Food, Glorious Food!: Top Breakfast Spots In Petaling Jaya

Petaling Jaya may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think “breakfast paradise,” but look a little closer and you’ll find more than enough gems to keep both locals and visitors well-fed and happy. Here are some of the best spots to kick-start your morning in PJ:

Village Park is a legit PJ icon -- beloved not just by locals but by tourists from all over. Thanks to vloggers from around the world, this humble spot has become even more famous, popping up in countless food videos. Most recently, comedian Jimmy O. Yang even posted a clip of himself enjoying the nasi lemak here and giving it a glowing review.

The nasi lemak hits all the right notes: rich coconut rice, savoury sambal that’s not too sweet, crispy ikan bilis, fresh cucumber, peanuts, and perfectly fried eggs. The star, of course, is the golden fried chicken -- crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and showered with those addictive crunchy bits. Come early if you want to eat in peace -- the crowd never stops.

JB’s favourite kacang pool joint, Kacang Pool Haji, has finally made its way to Ara Damansara -- and fans are thrilled. One bite of the thick, savoury kacang pool with toasted bread, and you can almost imagine yourself back in JB. It’s simple, satisfying, and a rare breakfast find in PJ.

For Johoreans in PJ missing a taste of home — or anyone curious about authentic Johor flavours -- Dapur Cik Oli is a worthy stop. Expect hearty southern-style breakfasts, comforting kuah-based dishes, and flavours that bring you straight to Batu Pahat or JB.

Step inside Restoran Al Ehsan and the first thing you’ll notice is the glorious mountain of freshly fried, super-crispy chicken calling your name. And if you check the reviews, you’ll see a clear pattern: everyone raves about the fried chicken. It’s crunchy, savoury, juicy, and absolutely worth waking up early for.

Kopi Surat Cinta (KSC) offers a warm Malaysian breakfast-and-lunch experience with dishes that feel both comforting and inventive. Highlights include buttermilk chicken rice, nasi lemak with KSC fried chicken, patin tempoyak, mi bandung udang galah, daging masak lemak, and their signature toast selections like roti bakar and roti puisi. Pair any of these with their specialty brewed coffees and your morning is made.

Tingkap Cafe serves an appealing array of classic Malay dishes at friendly prices. Ready-packed meals line the counter, making choices easy for those on the go. Their satay is reminiscent of the famous Muo style, complete with juicy cubes of meat and just the right amount of fat for flavour. Don’t miss the roti jala -- rich, fragrant, and paired with a curry that’s far from ordinary. The lontong with nasi impit also carries that unmistakable southern-style kick.

And of course, we can’t skip the legendary Kuey Teow FAM -- better known as Kuey Teow Auntie Gemuk -- at Jamal Mohamed in Kelana Jaya. I’ve been coming here since the ’90s, back when Auntie was still running the wok and the stall was located on the other side, at Subang Ria. Even though she’s no longer with us, the legacy (and that unmistakable flavour) lives on.

Here's the video:

Food, Glorious Food!: The Shack @ DeRimba, Hulu Langat

Some 35 minutes after leaving home that weekend, we found ourselves in Hulu Langat -- a charmingly rustic town that still carries that ol skool “kampung meets mountain air” vibe. Our destination? A makan spot tucked inside a durian dusun called The Shack @ DeRimba.

We couldn’t resist pulling over by the river for a few quick shots -- the kind of simple, quiet scenery that makes you forget the city is just half an hour away.

By the time we reached The Shack, a small crowd was already enjoying their brunch. The place is popular for good reason -- reviewers often mention its serene setting among durian trees, lush greenery, and laid-back weekend mood. It’s open only on weekends, serving local breakfast favourites along with some Western bites like croissants and scones.

We went for the lontong, nasi lemak with ayam berempah, and a few kuih. The lontong was tasty, the nasi lemak decent — the chicken juicy enough, though the sambal could’ve used a bit more kick. Still, sipping teh tarik under the trees, surrounded by nature, made it all worthwhile.

Would we come back?

Most probably yes -- if not to The Shack, then to explore a few other riverside cafes around Hulu Langat next time. Insya-Allah.

