Interesting food combos in Klang Valley
They may have started out as experiments, but unusual food combos like roti maggi and milo dinosaur are now staples at most mamaks. There are also some that didn’t take off – we’re looking at you petai mooncake and nasi lemak ice-cream.
However weird these dishes may sound, you can bet that us curious Malaysians would want to taste it for ourselves. If you’re an adventurous eater, here are some weird food combinations you can try in Klang Valley:
Table of Contents
1. Wildflowers
Mapo tofu nachos dip
Image credit: @adrianfong86 via Instagram
You can never go wrong with a plate of nachos and guac – it’s the safest menu item to order when you’re dining out as a group. But at Wildflowers, they serve their nachos with an oriental twist by pairing the Mexican tortilla chips with a bowl of Szechuan mapo tofu.
Their Mapo Tofu with Nachos (RM32) comes with creamy chunks of silken tofu and minced chicken. You’ll start to feel the heat creeping in once you’re a couple chips in, and that’s from the peppercorn powder.
Image credit: @klfooduo via Instagram
Instead of taking up an old school look like many of the other cafes in Petaling Street, their classy interior helps them stand out.
The black furnishing sets an elegant contrast to the white pillars and walls while the plants add a touch of vibrancy to the place.
Image credit: @wildflowers.kl via Instagram
Address: 153, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tue-Thu 5pm-11.30pm | Fri & Sat 3pm-1am | Sun 3pm-11.30pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 03-2022 3557 | Wildflowers website
2. Team Udon
Nasi lemak and matcha udon
Udon is a must-order at a Japanese restaurant – right after sashimi and donburi. While Team Udon’s Japanese fusion cuisine is a far cry from local delights we’re used to having, they’ve come up with their own rendition of udon.
Their Udon Lemak (RM14.80) is filled with sambal, ikan bilis, peanuts, cucumbers, peas, and, of course, slurpy noodles. The delicately poached egg and crunch from the various condiments meld well with the smooth noodles. To maintain the must-have spice levels in this reinvented dish, two types of sambal are served: the classic sambal with sauteed onions, and a sambal chili kering.
The udon restaurant also has a Matcha Udon (RM16.90) with mildly sweet and bitter matcha soup that’s similar to matcha latte.
Slurp up these unique udon at Team Udon’s cosy and compact spot on Jalan Tun H S Lee.
Address: 27-G, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm-3pm & 6pm-9.30pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 03-2022 3613 | Team Udon Instagram
3. Play Klang C³afe
Bak kut teh-flavoured ice cream
It’s hard to resist the allure of steaming-hot bak kut teh even when it’s unbearably hot outside. To ensure that you won’t ever have to make a choice between herbaceous broth and keeping cool, Play Klang C³afe is stepping up to the plate with their Klang Herbal Sauce (BKT) Ice Cream for RM8.
Image adapted from: Play Klang C³afe via Facebook
According to the owners, this unique concoction is made by creating a soya sauce and herb syrup to go over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The result is a close rendition of bak kut teh but in sauce form, with the dish made complete by chopped green onions as a topping.
Image adapted from: Play Klang C³afe via Facebook
Other unique spin-offs to try here include Klang Carbonara and Klang Risotto, both priced RM18.90 and tinged with the flavours of bak kut teh.
Address: 28, Jalan Raya Timur 41000 Klang, Selangor
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 10.30am-6pm | Fri-Sun 10.30am-11pm
Contact: 019-369 8321 | Coshtel website | Facebook
4. House of Fishball
Pork lard cendol
Image credit: @amberechin via Instagram
Pork lard is a common ingredient in Chinese cuisine, and those of us who enjoy dishes like char kuey teow and fried rice can agree that they add an unbeatable fragrance and crunch. House of Fishball has gone on to add the ingredient – yes, pork lard – to their cendol, which is bound to either entice or enrage.
They use the same lard that goes into their best-selling mee pok for their cendol.
Image adapted from: Carmen L via Google Maps, Deep Memoir via Google Maps
Their Pork Lard Cendol (RM9.90) is a twist on the Malaysian-favourite dessert, thanks to the addition of pork lard as a topping alongside the classic red bean, jelly, gula melaka syrup, and santan. The lardy bits are crunchy to the touch and once you go in for a bite, it’ll be sweet and salty all at once.
Address: 37, Jalan Radin Anum, Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, 57000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 8am-9pm, Daily
5. GUĀNG
A Japanese twist on Hokkien Mee
Image credit: GUĀNG via Facebook
No Malaysian can resist a plate of saucy Hokkien mee, especially when the uncle at the hawker throws in an extra handful of pork lard. While it’s good enough as it is, GUĀNG’s Japanese take on the dish is a refreshing one that tastes as flavourful as the OG one.
The Hokkien Udon (RM23.32) swaps out the usual egg noodles for udon, and is topped with a signature Japanese-style onsen egg for you to break and mix in.
Knock back a drink or two with your pals while enjoying Guang’s modern Japanese food.
Image credit: GUĀNG via Google Reviews
Bukit Jalil outlet
Address: C-16-G, Jalil Link, 2, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 7, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur|
Opening hours: 1pm-2am, Daily
Contact: 012-281 4598 |
Subang Jaya outlet
Address: G28, The 19 USJ City Mall, Persiaran Kewajipan, USJ 19, 47620 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 2pm-2am, Daily
Contact: 012-281 3025
6. Beca Tea
Fusion tea-based drinks
We can all agree that tea is usually classed as a refreshing beverage that’s best enjoyed with just a dash of milk and sugar. But at Beca Tea, you’ll find fusion tea drinks that have ingredients like balsamic vinegar and peanut butter thrown into the mix.
