Lava Lava Gourmet Bun (火山包专门店) @ SS2

When it comes to eating, there is no shortage along the busy streets of SS2, with a widespread range of local fare, cafes, fast food and wonder hawker food vendors. But Lava Lava manages to catch our attentions with its wide range of fine fluffy quality gourmet buns which are handmade daily from scratch.

Lava Lava is easily noticeable from the main road as it is located next to

the popular Nasi Kandar Pelita, directly opposite to McDonald's SS2 outlet. 

Imagine the aromatic space that conquers your senses as soon as the savoury sauce oozes out like molten lava in your mouth. How can you resist such simple yet addictive Lava Lava Bun? As soon as we learn about the painstaking process of making the buns, we are more eager to try out the chef's new innovation buns! 

The ambiance of the cafe makes it a comfortable hangout spot, with just the right amount of quirkiness to keep things simple yet fun. The contemporary and vibrant interior exudes a sense of relaxed ease. Unfortunately, the staff here are a little inattentive and do not respond much to customers. 

 Lava Lava Buns

Aromatic Curry Chicken (香浓咖哩鸡丁)

Mushroom Chic (蘑菇鸡丁)

Chicken Satay (沙爹鸡丁)

Chicken BBQ (马来黄姜鸡丁) @ RM3.90

The homemade gourmet buns come in 3 distinctive flavours-- Aromatic Curry Chicken, Mushroom Chicken and Chicken Satay-- which are totally unique and not commonly available elsewhere. The buns come with a story behind it-- the painstaking process of waking up at wee hours to knead the dough, prepare the filling from scratch and bake the buns before the shop opens. 

Sometimes if you are lucky, the daily specially-baked buns may come in Chicken BBQ or Tom Yam flavours. Other pastries such as Lava Lava egg tarts and toasts are seasonal, and may not be available everyday. 

Aromatic Curry Chicken Bun (香浓咖哩鸡丁)

What makes Lava Lava bun different from the usual bun from bakeries is the extra buttery flavour and crispy exterior of the bun that absorbs the aroma of the filling very well.

Our biggest applause goes to the fluffy and hearty Curry Chicken Bun that is stuffed with chicken cubes and creamy curry gravy that oozes out as you put it into your mouth. The filling is very thick, robust in spiciness and it gives an instant kick to the palate.

Chicken Satay Bun (沙爹鸡丁)

Added with local touch, the exotic chicken satay bun is equally noteworthy as its sauce has a well-balanced sweet and spicy flavour with strong aroma of grounded peanuts. It tastes exactly the same as dipping our chicken skewers into the peanut sauce! 

Mushroom Chicken Bun (蘑菇鸡丁)

The basic flavour is usually the crowd's favourite. Filled with a delightful blend of tender chicken and juicy mushroom with a dash of brown sauce in a light fluffy bun, the bun will simply melt in the mouth. 

 Main Courses

Apart from the signature buns, Lava Lava also whips up a combination of local and Western fare that is surprisingly kind to our pockets. Glancing through the menu, I find nothing that costs more than RM10! Here you can tuck into comfortable, fuss-free food for all meals of the day.

Lava Curry Noodle (Normal) @ RM6.90

Among the popular dishes, Lava curry noodle is our personal favourite because it packs a huge flavour punch from its rich, creamy broth. The portion is generous as the broth is full of eggs, beancurd sheet, beans sprout, and fried fish cake. You can even top up RM2 for a Chicken Rendang Drumstick, what a great deal right?

Lava Spaghetti (Black Pepper) @ RM9.90

Served with stir-fried al dente spaghetti and a helping of savoury black pepper sauce, Lava's signature fried chicken tastes incredible! Crispy on the outside and soft inside, the chicken does not turn soggy even after some time upon serving. Similar to the curry noodle, it comes with a side of Lava's special Crispers  and house salad. We don't mind coming back for such a big platter of pasta!

