
row. Stories are also abound, progress, and I am blessed to
with expats and locals alike witness this exchange in the
brushing shoulders inside a present.
melting pot of culture — their Golden Triangle in three
friendliness make for a fine words: Historical, urban, and
jolt of creative impulse as I put traffic
my pen to paper.
Vibrant, intense
and alive
I think that Kuala Lumpur’s in the Golden Triangle from
Golden Triangle region is a stalls offering many classic
multifaceted area within the delicacies synonymous with Hakim
capital with denizens from the cultures within Malaysia Hassan
diverse backgrounds playing to more posh and modern
different roles to make the settings for those looking for
city come alive. More than a more high-end dining expe-
just a financial hub, it can rience. Either for work or play,
be seen that the area is also I see that the city centre has
home to local businesses as it all.
well with vibrant hawker cen- Golden Triangle in three
tres and merchants scattered words: Vibrant, intense and
about in the city centre. alive.
There is much to explore
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 05
BORN
&
BRED
BORN & BRED
A place is comprised of
its people, and there is no
shortage of diversity in the
nation’s capital. Coming from
different backgrounds, these
are the people who make
Kuala Lumpur a bustling
cultural melting pot.
BORN & BRED
The River of Life
08 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE
By Viktor Chong
viktorchong@thestar.com.my
T
he silent darkness of the night failed to reach
the confluence of the Gombak and Klang river.
Water sprouts hissed loudly at the side of the
banks, complemented by the mist that perme-
ates the azure surface.
Locals taking multiple wefies and the occasional
tourist capturing the splendour of the River of Life have
become a common scenario lately. Unlikely its current
namesake, the River of Life was once amongst the most
polluted rivers in the city. Previously, the river became
polluted in the wake of rapid development, and flooding
occurred in high frequencies during rainy seasons.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 09
BORN & BRED
Concerned, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall decided to
launch the River of Life project in 2012, with the inten-
tion of cleaning and beautifying the river, as well as en-
hance tourism value. AECOM was chosen as the delivery
partner through an international design competition.
Hence, the company was responsible towards the
delivery of the river master planning, beautification
component and a strategic framework for the land-
scape, as well as urban design guideline.
The goal had been to get the water level to Class IIB
(suitable for recreational purposes), with cleaning works
involving numerous phases such as the installation of
If the tantalising display does not appeal, individuals could walk
around and witness the grandeur of historical buildings nearby.
trash traps, upgrading of flood catchment ponds and
sewage treatment plants.
AECOM claimed that the project will deliver afforda-
It was a slum; a veritable dumping ground for the city ble housing for more than 35,000 new residents, one
with the water quality at Class III to Class IV (not suitable million sq ft of commercial space, and over 27,000 new
for body contact).
A rubbish trap along the Gombak river.
10 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLEThe area before the facelift in 2011
employment opportunities. Other projected fig-
ures include the increase of public transportation
usage within the master plan from 15% to 60% and
the reduction of traffic demand by 15% by 2020.*
In other words, the River of Life is not merely
about making a river confluence clean and attrac-
tive. It has a statement to make on the new lease of
life brought to the city and its people.
*Source: AECOM website
Masjid Jamek Sultan
Abdul Samad, the
oldest mosque in
Kuala Lumpur, over-
looks the confluence
of the Gombak and
Klang river.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 11BORN & BRED Pasar Seni, a prominent landmark in the heart of the city 12 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE
An ode to
Malaysian
heritage at
Pasar Seni
A
s the sun kept blazing, people made their way
through the sheltered lanes in the city centre.
Many took refuge in the Tiffany blue building
that stood tall unassuming to passersby of
the treasures contained inside.
Pasar Seni, also known as Central Market is a well-
known landmark in Kuala Lumpur. Perfectly refur-
bished, Pasar Seni now is a one-stop centre for souve-
nirs and Malaysian handicrafts including batik.
It has become synonymous to culture, arts and crafts
of Malaysia. If you have limited time in your hands and
you need to learn about the essence of Malaysia quick-
ly, Pasar Seni will give you all that you need.
Enriching is the right word to describe this haven.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 13BORN & BRED TOP The highly celebrated batik highlights the culture of Malaysia. TOP RIGHT Pasar Seni provides business oppor- tunities for locals. RIGHT Crafts galore at Central Market. bottom Colourful and vibrant kites sold in vari- ous forms at Pasar Seni. 14 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE
Beginnings as a wet market Pasar Seni is a must visit place in the heart ABOVE
Engrossed in the
Dating back to 1888, this historic building used of the city. There are also an Illusion 3D Art world of culture and
to be a wet market. It has been said that peo- Museum, Art House Gallery, and the Central arts in Pasar Seni.
ple would make their way to the building early Market Art Lane consisting of 10 art studios of
in the morning to get the best catch of the day. local artists.
Today, it serves as a heritage centre with tour- There are zones in Pasar Seni namely
ists and locals alike who flock to Pasar Seni. Lorong Melayu, Lorong Cina and Lorong India
Built by Yap Ah Loy, who was at the time providing an insight into multicultural Malay-
the city’s third Chinese Kapitan, the building sia.
was then renovated in the 1980s through an Cultural shows and performances are of-
allocation of RM9mil from the Federal Govern- ten conducted at Pasar Seni to highlight the
ment. richness of Malaysian culture and heritage.
The net lettable area in the building is esti- Besides the Pasar Seni building is Kasturi
mated to be about 70,000 sq ft of retail space. Walk, designed for pedestrians to walk under
Besides promoting tourism and culture, Pasar and shop at the stalls lining the walkway. Local
Seni has also become a platform for local en- snacks and fruits are sold every day in an out-
trepreneurs to grow. door setting to passerbys.
