Ara 56 in Ara Damansara
If your usual after-hours plans involve heading to a mamak and chilling there ’till late, Ara 56 in Ara Damansara is a new spot to add to your hangout rotation.
Opening till 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, this new supper spot is made up of three distinct food and drink vendors, with a shared open seating area to enjoy all your orders – it feels like a typical hawker-style dining experience, except you get to order all the Gen MZ favourites like iced coffee and cookies.
What is Ara 56?
Ara 56 is a new late-night hangout spot that brings together Big Boss HSP, Cookie Doh, and P.Pol all under one roof. The space opens from 5pm to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 5pm to 12am from Sundays to Thursdays, making it a great option for both early dinners and late-night cravings.
The spacious surroundings, with standalone shops spread across the lot, give it an almost American street mall feel.
Instead of tables and chairs set inside four walls, Ara 56 has an open seating area set outdoors so you can order food from any of the three vendors and enjoy them all together.
Since seats tend to fill up quite quickly, especially during peak supper hours, it’s best to secure a table before ordering. Parking is also pretty fuss-free – and best of all, currently free – with a large open-air parking lot right beside the shops.
What to order at Big Boss HSP, Cookie Doh & P.Pol
Big Boss HSP
The first of the three vendors is Big Boss HSP, which lands with its sixth outlet at Ara 56.
As its name suggests, the highlight here is its Hot Snack Plate (from RM15.90), inspired by the Australian-style Halal Snack Pack. The dish comes loaded with fries, kebab meat, mozzarella cheese, and your choice of sauces.
Choose between chicken, beef, or a combination of both. We went for the chicken and beef mix, paired with the Holy Trinity of sauces, which combines Signature Garlic, Signature BBQ, and Spicy Red Tangy sauces.
The fries came with a decent crunch at first, although they naturally softened as they soaked up the sauces. The real highlight was the kebab meat, which was sliced thinly and generously scattered throughout the plate. It was flavourful without being too overpowering, so you could still taste the combination of meat, cheese, fries, and sauces in each bite.
Image adapted from: @bigbosshsp via Instagram
If HSP isn’t quite what you’re craving, Big Boss HSP also serves Shawarma (from RM14.50) for something a little easier to eat on the go. Those with a bigger appetite can opt for the Power Rice (RM23.90), which also comes with a drink.
Cookie Doh
Once you’ve had your savoury fix, head over to Cookie Doh for something sweet.
This cookie spot serves both sweet and savoury options, with prices starting from RM7.90 per cookie. There are unconventional flavours such as Pistachio Kunafa and Caramel Cheesecake among the usual chocolate chip cookies.
We tried the S’mores Scoopy Doh (from RM15.90), which is reheated upon order and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The warm cookie came packed with chocolate bits, while the ice cream melted into the cookie as we dug in.
The combination of hot-and-cold reminded us of a campfire-style s’mores treat, but in cookie form. Despite all the chocolate and ice cream, it wasn’t overly sweet, which made it surprisingly easy to finish.
For something a little more refined, the Signature Creme Brulee (RM10.90) takes inspiration from the classic French dessert. The top of the cookie is torched to create a caramelised crust, giving it a satisfying crunch before you get to the softer, chewier cookie beneath it all.
P.Pol
Drinks might just be the best way to end your supper session. At P.Pol, you’ll find a selection of coffee-based drinks alongside non-caffeinated options, so those who don’t want to be kept awake all night still have something to sip on.
We tried the Black Sunrise (RM14), a combination of coffee and orange with flavours reminiscent of a Mont Blanc. Without the cream, it was lighter and more citrus-forward, with the sourness of the orange cutting through the bitterness of the coffee.
The more interesting pick was the Tepung Pelita Matcha (RM17), which combines matcha with pandan-infused cream. While the combination might sound rich, it was surprisingly refreshing.
The sweetness and fragrant pandan balanced out the earthy umami of the matcha, making this a good pick if you’re looking for something a little more out of the box.
Ara 56 is a new late-night spot in Ara Damansara
Whether you’re craving something savoury, have a sweet tooth, or simply need a drink to wind down, Ara 56 brings a little bit of everything together in one spot. With its late operating hours, spacious seating area, and picks for people of all ages, it’s an easy place to add to your supper rotation.
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by Brooklyn, Ming Xuan.