Caramelized Lava Buttery Chicken Rice @ RM9.90

If noodles are not your choice, Lava Lava also serves different types of Asian-influenced rice platter such as Lava Nasi Lemak (RM8.90) and Ayam Percik rice (RM9.90). As for the buttery chicken rice, the chicken is indeed crispy on the exterior despite of being soaked in the pool of buttery sauce. 

Verdict:

1. Decent place for simple, comfort food but taste wise it is still lacking much. 

2. Buns are okay, but must be eaten while hot. Otherwise you'd rather not eat them. 

3. Recommended: Aromatic Curry Chicken Bun, Lava Curry Noodle

Lava Lava 火山包
No. 11, Ground Floor,
(Opposite SS2 McDonalds, same row with Nasi Kandar Pelita)
Jalan SS 2/64,
47300 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.
Contact: 603-7865 3199
Facebook: fb.com/LavaLavaEmpire
Business Hours: 11.30am-11pm daily

Just Pie @ IOI City Mall, 1 Utama Shopping Centre & The Gardens

What could be more soul-satisfying than a hot, fresh-from-oven and flaky pie encasing different types of creative fillings ranging from sweet to savoury? We've seen an increasing trend of hand-crafted pies that lure people with mouth-wateringly tempting recipes, and Just Pie is amongst the first homegrown pie specialist that serves up more than 20 types of pies at major shopping malls such as The Gardens, IOI City Mall and 1 Utama Shopping Centre.

Just Pie open-concept cafe at IOI City Mall is easily noticeable as it is located between the ice skating rink and District 21 theme park. Shoppers will enjoy nice whiff of butter from afar and be spoilt by a wide variety of beautifully-displayed golden brown pies.

Each pastry pie is made with new, revolutionary ingredients for the fillings from savoury to sweet. Mention classic pies such as apple pie, chicken pot pie, and even vegetarian pie, Just Pie has gotten you covered.

COFFEE

Cappucino @ RM8.90 / Almond Latte @ RM10.90

Coffees here are pretty decent where you can get the espresso-based staples with basic coffee arts that as well as affogato coffee desserts. Non-coffee drinkers can choose among the wide variety of chocolate drinks and Dilmah Exceptional tea.

SAVOURY

 Steak N Cheese @ RM9.50

No worries about mixing up your orders because each savory pie can be easily identified by the letter on it. Speaking of the crust, the heavy application of margarine lends the pastry a wonderful softness on the inside. It is moist yet flaky enough to enhance the richness of the crisp-edged pastry that gives a decadent mouthfeel. 

The medium sized pie of 4.5 inch diameter is jam-packed with big chunks of tender beef, carrot and creamy white gravy. If you're not a fan of heavily buttered pastry, the taste of this pie would be just nice for you to go with its fillings. 

 

Chicken Mushroom @ RM8.40

Classics such as chicken chunks in mushroom gravy are equally popular among diners as the creamy, rich combination is simply comforting especially during cold days. Savour it with a dash of homemade bolognese sauce or top it up with some mashed potato (RM2.90) for a twist in flavours. 

 Creamy-3-Mushrooms @ RM8.40

Recommended as one of their signatures, it is not difficult to figure out why when a scan across the neighbouring tables has spotted this trio Mushroom Pie on almost every table. Thick hand-cut slices of black fungus, white and brown mushrooms taste extra good and create a beautiful medley of crunchy-chewy texture. Definitely the best vegetarian pie I've tried! 

Adventurous pie hunters may prefer hefty, dark filling packed with meat such as Black Pepper Beef, Chunky Chilli Beef, Lamb Stew, and Curry Chicken pies that are beautifully moistened with cooking juices and exude stronger punch of flavours. 

SWEET

S'mores Pie @ RM13.70

Just Pie also churns out a full range of sweet temptations by injecting new ingredients into innovative creations that make the pies as appealing as possible. The thin S'mores pie crust has a crisp, crumbly cookie-like texture and shallow sides that reminds of me a tart. 

Thick, dark chocolate filling and toasted marshmallow topping will definitely melt the hearts of chocolate fanatics as the pie is delightfully oozy, gooey and rich! But the stickiness of the marshmallows and chocolate can be a huge turnoff for some. 