Heritage centre, today Address: Jalan Hang Kasturi, City Centre, 50050 Kuala
With more than 300 shops selling textiles, Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
handicrafts, collectables and restaurants, Opening hours: 10am-9.30pm
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 15BORN & BRED
Pasar Seni, a prominent
landmark in the heart of
the city
A piece of
the old
world in
a bustling
metropolis
16 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLEBy Viktor Chong viktorchong@thestar.com.my Stepping foot into the narrow corridors of
S
Bazaar Baru Chow Kit is like entering a place
hiny spires and tall skyscrapers where time stood still. History is preserved
loomed ominously above the busy through the worn out stone floors and the
streets of central Kuala Lumpur. The wooden shop lots arrayed on both sides of
metallic structures gleamed prom- the walkway.
inently as they reflected the blinding rays of Unlike supermarkets where refrigeration
the morning sun - a silent testimony to Malay- is used extensively, the elderly traders plied
sia’s urbanisation and progress towards a new their perishable wares on wooden tables in-
tomorrow. stead for visitors to choose.
However, denizens of Chow Kit Road are The open environment will reduce the shelf
unwilling to forget their past and are still ro- life of items such as vegetables, meat or fruits,
manticising about their roots. Few could tell if but it does provide a sense of culture to the
it was pride or love that compelled them to do place; It was like back in the olden days where
so. the smell of fruits fills the air with a sweet
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 17scent as they ripened under the warmth of the atmosphere of Chow Kit. ABOVE
tropical weather. It was a kaleidoscope of colours at the dry Bazaar Baru Chow
Kit is among the
Those who enjoy street food or want to try section, with the array of merchandises on largest wet markets
out local cuisines will also be delighted by the sale. in Kuala Lumpur.
number of local cuisines such as Bakso, Laksa, Particularly interesting were the various lo-
Nasi Campur, Soto, Satay and more. cal snacks that came in so many shapes, sizes
At Chow Kit Road, you will be enjoying the and colours. Others include specialised oil and
food and atmosphere as an inextricable bun- sauces that facilitate the creation of local cui-
dle, and the meals don’t get any cheaper and sines. Slowly, the masses shuffled along the
authentic than that. streets, stopping by occasionally to appraise
The age is visible on the shop lots which or purchase some of the wares on display.
were a tad shabby, but the stall owners Sellers could be heard calling out in shrill
give off a friendly vibe that quickly thawed voices, trying to attract customers to their
the awkwardness away. Occasionally, a for- wares. Most were unsuccessful as the Mon-
eigner could be seen sitting incongruously day crowd was rather small and subdued.
among the locals as he or she soaks in the Regardless, they all share a community
spirit that is not cultivated at shopping malls.
Those from the older generation were also
quick to open up, and they shared their life’s
stories with little reservations.
LEFT
Bakso is a variation of the
Bihun Soup, with the addition
of IKEA style meatballs.
18 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLERIGHT
In simplicity lies their charm;
noodle soup makes for a
cheap but delicious fare.
“A long time ago, the crowd was way bigger at
the market,” said Ramli as he polished a turquoise
stone languidly.
It was easy for him to sell his rings during the
earlier years. Now, it would be lucky that he could
even sell two to three rings on a daily basis.
Ramli believed that the younger generation
was more enamoured by the air-conditioned
shopping malls that were mushrooming in the
surrounding area. Regarding housing and prop-
erties, he said that the area has been fully de-
veloped and there wasn’t much opportunity for
house buyers.
Certainly, Chow Kit Road is an interesting tug of
war between the past and the present but even-
tually, the old traders will have to relinquish their
position and allow the young to replace them.
However, the new generation might be reluc-
tant to be shackled by the burden of tradition.
Time will tell if the old charm of Chow Kit Road will
survive the sweeping winds of change, or become
part of the urbanisation that is Kuala Lumpur city.
Ramli Bin Roslan, 61 has been living at Chow Kit Road
since 1986.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 19BORN & BRED
Tech up at
Plaza Low Yat
20 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLEBy Viktor Chong viktorchong@thestar.com.my reasonable price.
“I
Plaza Low Yat even clinched the title as Ma-
f you can’t find it here, you won’t find laysia’s Largest IT Lifestyle Centre by the Ma-
it elsewhere!” This is the current slo- laysia Book of Records in 2009. Historically,
gan by Plaza Low Yat, claimed to be Plaza Low Yat has been known as a haunt for
one of the oldest specialised shop- pirated products, but the management has
ping centre (IT and electronic products) in Ma- been taking strict actions to combat this neg-
laysia. It is said to be the Malaysian equivalent ative image.
of Singapore’s Sim Lim Square. Currently, the shopping complex is imple-
From handphones, gizmos, and computers menting a Store Certification Program (SCP)
to softwares and cameras, almost anything initiative, which ensures the authenticity and
tech related can be found under one roof. quality of ICT products of a particular seller.
This is also the ultimate hideout for comput- The management claims that Plaza Low Yat is
er geeks, and thus, it is not hard to find tech the first shopping mall in Malaysia to imple-
experts who will happily fix your gadgets for a ment this initiative.
Tech giants such
as Nokia, Dell,
Microsoft, Sam-
sung, Nikon, Acer
and Lenovo have a
prominent presence
here.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 21BORN & BRED
Each floor on the 12-storey shopping complex is
generally specialised in a particular category of elec-
tronic products, making your shopping adventure an
easy one. Unlike most shopping complexes where price
haggling is a big no, Plaza Low Yat maintains a flexible bottom
atmosphere, allowing customers to bargain with the The unassuming
seller. Plaza Low Yat hides
a technological
paradise.
22 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLEABOVE This is probably one of the reasons why Plaza Low
Customers rushing
over to buy hand-
Yat has been so successful in attracting customers.
phones during the However, most of the products are fairly priced, despite
tax holiday season the competitive environment fostered through the pres-
ence of multiple sellers. Even so, cost-conscious shop-
pers could try their luck and attempt to hit a lower num-
ber than the selling price. After all, price is subjective in
Plaza Low Yat, and victory favours the best negotiator.
