24H @ Bukit Bintang │ SB Corner

It’s Chap Goh Meh!

To mark the final day of the Lunar New Year celebrations, we decided to do something a little special. In the spirit of Chap Goh Meh, we booked an Airbnb at Bintang Fairlane Residences, right in the heart of Bukit Bintang.

Checking In, Slowly

Around lunchtime, we hailed a Grab car from our condo to Bukit Bintang for RM20.00 (≈ USD4 / EUR4). Since we arrived early, we decided to have lunch at an Indian restaurant just across the street—SB Corner, a place we had come to know during our first stay at Hazel’s Airbnb back in December.

A Familiar Lunch

Without much hesitation, we ordered our usual favourites:

• Brendan had rice with fried chicken and curry
• Cat ordered her fried bee hoon
• I had a puri, followed by a vadai
• We shared a round of iced tea
• I also had a hot cup of Nescafe

Lunch came to RM29.70 (≈ USD6/EUR6). It was simple, comforting, and exactly what we wanted.

At three, we made our way back and finally checked into the Airbnb.

Brunch the Next Day

The following morning, we checked out of the Airbnb and returned to SB Corner, this time for brunch. We ordered:

• Brendan had two roti canai
• Cat ordered roti telur
• I went for a thosai (dosa)
• Each of us also took away a packet of rice with fried chicken

Along with a generous round of drinks, our brunch and packed lunch came to RM49.50 (≈ USD10/EUR10).

After eating, we hailed a Grab car back to our condo for RM9.00 (≈ USD2/EUR2).

What’s Next

It was a relaxed and fitting way to wrap up the festivities—good food, familiar places, and an easy pace.

Do stay tuned for our upcoming videos, where we checked into the Airbnb properly and later enjoyed an awesome hotpot dinner during an impromptu walkabout in the city.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8

Bintang Fairlane Residences - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xBppWrDdcSMYyKPU9

SB Corner - https://maps.app.goo.gl/GwZubRxee6uGrVsT9

Restoran KADER: Banana Leaf Rice!

Banana Leaf Rice, Again

We met you again after finishing our errands and headed straight for lunch. It had been almost three years since we last featured Kader Banana Leaf Restaurant on our channel, and we felt it was finally time to return.

A Long Awaited Revisit

We took a train to Masjid Jamek Station, paying RM1.40 (≈ USD0.40/EUR0.30) for the ride. From there, we walked across Jalan Tun Perak and continued along Lebuh Ampang until we reached Kader.

Stepping back inside felt familiar and comforting. Some places did not change, and that was exactly what made them special.

Banana Leaf, the Way We Loved It

We ordered what we came for and did not hold back:

• The full banana leaf rice spread
• A variety of side dishes and curries
• One shared serving of chicken varuval
• Iced tea for each of us
• Hot masala tea to finish

Our banana leaf lunch came to RM41.50 (≈ USD9/EUR8).

Every bite reminded us why we kept returning. The chicken varuval was rich and deeply spiced, while the masala tea was bold and warming. We honestly felt that both were among the best we had ever had in Kuala Lumpur.

Onward to Something New

We left Kader at two in the afternoon, full and content. Just outside, we boarded RapidKL bus #300, paying RM1.00 (≈ USD0.20/EUR0.20), and headed toward Jalan Ampang.

Our next stop was the Borneo Songket Heritage Festival 2024, and we were more than ready to explore.

Stay tuned for our next post, where we take you along to the festival and show you what caught our eye.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Restoran Kader - https://maps.app.goo.gl/EGDXGf2LHaBPFc5X6

MAYA MESS Brickfields

Banana Leaf in Brickfields — Maya Mess Magic

Since nothing at Avenue K whetted our appetites, we made our way to Brickfields for our fix of banana leaf rice. We’ve been coming here for a while now, although this is the first time we’re showcasing it on our channel.

Maya Mess serves Chettinad cuisine, originating from its namesake region in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, India. Chettinad food is famous for its bold spices, aromatic masalas, and fiery flavours — easily one of the most renowned cuisines in Tamil Nadu.

By the time we arrived, lunchtime was in full swing, and it took a while before we were seated. Once we settled in, the banana leaf was unfurled and the various delectable side dishes were served one by one — colourful, fragrant, and full of promise.

The Star of the Meal — Chicken Varuval

We added a serving of Chicken Varuval for good measure. This dry chicken curry from Southern India is made with fennel, cumin, coriander seeds, and dried chillies — a combination that gives it its unmistakable spicy kick.

