Pork-free pan mee in Klang Valley
Image adapted from: @cili8, @stevenhans95 and @constance.ant
Pan mee is a Malaysian staple, so much so that we eat it steaming hot and extra spicy even in the Malaysian heat. Unfortunately, not everyone can share in the love for it with dietary and religious restrictions.
So we’ve compiled a list of 10 restaurants to get pork-free and healthier pan mee options in Klang Valley for those who want to try out this dish. While not all of the restaurants are Halal-certified by Jakim, none of them serve any pork or alcohol at their premises.
If you need new restaurants to check out in Klang Valley, hit up one of these spots:
- Spicy food in Klang Valley
- Book cafes
- Authentic Malay restaurants in Klang Valley
- Cheap dim sum buffets
- Authentic Korean restaurants
- Instagrammable dessert cafe
- American-style diner burgers
1. Cili8 – classic curry laksa & sambal belacan noodles
Cili8 has the number 8 in its name as it sounds like the Chinese word for “luck”. But it also stands for the 8 pan mee options on its menu that range from its Signature Pan Mee Soup (RM10.90) to Herbal Soup Pan Mee (RM12.90).
Image credit: @cili8
The Signature Pan Mee Soup is cooked with minced chicken and topped with fried anchovies, garlic, onions, and wonton skin. The noodles are kneaded by hand, which gives it a chewy texture to contrast the crunch of all the fried items in this dish.
If you’re looking for some spice, the Volcano Pan Mee (RM11.90) kicks up the signature dish with the same hand-kneaded noodles in thick, creamy curry laksa. The Sambal Shrimp Pan Mee (RM11.90) also has an added kick with a spoonful of sambal belacan for spice lovers.
Cili8’s Volcano Pan Mee that packs a flavourful punch
Image credit: @not_always_hungry
There are rice dishes on the menu too, such as Spicy Curry Chicken (RM8.90), Garlic Fried Rice (RM8.90) and Nasi Lemak with Fried Whole-Leg Chicken (RM13.90). And if the heat of the laksa and sambal gets to you, just cool off with a bowl of Penang Cendol (RM3.50).
Image credit: Cili8 Noodle Bar & Kitchen
Address: Unit PG-A, Ground Floor, Plaza 33, No.1, Jalan Kemajuan, Section 13, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM (Closed Sundays)
Telephone: 016-228 8318
Website
2. Chi Fan Cafe KL – legit Pahang-style dishes
Chi Fan Cafe KL is a homey Halal eatery that mainly serves classic Pahang dishes. It even has Bubur Lambuk Pahang (RM15) – a family-recipe porridge made with coconut milk, carrots, fresh herbs, and fish – on its menu, which comes with a drink and salad.
Image credit: @chifanKL
The Chili Pang-Pang Pate Mee (RM15.90) here has that homey touch to it too. It has simple yet comforting flavours of a classic pan mee dish, but served with chicken and bok choy.
There are also desserts here for those with a sweet tooth. You can get a slice of Burnt Italian Cheesecake and Berries Cheesecake for about RM10-RM15/slice.
Chi Fan Cafe KL’s interior looks like a grandmother’s cosy kitchen
Image credit: @chifankl
Address: No. 9, Jalan H3, Taman Melawati, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Selangor
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 8.30AM-6.30PM (Closed Sundays)
Telephone: 017-569 8522
Website
3. Homie Recipe – 14 types of pan mee dishes
Image credit: @trifarahfatin
Although it’s located at a quiet corner of NU Sentral, this noodle house is not to be overlooked. It has 14 different pork and MSG-free pan mee dishes, including Diced Mushroom Pan Mee (RM9.90), Seaweed & Egg Pan Mee (RM10.90), and Curry Chicken Pan Mee (RM10.90).
If you’re adamant on a classic, its Traditional Pan Mee (RM10.90) is worth trying. It has thick, springy noodles in an anchovy-based soup, with diced chicken, fried beancurd sheets, and fried anchovies. There’s also a dry version of it on the menu for the same price.
Image credit: @maisielau
While servings are generous, Homie Recipe also has a variety of sides to go with your noodles. There are dishes like Stuffed Tofu in Black Bean Sauce (RM8.90) and Deep Fried Fish Cake (RM7.90) that look more like mains with its sizable portions.
Image credit: Awi ذولكرناءين Salip
Address: LG 18 Nu Sentral, 5, Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 10AM-9PM, Daily
Telephone: 03-2276 370
4. Madam Jean Pan Mee – beef and kimchi options
Image credit: @vanjchan
If you find yourself in Mid Valley Megamall and unable to choose a restaurant to eat at with all the options here, check out Madam Jean Pan Mee. While it is located in the AEON Food Court, it serves up a delicious bowl of Homestyle Pan Mee Soup (RM8.90) that is made with beef. It also has Dried Chili Pan Mee (RM10.90) if you want some spice with your pan mee.
It has other noodle choices on its menu too, including its healthy Organic Spinach Pan Mee (RM10.90) and Korean Kimchi Pan Mee (RM12.90) that you can have with spinach noodles too.
Address: AEON Food Market, Lower Ground Floor, Mid Valley Megamall, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur 59200
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM, Daily
5. Noodle Shack – traditional and vegetarian pan mee
Image credit: @bellygoodlife
Noodle Shack is another pork and MSG-free establishment on the list that specialises in pan mee. It also uses less salt and oil to guarantee its customers an all-around healthier option.
Its Traditional Hand Torn Noodles (RM12.90) comes served with minced chicken, and has a crunch to it with the mushroom fungus, a fried beancurd sheet, and crispy anchovies. For even more flavour, you can add a poached egg, shrimp, sambal chili shrimp, and additional noodles for RM2/each.