Address: No. 7 Jalan Bintang, Off Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang
Central, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Phone No: +603-2148 3651/ 3724/ 5141
Opening hours: Around 10:00am to 10:00pm
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 23BORN & BRED
Situated in the heart of
KL, the park provides the
much needed dosage of
greenery to its visitors.
Get close to
nature in the
heart of KL
24 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLET
aking a respite from the jungle of The park is home to many animals, birds
concrete, smoke and traffic in KL city and trees. The sound of monkeys can be clear-
centre might prove to be a challenge. ly heard if you hit the trails late in the evening.
The best you might think of is to sip a What makes the park truly exceptional are
cup of over-priced coffee in an air-conditioned the many stretches of canopy walk of varying
coffee shop. heights totalling to 200m in length that pro-
However, there is one place that you could vides a bird’s eye view of the KL city skyline
go to that will provide you with a dose of besides the occasional glimpses of KL Tower.
greenery, fresh and clean air, as well as beau- Besides canopy walks, there are several
tiful trails to walk on. short trails in the park namely Jelutong Trail,
The KL Forest Eco Park which has been Penarahan Trail, and the Arboretum Trail.
gaining immense popularity among Malay- These trails are connected and are very safe,
sians lately is indeed a gem amidst the steel even for little kids.
and smoke.
Previously known as the Bukit Nanas For- The entrances to
est Reserve, the KL Forest Eco Park is situated KL Forest Eco Park
at the city centre and boasts majestic views of With three entrances from various parts of the
the KL Tower amidst the greenest of leaves city, the park is highly accessible.
and cleanest of air. 1) From Jalan Ampang. The entrance is
behind the Malaysian Timber Product Gallery.
The exceptional elements of This entrance is near to the Bukit Nanas mon-
KL Forest Eco Park orail station and Dang Wangi LRT station.
The KL Forest Eco Park was gazetted in 1906, 2) From Jalan Raja Chulan. The entrance
making it one of the oldest protected jungles is nearby St. Andrew’s Church.
in Malaysia. The park covers a wide area of 3) From KL Tower. This entrance is a
9.37 hectares and has multiple entry points. three-minutes-walk from the entrance to KL
Tower.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 25BORN & BRED TOP Glimpses of the KL Tower from various turns and corners at the park. TOP RIGHT The park is perfect for nature lover and outdoor enthusiasts. RIGHT Safe trails for beginners. Other information The opening hours of the KL Forest Eco Park is 7 am to 6 pm every day. There are no admission charges to enter the park. You do not need a guide to hike in the park. Paths are clean and well taken care of. 26 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE
One of the entrances to the park.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 27BORN & BRED
A gastronomical
horizon beckons at
Jalan Alor
By Viktor Chong viktorchong@thestar.com.my cuisine, the crowd has a world of options to
A
choose from.
long wide road stretches for as long If the restaurants do not appeal, one could
as the eyes could see. Left and right, also take to the streets and try out the vari-
restaurants of every manner are set ous local delicacies on display. The street food
to attract people from all walks of range from ice creams, sea food, dim-sum,
life. The delicious burning smell of fried noo- juices, fried noodles and more.
dles in the woks permeates the atmosphere, Nearby shop lots also sell merchandises
jolting the senses. such as white coffee, durian biscuits, ice cream BOTTOM
There are very few street foodies who do potong and other authentic chinese “kuih”. The nocturnal com-
munity of Jalan Alor
not know Jalan Alor, and for good reasons. It is a veritable Penang Island in the heart of bustles with the love
From Chinese and Thai to Vietnamese Kuala Lumpur, albeit with a heftier price tag. for food.
28 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLEABOVE Complimenting the diversity of food in ten in Chinese characters, they are usually
Foreigners and locals
mingle at this open
Jalan Alor is the diversity of its visitors. Not translated into English to aid the foreigners.
space food haven, unlike other metropolitan cities, KL houses Nights at Jalan Alor are usually loud and
taking delight in the people from all over the globe and the per- boisterous, and the crowd rarely disperse
food culture.
fect reflection of this can been seen right here, until the wee hours of the morning. Drinking
where local and foreigners come together for sessions could last until the wee hours of the
food. morning, accompanied with a plate of fries or
Even though most of the menus are writ- oysters, whichever appeals.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 29BORN & BRED
To those who wish to experience the magic of
Jalan Alor, it is advisable to visit during the night.
The lane is relatively uneventful during the morning;
besides the couple of foreign labourers walking or
working along the streets.
Under the morning sun, however, visitors could
discern the apartment blocks that surround the
streets. Some of the buildings were dilapidated, giv-
ing off an aura of hostility.
Concerned with the image of the place, Jalan
d Alor has been uplifted via various efforts. For exam-
ht ple, The Laneway Project by Kuala Lumpur City Hall
c- (KLCH) attempts to turn the dirty sidewalks, lanes and
ce narrow pathways into economically viable tourist at-
es tractions.
he The transformation project was first initiated in
2015 and 20 areas in downtown Kuala Lumpur were
identified, mostly around Bukit Bintang, Jalan Alor
and the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX).
The work scope includes upgrading drains, resur-
facing roads, installing street lights and decorative
lights, cleaning and repairing wall and ground surfac-
es for paintworks as well as the painting of 2D and
3D murals.
The Lost Stream of
Jalan Alor is among one
of those breathtaking
works. To rejuvenate the
lane, street artists were
called in to paint on the
surface of the walls and
floors, creating a 3D ef-
fect. The artworks re-
volved around themes
such as flora and fauna.
30 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLELEFT
Moving and eating; skewers
make for a quick meal, freeing
up time for you to explore
other delights.
RIGHT
Fans of barbeque
chicken wings should
make a stop at
Restoran Wong Ah
Wah.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 31BORN & BRED
Green lungs in the
heart of central KL
By Viktor Chong viktorchong@thestar.com.my presence of the city.