We hope our time lapse footage did justice to the beautiful chaos of spices and herbs coming together on our banana leaves.

The Damage — RM54.20 of Pure Satisfaction

Our fiery meal came to RM54.20 (≈ USD/EUR11), which included:

• 2 servings of banana leaf rice — RM29.80
• Chicken Varuval — RM9.90
• 2 glasses of Masala Tea — RM7.00
• 1 Iced Tea — RM3.00
• 1 Iced Lemon Tea — RM4.50

The Masala Tea after lunch helped wash down the fire in our bellies — warm, spiced, and soothing.

A Walk to KL Sentral

With lunch done, we took a slow walk back to KL Sentral for a short shopping spree before heading home.

Be sure to watch our next video!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

KL Sentral LRT Station - https://maps.app.goo.gl/vFHgbDQPjZBAfrnj6

KL Sentral - https://maps.app.goo.gl/74Sj99TycBxFsFcZA

Maya Mess @ Brickfields - https://maps.app.goo.gl/5ewvExGJGEqPhUZJ7

MANSION Tea Stall

It’s Time for Teh Tarik

Some places become part of our lives without us even realising it.

We moved into our current home back in 2005, and from that very first year, Mansion Tea Stall became one of those places for us. Over the years, it quietly turned into our go to spot—for comfort, routine, and of course, the best teh tarik in town (at least in our opinion).

Along with Syed Bistro, it had always been our default mamak restaurant.

A Place Full of Memories

Long before YouTube, we even wrote about Mansion Tea Stall in our blog. That was how much this place meant to us.

Back then, Brendan was just six years old. The people here watched him grow up—from a little boy to the young man he was now. Every visit came with the same warm question:

“Mana anak?” (Where’s your child?)

Today was no different. We smiled and explained that Brendan was away visiting a friend.

Our Usual Order

After greeting the familiar faces, we sat down and ordered what we always loved:

• Roti Canai Telur Goyang (roti with half boiled egg on top)
• Maggi Mee Goreng
• Iced Tea
• Teh Tarik

Our brunch came to just RM13.50 (≈ USD3/EUR3)—simple, affordable, and deeply satisfying.

Why We Keep Coming Back

It wasn’t just about the tea, though the teh tarik here was still our favourite. We honestly believed they also served some of the best roti canai and chicken curry around.

But more than that, it was the familiarity—the greetings, the memories, the feeling of being known.

Come See for Yourself

We might be biased, but sometimes the best way to know is to try it yourself.

So if you ever found yourself nearby, come over, pull up a chair, and have a glass of teh tarik.

You might just understand why we kept coming back!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:
Mansion Tea Stall - https://goo.gl/maps/g9D5JCDrTQfxDBJ59

Restoran TAJUDIN Nasi Beriani

From BNf to Beriani

After visiting the excellent Borneo Native Festival (BNf) at Pasar Seni (Central Market), we decided to have an early lunch at Tajudin, a place that holds a special place in my memories.

A Little Trip Down Memory Lane

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

Well, actually in the late 1980s, I used to frequent Tajudin when it was still operating in a very narrow back alley — fondly called a lorong tikus (mice lane). Eating there meant braving sauna like heat, shoulder to shoulder crowds, and the unmistakable charm of old Kuala Lumpur.

About ten years ago, Tajudin moved to its current premises, and we were genuinely glad to see that he survived the difficult two pandemic years that forced many traders and eateries in the area to close.

The Meal

Without hesitation, we both ordered the Beriani Rice with Chicken. Together with a round of drinks, our absolutely delightful meal came to only RM22 (≈ USD/EUR5).

Simple, flavourful, comforting — the very definition of everyday food for the everyday person.

A KL Classic

A visit to Pasar Seni (Central Market) simply isn’t complete without experiencing Tajudin Nasi Beriani. Nuff said.

A Small Reminder

While not wanting to be a wet blanket, we feel it is our civic duty to remind everyone that while masks are optional outdoors, they are still mandatory indoors. Stay safe and considerate.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:
Restoran Tajudin Nasi Beriani - https://goo.gl/maps/hfzKFRZ5gPw2Bytm7

We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.

Weekend Wander │ BANANA Plaza Damas (Re-opened!)

A Quiet Evening Reset

I spent most of the afternoon working on our videos, while Cat kept herself busy tidying up the apartment. It was one of those slow, productive afternoons where everything just flowed at its own pace.

As dusk approached, I set up the DJI Pocket 2 on the balcony of my sister’s apartment at Waldorf Tower, ready to capture a time lapse of the sunset. With everything in place, we left the camera to do its thing and headed out in search of dinner.

