Sea Park's Best: Local Delights

Housed under a misleading 'Gent's Attire' signboard, Tong Fong is often overlooked as one of Seapark's trusty hawker centres. You know the food's gotta be good when the spacious corner lot shop thrives with merely three hawker stalls in operation. Tastemaker Brian Leow led us straight to the gem — Yang Kee Beef Noodles. Here, the noodle dish (from RM7) is most delish in its dry variation slathered with chunky minced beef sauce. Whether you choose to beef it up with sliced beef, beef balls or a little bit of everything, up the lunch game with a bowl of Lobak Ngau Lam or Beef Brisket with Radish (RM8, only available on weekends). The brisket and radish, seeped in dark and delicious broth, is an instant moo-d lifter on a draggy afternoon.
Avg Price: RM15
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh

Kedai Kopi Khoong bustles daily with regulars and most are seen trickling in after 2pm when Soh Soo's dessert stall opens for business. The A-team, a robust uncle and his band of helpers, churns a minimum of five tong suis a day — Wheat Porridge (RM2), Red Bean Soup (RM2), Bubur Cha Cha (RM2) and more of such warming likes. Desserts aside, this oldie also has a knack for comfort food such as their Fried Meehoon (RM2), Yam Cake (RM2) and Anson Chee Cheong Fun (RM2) — Teluk Intan's famous stuffed rice rolls. Weekend afternoons with your partner will be well-spent here over a healthy bowl of bestselling Barley Gingko (RM2). Add a side of Yau Char Kwai (RM1) to the picture because it's the weekend and you should live a little!
Avg Price: RM5
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh

If you've ever driven past Jalan 21/22 at Seapark after sundown, you'd have seen the wanton mee fly (if you haven't, you'll probably want to now). This roadside stall has allured Seapark locals for many years, with both its nightly spectacle and sprightly supper. Order their only fare — Wanton Mee (from RM6.50), then marvel at how the man tosses your noodles as high as two storeys before ferrying it to your table. He tells us that the act actually enhances the texture of the noodles, and we concur that the strands are indeed slurp-worthy, despite the messy landing. Plus points for the few pieces of caramelised, honey-like char siew! Given the locale, come for a casual late night fix with your buddies!
Avg Price: RM10
Photo by Burppler Rueann Dass

Parked at a strategic crossroad, it's difficult to miss Hasan's truck and on sweltering afternoons, it's even more difficult to resist stopping for it. With the help of his son, he mans the truck and doles out the local favourite Rojak (from RM4.20). Not to be confused with fruit rojak, this Malaysian-Indian dish is served with fried beancurd, prawn fritters, cucumber, turnip and squid, all covered in a rich, spicy peanut sauce. While this doesn't sound all too remedying for a hot day, Hasan will change your mind with an ice-cold plastic container of Cendol (RM2.30) teeming with aromatic palm sugar. You can't have one without the other — the pair is perfection. Convince a colleague to slip out with you to share this post-lunch treat!
Avg Price: RM5
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh

These days, the traditional (and tedious) art of making kuih is scarce and so we were elated to find A'han Nyonya Kuih. The decades-old shop has not abandoned its trade and continues to make a plenitude of fresh nyonya kuih daily. The Pulut Tai-Tai (RM1.20) is fantastic when eaten with their thick and eggy homemade kaya, and so are the Kuih Talam (RM1.20), Kuih Lapis (RM1.20) and bright-orange Ang Ku Kuih (RM1.40). Pouring their hearts into the delicate craft of making these dainty delights, A'Han is takeaway-only but owner Mrs.Lim is completely fine with it if you choose to gobble your spoils down on the spot. Pro tip: Drop in early for your teatime provisions. These goodies sell out by 3pm!
Avg Price: RM5
Photo by Burppler Emily C

Another time-honoured local establishment found in Seapark is Hoe Fong, where you will set sights on a seasoned uncle brandishing shiny whole chickens still dripping oil from the wok. Deep-fried without batter, their signature chicken offers a distinctive taste that's unlike anything your usual chicken rice has to offer. A plate of Chicken Rice here will cost you RM6.50, and take this advice (it's free) — drizzle dark soy sauce over your oiled rice and ask for extra chicken oil to add into your soup for a torrent of flavours! Though it makes for an unusual partner to chicken rice, the Lor Bak (from RM1.70) packed with Penang's authenticity is also a must-order.
Avg Price: RM15
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh

Run by a mother and son duo, Soo Kee is all of Petaling Jaya's access point to authentic Ipoh Kai See Hor Fun or Shredded Chicken Hor Fun (RM5.50). The thin noodles are bathed in a red-tinted broth with slivers of steamed chicken and prawns floating atop. Older patrons are noticed to frequent here, likely drawn to the eatery's modest, MSG-free flavours — that means it ought to please your parents too! Also earning our stamp of approval is their Prawn Wanton Soup (RM9), serving eight plump and juicy prawn dumplings in tasty soup — no doubt a result of long hours in the boiling pot with prawn shells.
Avg Price: RM15
Photo by Burppler Emily C

Every night, Nasi Lemak Bumbung (it means roof in Malay) sets up shop, ironically, under no physical roof at a back alley along Jalan 21/11B. The popular joint serves several mamak favourites including Indomee, but most are here for their Nasi Lemak Ayam (RM5) that hits all the right notes of a satiating supper. The plate has a sloppy yet ravishing appeal, endowed with a handsome telur mata (sunny side up) and star anise-fragrant fried chicken. Best for a fix after your weekly sports sesh (the area boasts rented sports courts) or cheat day dinners! Pro tip: Portions are small and supper-sized, so you might want to supersize it by doubling your orders.
Avg Price: RM10
Photo by Burppler Rueann Dass