Favourite 'Cheap Eats' of 2014

In my 3rd post of favourite eats is my favourite 'cheap eats' of 2014, the definition of which refers to hawkers or coffee shop food that is cheap and very affordable to the masses and usually eaten in a (sometimes) not-so-conducive coffee shop environment or with a "tapau" (take away) option only.

This was the most difficult list to narrow down as I had so many good eats and had loads to choose from.

Nasi Lemak Stall @ Taman Maju Jaya

It's the combination of the 3 types of sambal that truly transforms this nasi lemak from good to great and the best thing is....you're assured of a 'first-come-first-serve' orderly basis (no queue jumpers here).

Uncle Meng (Char Siew) @ Taman Shamelin

The 'half lean, half fat' char siew is well caramelised with charred edges, giving it a slightly sweet and smoky flavour.  It's perfect fat-to-lean ratio and tender meat just melts in your mouth!

Rojak & Cendol Stall @ Pandan Indah

The ultra crispy fritters, eaten with their kick-ass sweet-spicy peanut (aka rojak) sauce, and an accompaniment of an icy cold shaved ice cendol is a match made in 'food' heaven :)

Chan Meng Kee (Wantan Mee) @ SS2 PJ

The dry wantan mee with char siew is what you would be after as the yumminess of the sauce is flavoured with pork lard.  The other standout here is the crispy roast chicken leg which is bathed in oil just before serving.

Restoran TO (Char Kway Teow) @ Pandan Perdana


This consistently good plate of char kway teow remains my favourite till today coz it's full of "wok hei" and it's fried with pork lard (if I were you, I'd ask for more pork lard bits)!

Yap Hup Kee (Chee Cheong Fun) @ Pudu

The chee cheong fun is what I'm after when I come here, both the curry and sweet sauce versions.  The yong tau foo, especially the fish+pork cakes, are really good as well.

Mei Sin (Curry Laksa) @ Imbi


Practically all the food at this coffee shop is good but my perennial favourite has to be the curry laksa...a bowl of full-on thick and savoury curry with just the right amount of spice and santan.  It's still my all-time preferred curry laksa :-)

Kanna Curry House @ Sec 17 PJ

Famous for its banana leaf rice but what I adore is their fluffy and airy roti canai (served with 3 curries), crispy vadai and 'full of spices' and aromatic fried chicken.

Wai Fung (Pork Noodles) @ Pandan Perdana

This is my regular haunt for "chee yuk fun" (pork noodles) coz I always get my 'special order' (without having to remind the stall owner) and that's with extra "chee yau char" (crispy pork lard bits) :D

Char Siew Yoong @ Jalan Pudu Ulu

Some (especially those who enjoy a leaner cut) would love this tender, succulent char siew.  But, surprisingly, it wasn't the char siew that I had a fatal attraction to but it was the braised chicken feet and double-boiled soups that sucked me in!

Loong Seng (Dim Sum) @ SS2 PJ

This coffee shop-styled dim sum place serves good and very affordable dim sum.  The not-to-be-missed item here is the fried "har guin" (prawn roll) with plump prawns and uber-crispy thin skin.  Especially so when it comes out hot from the wok, I would immediately snap up 3-4 plates of it (if you come here just for this, it'd be worth it).

O & S Restaurant (Part 1) @ Paramount Garden

O & S Restaurant (Part 2) @ Paramount Garden

Almost everything is good here but the one stall that got me hook, line and sinker is the yong tau foo stall.  Their fried fu chuk rolls and sui kow are simply out-of-this-world good ;)  Other favourites include Penang chee cheong fun, wantan mee, Penang curry mee and assam laksa.

Millenium Eighty-Six @ Paramount Garden

The steamed "sek pan yue tao" (garoupa fish head) is extremely fresh and the ginger infused rice wine broth is good to the last drop.  The Fried Fish Head Noodles in a clear and delicate broth were equally outstanding.

Yau Char Kwai Stall @ SS2 PJ

These fried babies...I'm referring to my all time favourite "yau char kwai" (Chinese crullers).  Great dunked in a cup of hot "kopi-o kaw" (thick black coffee)...an old-school combo that has stood the test of time!

Pau Kee (Ipoh Sar Hor Fun) @ Imbi

This Ipoh sar hor fun is slurpilicious and the broth, subtle and delicious.  Also good is the smooth poached chicken with crunchy bean sprouts.

And that's my favourite 'cheap eats' of 2014....actually, there are lots more but I just had to hold back, otherwise the list would be incredibly long!

These were just some of my favourites, which I managed to blog about, and (I know) it's just the tip of the iceberg...and there's plenty more good stuff out there to eat (and blog) in 2015 (for sure)!!