A Familiar Loss

Our first instinct was to head to Restoran Bestari, our usual spot for Mamak (Malaysian Indian Muslim) food. But when we arrived, we were met with disappointment—it had closed down.

We had mentioned this in an earlier video, but seeing it for ourselves still felt a little sad. Another familiar place gone, a quiet reminder of how tough the past few years had been for small eateries.

Oh well… it was what it was.

Finding a New Favourite

With that, we moved on to the next available option and found ourselves at Banana, which had taken over the space once occupied by Mari Canai—another casualty of the times.

Thankfully, Banana seemed to be doing well. The place was lively, with a steady flow of customers.

A Simple, Satisfying Meal

We kept things straightforward:

• I had Fried Yellow Noodles
• Cat chose Fried Rice Vermicelli
• A round of drinks for both of us

Dinner came to RM23.40 (≈ USD6/EUR5)—affordable, filling, and comforting.

Everyday Food, Done Right

It wasn’t fancy, and it didn’t need to be.

This was the kind of meal we always came back to:

• Quick
• Hearty
• Honest

The kind of food that truly defined “everyday meals for the everyday person.”

Ending the Day

With dinner done, we headed back to the apartment, knowing the time lapse would be ready for us.

It had been a quiet, reflective evening—one that reminded us how things changed, but also how new places stepped in to keep the rhythm of the city going.

And sometimes, that was enough.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Banana - https://goo.gl/maps/WoSUwfuGnC1a6YuL9

We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.

*barely a month after posting this Banana closed, apparently for good. Then a few months later it re-opened!)

Sunday Stroll │ SYED Bistro Dang Wangi

Errands Done, Time for Lunch

Happy National Recovery Plan (NRP) Phase 4, Kuala Lumpur!

After settling all our errands at Sungei Wang Plaza — and filling Alfie’s tank to the brim — we started thinking about lunch. With nothing specific in mind, we decided to play it safe and stick to something close to home.

Our Go To Spot

For as long as we’ve lived in this area, Syed Bistro has been one of our regular haunts. Their Roti Canai remains one of the fluffiest this side of the Klang Valley — freshly prepared, not pre made, and far less oily than most mamak shops. Believe you me, it’s a gem.

But today, we came for lunch instead of breakfast.

What We Ordered

We went with our usual favourites:

• Mutton Briyani (for me)
• Nasi Kandar with Curry Ikan Tenggiri (for Cat)
• Nasi Kandar with Curry Chicken (for Brendan)
• Beverages all around

The Damage

Our lunch came to RM55.25 (≈ USD14/EUR12). A little on the high side, but it made sense — the Briyani alone cost RM23 (≈ USD6/EUR5), almost half the bill.

A Reliable Neighbourhood Choice

Price aside, Syed Bistro remains one of our dependable go tos for a satisfying meal. Whether it’s their fluffy Roti Canai or their hearty rice dishes, it’s always comforting to return to a familiar favourite.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Syed Bistro - https://goo.gl/maps/CD54vrwjDuoQG4t96

We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.

Sunday Walkabout │ Restoran KADER: Banana Leaf Rice

A Longtime Favourite

Restoran Kader, located in the heart of Lebuh Ampang, has been our go to spot for banana leaf rice for as long as we can remember. It may be reasonably priced, but in terms of flavour and satisfaction, it stands shoulder to shoulder with its more upmarket contemporaries — and in our (admittedly biased) opinion, it leaves the rest far behind.

A Taste That Hasn’t Changed

As mentioned in an older post, I’ve actually been coming here since the 1990s, and remarkably, nothing much has changed. The moment you step inside, the familiar aroma that fills the shop hits you — the same appetising scent that greeted me decades ago. It’s comforting, nostalgic, and every bit as inviting today as it was back then.

Why We Keep Returning

Good food, honest flavours, and consistency — that’s Kader. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t need fancy décor or modern gimmicks. The food speaks for itself, and it keeps calling us back.

Some places evolve.

Some places reinvent themselves.

Kader simply stays true to what it does best — and that’s why we love it.

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:

Restoran Kader - https://goo.gl/maps/jqz9w8PXRUzQem6W8

We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.