We can’t imagine the Squash Supreme (RM15.90) turning out unpleasant no matter how strange of a pairing it is, as black tea goes well with most things. This drink is flavoured with Japanese Kabocha squash and balsamic vinegar. It’s refreshing and has bitter, sweet, and acidic notes that complements the black tea base well.
Bangsar South outlet
Address: Unit G-12, Ground Floor, The Vertical Podium Avenue 3, 8, Jalan Kerinchi, Bangsar South, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-5pm (Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Contact: Beca Tea Instagram
7. Powerplant
Kimchi & luncheon meat pizza
Image credit: @mypowerplant via Instagram
The hype for all things Korean is still going strong but it’s not just good-looking boy bands we’re after – we’re also obsessed with Korean food. Powerplant is a modern Korean bar and restaurant that offers some of the usual fare like Korean fried chicken (from RM24) and also unique fusion creations like Galbi Quesadilla (RM27) and Korean-inspired pizzas (from RM31).
The Powerplant Luncheon Meat and Kimchi Pizza (RM31) is slathered on with a gochujang red pepper paste marinara sauce that’s sweet and spicy. It’s then topped with copious amounts of mozzarella for a satisfying cheese pull. The sour tang from the kimchi complements the salty, savoury chunks of luncheon meat.
Image credit: @paperspace.com.my via Instagram
Pearl Shopping Gallery outlet
Address: G-03 and G-04, Pearl Shopping Gallery, 599, Jalan Klang Lama, Taman United, 58000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 12pm-12am, Daily
Contact: 011-2688 8076 | Powerplant Facebook | Instagram
8. Kaiju
Japanese tuna tataki with Thai mango salad
Image credit: @miraclesb_19 via Instagram
Japanese and Thai cuisines may seem like worlds apart, but Kaiju has managed to bridge these two together with their fusion menu. Tuna Tataki (RM26) is one of the restaurant’s most daring match–ups. The tuna is seared on the outside but raw in the middle, and it’s meant to be eaten with the Thai mango salad on the side.
The mango slices balance out the drizzle of honey while the mix of herbs and chillies give it a kick of heat. When the tuna, mango salad, and garlic sauce are eaten together, it’s a burst of tropical flavours that give the mild-tasting tuna an extra oomph.
There’s a 30-metre origami dragon that hangs on the ceiling of Kaiju.
Image credit: @tengkushamel via Instagram
Address: 29, Jalan Riong, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 11.30am-3pm & 5pm-10pm | Sat & Sun 11.30am-10pm
Contact: 010-278 6648 | Kaiju website
9. Sipping Corner
Avocado & lime tart
Sipping Corner is a hidden gem in Puchong that you wouldn’t have known about unless you’re a regular day tripper to the area.
Image credit: @klfooduo via Instagram
This hidden cafe is tucked in a corner of a plant shop, though you won’t have problems looking for the place – all you have to look out for is loads of potted and hanging plants at the storefront. They only serve coffee and cakes, but you’ll still have plenty to choose from as you peek through their cake display counter.
Image credit: @ulric5 via Instagram
Their Avocado and Lime Tart (RM16) will immediately snatch your attention from all other cakes. We’re used to having our avocado on toast and salads, so seeing it in a dessert is refreshing. The avocado custard is mild in flavour, and pairs well with the lime-infused cream for that citrusy zing.
Other cakes for you to try include Earl Grey Grapefruit Cake, Smoked Duck Quiche, and Burnt Cheesecake.
Image credit: @yencpy via Instagram
Address: 78G, Jalan Puteri 5/5, Bandar Puteri, 47100 Puchong, Selangor
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 9am-6pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: 018-578 6311 | Sipping Corner Facebook | Instagram
10. Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt
A yoghurt beverage with purple sticky rice
Image credit: @mishytales via Instagram
If you’re trying to cut back on bubble tea for health’s sake but find it hard to curb your cravings, go for Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt. All their drinks come with fresh yogurt which is made in-house at their outlet A.K.A. mini yogurt factory. Yomie’s Purple Rice Yogurt (RM13.90) is their signature drink that comprises only 2 ingredients: yogurt and purple rice.
The glutinous purple rice topping is like cendol pulut, where you get to munch on bits of sticky rice while slurping it up. Yomie has just opened their first outlet in SS15 but they’ve already managed to stand out from the 15 other bubble tea shops in the area with their new concept.
The Gardens Mall outlet
Address: LG-K08B, The Gardens Mall, Mid Valley City, 58000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 016-681 0617 | Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt Facebook
Weird food combos in Klang Valley
As Malaysians, we’re fiercely proud of our food. So when local chefs sport the can-do attitude and whip up strange dishes like mapo tofu nachos, most of us wouldn’t mind ordering it just to try it out. More often than not, we’d find that these seemingly weird concoctions are actually really delish.
If you’re a foodie looking for new haunts, check out these 15 best bak kut teh spots in KL and 9 best restaurants in Pudu.
Cover image adapted from: @amberechin via Instagram, TheSmartLocal Malaysia, @klfooduo via Instagram, Play Klang C³afe via Facebook
This article was first published on 19th December 2019, and updated on 11th September 2024 by Janet.