Siru at Desa Sri Hartamas, KL
Malaysians are no strangers to Korean rice cakes, or tteok, namely tteokbokki. But there’s plenty more to explore when it comes to rice cakes. Beyond the spicy-red dish that we’re mostly familiar with, Siru in Desa Sri Hartamas, KL, introduces the sweeter side of tteok to us locals, as Malaysia’s first Korean rice cake dessert speciality shop.
This cosy spot serves a rotating menu of handcrafted rice cakes, with flavours ranging from marbled black sesame to green tea sweet red bean, all freshly made daily.
A Korean dessert rice cake speciality shop in KL
Siru (시루), a term in Korean that describes a traditional Korean earthenware steamer used for cooking grains, are unlike most Korean cafes or dessert spots in KL. Siru puts the spotlight entirely on their traditional dessert rice cakes, which are relatively niche in Malaysia.
Combined with its minimalist Korean cafe aesthetic and calm tea-time setting, Siru has a space that’s meant for a quiet tea-time break rather than a typical buzzy, trendy cafe. The space leans into a warm, authentic Korean dessert house, with wooden furniture and low bench seating inspired by traditional floor dining.
Shelves lined with traditional earthenware pots, teapots, ceramic plates, and neatly wrapped traditional house gift boxes are seen across the shop, bringing subtle pops of colours in this cosy setting.
As all rice cakes are best consumed on the day itself, Siru rotates their flavours daily, so no two visits are exactly the same. All the rice cakes at Siru focus on natural sweetness rather than sugary flavours, making them suitable for all ages.
What to order at Siru?
Today Rice Cake Sampler
One of the easiest ways to explore the menu is through the Today Rice Cake Sampler (RM35), a sharing platter that includes six different rice cakes that are served for the day. Our platter featured six different tteok variations, and it was beautifully arranged, perfect for sharing between two to three people over tea.
On our visit, the rice cakes available were marbled black sesame rice cake, fig seolgi, Jeju matcha seolgi, red bean seolgi, pumpkin castella injeolmi, and black sesame injeolmi.
The Jeju matcha seolgi turned out to be the most pleasant surprise. The flavours of the matcha and red bean were gentle and balanced, with the earthiness of the matcha and naturally sweet red bean complementing each other well.
This seolgi had a memorable texture, even for those who don’t usually gravitate toward red bean desserts. Lightly tacky on the surface yet airy and fluffy within, it strikes a balance between the softness of a steamed cake and the gentle chew of mochi.
Each bite feels pillowy without being dry, offering a satisfying contrast.
Another honourable mention was the pumpkin castella injeolmi. Soft, chewy, and lightly coated with castella powder, it delivered a comforting sweetness reminiscent of a birthday cake, without feeling overly indulgent. While we struggled to taste any hints of the pumpkin flavour, these bite-sized tteok pieces make for the perfect dessert, without the usual sugar rush.
The marbled black sesame rice cake is a crunchy delight, layered with subtle hints of chestnut and a nutty combination of pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
The fig seolgi, on the other hand, leans into natural sweetness-fragrant, soft, and aromatic with every bite.
Meanwhile, the black sesame injeolmi is generously coated in sweet, nutty black sesame powder, perfect for black sesame lovers. It offers a delicate crunch on the outside that gives way to a satisfyingly chewy centre.
If you’re visiting with friends or simply can’t decide, the sampler platter is a safe bet, letting you try a bit of everything while discovering your own favourites.
Dubai Chocolate Chapssaltteok
We also tried the Dubai chocolate chapssaltteok (RM13). You’ve probably seen it taking over your TikTok For You Page, with Korean idols and dessert influencers obsessing over the now-viral Dubai chewy cookies, and most likely posing with a piece and cocoa-stained lips.
Riding on the same wave of hype, Siru brought it over closer to your doorsteps.
This chewy rice cake comes filled with a crunchy pistachio spread and is noticeably sweeter compared to the rest of the rice cakes that we’ve tried.
Lightly coated with cocoa powder, the pistachio filling takes centre stage with its rich nutty flavour.
Jeju tangerine, magic lemonade & sikhye
Beyond rice cakes, Siru also serves a mix of traditional Korean beverages alongside familiar cafe drinks, including matcha lattes and coffee. On our visit, we tried three drinks: Jeju tangerine blended tea (RM15), magic lemonade (RM18), and the traditional Korean rice punch, Sikhye (RM15).
The Jeju tangerine blended tea stood out immediately with its bright, citrusy profile. Refreshing and slightly tangy, it offered a fragrant tangerine flavour, mixed with tea, that’s not commonly found in local cafes, making it a good palate cleanser between bites of rice cakes.
As for the magic lemonade, the drink arrives in a striking blue hue. A separate lemon mixture is served alongside to be poured into the drink, transforming the deep blue into a purplish-pink shade. While the flavour itself tastes similar to the classic lemonade, the colour-changing element makes it visually fun and highly Instagrammable.
For something more traditional, the Sikhye rice punch is a sweet Korean rice drink dotted with soft, tender rice grains. Light and comforting, it opens with a gentle warmth, filled with a subtle ginger profile that softly lingers on your palate.
The flavour feels similar yet unique, almost like sipping on a bowl of Chinese sweet potato tong shui without the sweet potato itself. It carries that same soothing, homely warmth, but with a cleaner and more delicate finish.
Enjoy a variety of Korean dessert rice cakes at Siru
Whenever you’re in Desa Sri Hartamas and looking for a quiet spot to catch up with friends, Siru makes for a cosy dessert shop. With its daily rotating selection of freshly made Korean rice cakes and a range of drinks, it’s an easy place to unwind over light bites.
So, if you’re in the mood to try something different, Siru is worth adding to your list.
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by Jia-Ju.