The Pocket in Sungai Besi, Pudu
There’s no signage or piped-in music at The Pocket. What there is: matcha and bagels, makeshift tables and plastic stools for patrons, and a calm that’s no small thing in a city like Kuala Lumpur.
This up-and-coming hub for food and retail therapy is authentic in its own way and hidden in a literal sense. It’s a spot that most wouldn’t expect to find in Sungai Besi, with an entrance located in a back alley just across a cluster of low-rise apartments.
Here’s what you can find there.
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What is The Pocket?
Past the decorative traffic cones with the words “coffee” and “bagel”, up nondescript stairs, you’ll find The Pocket in an old building that has been reborn in style.
The industrial-concrete hub, which refers to itself as a community centre, opened in July with a cross-section of independent stores. It’s an urban respite done in shades of post-apocalyptic grey, with communal areas for chilling out and pockets of spaces for food stalls and retail shops.
Things to do at The Pocket
Scrappy Dough
If you have a bottomless appetite for bagels, you might have already heard of Scrappy Dough. The bagel service at this shop is straight out of a TikTok trend.
There are bagel sandwiches such as Kam Heong Chicken (RM15.90), and upgraded schmears like syrup bandung (RM8) and kombu truffle (RM12). The small but efficient food stall also serves coffee and non-coffee drinks, and a signature Cherry Tomatoes Focaccia (RM14.50).
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 8am-4pm (Closed on Thursdays)
Contact: Scrappy Dough Instagram
Looozer
There’ll always be time to get in, loser, we’re going to get matcha at Looozer once you’ve discovered their menu. The roving matcha pop-up has settled down with a permanent shop at The Pocket, with a lineup of matcha combinations and specials.
The viral Strawberry Matcha (RM17) is available here, with a subtle but satisfying hit of strawberry and the option to swop out regular milk for oat for just RM1. Other drinks worth trying include the Cream Peach Matcha (RM17) and Red Bean Matcha (RM16).
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 11am-8pm (Closed on Thursdays)
Contact: Looozer Instagram
Cstone
Image credit: @cstone.my via Instagram
After five years of operating online, CSTONE has finally launched a physical concept store at The Pocket. New and loyal patrons can now explore their essential oil-scented products in person and bring home a curated scent.
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mage adapted from: @cstone.my via Instagram
They’re best known for their water-based aromatic mists, which work well in rooms and on the skin, as well as 70% alcohol hand creams that offer sanitising and moisturising benefits.
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 11am-8pm (Closed on Thursdays)
Contact: CSTONE Instagram
A Cup Of
Image credit: @dessertbae_ via Instagram
Most Malaysians are in their matcha era. You’ll find another space serving matcha drinks at The Pocket, inside Cstone’s shop – A Cup Of.
The matcha bar is whisking up a curated menu of drinks, including the Classic Matcha (RM15), Houjicha Latte (RM15), and Genmai Latte (RM14). On Mondays, all their matcha drinks are priced 10% off, so you can girl math your way to this matcha bar for your dose of green caffeine.
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 11am-8pm (Closed on Thursdays)
Contact: A Cup Of Instagram
How to get to The Pocket
The easiest way to get to The Pocket is by coming via e-hailing service or by private vehicle, as there are free parking spots available along the back alley, right outside the building. If you’re opting for public transport, you can alight at Chan Sow Lin MRT station and book an e-hailing ride, which will just be a 6-minute drive to The Pocket.
The Pocket, a new hub for food and hangout in Sungai Besi
If you need a new space to unwind over the weekends while still being in the heart of the city, The Pocket might just be your new favourite spot. It’s a new spot for matcha and bagels, that’s flying under the radar of most – for now.
Address: 139, Jalan Sungai Besi, Pudu, 57100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 8am-5pm (Closed on Thursdays)
Contact: The Pocket Instagram
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Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by Xinyee, Janet.