Food, Glorious Food!: My 4 Favourite Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak Tanglin, KL

Been coming here since the late 90s (when it was a gerai and you ate in a dodgy bangsal!) and it's still my absolute favourite. The sambal might be an acquired taste for some, but I love it, as well as the generous portions of their side dishes. Go run at Taman Botani, then come here for the best nasi lemak in town!

Village Park Restaurant, PJ

"Overhyped" some might say, but it's still a good plate of comfort food 👍🏼👍🏼

Kafe Kampung Kaw, Port Dickson

Yes, kena keluar "sikit" from KL. But the drive will be WORTH IT, I can assure you. Their signature is the nasi lemak kambing bakar, with a side of kangkung. Yum! And do order the kuih gemuk for your appetiser 😃

Restoran Al-Ehsan, Taman Paramount PJ

So okay, the nasi lemak is average with sambal that is sweet, BUT they have the best fried chicken this side of the Klang Valley. Have a look!

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Dapatkan buku 'Kisah Hidup & Budaya Pop Anak Gen-X' di SINI

Food, Glorious Food!: Exotic Meats, Anyone?

 

Fancy some belut? Rusa? Arnab? Jom ke Sekinchan! Yup, this is the place to try some exotic dishes if that's your thing. We are more "safe" haha, so we had the rendang rusa, along with some patin and other normal fare when we were there recently. But it IS worth a visit, IMHO. And btw, what's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten??

Restoran Lembah Bernam, Sekinchan

Jalan Main Canal, Tali Air 9, Sekincan,, Pasir Panjang, Selangor

Masa Operasi: 11 pagi – 5 petang setiap hari kecuali Jumaat

Food, Glorious Food!: 10gram @ Tamarind Square, Cyberjaya

We've only been to Tamarind Square in Cyberjaya a few times, but I can safely say that 10gram is indeed our favourite makan joint here. The place itself is nicely spacious and exudes a relaxing vibe, perfect for a long weekend lunch with the fam or friends. 

But of course the grub itself must be good, and that's exactly what you get at 10gram. The menu is varied, with local, western and fusion items to indulge in. And so far, everything we've tasted has been above average! Sometimes "fusion" can fail spectacularly, but not over here. We recommend that you try one of the pasta dishes like the pasta masak lomak daging salai or the buttermilk prawn for a satisfying eat. You can't go wrong with the breakfast fare, pizzas and burgers too. 

And oh yeah, everything's here reasonably priced as well, with most items being under RM20. I mean, what more could you want, huh?

Food, Glorious Food!: Fiftig Seofon @ Rumah Tangsi

On a very special day sometime last year, I brought the fam to this recently-refurbished establishment in the heart of KL, curiously called Fiftig Seofon (which actually means Fifty Seven, and I think we all know what it refers to.) Where 'History Meets Flavour', the website proclaims. What caught my eye was of course the facade and the colonial feel inside. 

If you're wondering exactly where it is, Fiftig is at a corner of the famous Rumah Tangsi, at Jalan Tangsi. 

Says one website: Rumah Tangsi Event Space was completed in 1905 and was the town house of Kuala Lumpur’s renowned businessman, Loke Chow Kit. It is a mansion that has an Eclectic-Neo Classical style. This event space is suitable for a variety of event and in its heyday, the mansion’s internal courtyard was a backdrop to numerous weddings, meetings and business functions.

I have been to Rumah Tangsi many, many moons ago, but it housed a different sort of establishment then. 

Now, check out the charming interior of Fiftig Seofon, inspired by a typical British Tea Room:

And what about the food, you ask?  Top notch fusion fare, I have to say. We ordered the creamy mushroom soup and fried enoki mushroom for starters, and the latter is a definite must-try!

We also had the caesar salad with smoked salmon, kepak kerbau, eggdicted and ayam rangup, susu dan mentega pedas. Yeah, some irreverently named dishes there, but the good news is that they were all very satisfying eats. The portions were just nice and the fusion flavours were nicely balanced; nothing too ambitious or overpowering.  

We really had a wonderful family meal in a classic and cosy environment and the charming surroundings also gave us a lot to talk about. I guess we were rather early that day, so the place was pretty quiet at first. But as soon as it struck noon, more patrons walked in, and it suddenly became livelier with everyone eagerly tucking into their food and enjoying good conversations with friends and family.

They also have some interesting desserts on the menu, but we were just too full to try any. Which means a return trip should be in order!