Oreo Pie @ RM13.70

At the first glance, it seems unusual from my all-time favourite no-bake Oreo pie that uses cookie base. Just Pie's version of Oreo Pie is an interesting combination of cake and pie, with multiple layers of cream, chocolate sponge, and Oreo topping sitting on a deep pie crust. Now you can enjoy the best of both worlds-- Pastry and cake-- in one dish! 

 Nutella Mille Crepe @ RM15.80

Mille crepe pie seems new to me, but I must admit that it is a delicious spin from the old-fashioned French mille crepe. Creamy and soft, the cake melts in the mouth with rich chocolatey flavour while the crusty pie adds a pleasant crisp texture to it. 

Creamy rich vanilla ice cream (RM2.90) is available as a lovely add-on to your dessert pies 

ranging from the traditional Apple Crumble to modern Tiramisu, Red Velvet and Caramel Banana.

All pies are pegged at affordable prices ranging from RM3.70 to RM15.80, inclusive of 6% GST.

Verdict:
1. The sizable pies, comfortable family-friendly ambiance and wide variety of flavours make Just Pie an ideal venue for all meals of the day.
2. Tastewise, the overall experience is pretty decent considering the great value for money and convenience it offers.
3. Recommended: Creamy-3-Mushrooms Pie


Just Pie @ IOI City Mall
FK-8A, Lebuhraya Lembah Kelang Selatan, 
IOI Resort, 
62502 Putrajaya.

Other outlets:
Just Pie @ The Gardens Mall
LG-C3B (Level LG)

Just Pie @ One Utama
SK106 (Level 1)

Contact: 603 - 7806 3631
Email: info@justpie.com.my
Website: www.justpie.com.my
Facebook: fb.com/justpiekingdom

WichDay Cafe @ Taman Connaught, Cheras

The cafe business in the busy neighbourhood of Taman Connaught at Cheras may not be as brisk as those in PJ or KL, but we have recently found one that is worth visiting without burning a hole in the pocket.

WichDay Cafe, named after its famous sandwiches and toasts, is easily noticeable from the main road. But finding a parking here can be tricky especially during weekdays.

It feels like a dreamland here! Be greeted by a medley of colorful carousel-inspired decors adorning every corner of the cafe, surrounded by painted walls with hand-drawn carousel images.

This cute themed cafe is more family-friendly and its cosy little space is perfect for those who would like to have birthday parties or special functions for their little ones.

Iced Mocha @ RM10.90 / Iced Green Tea Latte @ RM9.90

Don't expect to have specially crafted hand-brewed coffee here but the basic coffee staples are decent enough to satisfy your daily dose of caffeine.

For those who don't take coffee, plenty of choices are available ranging from hot tea, fruit juices to the house special chocolate blends. My creamily thick green tea latte is fairly priced, and I enjoy the bittersweet aftertaste of the Japanese-imported green tea powder. 

Among the hot food items, the highly recommended ones are dessert toasts including banana chocolate, nutella peanut, green kaya lava and green tea toast. 

Wich Toasting Day @ RM13.90

A nice variation from the usual English breakfast platter, WichDay serves the hearty combination of cheese-layered chicken ham, fried egg, sauteed mushrooms and baked beans on a slice of thick toast.

The toast itself is heavily buttered, soft and melts perfectly in the mouth. But I find it a tad salty and doesn't pair well with the honey drizzles on the side.

Pandora Box @ RM16.90

For dessert toast, Pandora Box is definitely a must-try! Crowned with airy, whipped cream, we are surprised by the generous toppings of the crispy baked toast box such as two scoops of ice creams, marshmallows, chewy glutinous rice balls and fruits.

Open it up by cutting both corners of the toast, and you'll find honey-sweet crispy cubed toast in it. It reminds me of bread croutons in terms of texture and size but it falls heavier on the buttery and sweet tastes.

I love how it retains its crispiness despite of being left for some time.

What a beautiful mess!