I
We arrived early in the morning, dressing
t is a rarity to feel the cold breeze on one’s lightly for the occasion. That means running
face, especially in the heart of Kuala Lum- shoes, T-shirt, short pants and of course, sun-
pur. The labyrinthine structure that forms screen. Although, the heavy camera that hung
the core of this metropolis teems with ve- at our necks was quite an impeding factor.
hicular movement and the sound of the mass- There was much to take in at the park.
es; it is both exhausting and soul weary to the Grasshoppers hopped languidly from leaf to
city folks. leaf while the crickets sang enigmatically in
Luckily, there is an escape from all this the bushes. At the lake, children could be seen
modern baggage, and it takes the form of a happily placing bread crumbs into the water.
green oasis by the name of Perdana Botanical Quickly, the surface started to roil as the hun-
Garden. Here, the heartbeat of nature is pal- gry fishes darted up to snatch the meal.
pable in the air, unhindered by the suffocating
32 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLEThe earthy smell of rotting wood fills the atmosphere
with a sweetness that calms the mind. It allows for a mo-
ment’s respite from the chaos of city life. Sounds idyllic, but
the Perdana Botanical Garden isn’t without its weakness.
For starters, visitors who want to explore the park
should come early in the morning. Any later and they will
be looking for a free suntan as there weren’t many tall, leafy
trees for shelter. It is also prudent to bring along some wa-
ter bottles as there aren’t many drinking taps around.
However, the evening heat can be avoided entirely if
you are to visit at night, during which the park grounds and
its trees are beautifully lit by spotlights.
The Perdana Botanical Garden alone isn’t about trees
and grasses. With over 91.6 hectares of area, it also houses
other green attractions such as the deer park, bird park, a
Crowning the Cycad Island is a bamboo
sunken garden, as well as the orchid and hibiscus garden.
house, designed by Eleena Jamil.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 33BORN & BRED
d
ht
c-
ce
es
he
KL Bird Park is limited.
From the sound of beating wings to the ca- Parents with children would also appreci-
cophony of myriad birds, few would not be ate the hands-on-experience of feeding the
enthralled by the atmosphere at the bird birds during the allotted time. It was particu-
park. The 20.9 acres park is no simple run-of- larly pleasurable to have a couple of parrots
the-mill tourist attraction. It houses over 3,000 perched on our shoulders as the birds pecked
local and foreign birds (approximately 200 at the food in our hands.
different species), with the park being divided Most of the birds there were desensitised
into four different zones. by the presence of the humans and aren’t eas-
Under the unique concept of free-flight, ily spooked. The cranes even did a number on
visitors get to witness the birds in an environ- us by giving some vicious pecks. Regarding the
ment that simulated their natural habitat. Of- areas in the park, zone one and zone two goes
ten times, an exotic bird could be seen flying by an interesting concept of free-flight.
freely or walking across the pathway, oblivious The birds can fly throughout the area unin-
to the humans that came to see them. It is a hibited by cages, thus allowing them to breed
refreshing sight as most bird parks presented naturally. The third zone is home to the rhi-
their avian friends in cages or behind bars. noceros hornbill, the largest species of horn-
There are birds being kept in aviaries, but this bill birds in the world.
34 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLENo cages or bars — humans and birds
alike, interacting with each other as equals.
After a hot day in the park, visitors can also
visit the Hornbill Restaurant for lunch and
some refreshments. Bird sighting has never
been made more effortless as the restaurant
itself is located inside the Zone 3.
With food in hand and a quality camera,
visitors could take snapshots of the birds
that flutter about. Some of the more curious
avians would perch on the protruding veran-
dah of the restaurant, eyeballing the diners
as they enjoyed their meals. There is also the
fun of fending off avian thieves that attempt
to cart off your unguarded meal.
Taman Orchid Sunken Garden
There weren’t much flowers in bloom at the orchid garden, but the The parterre in the sunken garden consists of low shrubs of Acalypha
place held a tranquil aura that joggers would appreciate. siamensis, Loropetalum chinense and Zephyranthes.
Deer Park Carcosa Seri Negara
A Fallow Deer, originally from Holland, grazing serenely inside the Deer Previously the residence for the British High Commissioner of Malaya,
Park. the Carcosa Seri Negara now serves as a museum.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 35BORN & BRED A memorial walk down the Merchant’s Lane Cafe 36 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE
By Viktor Chong viktorchong@thestar.com.my laxed ambience, the outdoor dining area will
T
be delightful.
he wooden boards creaked softly un- There, a couple of millennials can be seen
der our feet as we climbed the long giggling as they jostled around for space;
and unassuming staircase. Midway taking wefies with their smartphones. Those
through, our nostrils picked up the devices seemed incongruous against the old
unmistakable smell of roasted coffee beans paraphernalia assembled here. Instagram ad-
wafting through the air. dicts will find this area inspiring and, likes are
Around us, the sound of ceramic clinking guaranteed.
against metal spoons could be heard, mimick- It is remarkable that the owners have tried
ing the forgotten cries of bells that once rang to capture the essence of yesteryears through
in temples. Crossing the threshold, we were the usage of the rattan chairs, spiral incense
delighted to see a dining space endearingly and wooden partitions. Stepping into this cafe
trapped in a time pocket. gave us vivid ideas of what it must have been
Walls with greenish paint—chipped in to live in the bygone eras. Mellow sunlight
many places, formed the interiors of the Mer- streamed in through the refurbished roofs,
chant’s Lane Cafe. It speaks of a fond past; immersing the diners in an old world charm.
where humble beginnings started like the first According to Merchant’s Lane Cafe found-
stroke of a brush on a canvass. er Ken Ho Kok Hoong, this place was once a
The dilapidation was made profound by brothel. Years later, he and two other partners
an intrepid tree that made residence in the renovated the entire place for a sum of over
cracks of the walls; its roots stubbornly finding half a million, turning the once seedy joint into
purchase on the hard surface. There are three its current pleasant state.
