Budget food at 1 Utama shopping centre
The food situation at 1 Utama Shopping Centre can be…a lot. Between the endless choices, the lunch crowd, and the very real risk of getting lost between the Old Wing and New Wing, tracking down a tasty yet affordable meal feels like a side quest you never signed up for.
Okay, everybody, breathe. We have done the legwork and compiled the best affordable eats under RM20 at 1 Utama, sorted by location, so that you won’t need to open Google Maps inside the mall.
Table of Contents
- Budget food at 1 Utama shopping centre
- – Old Wing eats –
- 1. Johnny’s Restaurant
- 2. Laem Charoen Thai
- 3. Sekinchan Catch
- 4. Teo Chew Lor
- 5. Yun Bridge Noodle
- 6. Wok Hey
- – New Wing eats –
- 7. Black Canyon
- 8. Thai Chicken Rice Station
- – Food District @ New Wing –
- 9. Sizzling & Claypot
- 10. Ken-Chan Curry
- 11. Torii Teppanyaki
- 12. Kung Fu Ramen
- – K District @ 1 Utama E –
- 13. FWF Hotpot
- 14. Tsuruhashi Korean Town
– Old Wing eats –
1. Johnny’s Restaurant
Thai set meals & fried rice from RM9.90
Johnny’s Restaurant is a favourite among office-goers because you can enjoy a set meal of a main dish, tom yum soup, Thai tea, and ice cream for just RM12.90. There are over 26 options for these special combo meals, such as Pad Kra Pao with Rice, Prawn Tom Yam Kuey Teow, and Thai Bee Hoon Soup.
Even if you prefer a la carte, their fried rice and noodle dishes are priced from just RM9.90.
Unit: G215-G216
Contact: 012-564 6031 | Johnny’s Restaurant Instagram
2. Laem Charoen Thai
Thai set lunch at RM17.90
People usually go to Laem Charoen Thai Seafood for a family-style feast of seafood and tom yum goong. But if you dine in on a weekday between 11am and 1pm, you will catch their value set lunch for RM17.90.
It features options like Hot Basil Prawns with Rice, Black Pepper Chicken with Rice, and Stir-Fried Mama Noodles with Chicken – all topped with a sunny-side-up egg, accompanied by a spicy papaya salad and pandan water.
Unit: LG223
Contact: 03-3010 2388 | Laem Charoen Thai Seafood Instagram
3. Sekinchan Catch
Seafood noodle soups from RM11.15
You’ll always spot a crowd at Sekinchan Catch – and it’s no surprise. Their seafood noodle soups are perfect when you’re craving something comforting yet not too heavy to cause a food coma afterwards.
You can pair rice, porridge, or noodles with fish balls (RM11.15), mackerels (RM19.10), clams (RM15.90), or go all out with a seafood combo (RM19.10). The base and toppings can be served together or separately.
Unit: LGK109
Contact: 03-7724 2828
4. Teo Chew Lor
Teochew kway chap from RM13
Teo Chew Lor’s kway chap exudes a homely, grandma-made vibe – if your grandma also cooks Teochew braised meats, that is.
For RM16, you’ll get a plate of tender braised pork or duck, paired with plain rice, congee, or silky kway teow kia. You can also swap in yam rice or kway chap for just an additional RM1. The same goes for their organ soup (from RM13).
And if you’re the kind of person who needs the “10 out of 10 Teochew experience”, top up RM4 to round things out with half a braised egg, some salted veggies, and a cup of Chinese tea.
Unit: LG113
Contact: 016-337 0881
5. Yun Bridge Noodle
Noodle soup sets for RM18.80
Yun Bridge Noodle should be on your go-to list if you’re into noodles with bold, flavourful broths. Their value-packed noodle set (RM18.80) gets you a main noodle dish, a side of fish cakes or pork meat rolls, and a drink of green tea or winter melon.
There are four broths: chicken, mala, kimchi, and original. Each is topped with a different protein, like ring rolls, pork belly slices, fish fillets, and fish balls.
