A Foodie’s Guide to Bangsar
Curated by a foodie, for a foodie. Read on to learn about the myriad of eateries we love and appreciate at the Bangsar locale. Enjoy!
BY HIRANMAYII AWLI MOHANAN
GAJAA AT 8
Behind an unassuming frontage of a bungalow lot along Lorong Maarof, lies Gajaa at 8. Gajaa, a Sanskrit word that translates to elephant, personifies abundance, richness, boldness, strength, wisdom and royalty – the positive attributes this restaurant aims to showcase. Keralan cuisine is the inspiration here, with an extensive menu offering dominant use of coconut, fresh vegetables, imported seafood and Indian-sourced spice. Helmed by a chef who hails from Kerala, one can expect him to deliver an authentic gastronomic that transports you to that part of the subcontinent. Regarded as a very popular dish in Kerala, the Kanthari fish is a wonderful precedence to the culinary journey that lay ahead. Munificent fish fillets are grilled and blanketed with a creamy coconut sauce, exuding a tinge of spiciness, velvety texture and seductive flavours.
Gajaa at 8, No. 8, Lorong Maarof, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur.
SHURUTI BOX
Shuruti Box KL, a South Indian-fusion restaurant tucked in Jalan Telawi 2 overflows with creativity and great fare. Helmed by a chef with over 30 years of experience in the culinary industry under his belt, he brings forth intriguing, boundary-pushing fare that departs from the norm. Choices are aplenty here, running the gamut from tapas-styled entrees to delectable mains that are perfect for sharing too. Ask an Indian and they might tell you that baked vegetables and baked barramundi surrounded by a moat of rasam and garlic bread is sacrilegious, but we say it’s inventive. We devoured the Barramundi on Rasam Broth with ease, lapping up every bit of rasam with the garlic bread — divine.
Shuruti Box KL, No 18, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru 59100 Kuala Lumpur.
BREAKFAST THIEVES
Breakfast Thieves Kuala Lumpur is the twin sister of the original Breakfast Thieves neighbourhood cafe – which is housed in the remains of an old chocolate factory in Fitzroy Melbourne, Australia. Often listed as one of the top 5 cafes in Melbourne, Breakfast Thieves has made a name for itself since being founded in 2012. Now, Breakfast Thieves is flying home! Co-Founders, Brandon Chin, Edwin Koh & Joel Teh are Malaysians through and through, therefore it only made sense to open another branch in the bustling capital that is Kuala Lumpur. Staying true to the origins of the industrial-chic themed BT Melbourne, BT KL is located in the heart of Bangsar amidst a 63-year old commercial printing factory. Patrons can expect to be whisked away by modern Australian cuisine with a touch of Asian influence. The open space provides a nice relaxing environment for everyone, where friends chat over brunch, business lunches are conducted, families gather and coffee enthusiast get their daily fix. All it takes is a quick glance, a glorious scent and a moment of craving you find yourself at Breakfast Thieves Kuala Lumpur.
Breakfast Thieves, Lot M, 29-5 Jalan Riong, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.
APOLLO DINING
A charming ode to Greek mythology and the God of sun, light and healing, Apollo, the interior here is eponymous, where sunlight
is aplenty. The beautiful interior also goes hand in hand with the boundary-pushing and contemporary Asian fare offered.
Mysterious, elegant yet gentle like the moon, Apollo Dining teases the eyes and taste buds. Mains like the Thai Laksa Crab is a good pick. Beaming with tartness and subtle spiciness, the squid ink linguini is presented on a ceramic plate, with a whole soft shell crab tempura sitting on a drizzle of laksa crab sauce. The Chicken Percik Roulade raises all kinds of questions for its distinctiveness. This elevated rendition of chicken roulade is infused with local piquancy throughout, starting with the kerabu risotto of light blue hue, minced chicken Krapow sitting on a puddle of percik sauce. It’s also served with some local salad for a well-balanced meal.
Apollo Dining, 28, Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur.
YEAST BISTRONOMY
Established in 2012, Yeast Boulangerie – Bistro in Bangsar was a “first of its kind” to land on the Kuala Lumpur dining scene. The little bistro with an intimate outdoor patio, serves a proper breakfast, lunch and dinner menu following the French tradition. At the boutique, you will find the finest breads, pastries, tarts and much more to take away. Best known for its artisan dining experience, easily transporting all
its patrons to the vibrant streets of Paris, Yeast places a great deal of emphasis on the authenticity of the dining experience, from the décor to the food. It offers a variety of dishes throughout the day to satisfy your breakfast, lunch and dinner cravings.
Yeast Bistronomy Bangsar, 24G Jalan Telawi 2 Bangsar 59100 Kuala Lumpur.