sections to the cafe—the main dining area, To add to the surprise, Ho, who had no for-
the outdoor and relaxed area, and another mal education in culinary arts was responsible
artsy indoor space. For those who prefer a re- for creating all the food on the menu. He em-
A rustic interior; the
key ingredient to
preserving this piece
of history.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 37BORN & BRED
barrassingly admitted that he derived his cook- food must be maintained. He believed some of
ing techniques by watching YouTube videos. the major challenges are in training and run-
His style of cooking involves a blend of West- ning a group of staffs capable of retaining qual-
ern and Asian flavours, or in his way of putting ity control over the meals prepared.
it, “East meets West.” Even the names of the Another of Ho’s secret ingredient in running
food were hilariously appetising— some were a business was the act of giving. “We hire every-
called The Taukey, The Mistress, Kai Fan or even one to be a part of this big family,” he said. Ho
better, Kai Fan 4.0. even took in an employee without formal edu-
Hence, visitors should not be expecting local cation to work in his kitchen.
fares or the mainstream western cuisine, but “It is all about giving back to the people,” he
rather a meal that brings out the strengths of said, smiling contentedly.
both. “The key to running a cafe is consistency,” RATE EAT!
stressed Ho, adding that the quality of the
Kalau Aku Kaya
Who wouldn’t be rich if they had a posses-
Cow Food sion of fried brioche-style bread balls,
The vegetables were perfectly served with tangy lemon ice cream
cooked and greatly complemented and kaya sauce; rich with taste, that is.
the dish. The pesto blended well The lemon ice cream was overpow-
with the pasta and the aftertaste eringly sour when eaten on its own.
was pleasant enough to allure you You can swivel it up with the sweet
to order another plate. However, kaya sauce to soften the tangy taste.
the winner of this dish is the fried As for the bread balls, its texture
brinjal. was crispy on the outside yet endear-
Crispy coating to a soft and ten- ingly soft on the inside. Eat them to-
der inside made the vegetable irresist- gether with the ice-cream, kaya, almond
ible. All the elements of this vegetarian nuts, strawberries and Oreo crumbles. It
dish complemented and highlighted each is one inspiring bite that will leave you saying
other well. Good portion, reasonable pricing, ‘Mmmmm’ until you wipe that plate clean.
and excellent taste; just the right combina-
tion to make you go mooo.
South China Sea
We aren’t sure if this slab of
salmon meat came from the
South China Sea, but it is fresh
and that is what matters the
most. The grilled salmon is
served with a fine helping of
63°C eggs and housemade
hash; just the right breakfast to
start the day.
I would recommend the
addition of some sauce to help
wash the salmon down. But
perhaps the chef had specially
made the meat bare to ensure
that the natural flavour isn’t
compromised.
38 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLEButter
Chicken
Pasta
Despite its namesake,
the buttercream pasta
isn’t like the garden va-
riety ones. For starters,
it avoided most of the
common pitfalls; the
butter sauce had a fair
balance of being not too
creamy or diluted.
The fried chicken
maintains a fine crunch
exterior that yields easi-
ly to the teeth. The chef
also creatively incor-
porated curry into the
sauce to cater to the
Malaysian taste buds.
Mimi’s
Handcrafted
Tea
I want to meet Mimi be-
cause her handcrafted
tea is terrific— it looks
rustic and warm and
tastes so too. It is also
pleasing to have it served
on an idyllic afternoon;
just what you need for a
pick-me-up at 3pm.
Rose Honey Milk Opening Hours: Weekdays (11.30am - 10.00pm)
The delightfully creamy rose honey milk is is accompanied by the Weekends (9.30am - 10.00pm)
fragrance of crushed rose petals that calms the mind. Take a sip and Phone No: +603 20221736
allow the drink to silkily caress your throat. The light sweetness un- Address: 150, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala
mistakably comes from the usage of honey as a substitute for sugar. Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Website: https://www.facebook.com/merchantslane/
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 39BORN & BRED
Ken Ho Kok Hoong
Reminiscence of
a KL-born
By Viktor Chong viktorchong@thestar.com.my pointing over to the mass of shop lots that
W
make up the historic site. Back then, Ho felt
ith an easy smile on his face, that it was much safer to play or loiter alone at
the 37-year old Ken Ho Kok the back alleys of the area. According to him,
Hoong is the kind of person the Chinatown of the past had more soul to
that people could quickly get it as everyone in the community knew each
comfortable with. It did not take long for him other.
to open up about his childhood in KL. “The shops back then were run by Malay-
“I grew up here in Chinatown,” he said, sian Chinese,” said Ho. Now, everything felt
40 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLElike business and the shop lots are mostly Speaking of commercial buildings, Ho
managed by foreigners. Regarding the fate of shared his concern regarding the uneven dis-
Chinatown, Ho lamented, “We can develop the tribution of tenancy in the area. “Even in the
place, but we need to keep a slice of history to central region, you could see some of the
remind us of our heritage.” buildings being completely empty while in
Ho left Malaysia at the age of 18 to Hong some pockets, the tenancy will be sky high,”
Kong and returned at the age of 32 with a he said.
degree in Engineering. However, he took an Concerning the living condition of central
interesting twist in life by becoming an entre- Kuala Lumpur, Ho mentioned the traffic as a
preneur, tending to his food and beverages problem that needs to be tackled. “Perhaps
business. the government could improve the public
A self-confessed autodidact, Ho learned transportation network or facilitate the usage
his culinary skills from YouTube and currently of ride-sharing options to reduce the number
runs a heritage cafe by the name of Merchant’s of cars on the road,” he said, adding that the
Lane at Petaling Street. According to him, most parking fees could also be increased to dis-
of these historical shop lots could easily fetch a courage people from using their cars.
market price of over five to six mil.
