MAY 17 — We have all heard tales of great food adventures in Klang, Ipoh, Penang and Malacca. But a short 30-minute drive north of Kuala Lumpur led us to a town not too often traveled by foodies - Rawang.
Fifty years ago, the town was known for tin mining and rubber estates but it has since developed into a massive township and is already being dubbed as the next booming town in Selangor by experts. Better still, a town which has a variety of foods to satisfy Malaysian taste buds.
Here are some of the best treats Rawang has to offer.
1) ‘Kon lou’ dry noodle @ Kampung Baru Kundang (non halal)
Address: Lot 245, Jalan Pekan Satu (Pasar Street), Kampung Baru Kundang
Operation hours: 6.30am-11.30am
One of the oldest eateries and famous for its Hakka-style ‘kon lou’ dry noodle. The shop has been in business for over 50 years and is in its third generation.
Besides the bowl of mee and delicious pork-stuffed yong tau foo, a kampung atmosphere greets every visitor who stops by.
The shop is located in a pre-war unit and one way to complete the ‘experience’ is by ordering the kampung-brewed coffee to complete your breakfast.
A bowl of its famous ‘kon lou’ noodle costs RM5.50 (small), RM6 (medium) and RM7.20 (large) and comes with a bowl of three pork-stuffed yong tau foo.
NOTE: We would recommend our readers to head there before 9am as the shop can get packed and expect long queues on the weekends.
2) Steamed tilapia @ Lan Je restaurant (pork-free)
Address: 45, Jalan Setia Rawang 1
Operation hours: 11.30am-3pm / 5.30-10pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Probably the most famous restaurant in Rawang, Lan Je is well known for its steamed Tilapia.
The restaurant’s popular catchphrase is ‘one person, one fish’ and upon arrival customers were seen digging in to the entire fish to themselves with no other sides.
The shop started 40 years ago has since opened several outlets throughout the Klang Valley - Petaling Jaya, Puchong and Subang among the few – but visitors still frequent the Rawang outlet as they believe the dish is still best where it originated from.
The steamed fish is served in soy sauce and garnished with ginger, garlic, spring onion and red chilli pepper and offers a very soft and smooth texture upon every bite.
Each dish costs about RM15 and if you’re craving for more, be sure to try their minced meat tofu, four angle beans and kung pao chicken.
3) Fish head curry @ Tasik Puteri Golf & Country Club (halal)
Address: Jalan Tasik Puteri Golf, Persiaran Tan Sri Low Yow Chuan
Operation hours: 8am-6pm
Our personal favourite on the list. The fish head curry at the Clubhouse is to die for – trust us. The dish is served in a claypot and the aroma of the fish, curry leaves, onion and coconut milk is enough to attract a foodie.
The curry is thick, creamy and spicy and goes well with a spoon of rice. One bowl costs about RM50 and is perfect to feed two adults. We recommend you not to order any side dishes as there is enough okra, long beans and tofu to satisfy two.
NOTE: Our writer recommends the Penang seafood kway teow, chicken rice and the kampung fried rice.
4) Satay @ Satay Pak Wan (halal)
Address: Jalan 7A/2 Bandar Tasik Puteri 8, Medan Puteri
Operation hours: 4pm-11.30pm
The restaurant opened its doors only after Hari Raya last year, but we must say the satay is up there among the best we have tasted.
There are four choices – chicken, beef, lamb, and beef tripe (beef stomach) with two options – with fat or without. The satay is served with an irresistible bowl of thick peanut sauce, cucumber and onion wedges.
Prices vary from RM0.90 to RM1.70 a stick but we have no complains after getting a taste of all variations.
NOTE: We recommend our readers to head there before 8pm as the restaurant can get packed throughout the week.
5) Chicken rice @ Rawang Beansprouts Chicken Rice restaurant (halal)
Address: 19, Jalan Bersatu 10, Taman Bersatu
Operation hours: 10.30am-9pm (Closed on Mondays)
No food trail is complete without chicken rice, and what we liked about this one over here is the freshness of its beansprouts and and its meatball soup. The steamed chicken tastes relatively close to some of Ipoh’s best chicken rice. Prices for a plate varies from RM5 to RM7.50 depending on the amount of chicken you prefer.
While many may not think of Rawang as a place to discover delicious eats, the town is in fact riddled with foodie gems, with some spots possibly yet to be discovered.
Want to be nearer to this upcoming food hub?
Located a short drive away from these eateries is the self-sustained township of Bandar Tasik Puteri (BTP), with homes that are accessible, modern in design, and most importantly, affordable to the working class Malaysian.
Landed homes start from a price tag of from RM 510k, while condominiums start from RM 285k - prices that are nearly impossible to find today in the property market.
For more info on BTP, check out their projects at btp.com.my/our-projects.
This article is brought to you by BTP by Low Yat Group.