Kedai Makanan Sithique (Revisited)

Kedai Makanan Sithique Nasi Kandar Pulau Pinang

Jalan Dang Wangi (within the old Odeon theatre)

50100 Kuala Lumpur

(Coordinates: 3° 9' 25.50", 101° 41' 47.25")

Today is the 17th day of the lunar Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awwal which marks the birth anniversaries of Prophet Muhammad and is a public holiday for certain states in Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur. And it is on this day that Sogo too saw fit to announce today the start of their two-day “Sogo Member’s Day Sale”. When this happens, the streets in and around our home will be flooded with shoppers.

Rather than enduring the snarling traffic to drive out and back, we opted to have lunch at our old favourite ¹Nasi Kandar joint nearby. Right beside the old Odeon Cinema which still stands tall to this day in its Art Deco style it’s just a hop, skip and a jump away from our apartment, and we’ve been coming here for our Nasi Kandar fix since we moved in all those years ago.

¹a popular northern Malaysian dish which originates from Penang. It is a meal of steamed rice which can be plain or mildly flavoured, and served with a variety of curries and side dishes. The word ‘Nasi Kandar’ came about from a time when rice [Nasi] hawkers or vendors would balance a large pole [Kandar] on their shoulder with two huge containers of rice meals.

follow the arrow!

at the start of the bustling Jalan Dang Wangi

you can see it from Sogo

if you're not into rice

what I'm here for

Brendan and his Chicken Curry

good to go!

tending to his dishes

a lot of tender loving care went into this dishes?

in the mood for something stir-fried?

We’ve posted about Sithique before and you will know that this as well as Haji Ibramsha are our two most favourite Nasi Kandar shops in the Tuanku Abdul Rahman area. As always I ordered the Ayam Kicap (Chicken in Thick Soy Sauce) with my (halved portion) white rice while Brendan dutifully had the Chicken Curry with his white rice. Cat was not in the mood for rice and ordered the ²Mee Goreng Mamak instead.

²¹yellow egg noodles sit-fried Mamak (local Indian Muslim cuisine) style

Brendan's chicken curry

pleased as punch

 my ayam kicap

Cat's mee goreng mamak

eager to dig in

our beverages

time to put the camera away

yup, your eyes do not deceive you

The verdict? Sithique never disappoints, it has always been and will always be our default Nasi Kandar restaurant. And the damage? The photo above says it all; the everyday food for the everyday person? Heck yeah!

NZ Curry House (Wangsa Maju)

NZ Curry House

Jalan Wangsa Delima

Wangsa Maju

53300 Kuala Lumpur

+60341491500

(Coordinates: N3° 11' 53.4" E101° 44' 39.5")

After visiting with my sister we ignored Brendan’s pleas for curry and headed out to Setapak intending to have (a late) lunch at Cannes Tea House (that was in hindsight located along Jalan Genting Kelang).

However an error in punching a digit in the coordinates on our navigating device took us on a different path which eventually led us to the vicinity of Wangsa Walk in Wangsa Maju. Having failed to locate Cannes Tea House and considering Brendan’s earlier wish to have curry, we settled on NZ Curry House nearby.

In the days when Brendan used to attend classes at British Council the NZ Curry House along Jalan Ampang was our default lunchtime destination every Saturday afternoon, all those years ago. It was in fact here that Brendan had his first taste of curry (if I recall correctly) and he has not turned back since.

felt odd to come here in broad daylight

We’ve been here before on several occasion, mostly related to my car club gatherings and always at night so coming here in broad daylight felt a little odd. Brendan had the (what else) Chicken Curry with white rice while Cat had the Curried Mackerel with her white rice. Earlier in the day I played ‘masak-masak’ with my adorable niece Sophie and she kept serving me chicken with rice, so it eventually got me in the mood for some Chicken Rice, hehehe.

the beverages

Brendan's white rice with chicken curry

Cat's white rice with mackerel curry

it was a case of style over substance, I'm afraid

bon appetit!

The verdict? While Brendan and Cat enjoyed their curry immensely I would have to give the Chicken Rice two thumbs down. The chicken was dry, the soup plain and the accompanying condiment very, very sour. But what the heck, at RM24.20 I am in no position to complain and will just give the Chicken Rice a pass in future.

Restoran Safiz Corner (Revisited)

Restoran Safiz Corner

No. 2 Jalan 31/70A

Desa Sri Hartamas

50480 Kuala Lumpur

+60163608795

(Coordinates: E101° 38' 53.8" N3° 9' 47.1")

Breakfast is a rarity for us, and even more so during the weekends. Safiz Corner is our default breakfast stop each time we pay our sister a visit.

it was a quiet Sunday morning

you won't miss it

ample seating arrangement

Brendan and I both had the perennially preferred ¹Roti Canai while Brendan settled on some good old ²Roti Bakar.