The soul of
Chinatown is slowly
draining away.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 41BORN & BRED Magazine library to promote possibility thinking 42 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE
Magazines are
the in-betweens
of newspaper
and book
By Ng Pau Ling pauline@thestar.com.my magazine lovers.
D
“Previously, visitors only stayed for a short
espite living in the digital era, many while to view the furniture. It is a waste to have
would agree that nothing comes such a large space in a well-connected location
close to holding a book and flipping without fully utilising it. Rather than to display
through its pages. Books and mag- furniture, we would like to transform it into a
azines have been integral parts of our lives, multiple-functions space and invite more peo-
they still are, as sources of knowledge and ple to come and spend their time here,” said
pleasure. Reading habit is deservedly glori- Mano Thinking library curator Lionel Tan.
fied as it inspires imagination, enlightens the Answering the question on what lead to
minds and ultimately adds value to our lives. this idea of merging furniture and magazines,
A city, just like a human being needs a li- Tan said, “Magazine and furniture is a perfect
brary to progress. The existence of libraries match. Just like coffee and cake.”
enrich the community and plays a pivotal role In Mano Thinking, the lifestyle furniture
as an access point to knowledge, information enhance the reading atmosphere, while mag-
and ideas. azines uplift the soul of the space.
The latest addition to Kuala Lumpur librar- “Magazine is a reading media that fall
ies is the Mano Thinking Magazine Library, somewhere between newspaper and book —
an independent library with an extensive col- it provides more in-depth stories than news,
lections of magazines sourced from different but variety of aspects than a book.
countries. “I do believe that people still love mag-
Within a short walk of three minutes from azines. A library is important in promoting
the PWTC LRT station, the library is located on reading, especially when the sources are limit-
level two of a road-fronting furniture show- ed in the local market and the prices of read-
room in Jalan Putra. The cosy space opened ing materials are high nowadays,” added Tan.
its doors on Oct 2018 to cater to the needs of
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 43BORN & BRED
The magazines cater
to the English, Chinese
and Japanese-speaking
communities.
Different from the traditional
library setting.
Currently, there are more than 80 genres beanbags, and repurposed dressing desks are
of magazines in the library, ranging from food scattered around the library.
and gourmet, lifestyle, home decor, architec- However, the library consists of less than
ture, art fashion, travel and photography to 20 seats in total.
literature. “Our concept is to create a space not so
These mainstream and individual mag- crowded, and as comfortable as home. Read-
azines are both locally and internationally ers can enjoy their favourite magazines in any
sourced. They come from Europe, America, corners they love — whether to sit properly on
China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan; mainly a chair, half-lying on the beanbag, or even to
in the English language, followed by Chinese sit on the rug — to read in a fun and relaxed
and some Japanese magazines, to broaden mood,” said Tan.
the reader’s choice. For him, magazine reading is an activity
Space planning in Mano Thinking Magazine that inspires imagination derived from the
Library is vastly different from the tradition- content, story and the layout design. The es-
al library setting with rows of reading desks tablishment of Mano Thinking Magazine Li-
neatly organised to optimise the space us- brary is to create an environment that encour-
age. Mano Thinking Magazine Library has an ages flexible and possibility thinking.
intimate and homely ambiance, where sofas,
44 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLEKnowledge-sharing
extends beyond the
pages of magazines
at the library.
“This idea is not only demonstrated on Mano Thinking Magazine Library
Add: 54, Jalan Putra, 50350 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
the selection of the magazines and the de-
Operation Hour: Monday to Sunday (11am - 9pm)
signer items being sold here, but also on
Charges: RM10/ hour or RM30/ full day
the setting and space’s function,” said Tan.
Besides being a library, Mano Thinking
also hosts exhibitions, workshops and cul-
tural talks occasionally. By changing the
furniture placements, the indoor space
can accommodate up to 60 people.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 45BORN & BRED Durian lovers’ paradise at Alor Backspace 46 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE
By Kevin Khye-Ming Eichenberger kind of person who prefers not to languish in
kevin.eichenberger@thestar.com.my
retirement – he dove into the realm of durian
O
and opened a dessert shop that quickly be-
ff the well-travelled paths of came popular among international travellers.
Changkat Bukit Bintang and Jalan After just a year of experience, the man is a
Alor is an unassuming structure of modest expert on the king of fruits – being ca-
steel girders and sidings painted pable of accurately identifying exact kinds of
black and named the Alor Backspace. Within is durian out of a wide spectrum of breeds and
the “Bezt Fruitz & Foodz” durian dessert shop, predicting flavour profiles with the certainty
housed within a pair of lots (A6 and B1) that
After the first few tentative scoops of ice shavings soaked
in a premixed solution of Carnation condensed milk and
Gula Melaka, even those who have not been fortunate to
taste durian before will be pleased with the novel combi-
nations of flavours
that astounds customers.
straddle a narrow passageway connecting the The house speciality is the Durian Cendol
two busiest lanes of the area. MSK – a standard local dessert composed of a
bowl of ice shavings, lychee, red beans, green
Follow any of the appropriately painted rice flour jelly, saturated with a concoction
walls around the area, and you will be lead to of Carnation condensed milk and liquid Gula
“Bezt Fruitz & Foodz”. Melaka (palm sugar), and topped with the rich
The proprietor, David Chiang, spent a life- yellow flesh of the Musang King durian – best
time in the garment industry – and being the enjoyed after a furious mixing.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 47BORN & BRED
David goes over the finer points of identifying
durian varieties by sight – the Musang King has an
For those set on tasting the fruit directly uneven distribution of thorns and naturally devel-
from the husk, the dessert shop also contains ops markings to reveal its segments for convenient
a steel rack presenting the various breeds of consumption.
durian – from the sweet varieties that are ide-
al for new converts, all the way up the qual-
ity scale to the slightly bitter aftertaste
sought by durian veterans.
