Best Hawker Food in Kepong
As a group of passionate foodies based in Kepong, an honorable mention of some of our favorite hawker food in our neighborhood is a must. We’ve picked a few understated yet delicious hawker gems from our private list of good food in Kepong. Read on to find out!
1. Penang Corner
Since the establishment of Penang Corner by Mr. Teh Choon Hooi, who is a Penang lang himself, the residents of Kepong have been blessed with authentic Penang food.
Step inside Penang Corner, and you’ll find yourself instantly “teleported” to a food court in Penang. From har mee and white curry mee to lor bak and char kuey teow, you can find most of the famous Penang hawker foods here.
We especially love their har mee. Not only does it look like the har mee sold in Penang, it also tastes like one. The dish is served with bee hoon and thick yellow noodles, topped with fishcake, pork slices, hard-boiled egg, and vegetables. What sets them apart is their prawn-based soup topped with chili, giving you a truly authentic bowl of Penang har mee.
If you’re familiar with the chee cheong fun sold in Penang, you’ll know that it’s very different from the ones sold in KL. As an eatery serving Penang hawker food, the chee cheong fun here is, of course, served in Penang style.
We would recommend that you try the chee cheong fun here if you’re looking for something different. Expect silky smooth noodle rolls served with hae ko (shrimp paste) and chili paste, finished off with sesame seeds and fried shallots on top – definitely worth a try.
📍 Lot 28 , Gerai 28B Jalan Besar Kepong Baru Kepong, 52100 Kuala Lumpur
⏰ 8am – 4pm, closed on Monday
2. Coconut Tree Corner
Nestled in Taman Kepong, Coconut Tree Corner is a small tong shui shop that’s often packed with residents from the neighborhood. The shop mainly serves traditional Cantonese desserts such as Peanut Paste (RM3.50), Leng Chee Kang (RM3.20), Sweet Potato Ginger Soup (RM3.20), and more.
Bubur Cha Cha (RM3.50) is the crowd favorite here. The colorful dessert comes with sweet potatoes and yam cooked in creamy coconut milk.
You can also find fried fritters and quick lunch options here, such as fried noodles, fried rice, and fried mee hoon. If you prefer a more savory and intense kick to your dish, go on and request some curry gravy poured over the dish.
📍 2-16, Jalan Development, Taman Kepong, 52100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
⏰ 9am – 6pm, closed on Sunday
3. Foo Keong Restoran
Another hidden gem among Taman Kepong residents, Foo Keong Restoran is just a few minutes’ walk from Coconut Tree Corner. Foo Keong Restoran is actually a food court with several meal options, all of which are not bad. However, if we had to pick, we would go for the curry mee and yong tau foo stalls.
Each bowl of curry mee features sponge-like taufu pok, char siew slices, and cockles. The curry broth may look fiery red, but it’s not as spicy as it seems and carries a strong coconut aroma.
As for the yong tau foo stall, the owner ensures each order is prepared and cooked on the spot to maintain the quality and freshness of their servings. The owner’s commitment to serving quality yong tau foo has successfully converted us into their loyal fans.
One thing to note is that the humble eatery is covered with zinc roof sheets, so it might get a bit hot and stuffy under the scorching sun. We would recommend that you drop by to tapau if you dislike eating while drenched in sweat.
📍 66, Jalan Development, Taman Kepong, 52100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
⏰ 9am – 5pm, closed on Sunday
4. Thong Kee Cafe Kepong
Thong Kee Cafe originated from the small town of Bentong and has several branches across Klang Valley. It may not be a “hidden” hawker food, but we decided to include it on this list as it is one of the go-to breakfast spots of many Kepong lang – including ourselves.
Our favorite here is their kaya butter croissant and cham peng. Their croissant is toasted till crisp on the outside and slathered generously with butter and homemade kaya on the inside.
Fun fact: although famously known as 1+1, the cham peng here is interestingly not made up of equal proportions of tea and Hainan coffee. In fact, the latter comes in a higher proportion. One thing for sure is that the cham peng is smooth, fragrant, and lingering.
📍 1-G & 1-1, Jalan Ambong Kiri 2, Kepong Baru, 52100 Kuala Lumpur
⏰ 7am – 4.30pm, closed on Monday
5. Ah Yap Chicken Restaurant
Ah Yap Chicken Restaurant is undoubtedly the chicken rice of choice for Kepong residents. The thick, large chunks of kampung chicken served with fragrant rice here are simply irresistible. However, their signature green chili paste is the main reason why we keep coming back. Tasty and addictive, the chili paste does well in mixing with the chicken, thanks to its ginger notes.
The variety of side dishes offered make the restaurant a good choice for dinner too. We often complete our meal with sides such as bean sprouts, meatballs, braised eggs, and tofu.
We visited this stall during the lockdown and found their tapau system very well organized and efficient. Drop by Ah Yap Chicken Restaurant if you’re looking for a delicious and quick meal!
If you’re a fan of chicken rice, you should check out our article on the 10 Best Chicken Rice in Klang Valley!
📍 1175, Jalan Kanan, Desa Jaya Kepong, 52100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
⏰ 10am – 3pm; 5.30pm – 9pm, closed on Monday
Final Thoughts
Our travel perimeters have gotten much, much smaller due to the coronavirus pandemic. Working on this list of hawker food in our neighborhood of Kepong has reminded us that it’s still important to rediscover the uniqueness of our own hometown.
If you happen to be in Kepong and you’re not sure what to eat, go ahead and give these hawkers a try!
A Malaysian foodie who’s proud of our local hawker culture. Always on the hunt for the best char kuay teow and nasi lemak.