Uma Food Centre in Sentul
Every now and then, a little sweetness for our taste buds is just what we need to balance out all that life throws our way. While there are plenty of hotspots to satisfy our cravings for Indian sweets and snacks cravings in KL, there’s a hidden Indian sweet stall dishing out super affordable treats that not many know of.
Nestled in Sentul, Uma Food Centre has been delighting taste buds for over 40 years with prices so low that indulging in them will feel like a guilt-free pleasure.
A hidden snack stall in Lorong Pasar Sentul
Compared to Uma Rani Restaurant on Jalan Ipoh, known as the go-to supplier for idiyappams across KL’s Indian restaurants, Uma Food Centre often flies under the radar. But those in the know will rave about their scrumptious offerings.
While idiyappams were initially the star of the show, visitors now flock to this home-cum-store behind the bustling main street of Lorong Sentul Pasar for more than just this snack. It carries an impressive array of Indian sweets and snacks all at prices so cheap, you’ll wonder how they do it so near KL’s city centre.
Whether you’re stocking up for a minum petang sesh or preparing for Deepavali and other special occasions, you’ll find all your Indian snack needs and cravings satisfied at this spot, which captures a piece of Malaysia’s snack culture.
The process of whipping up the delectable Indian treats here kicks off as early as 6am, when a dedicated crew gathers in the main kitchen at the home. Split into their own little departments, these skilled artisans dive right into action, crafting a mouth-watering buffet of snacks and sweets to sell for the day.
Each day, they whip up around 200 pieces of each snack from scratch, including idiappam, kolukattai, mothagam, vadai, and ulunthu vadai. From batter mixing to shaping and frying, each tedious part of the preparation is done right in the humble home kitchen.
Savoury sweets priced at RM1 per piece
When it comes to sweets, best-sellers like laddu, jalebi, adhirasam, and kesari are also prepared fresh by these culinary wizards. By 9am, the snacks and sweets are ready to strut their stuff and hit the shelves for patrons to bring home.
Priced at an astonishing RM1 per piece, these sweet goodies make for the perfect pick-me-up for any time of day.
A must-try here is undoubtedly the laddu, a sweet ball made from gram flour, sugar, and a sprinkle of cardamom. The sweetness doesn’t stop there. You’ll also find other traditional Indian sweets like jalebi, a crispy, syrup-soaked spiral-looking treat that’s much-loved.
Other popular treats include palkova, a rich milk fudge; kesari, a sweet semolina dessert infused with saffron; athirasam, a sweet jaggery doughnut; and sarpuria, a spiced and sweet fried snack.
Freshly made snacks priced at RM0.70
If you’re in the mood for something savoury, look no further than their snacks, also priced at an affordable RM0.70 each. For starters, there’s the Malaysian staple vadais – soft, deep-fried lentil fritters.
Another crowd-favourite is the Mothagam, made from soft and chewy rice flour and filled with grated coconut and jaggery, creating a delightful contrast. Steamed to perfection, this treat has an aromatic scent that’s enhanced with cardamom and cashews.
The Kolukattai – a South Indian dumpling that has a smooth and chewy texture – and Pachaipayaru Urundai, also known as green gram balls made from roasted green gram, are also worth getting.
Traditional Indian sweets and snacks at Uma Food Centre in Sentul
With its affordable prices and mouth-watering selection of traditional treats, Uma Food Centre is the ultimate spot to stock up on your favourite items – any time of day or for special occasions like Deepavali.
So, the next time you find yourself in Sentul, make sure to swing by to get your hands on guilt-free Indian sweets and snacks.
Address: 125C Jalan 1/48F, Lorong Sentul Pasar, 51200, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 9am-6pm, Daily
Contact: 03-4042 7814
For more food recommendations, read:
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by Yusintha.