After a few durians, one will
feel a distinct need for drinks–
and while water is served on
the house – David’s flair for The pictured shakes are both
novel taste combinations ice-cold blends of tropical tastes
extends to the drinks menu confined to a glass – but while the
combination of mango and durian
as well. produces a relatively sweet and
The Durian Shake is al- familiar flavour – the chocolate and
durian blend is more distinct, with
most as ubiquitous as the a slightly bitter aftertaste amplified
fruit itself given the popular- by the consumption of durian flesh
ity of the Musang King over- beforehand.
seas, a visit here would not
be complete without a taste
of the Durian Mango Shake or
the Durian Chocolate Shake.
48 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLEReasonably-
priced European
cuisine served with
panoramic city
view
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 49BORN & BRED
By Kevin Khye-Ming Eichenberger for a dinner reservation, a determined diner
kevin.eichenberger@thestar.com.my
will have to resist the temptation to wander
W
through the lounge – the view, the inviting
ithout a signboard advertis- furniture, the chillhop tunes, and the familiar
ing its presence, and with a sin- blue light flowing from the long bar will cause
gle freight elevator for access, a delay in dinner plans in favour of a drink and
Roofino Skydining and Bar a meditative survey of an urban landscape
blurs the line between a speakeasy and an el- stretching to the horizon.
egant fine dining establishment. The wide indoor dining area and the alfres-
After daytime business hours, when the co section on the deck are spacious enough to
offices are emptied out, the lobby of the KL comfortably seat around 200 diners in total.
Trillion building on Jalan Tun Razak is quiet In a designed contrast to the lounge, where
and empty. Only a standing sign indicates blue light dominates the interior, the indoor
the presence of something other than offices dining section is washed in gentle lighting of
within the 34-storey tower. a more practical quality – served by fixtures
A uniformed guard at the reception desk seemingly transported from a luxury hotel to
appears accustomed to confused visitors stud the double-height ceiling – while the ex-
wandering in off the street and makes a cur- terior exudes a deep blue glow facilitated by
sory nod in the direction of a freight elevator an outdoor bar.
even before any words are exchanged. The menu is distinctly Western, with Italian
What was once a flat rooftop of reinforced dishes authentically titled; Europhiles would
concrete is now a two-storey high house of be pleased to find an affordably-priced spread
glass and steel, with the sprawl of Kuala Lum- featuring classic dishes such as Frutti di Mare,
pur’s skyline interrupted only by steel beams steaks, pizza, salads drizzled with balsamic
and the sight of people lounging on an encir- vinegar – among various other expected of-
cling deck. ferings of the region.
As a demure hostess checks her ledger RATE EAT!
Frutti di Mare
A plate of spaghetti prepared al dente
and overflowing with the “fruit of the
sea” – shellfish (mussels and clams)
splayed open, cut pieces of octopus,
prawns with heads still attached to
retain their succulence, and a dash
of dried chilli flakes to provide a spicy
twist on a classic dish inspired by
coastal Italy.Black Angus Beef
Tenderloin with
Torched Signature
Butter on Angel
Hair Pasta
A hefty cut of mildly seared Angus
beef tenderloin resting on capellini
(angel hair pasta), with a decadent
crust formed by torched Signa-
ture butter (arguably the world’s
tastiest butter). Served with black
pepper sauce, a side of vegetables,
and parsley, with the accompani-
ment of a tall glass of refreshing
orange juice.
Mango Mirror cake
A delectably rich mango mirror cake,
delicately topped with a thin wafer of
white chocolate embedded into a gen-
erous dollop of mango puree – served
in colourful contrast with a decorative
Classical Crêpe Suzette garnish of cold fruit and a warm wel-
A classic French dessert – Crêpe Suzette, soaked come message spelled out in chocolate
Opening Hours: 12.00pm - 1.00am
in orange juice and accompanied by a tableside sauce.
preparation of flaming Grand Marnier. While the
Phone No: 012-216 1634
flame removes the alcohol content, the lingering Address: 34th Floor, KL Trillion,
taste of Grand Marnier in the tangy sauce, along Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
with the bites of thinly sliced cold strawberries and Website: https://www.facebook.
tangerine segments, can leave one food drunk. com/roofinokl/
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 51BORN & BRED Malay cuisine with a modern twist down at Bijan 52 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE
By Hakim Hassan hakim@thestar.com.my the foodie who craves for authentic Malay
M
dishes to enjoy at Bijan.
alay cuisine, regarded as a tradi- The concept behind Bijan is to bring Ma-
tional and local affair, has always lay cuisine to become a staple with the global
been the type of food often sold community in KL.
at roadside stalls, in the standard, The restaurant blends elements from fine
run-of-the-mill Malay restaurants or within dining such as the use of ribs and other cuts of
the Malay household, often for celebrations beef not normally used in Malay dishes and lo-
or family feasts. cal herbs and spices to create a unique dining
Rarely do these types of dishes appear in experience that is modern but still maintains
the menus of high end eateries, let alone be- the authentic Malay feel.
come the centrepiece, but there has been the Utilising an old colonial building dating
rise of a few dedicated in modernising Malay back to the British days, repurposed for con-
dishes that appeals to an international audi- temporary fine dining, Bijan Bar has a rustic
ence. feel to it with hues of red and orange lighting
One such dining place is Bijan Bar & Res- in the indoor segment which also houses the
taurant, located in Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lum- bar.
pur. As for the outdoor partition, it gives a sense
Proudly serving patrons for the past 15 of calm and serenity for diners with bamboo
years with royalty and foreign dignitaries all fences and rolls creating an enclosure for pa-
the way to the common folk having walked trons to enjoy their meal comfortably away
through their doors, there is something for from the sweltering Kuala Lumpur heat and
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 53BORN & BRED
also noise from the city’s busy streets. use of better quality items for their dishes
“Bijan is supposed to be a refined Malay such as Patin Tempoyak, “Instead of using
cuisine restaurant where we can proudly say kampung durian, we use D24 durians which
that we want to serve and concentrate on Ma- gives a more creamy texture. We also use im-
lay dishes, just Malay cuisine itself. ported beef for rendang and the beef dishes
or the ribs.