Miss Pinky (Rose Pancake)

Fascinated by the beautifully presented mini pancakes topped with lychee, strawberry, maple syrup and raspberry ice cream, I realize it's my first time having pink pancakes! 

The sweet color comes from rose syrup, which adds a nice touch to the soft, crisp-edged pancakes. It already tastes great on its own but if you prefer a sweeter version, a drizzle of maple syrup will definitely do a great job.

Apart from homemade cakes, they also serve pasta and value set lunches, if you need something more filling. But I'd prefer having different flavours of toasts during my next visit!

Verdict: 
1. Definitely a cheaper alternative for cafe hoppers who love desserts and toasts.
    Coupled with friendly staff, quick service and homey ambiance, I am a happy customer here.
2. Food wise, the quality is acceptable for the price and portion served.
3. Recommended: Pandora Box, Rose Pancake, Signature Toasts

Wichday Cafe
195, Jalan Sarjana,
Taman Connaught,
56000 Cheras,
Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: 012-2149061 (Business hour only)
Email: wichdaycafe@gmail.com
Facebook: fb.com/WichDay
Instagram: @wichday

Business Hours:
Mon - Tue: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Wed: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thu - Fri: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sat - Sun: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

The Humble Pie Co @ Section 17, PJ

Pastry lovers like me surely can't resist the whiffs of freshly baked crusty pies loaded with savoury and sweet fillings, that's why I am here at The Humble Pie Co. to try out its artisan pies.

Tucked along the quiet street of Section 17, the interior of this dessert cafe is rather spacious and minimalist.  True to its name, it offers a range of carefully crafted sweet treats, with a focus on its signature 'Humble Pies'.

#1 Caramel Latte Freddo @ RM12 

Made of 3 distinctive layers-- Caramel, espresso and cold foamed milk, the freddo is sweet

and comforting for my liking. I find it best paired with their signature banoffie pie!

#2 Pesto Bruschetta @ RM12 

Before going into dessert, we munch on some light snack-- Simply wholesome pesto bruschetta that is served piping hot from the kitchen. Topped with melted cheese, the bread is crispy on the edges and wafts out strong buttery aroma.

Look at those creamy pesto topping, I love its rich savoury taste.

#3 Roast Chicken Sandwich @ RM17

Looking out for something meaty? The roast chicken sandwich is equally satisfying except for the part that the hard rolls are not as light and airy inside as I'd expect. Nevertheless, I enjoy the satisfying chew as it is crisp on the outside.

Filled with loads of marinated chicken slices in homemade sauce, it is neither too dry nor soggy.

Just perfectly filling for both breakfast and lunch!

#4 Banoffee Pie @ RM12

Here comes the highlight of the cafe. Exactly 3.5 inches in diameter, the pie looks tall with loads of topping on it. I love the way the baked biscuit crust is done, so buttery and crunchy with a hint of saltiness!

Forking into the pie, each bite of crusty base melts perfectly with soft billowy clouds of sweetened vanilla whipped cream. The sweetness is well-balanced with the dusting of bitter coffee powder on top.

Perfectly ripe bananas, dipped in and drizzled with thick, luscious sweet toffee. ❤ Can you resist that?

The daily pie selections may vary, but all of them hold onto one principle-- Food that reminds you that simplicity can be perfection. Besides the Strawberry pie, Dufee pie and Carrot cake, remember to try out The Humblest Cheesecake!

Verdict:

1. Definitely worth visiting especially for dessert lovers!

2. Well, sometimes I don't mind paying more for good ambiance and great dessert but I feel that the hot food quality and portion have plenty of room for improvement. 
3. Must try: Banoffee Pie ❤

The Humble Pie Co
11, Jalan 17/45, 
Section 17, 
46400 Petaling Jaya, 
Selangor.
Contact: +6016-922 1973 / +603-7932 1793
Email: thehumble913@gmail.com
Facebook: fb.com/thehumblepiecokl
Business Hours:
Tues - Fri: 11.30am - 10pm
Sat, Sun: 11am - 10.30pm
Closed on Mondays