Additionally, the restaurant serves Chinese-style steamed buns stuffed with crispy fried fish fillets and honey mala chicken, seasoned with just the right amount of sweet-spicy sauce. A pair of buns goes for RM16.90, and you can top up to RM18.80 to include a drink.
Unit: S130
Contact: Yun Bridge Noodle Instagram
6. Wok Hey
Customisable to-go boxes from RM11
You know those moments when you’re in a rush and have no time to dine in, but also not desperate enough to settle for a cold sandwich from the nearest convenience store? Hey, Wok Hey is your answer. The shop even puts up a sign indicating that the food takes less than 10 minutes to prepare.
Their to-go boxes are fully customisable. The most basic option (from RM11) is with egg fried rice, Shanghai fried rice, stir-fried udon, or ramen. You can level it up with a protein, such as grilled chicken, braised beef, or seasoned prawns.
And it doesn’t stop there. Top up RM5 to turn a box into a set meal, which comes with a drink and an add-on like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and shitake mushrooms. The add-ons alone are RM2 each.
Unit: LG210
Contact: Wok Hey Instagram
– New Wing eats –
7. Black Canyon
Value sets from RM15.90
Black Canyon brings together Western and Asian flavours in their wallet-friendly menu, with most dishes hovering around RM15. Highlights include their Noodles With Spicy Chicken Tom Yum (RM12.92), Stir-Fried Pasta With Seafood (RM16.95), and Pineapple Fried Rice (RM13.45).
Image credit: Pamela Malaysianfoodie via Google Review
The restaurant’s Individual Favourites series (from RM13.45) is curated for customers seeking a balanced meal. Each dish comes with a protein, such as stir-fried prawns, chicken green curry, and roasted chicken leg, accompanied by rice and mixed vegetables.
That said, if you want to get the most out of your money, their value sets are the real MVP. For RM15.90, you’ll get a main dish, iced lemon tea, and a warm bowl of tom yum soup.
Unit: LG323-LG323A
Contact: 018-225 5049 | Black Canyon Instagram
8. Thai Chicken Rice Station
Thai-style chicken rice & pad kra pao from RM11.90
When we think of chicken rice, it’s usually a toss-up between steamed or roasted chicken. But at Thai Chicken Rice Station, you can choose from classic steamed chicken, crispy fried chicken, and Thai-famous pad kra pao – a punchy stir-fry of minced chicken with basil and chopped chillies. These are priced from RM11.90, a la carte.
Image credit: Mei Chin via Google Review
And, for just RM2 more, you can add a hot drink such as Thai milk tea, coffee, or lemongrass ginger tea to complete your meal. The same goes for their Omelette Rice (RM9.90), Green Curry Chicken Rice (RM14.90), and Red Curry Chicken Rice (RM14.90).
Unit: LG325
Contact: 011-6742 6767 | Thai Chicken Rice Station Instagram
– Food District @ New Wing –
Food District houses approximately 16 food stalls serving a variety of cuisines, equipped with plenty of seats overlooking 1 Utama’s Adventure Park. Here are the stalls we found with the most value-for-money meals:
9. Sizzling & Claypot
Sizzling hot plates from RM12.90
Sizzling & Claypot is where things get loud and hot – we’re talking chicken (RM13.90), fish (RM14.90), and beef (RM15.90) sizzling in cast-iron plates, complete with a sunny-side up, vegetables, and perfectly moulded rice. Vegetarian options (RM12.90) with tomato egg and mixed mushrooms are available too.
While the beef is only available in black pepper and curry flavours, the chicken and fish get the full flavour treatment – think Marmite glaze, zesty lemon sauce, and dangerously addictive salted egg.
If you prefer noodles over rice, they also serve sizzling kuey teow and yee mee, priced at RM12.90. Equally hot are the Claypot Chicken Rice (RM12.90) and Claypot Curry Yee Mee with Chicken (RM14.90).
10. Ken-Chan Curry
Japanese curry & omurice from RM9.90
A classic Japanese curry rice at Ken Chan Curry is priced at RM9.90, with thick curry confidently taking over half the plate, sidling up next to a mound of rice and stir-fried vegetables.
