This two-lot coffeeshop at USJ14 is known for its variety of stellar hawker eats under one roof. The seats are indoors, the space is hygienic and service is speedy — perfect for a reliable lunch with a friend or even the whole family. Noodles are what to come for. Order the slurp-worthy Kolo Mee (from RM5.50), well-oiled curly noodles topped with chunky minced pork, lean char siew and a sprinkling of crispy fried garlic and pork lard bits. The Kuching-born aunty who runs this stall is a stickler for quality, so you can count on goodness in every bowl. The same goes for their delicious Sarawak Laksa (RM7), rice vermicelli steeped in piping-hot broth made from pungent Sarawakian sambal paste. Apart from East Malaysian eats, Meisek also houses a top-notch Char Kuey Teow stall. At RM5.50 a plate, this wok hei-packed plate is easily our favourite in the area. Portions present value and it comes with an abundance of cockles, prawns and fish cakes. Come nightfall, the restaurant turns into a prized spot for an Ipoh-style chicken hor fun dinner!
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burppler Justin Lim
Come weekend mornings, families in Subang flock to this dim sum institution for a hearty breakfast. Hoong Foong's airy seatings are aplenty, with ample space in between for wheeling around dim sum carts. That's the other thing we love about Hoong Foong: its fresh, made-to-order dim sum that arrive at your table, wafting in steam. The sheer variety here can be overwhelming — we recommend a mix of classics and modern recipes. The traditional Siew Mai (RM4.50) is a trio of meaty bites. Otherwise, jazz things up with the Salted Egg Yolk Mai (RM5) that is largely similar but with a boost of rich salted egg yolk. On fried morsels, be sure to get the Yam Puffs (RM4.50) that frequently sell out early. The puff is crisp and flaky on the outside and you will have to really sink your teeth in to find the layer of creamy yam and luscious meat sauce within. Cap breakfast off with an order of their iced local drinks, be it the Teh Peng (RM2.50), Kopi Peng (RM2.50) or Cham Peng (RM3.00). All three awaken with robust flavours.
Avg price per person: RM20
Photo by Burppler Faith K
Sri Melur Jaya in USJ17 boasts an unusually serene setting for a mamak. Early risers can head here as early as 5.30am for a quiet, solo breakfast before work, but if you're a supper seeker, bring friends to grab late night grub here. Without a doubt, get the famed Roti Canai (RM1.60). The mamak doles out a perfect representation of the humble dish. Crisp and scrumptious without being overly doughy, the plain roti hits the spot, especially when had with their flavoursome dhal. To boost flavours, add a dollop of spicy sambal to your dhal and mix before dipping. Those looking for a fuller meal in the morning, get their simple Nasi Lemak (RM3.50) breakfast that's served warm, and best paired with a glass of smooth and frothy Teh Tarik (RM2). Just make sure to order it kurang manis (less sweet), so it's more fragrant tea you taste than sugar.
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burppler Rueann Dass
When in Taipan, visit Han Woo Ri (two floors above Old Town White Coffee) for their weekday set lunches under RM20. The Korean barbecue joint is furnished to fit occasions, with comfortable cushioned seatings and spot-on service. Come by with a few colleagues for a fun work day lunch that won't break the bank! Order the Je Yuk Duk Bab (RM17.90), a hot plate of deeply flavoured spicy pork with white rice and seaweed soup. If you don't feel like having meat, splurge on carbs with their Tuk Bok Ki (RM17.90) slathered in an intensely spicy red sauce. Served here with ramen noodles and vegetables, the hearty dish is great for sharing. Like in most Korean restaurants, banchan (side dishes) are supplied in abundance, including sliced omelette, seasoned spinach and anchovies. The only drawback is that the restaurant goes by a one-time refill policy, but the mains are so bountiful that you probably won't need a second one. Instead, look forward to their complimentary Korean red dates barley drink for dessert!
Avg price per person: RM25
While Ah Yoke's appears to be a hawker centre peddling rice, noodles and more, the shop is in fact run by just one vendor who does it all. Their Hainanese chicken rice is USJ's best kept secret, so grab a foodie friend and meet here for lunch. Air-conditioned and well-kept, the environment encourages patrons to linger — perhaps long enough to meet the friendly uncle who makes your meals. The Hainanese Chicken Rice (from RM7) uses only free-range chicken, poached to a tasty, tender result, and it comes with a sterling side of oiled rice. To truly experience the dish, help yourself to the chilli and ginger sauces — both play significant roles in bringing out the best flavours of chicken rice. There is also an Oyster Peanut Porridge (RM6), a sizeable, heartwarming dish that's best shared between two. The plain porridge benefits from the pronounced flavours of dried oysters and peanuts, which they are generous with. Pricing runs on the higher side, but you are paying for quality.
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burppler Rueann Dass
Nestled in a hidden row of USJ11 shoplots, Kampar Old Town's local delights never fail to deliver with authentic standards. The kopitiam is cosy in its rustic, colonial settings, and it has a morning quiet that's suited for weekday breakfasts and chats with a friend. The small shop handles a charcoal grill in the back to churn aromatic toasts with a thin, crunchy texture, so the Toast & Soft Boiled Eggs Set (RM7.90) is a must-order. They're also generous with kaya and butter, so you'll taste the marriage of flavours in each mouthful. The eggs are made nice and wobbly, whether you enjoy it as a dip for the bread or slurped all at one go. But if your appetite comes early, try the Chee Cheong Fun Special (RM7.90). The flat noodles come with a motley assortment of tau fu pok, their highly addictive 'pok pok chui' (crispy fu chuk) and pig's skin! The curry sauce is light and tasty, but we highly recommend you give their sweet, piquant hae bi sauce a shot.
Avg price per person: RM15
Those who grew up in Subang Jaya pledge allegiance to this all-star hawker centre for its foolproof comfort food, from honest-to-goodness economy rice to soothing pan mee. Seats are set beneath the residential flat Tien Tien Fatt is housed in, so expect old-school, neighbourly vibes. Your parents will love this for lunch. If your preference for curry mee is the Penang variant, you've come to the right place. The Indonesian helper at this curry mee stall makes a mean bowl (RM5.50), chock-full of fu chuk, tau fu pok, cockles and pig's skin. Joltingly spicy, the curry broth is paired well with meehoon-mee. Meanwhile, another stall serves a delicious Pork Noodles (RM5.50). Boiled for long hours, the pork-based soup is a cloudy bowl of comfort along with its meat and offal trimmings. Drinks are also done well here, with a strong yet subtly sweet cup of Kopi O (RM1.80) leading the line.
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burppler Rueann Dass
At Restoran A.Hassan, the decor is uncared for, but that doesn't stop diners from coming back religiously for their popular Ayam Kampung (RM5 a piece) and other homey Kelantanese dishes. The deep-fried free-range chicken is their specialty, with tasty, lean meat that's a hit especially amongst those looking to bulk up. Have the protein with white rice, but be sure to first douse it in a combination of curry gravies — the flavoursome fish and chicken work best together. To balance out the meaty meal, order their Ulam (prices vary depending on quantity). The fresh, crunchy greens are a refreshing and enjoyable snack, next to your wholesome chicken rice meal. Have these with Budu (RM1), a Kelantanese fish sauce that helps lift the plain veggie dish. Malay rice dishes are often eaten for breakfast, so there's always the risk that they will sell out by 2-3pm. If you're thinking of coming for lunch with the colleagues, come on the dot.
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burppler Hazirah Izzati