“You have your Rendang Tok, you have the Commenting on denizens dwelling in the
authentic Malay dishes like Masak Lemak and area, she said it is a mix of expatriates and lo-
Tempoyak but they are refined,” said Good cals given Kuala Lumpur’s location being the
Food Trio Company senior sales & marketing nation’s capital and the hub for many multina-
manager Selena Mak. tional companies.
Refined, she explains, is defined as Bijan’s RATE EAT!
Opor Rusuk
Australian beef ribs slow-
cooked in a thick gravy of
aromatic spices,toasted
coconut, palm sugar and
coconut milk.
Infusing a western el-
ement into a Malay cook-
ing, Bijan takes a cut of
meat which is more pop-
ular with a western audi-
ence, the ribs, and marries
it with spices commonly
Aneka Pembuka Selera used in eastern cooking to
create a delightful combi-
A selection of Bijan’s starters; cucur udang, popiah goreng, daging
nation that is best eaten
bungkus kukus and begedil.
with white rice.
The starters are some of the classic Malay delicacies reminis-
cent of kampung-style munchies served on a warm evening along
with a drink to boot.
The densely wrapped popiah was fried to golden brown and
Ayam Masak
works best when dipped into the homemade sauce which has a Kuzi
slight hint of sweetness with the chillis being mild enough to not Tender chicken pieces,
leave a burning sensation in the mouth. fresh tomatoes, almond
As for the cucur udang, it has been prepared in a similar way as and raisins simmered
another Malay favourite, cucur jagung udang where it has a crispy in spiced coconut milk
exterior as a result of the batter mixing with the vegetables. Under- gravy.
neath lies the soft prawn which is a pleasant surprise from the hard- The pieces of chick-
er exterior. en used for the dish was
The daging bungkus takes the cake as the best appetiser with tender with the sauce be-
its tender minced meat, herbs and coconut gravy wrapped in thin ing creamy which had a
pancake sheets. From the start, there was an explosion of flavours slight hint of raisins with-
ranging from sweet to savoury which makes a good introduction to in it. A mild dish which
those who are not familiar to Malay cuisine. can be recommended
As for the begedil, it was a no-nonsense affair as the texture was for those who have a low
smooth and the potato and meat contained was beautifully mashed tolerance for spicy food.
to create a delicious Malay classic.
54 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLESotong Hitam Manis Masak Lemak Ikan Kurau dengan
Squid cooked with chili paste, lemongrass and squid ink Pisang Kapas
The squid was a delight with the sambal having a slight kick to Threadfin fillets cooked in lightly spiced coconut milk with young ba-
it but was not overpowering. It is similar to the Italian squid ink pas- nanas. One of the best dishes by the restaurant, it is reminiscent of
ta where it is used to become part of the gravy. Recommended for the minang-style masak lemak but lacks the heat that is commonly
those looking to try something different as it is a rarity even in Malay associated with this Negeri Sembilan favourite.
households. Making up for the lack of punch is the creamier texture from the
D24 durians used to make the gravy. The combination of the gravy,
fish and young bananas creates a delicately balanced dish.
Pandan Pudding
Cream pudding infused with fragrant
pandan leaves and palm sugar syrup
A sweet dessert that has a rich
and thick pandan flavour is indeed a
treat. The use of the pandan is clev-
erly done as it represents
a Malay classic turned
into a contempo-
Pucuk Paku Goreng Tahi Minyak rary delight.
Wild fern stir-fried with chili, caramelised coconut and shrimp
The caramalised coconut and shrimp were an interesting addition
to a Malay classic as it gives off a slight hint of sweetness which was
not overbearing and the shrimp was succulent.
Gula Melaka Cake Chocolate Durian Cake
Steamed palm sugar sponge cake served warm with a shot of cara- Creamy durian sandwiched between moist chocolate cake and coat-
melized palm sugar sauce and coconut ice cream ed in chocolate ganache This was a weird marriage that ended in a
Best taken with the caramalised palm sugar sauce and coconut ice fairytale ending. Chocolate and durian, a combination that does not
cream in one spoonful, this explosion of flavours combines the polar really work in theory but was a wonderful desert to have. The slight
opposites of a warm sponge cake and the cold coconut ice cream, with bitterness from the chocolate and the creamy texture from the durian
the palm sugar sauce as the sweet kick. proved to be a good way to end our meal at Bijan.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 55BORN & BRED Immersing in the local flavour at Bazaar Baru Chow Kit 56 BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE
By Viktor Chong viktorchong@thestar.com.my be a tad shabby, but the stall owners give off
S
a friendly vibe that often quells any notion of
ometimes, the best fares are not awkwardness.
found in glitzy restaurants with leath- Armed with only RM15, we ventured into
er-bound menus. Bazaar Baru Chow the bazaar. To our surprise, we could easi-
Kit is definitely a testimony to this ly buy over seven types of local delicacies. A
statement. The narrow streets and pot-holed bowl of noodle costs around RM7 only, that
walkways would undoubtedly turn many re- too with big portions. Take note that Chow
fined diners away. Kit is part of central Kuala Lumpur, and it is
However, behind its shady appearance is no easy feat to find a hearty meal well below
a haven for local Malay cuisines. Some of the RM10 at the city centre.
food offered there are nasi campur, laksa, RATE EAT!
bakso, soto, and apam. The shop lots might
Bakso
The Bakso is a variation of the Bihun Soup, with the addition of IKEA look-alike meatballs.
The soup was quite spicy even though it looked relatively bland—it was also saturated
with herbs such as onions and pepper. The large meatballs disappointed us as they were
quite tasteless.
BEST@ GOLDEN TRIANGLE 57You can also read