Image credit: @eric_kwok_chee_way_
The Coriander Hand Torn Pan Mee (RM15.90) is also worth a try. It’s packed with coriander leaves, bayam, and green noodles with just a hint of coriander to it, making it a great option for vegetarians.
Address: Lot LG 111-112 (Old Wing), 1 Utama Shopping Centre, 1, Lebuh Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama City Centre, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 03-7732 2384
See all locations here.
Website
6. Capitol Cafe – Chinese-style noodles
Image credit: @quejemange
Capitol Cafe serves classic Malaysian dishes in a nostalgic setting. There are old newspaper clippings with P. Ramlee’s face on its walls and wood-and-marble kopitiam dining sets. And all of this in a spacious, air-conditioned environment in the heart of the city.
Image credit: Capitol Cafe
Its Fuchow Egg Pan Mee (RM9.90) is made with shrimp, squid, fish, and egg noodles. The carrots, celery, and tomatoes give the soup heaps of flavours and an added crunch to the bouncy noodles.
Other things to try here is the Signature Nasi lemak (RM12.90) with sweet sambal and a large, crispy chicken leg, and its all-day Breakfast Set (RM7.90) that comes with two slices of kaya toast, half-boiled eggs, and coffee or tea. Its three-layered Ice Coffee Thirty (RM8.90) is sweetened with coconut instead of sugar, which makes it a creamy, sweet treat on a hot day.
Image credit: @naepinit
Address: 46, 48 & 50 Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening times: 7.00AM-4.30PM, Daily
Telephone: 03-2110 5591
Website
7. Village Park Restaurant – pan mee alongside famous nasi lemak
Image credit: Putri Dariah Ariff
Village Park Restaurant is operated by a Chinese-Muslim couple, with food so good that even our current PM Mahathir can be seen dining here with his family in a framed photograph hung on the restaurant’s wall.
It is known for its Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng (RM10.50), but they have other Chinese dishes here as well, including Pan Mee (RM7.90). It has springy noodles in a clear anchovy-based broth, with fried onions, fish cakes, an assortment of vegetables, and slightly spicy sambal.
Village Park Restaurant’s famous Nasi Lemak, with fragrant rice and huge leg of chicken
Image credit: @isthemocking.jay
While you’re here, try its flavourful Lontong (RM6.80) and tangy Asam Laksa (RM7.90). You can also get a cup of Special Champ Teh Tarik (RM2.80/small cup) to complete your meal.
Address: No. 5, Jalan SS21/37, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 7.00AM-7.30PM | Sun 7AM-6PM
Telephone: 03-7710 7860
Website
8. Yums – chicken pan mee served with sambal
em>Image credit: @theyumsgroup
Yums is a cosy restaurant located in Wangsa Walk that has a minced chicken Pan Mee Soup (RM9.90) and a wide selection of Western and Asian food. It’s also a convenient 5-minute walk from Sri Rampai LRT Station.
You can get different noodle bowls here, such as Tom Yam Pasta (RM11.90) and its popular Katong Laksa (RM12.90) with its flavourful, light curry broth. Or you can try its Dry Chili Pan Mee (RM9.90) that is made with chicken as well and served with sambal and a poached egg.
Katong Laksa at Yums is a generous serving of noodles in creamy curry
Image credit: @everydayismycheatdayy
Yums has a series of Sparkling Drinks on their menu that come in 5 flavours – Blackcurrant, Blue Ocean, Passion Fruit, Kasturi and Plum, and Lychee – all for RM6.80/each. It’s a great refresher to combat the spiciness in the dishes.
Image credit: @theyumsgroup
Address: G-17I, Wangsa Walk Mall, Jalan Wangsa Perdana 1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 03-4131 7679
Website
9. Ah Cheng Laksa – Halal-certified chain in Klang Valley
Image credit: @stevenhans95
With laksa in its name, it’s no surprise that Ah Cheng Laksa is widely known for its spicy and tangy Asam Laksa (RM12.90). But they also serve a hearty bowl of Pan Mee (RM9.90) – served with chicken – at its Halal-certified outlets located at major malls in Klang Valley.
And you’ll be glad to know that it has an All-Day Set (RM12.90) special for your bowl of Asam Laksa and Pan Mee with a glass of Iced Lemon Tea (RM3.90).
Ah Cheng Laksa @ Sunway Pyramid
Address: LG2.88, Jalan Pjs 11/15, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 10AM-10PM
Telephone: 012-304 6200 | 03-5611 3177
Ah Cheng Laksa @ Sunway Putra Mall
Address: 100, Jalan Putra, Chow Kit, 50350 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM, Daily
Website
10. Old Town White Coffee – most accessible Halal pan mee in Malaysia
Image credit: @oldtownwhitecoffee
There are currently 41 Old Town White Coffee stores in Kuala Lumpur alone and over 200 stores nationwide. Its Sri Rampai, Plaza Puchong, and Cheras Midah outlets are even open 24-hours. So consider this one of the most accessible chains to get your pan mee cravings sorted.
And get this, they are even Halal-certified by Jakim. So if you have any dietary restrictions, you can fulfill that desire for a bowl of Pan Mee (RM9.40) here. It comes with springy noodles, shiitake mushrooms, bok choy, and shredded chicken.
Image credit: @OldTownWhiteCoffeeMalaysia
See all locations here.
Pork-free pan mee in Klang Valley
A bowl of pan mee is simple, yet packed with umami that makes it a beloved dish among Malaysians. The alternative options on this list are as good as the real deal, and the best part about it is that your friends with dietary restrictions don’t need to be left out on your next pan mee-craving jaunt.
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