¹a type of Indian-influenced flatbread, known as roti prata in Southern Malaysia and Singapore, and is similar to the Indian Kerala porotta.  Circular and flat, the dough is either twirled until it becomes a very thin sheet and then folded into a circular shape or to spread out the dough as thinly as possible before being folded and being grilled with oil.

²toasted bread with coconut jam

the beverages

Cat and I both had the...

... excellently fluffy roti canai

fish curry gravy to accompany

Brendan's roti bakar

a rare sight, my family having breakfast on a Sunday

we kid you not!

The verdict? Toast bread and Roti Canai are two breakfast dishes that no restaurant will get wrong, and Restoran Safiz Corner cannot be faulted. And the damage? Would you believe us if we told you our breakfast cost us only RM9? 

Nasi Kandar Pelita @ SS2

Nasi Kandar Pelita @ SS2

No. 1 Jalan SS 2/64, SS 2

47300 Petaling Jaya

+60378749072

(Coordinates: E101° 37' 11.3" N3° 7' 5.5")

It’s ‘kill-two-birds-with-one-stone’ time for us. Yes, we need to get fed while Gwen (our humble ride) desperately needs a bath after that long drive back from Kuala Terengganu. Looking around for a 24 car wash on the internet we chanced upon one located right beside the Nasi Kandar Pelita in SS2.

Being unfamiliar with Petaling Jaya, we punched in the coordinates and headed out. After a fifteen minute drive we located Nasi Kandar Pelita, and after leaving Gwen in the hands of the car wash (but still maintaining line of sight) we moved swiftly to the rice stall where we were greeted by a phenomenal array of curries and spices, and we all duly had white rice with dishes of our choosing.

 

Gwen getting her much needed bath

 

bright and cheerful, just the way we like it

 

you won't miss it in SS2

 

spacious and cosy

 

Pelita (which means oil lamp) lighting the way

Brendan went for his perennial favourite, the Chicken Curry; Cat opted for Chicken in thick Soy Sauce while I had the Fried Chicken.

 

rows of spices and herbs

 

Brendan's (what else?) chicken curry

Cat's chicken in thick soy sauce

 

my fried chicken

 

our beverages

 

magizhnthu unnungal!

The verdict? We’ve said it before; our family has and will always adore curry, and this particular chain of Pelita restaurants (as with most others) does not disappoint. The damage? Together with a round of Iced Lemon Tea for Cat and Brendan and an Iced Nescafe for moi it all came to a very inexpensive total of RM23.10, and as we’ve said before Pelita definitely is a place where the everyday person looks for his everyday food.

Restoran Istilah (formerly Sri Paandi)

Restoran Istilah

36 Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 1

Taman Tun Dr Ismail

60000 Kuala Lumpur

(Coordinates: E101° 37' 45.8" N3° 8' 28.0")

All done gallivanting with his new friends, we picked Brendan up and headed to Taman Tun for dinner. We had meant to try a food court called Plaza Rasta located along Jalan Datuk Sulaiman but parking proved to be a challenge. We drove on and ended up along Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad.

We were in the neighbourhood some time back looking for a restaurant called Sri Paandi only to find out later that it underwent a change of owners and with it, a change in name.

we're back!

 

what used to be known as Sri Paandi

 

cold cold dishes

 

she didn't know it at the time

 

her spiced fried chicken cutlets

 

I spy with my little eye.. a banana leaf beckons?

 

cold fried chicken?

 

the variety of curries

 

the vegetable section

Still trying to maintain some semblance of a low-carb diet, Cat and I decided against having the banana leaf experience. Brendan who had his fill of pizza earlier during his outing with his friends prematurely pronounced that he will not be joining us for dinner. Cat had Spiced Fried Chicken Cutlets with white rice while I sampled the Chilied Sardines with a smattering of Fried Bitter gourd and Tofu and a modest serving of white rice.

my chilied sardines with tofu and bitter gourd

 

Cat's spiced fried chicken cutlets with cabbages

 

the usual beverages

 

bon appetit (he eventually succumbed to the call of curry!)

Oh, and the lure of curry was too great for Brendan to resist so he ended up having a plate of rice with (what else) Chicken Curry. The verdict? Taste wise it is comparable to most other Southern Indian type restaurants but we had issues with the distinct lack of temperature in the dishes. In other words, the dishes (including the rice) were served cold! Oh well, at least we warmed up to the fact that the bill came to a pretty miserly RM24.40, well within the reach of the everyday person.