Anyone who lives at or within OUG will know where to get the best rojak mamak in town. It isn’t too hard to locate the stall as you wouldn’t overlooked the crowds and queue especially during lunch hours.
Rojak Sotong | RM6.50
The ‘rojak mamak’ or Malaysian-Indian Salad consists of a base of crunchy washed and julienne vegetables, tofu, crispy fritters and hard boiled eggs topped with mouth-watering peanut sauce.
There’s just this really comforting feeling from the chunky peanut sauce that was served with piping hot complementing the rest of the condiments perfectly.
Cendol Biasa | RM2
To make this meal a little more overwhelming, ordering a bowl of cendol would cool off some of the heat. The finely shaved ice with almost melt-in-mouth texture with just the right amount ‘gula melaka’ along with the generous amount of kidney beans, cincau & cendol was simply irresistible.
I’d strongly advise to order them as takeaways to enjoy at the comfort of your own home as there aren’t much tables there. Bare in mind during lunch hours it could take awhile to get to your orders. Patience lah deyh!
Rojak & Cendol Ali Address: Taman Yarl, 58200 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Opening Hours: 11:30AM to 6PM daily
Sen Kee Satay has been operating since 1976 (42 years old) now along with Uncle Yap‘s daughter and grandson who’s currently the 3rd generation running the stall. It all started when Uncle Yap used to sell chicken and ducks at a local market.
He was also the poultry supplier for a satay stall opened by an Indonesian named Omar where he then discreetly learned how to make his own satay knowing this could help him during the economic bad phase.
“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence!” – Abigail Adams
There weren’t many Chinese vendors who sells satay back in those days and oh, one skewer only cost 0.25 cents back then! But as there were getting more and more vendors popping about, Uncle Yap needs to come up with a unique selling point for his stall.
It sparks him when someone asked him “Why have you not thought of selling duck satay?” Though it was a rather hard protein to cope with, Uncle Yap didn’t gave up on trying different types of duck and marination to retain its moisture and getting rid of its gamey flavors.
Their peanut sauce wasn’t like the ones we often had topped with sambal. The peanuts were still carefully toasted by wok to give a touch of ‘wok hei’.
13-15 kgs of the sauce was prepared daily as he’d often get regulars (especially vegetarians) who’d just come for the sauce while having it with the sliced onions and cucumbers! Unfortunately they don’t offer ketupat rice cakes here.
Duck Satay (RM1.50/skewer)
Uncle Yap wasn’t jesting about how he was able to retain the moisture without even a tang of gameyness in the duck satay. It was absolutely pleasurable just having it by its own as well!
Chicken Satay (RM1/skewer)
Their chicken satay was pretty good and well marinated with just the right amount of char. Plain juicy lean meat without any chicken skin skewered in between.
Other than the Chicken & Duck Satay I’ve ordered, there’s Pork & Lamb Satay as well. Sorry, no beef.
Every night there would be at least 500 skewers sold but on the weekends it could go up to 1000 skewers! You’ve got to be there earlier to avoid the long wait.
Sen Kee Satay 仙记沙爹 Address: 8, Jalan Desa 2/2, Desa Aman Puri, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Opening Hours: 6:30PM-10:30PM (Closed on Mondays) Contact: +60 12-812 6933
The Northern fare Rasa Utara is celebrating its 34th year of business, and currently the outlet operating in Berjaya Times Square aims to serve the best of Northern inspired cuisines.
Ironic enough, throughout my studies in this building I’ve never thought of walking into this restaurant before as it was a little beyond the ‘student budget’ and most of my course mates would often prefer Western cuisines.
Spicy Chicken Chicken – RM18.80
The fried chicken was deep-fried to golden perfection and unbelievably juicy hot with crisp cracklingly flavorful skin though it wasn’t thickly coated with batter. This would go so well with a plate of Nasi Jagung.
Legendary Chicken Fried Chicken – RM18.80
If you love your food with some good amount of heat in it, this signature chicken dish with their homemade stir-fried chili paste will blow your mind. Though fried chicken was a little dry but you’ll find yourself reaching for spoons after spoons of their chili paste.
Spicy Acid Fish – RM18.80
Mouth-watering deliciousness, this spicy and tangy Malaysian fish dish that is sure to whet your appetite. I love the right amount of tang in the curry, making it so appetizing.
Dancing Fish – RM38.80
Rasa Utara’s signature dish, the fish was well marinated with herbs and spices then deep-fried to crisp perfection. Having the fish by itself without needing any condiments to enhance its flavors although it is to paired with their signature blend of caramilised sweet soy sauce and sambal ‘nuclear’ (hot sambal) for a full and flavourful taste.
Captain Squid Squid – RM25.80
Squid stuffed with minced chicken and potato, deep fried and served with their special Kapitan sauce. The squid texture was surprisingly wasn’t rubbery and the stuffings were simply delightful. Just having the batter on its own was addicting. Kapitan sauce was creamy in texture with a rich coconut milk aftertaste.
Shrimp Sambal Petai – RM35.80
I’ve got to admit that sambal, prawn and petai are meant to be together! Every bite of this dish was bursting with flavors. You’d get that nice nutty crunch of petai, really fresh prawns and sambal with just the right amount of heat. I’d highly recommended having this dish!
Eggplant Fried Egg – RM12.80
Be sure to standby plenty of rice when you’re having these eggplants generously smothered with sambal! This was so addicting I could almost have this all by myself.
Fatty Flesh – RM12.80
Let’s be frank, almost anything ‘masak lemak’ will taste good.😂 The fern shoots were cooked till nice and soft while the gravy wasn’t too heavy and has wonderful aromas of the coconut milk.
North Tail Soup – RM28.80
The soup was simply earthy, meaty, warm and comforting with the amazing bursting flavors from varietal of local spices. This is a definite MUST-ORDER soup when you’re dining here.
Corn Rice – RM3.80
Instead of having plain rice, you’d get a wonderful touch of sweetness and juicy crunch as you enjoy it with some dishes.
Mi Kari Udang – RM15.80
The curry was so compelling! You’d catching yourself devouring into this humble bowl of noodles in no time. Look at the size of that prawn!
My Soto – RM13.80
Mee soto ayam is one my favourite dishes. Clear flavorsome chicken broth with rice cakes served with unselfish amount of shredded chicken. Perfect dish to have on a cold rainy day.
Sago Gula Melaka – RM6.80
This chilled dessert is so refreshing and comforting at the same time after a spicy meal. It was just at the right soft but chewy texture and perfect balance of sweetness from the gula melaka.
Cendol Taste North – RM7.80
The cendol was a missed, we had to request for more gula melaka to get back its consistency. I’d personally prefer having the Sago Gula Melaka though.😅
Rasa Utara positions itself as a place for families and friends to get together, whilst also being an avenue for the professional crowd, it hopes that its contemporary setting, complemented with authentic, heart-warming food, will prove to be a draw for those seeking a genuine experience of the North.
Rasa Utara – Berjaya Times Square Address: Lot G-12 & G-13, Ground Floor, Berjaya Times Square, No. 1, Jalan Imbi, 55100, Kuala Lumpur. Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 11:00 PM daily Contact:+60 3 – 2110 0884
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