Best Places To Eat In Sri Petaling

Menya Hanabi is one of Sri Petaling’s trendiest Japanese efforts, serving Nagoya-style dry ramen in their quaint hole-in-the-wall joint. The closely arranged stool seats facing the kitchen counter grant a good view of your food in the making, but the seating constraint also means this is a dining experience best enjoyed solo or in pairs. Order the Nagoya Mazesoba (RM22). Although the most basic one in the book, it already comes jeweled with a gorgeous egg yolk, tons of minced pork and a considerable portion of thick udon-like noodles. The key to this dish is its scrumptious sauce, a delicious, soy and mirin-fragrant blend that melds each component together for a juicy bite. That’s not all — each bowl is intentionally prepared with extra gravy so that rice (one small scoop for free) can be added to the remains. The result? Lusciously sticky spoonfuls that will end your meal with a bang. Yum! This top dish is all you need, but if you're feeling generous, get the also delicious Char Siu to up your dinner with meat points!
Avg price per person: RM30
Photo by Burppler Rueann Dass

Along the other two tai chow stalwarts down this time-honoured row of shops, Ye Look excels at making families very happy on their weekend meals out. The corner shop is your standard setup with red plastic chairs and wooden round tables, though the breezy outdoor seats tend to be more popular. We hear the Black Pepper Crabs (market price) are delicious, fetching sweet, tender flesh and punchy sauce. But unless you’re here for a special treat, look to their usuals for a homey dinner well done. Follow our lead on ordering signatures — the comforting Choy Poh Tofu (from RM8) is excellent while the sweet-savoury Watermelon Pork Ribs (from RM18) is a refreshing meat dish. Also a must-order, the crunchy Salted Egg Yolk Long Beans (from RM10) make fun greens for the family to chomp on. If you happen here in the day, there’s still reason to eat at Ye Look — the Chicken Rice (RM5.50) and Pan Mee (from RM5) with pinched noodles are most praised.
Avg price per person: RM20

Good Tea’s rickety coffeeshop feel doesn’t stop its loyal patrons from showing up regularly for dinner, when the shop is run primarily by the claypot chicken rice stall, and it shouldn’t stop you either. Gather the family for a rustic round-table Claypot Chicken Rice (from RM12) feast! Cooked in a claypot over smoldering charcoal, the rice has just the right ratio of piping-hot, soft grains to dark, slightly crunchy bits. We personally find that the chicken pales in comparison to the smoky, dark sauce-doused flavors of the rice, but it’s certainly a decent effort. Be sure to say yes to add-ons of salted fish or waxed sausages (or both!) — these will give the dish its final touch of umami.
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burppler Erica Jioe

Set along Jalan Radin Anum 2, this hidden gem of a Korean restaurant deserves to be in the limelight for their pocket-friendly meals with commendable standards. Instead of the mainstream barbecue and fried chicken offerings, expect everyday Korean eats at Chapter K. The menu is made up of easy set meals with banchan (side dishes), most of which is tasty and reasonably priced at the RM15 mark. Burppler Emmeline Gan chanced upon the warming Galbi Tang (beef ribs soup, from RM15), which she really enjoyed for how the beefy essence came through. Along with that, there is a good handful of quintessentially Korean soups that will hit the spot for comfort on a rainy day — and we get those real often these days! If there is budget for more, spend it on a side of Kimchi Jeon (RM8) to share. The pancake is jam-packed with zesty kimchi and chopped vegetables, then pan-fried for extra crisp edges.
Avg price per person: RM20

For a quick, affordable lunch near the office, Tou Tou's Hakka noodles makes slurping an easy job. The sets are priced between RM8 to 14, giving you much bang for your buck! Choose between noodles, rice, a main meat as well as a tong sui or herbal tea option for dessert. We strongly urge that you go for the soft but chewy handmade thick noodles as a foolproof base. Tastemaker Kaelyn Pu calls their Fried Pork Chop (RM11.80 with a set) crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside, so put that on your must-order list. The Spicy Meat Paste Noodles (RM8.80 with set) will satiate cravings for zest and zing, although it means you only get minced pork for a protein. Try also their flavoursome homemade meatballs made fresh without preservatives, ranging from Shrimp Balls (from RM4) to Bacon Balls (from RM7)!
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Kaelyn Pu

Steamed fish is the draw at this restaurant, where baskets of freshwater catch arrive daily to hit the steamer. Make your way here for a family dinner or perhaps, a business lunch — nothing adds points like a good lunch treat! For a light meal, have the simple Steamed Tilapia (from RM20), which retains its freshness, and their Homemade Tofu (RM7). The deep-fried tofu reveals soft white insides that are best savoured with the garnishings of minced meat and fried shallots. This is also the perfect place to experience a premium Steamed Marble Goby or Steamed Soon Hock (from RM85). Caught from the wild, this fit-for-king dish is fresh, fleshy succulence in every mouthful. Come for the terrific meal and stay for the friendly service, supplied by the adorable aunty and uncle behind this family-run business.
Avg price per person: RM35
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh

Forget the two-hour drive to Ipoh, when you can have its classic chicken rice right here in Sri Petaling. Boasting air-conditioning and comfy leather seats, this branch presents a renewed experience of the stalwart dish. Ingredients, sourced from Ipoh, are quality-assured — from the smooth, succulent organic free-range chicken to the fragrant steamed rice and chicken rice companion, crunchy beansprouts blanched in light soy sauce. Bring your colleagues or take your kids here after school hours for the value set lunches. Since free-range chicken is known to be better in flavour but smaller in size, upsize the meal with extras. The Organic Kampung Chicken + Honey BBQ Pork (RM15.90) set, which comes with a Thai sauce tofu on the side, makes a supreme combo. Wash it down with the Homemade Barley (RM2).
Avg price per person: RM20

Having gone through a recent revamp that now allows diners to enjoy hawker fare comfortably in an air-conditioned space or airy first-floor seatings, New Lucky Restaurant is certainly one breakfast stop you cannot miss in the neighbourhood. We say this because it houses Sri Petaling's most loved chee cheong fun. Invite a friend (preferably a morning person), grab seats, and head straight for Aunty Gan's Hong Kong Chee Cheong Fun (from RM5) — steamed rice rolls stuffed with either char siew or prawns. The key to good Hong Kong-style chee cheong fun is its slippery smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and Aunty Gan nails it every time. The flat rice noodles are bathed in a briny soy sauce and topped with a dollop of sambal for a flavour boost. Have it with an awakening cup of hot Kopi (RM2.20).
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burpple Trisha Toh

Since its opening three months ago, Sourakuya remains a highly underrated spot for delicious Japanese food in the vicinity. Expect authentic flavours from Osaka-born chef Ogawa Tetsuya, with the quiet, homely ambience here. Come for their worthy set lunches over office talks with your favourite colleague. RM19.50 gets you a full meal of appetiser, soup, main, dessert and a mugi tea (roasted barley tea) and we absolutely adore the solid offerings. Even the quintessential Japanese stew, oden, is available. Go for the comforting broth in the pork and radish oden to pour over fluffy Japanese rice, or succumb to the soft, well-marinated butterfish teriyaki that tops our list. The generous portions, coupled with mellow yet tasty flavours, are sure to set you on a sleepy afternoon ahead, so save this for a long lunch hour!
Avg price per person: RM30
Photo by Burppler Rueann Dass

If you love huddling over a hotpot with friends or family, spend rainy nights in Sri Petaling at Ho Ho Steamboat. Hailing from Pulau Ketam, the restaurant is famed for its enjoyable clear soup base, void of thirst-inducing MSG, and the unique addition of Crab Roe (RM8.50 per 100g), which bursts with fresh, sweet flavours that also help render the broth amazing. To fill up, order their Steamboat Set (from RM39.80). It comes with prawns, meatballs, sliced meats, tofu, vegetables, eggs and noodles. Portions are customised to pax and there is a minimum order of two pax, which we recommend for sharing between three people — especially if you're keen on top ups from the a la carte menu. The thinly sliced Pork Belly (RM18.80), Meat Ball with Minced Pork (RM6) and QQ Tofu (RM6) are great additions. No matter what's in your pot, be sure to lay on the potent homemade chili sauce!
Avg price per person: RM35

When it comes to hawker fare, Alison encompasses the best of Sri Petaling. On weekends, take your family out to this forever-packed locale for a cheap and good brunch. A mother-daughter duo dishes out wok hei-laden Char Kuey Teow (from RM6), chock-full of plump prawns and cockles. If you enjoy your noodles with an edge, ask for the spicy version that packs quite a punch! Just two stalls down is the uncle who cooks up a mean Claypot Lou Shu Fun (from RM7). Jewelled with a raw egg that slowly cooks itself from the heat, this piping-hot dark sauce noodles is definitely worth ordering. Finally, there is Hakka Noodles (from RM6), springy noodles tossed in a mild housemade sauce that gets help from a bounteous share of deeply flavoured minced meat. Pro tip: Wake up early and arrive before 11am for this because seats fill up fast!
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burppler Rueann Dass

Located in an area abuzz with restaurants and cafes, Soft Launch banks on its simple aesthetics, feel-good food and delicious desserts to tempt. Judging from the constant crowd, it works! Whether you want to spend quality time with a close friend or bond with the gang, here's a nice little nook to do it. The Chicken Waffles (RM18) are great for both lunch and dinner — moreish chicken tenders served next to the fluffiest scrambled eggs on top of a warm waffle. As if to balance out the uber flavourful chicken, the eggs are lightly seasoned so feel free to jazz it up with the side of maple syrup. There is a special feeling that comes from sharing a sweet treat with friends and you will find it in the Affogato with Chocolate Soft Serve (RM15) that offers bittersweet lusciousness.
Avg price per person: RM30
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Kaelyn