But if you are more of a meat lover, you can swap it with crispy chicken, fish, stir-fried beef, or seafood, priced from RM13.50.
Another crowd favourite is the omelette curry rice (from RM13) – also served with vegetables, cheese, or meat. A silky veil of omelette is draped over the rice, sprinkled with spring onions, and the whole thing just lounges in a pool of curry. It screams comfort food.
Contact: 018-385 6554 | Ken-Chan Curry Instagram
11. Torii Teppanyaki
Weekday value meals from RM9.90
If you drop by Torii Teppanyaki on a weekday from 10am to 5pm, you can enjoy their Chicken Teppanyaki, Chicken Katsu Omelette Don, and Okonomiyaki at RM16.90 instead of the usual RM19.90.
Top up RM4.90 to include a side trio of mochi, miso soup, and pickled cucumber.
Image credit: Bryan Lee via Google Review
Also, hot tip: the Garlic Fried Rice and Egg Fried Rice are just RM9.90 – promo or not. Wok hei-packed and carb-laden, these are the musts if you’re proudly called the “rice bucket” at home.
Contact: Torii Teppanyaki Instagram
12. Kung Fu Ramen
Chinese-Muslim mee tarik from RM13
Chinese-Muslim mee tarik has a track record of going viral in KL. Whatever the reason, we aren’t complaining. Inside Food District, you’ll find Kungfu Ramen, where you can slurp on some satisfying mee tarik.
Their hand-pulled noodles are freshly kneaded on the spot, so you know it is the real kungfu. Starting from RM13, the noodles come in a clear or braised broth, with your choice of lamb, chicken, or beef. You can also get them stir-fried, priced from RM14.
– K District @ 1 Utama E –
Stepping out of 1 Utama’s old wing, specifically the exit near the mall’s FlowRider, you’ll find a mini food haven just across the street. This food stretch is lined with more than 10 stalls, including the all-things-Korean K District.
But again, this guide isn’t meant to overwhelm you with food choices. We’re zoning in on just two restaurants that deserve your attention because their set meals are pretty solid.
13. FWF Hotpot
Sichuan mala noodles from RM14.90
If you’re the kind to power through numbing heat with a stuffy nose, sweat down your back, and still say “I regret nothing”, FWF Hotpot’s Sichuan mala noodles are your next badge of honour to claim.
During their weekday lunch promo from 11am to 5pm, if you order any one of Feng’s Noodles (from RM14.90), you will also get complimentary fruits, a dessert, and a drink – winter melon tea, iced tea, or luo han guo tea.
Image adapted from: @fwfhotpot via Instagram
For noodle flavours, there are mala broth, tangy tomato soup, rich bone broth, and superior hot soup – or the dry version that’s hot and sour with chilli oil and dried chillies.
Better yet, if you visit with a few friends and order four sets of the Feng’s Noodles series, you will get an extra sweet snack: fried sticky rice cakes drenched in brown sugar syrup or golden mantous served with condensed milk.
Contact: 011-5638 6267 | FWF Hotpot Instagram
14. Tsuruhashi Korean Town
Korean-Japanese daily specials at RM18.80
For context, Tsuruhashi is one of the largest Korean towns in Osaka, Japan.
Run by a Korean chef, Tsuruhashi Korean Town serves up weekday specials (RM18.80) that rotate daily. Each day, you get two options: one leaning into Korean flavours, the other with more of a Japanese flair.
Image credit: Kelly Kok via Google Review
Think Sundubu Jjigae vs Teriyaki Chicken Rice on Mondays, and Kimchi Budaejjigae vs Chicken Katsu Curry Rice on Tuesdays – all served with ban chan sides.
Contact: 014-750 5430
Budget-friendly food at 1 Utama shopping centre
Nothing hits quite like food that’s both delicious and kind to your wallet. Whether you’re team Thai pad kra pao, Chinese mala noodles, or comforting Malaysian-style seafood noodle soup, our cheat sheet has you covered. Bookmark it and share it with your makan kaki.
Also watch our video:
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Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by Hans Leong, edits by Xin Yee.