New Restaurants, Cafés And Bars in KL: April 2017

Apart from its decor — a tongue-shaped neon fixture and whimsical comic-strewn walls, among others, the lively ambience is the other thing you'll notice at Ru Di Fook Noodle Bar. Groups of friends looking to have a fun dinner will have a field day here! The joint's mainstay is its delectable Hong Kong-style duck egg noodles, cooked to a stringy, al-dente texture. Between the sweet-saltish dark sauce or the 'white' house recipe dressing, we liked the latter better for its light body and piquant flavour. Get the Namyu Zha Yuk Mee (RM17.80), featuring deep-fried nam yu pork alongside a creamy dipping paste made from black fungus — a clever remake of home-style braised pork with black fungus. All mains come with a herbal-marinated soft boiled egg, as well as boiled wantons in a sterling scallop soup. Desserts and drinks are the underdogs here. The Milo Pie (RM20.80) that pairs Milo with Ping Pong chocolate, salted ganache and vanilla ice cream is a dream, while the Sake With Chrystanthemum & Pu Er Syrup (RM18.80) is refreshingly delicious.
Avg price per person: RM25
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh

This month sees champ cafe VCR breaking out of their city centre bubble to hit Bangsar's Jalan Telawi 3, and we are thrilled! This new outlet exudes the same laidback vibes, so you no longer have to go out of your way for the early morning stop. Make a date with your partner or a close friend to begin your day here with good coffee and a solid breakfast. Start with coffee — filter options are favoured, alongside a foolproof Flat White (RM11). A handful of new additions join the menu, and topping the list is the VCR Hotcakes (RM25). Crumbly on the outside but moist within, the blueberry hotcake comes with a beautiful mess of seeds, berries and fig yoghurt cream. To load up on protein, go for Pennsylvania's Soul (RM25). Their signature potato waffle is featured here with spiced fried chicken, basil leaves and pomegranate. Unlike the classic Southern chicken and waffles, this one sees tender chicken thigh pieces fried without batter. But trust us, it's scrumptious enough to make you forget all about the lack of crunch.
Avg price per person: RM35
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Calie Tang

Brought to you by Danial Naim of Podgy + and League of Captains, Coffee in Common is a privy spot for those who like to get some work done over lunch. Housed in a co-working space on the 16th floor, the cafe benefits from lush foliage, sublime views and a quiet work-friendly environment. Food is limited, but well-curated with options for both guilty pleasures and clean eats. An array of daily bakes deck the counter along with no-frills Nasi Lemak packets (RM3) for a quick lunch fix. For a fuller meal, order the Smoked Duck Soba (RM20), complete with a quail's egg and soy dipping broth. The buckwheat noodles are as delicious, if not more, than those found in Japanese establishments, while the housemade smoked duck slices are tender and full of flavour. Complement lunch with their smooth, milky Flat White (RM10). It's best to come on Fridays, when these guys celebrate the end of the work week with RM5 coffee for all!
Avg price per person: RM20

Fans of this bakery restaurant in Taman Desa will rejoice to know that their new outlet opens this month at the much more accessible The Starling mall. This space is much bigger, with lots of natural light and potted plants for a tranquil vibe. The large wooden tables are great for families while those dining alone may enjoy some company at the communal marble table. Red Kettle is known for comfort food — you can fill up on a Porky Bowl (RM19) with rice, roast pork and runny egg, or turn to their freshly baked Bread Basket (RM16). Order our newfound favourite, the Chicken Bakar N Rice (RM21). Redolent of galangal and lemongrass, the chargrilled chicken leg hits the spot with flavoured rice and a green chili dip. Save the adventurous spirit for dessert — a Bacon Cheesecake (RM16) topped with salted caramel sauce presents a pleasant sweet-savoury surprise. The restaurant is also working on a chic coffee bar, where one will be able to customise their own blend of roasted beans for a cuppa.
Avg price per person: RM30

Located amidst a flurry of printing shops in Pudu, this hole-in-the-wall cafe is an unassuming gem for authentic liege Belgian waffles. Escape hot afternoons with a friend in this homey spot and grab a bite while you're at it. Waffles are made to impress — the dough undergoes a 20-hour fermentation to achieve a firm-outside, soft-inside texture similar to brioche. These are deliciously dense and thus, filling, so order to share. Try the Murakami (RM18), a tasty savoury waffle that satisfies with bonito flakes and takoyaki dressing. Those with a sweet tooth should go for the Pure Indulgence (RM18), which comes with bittersweet Belgian chocolate, fresh fruit and your choice of ice cream. The vanilla is excellent, but Cafe5 also recommends their one-of-a-kind salted egg yolk and curry leaf flavour, which the Burpple community loves! On drinks, both the sweet, aromatic Ice Cube Coffee (RM13) and the rich Mango Milkshake (RM15) make great coolers to cap the afternoon off. Pro tip: Parking is extremely limited, so hail a ride here instead.
Avg price per person: RM20

From the same people behind Yamabuki comes this simple Japanese joint for quality handmade udon. Located smack in the middle of the city, Mizuki is a sure-win for those working in the vicinity. Mark the airy second-floor shop down for a quick lunch or an after-work dinner with a few colleagues. The draw is udon, and the noodle dish takes many forms here. The Gyu Soboro Coconut Sauce Udon (RM25) is a stellar choice. Cooked in creamy coconut milk, the rich udon is topped with wicked rendang-style minced beef. Apart from locally-inspired bowls, there is also a Kamatama Udon (RM11) that bears resemblance to carbonara pasta. The udon is cooked and drained, then topped with raw egg yolk, seaweed, bonito, sesame and spring onion. The retained heat keeps the udon chewy while allowing all the ingredients to bind to it, creating a luscious sauce. For an additional RM3, make it a meal with a side salad and pickled daikon.
Avg price per person: RM25

Yet another Korean name that hails from Singapore, Chicken Up sets the standards for group dinners with drinks in SS15. The trendy two-storey restaurant has plenty of space, yet it still fills up quickly so call ahead or show up early for a table. Though named after their fried chicken dishes, it is the seafood that shines in this menu. Bring the gang to share the specialty Snow Squid Toppoki (RM68), a cast-iron pan bountifully filled with batter-fried squid, spicy toppoki, kimchi, fried rice, corn, cheese and egg. There is no one way to enjoy this, but we found the squid and spicy toppoki make a sizzling hot marriage, while the fried rice and cheese were a heartier, cheesy pair. Also order the Haemul-Pajeon (seafood and green onion pancake, RM26) to share. Every piece has got a good bite plentiful with seafood. Couple dinner with their Watermelon Soju (RM48), one of our favourite renditions of the drink that is equal parts potent and refreshing.
Avg price per person: RM35

Taking over the now defunct Wondermama in SS15 Courtyard, Fa Ying Street is a promising locale for soulful Thai street food made classy (look out for their very pretty plates). The casual restaurant is tastefully done to simulate Thai surroundings — think tuk tuk features and rattan furniture. For a business or family lunch alike, this versatile venue will do. Rice and noodle dishes clock in under RM20 for affordable one-bowl meals, but the mains (starting from RM13 to share) also bring value to the table. Order the Steamed Seabass in Manow Sauce (RM35) for the sizeable fish in a hotpot bubbling with spicy, sourish clear soup. This is all you need to ladle over rice, but also get the Salted Egg Squid (RM16) to jazz things up. Evenly coated in salted egg yolk, the crispy squid delivers tip-top flavours without an overpowering aftertaste. Don't leave without a glass of Fa Ying's Thai Tea (RM4.90). The drink is everything it should be — cold, sweet and fragrant.
Avg price per person: RM20