As you wander through the heart of Kuala Lumpur, you may wonder where to find a delightful hawker centre. Amidst a place brimming with upscale dining options, this quest may be challenging. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a hawker centre nestled right beside the iconic Petronas Twin Towers known as Malaysia Food Village.
Situated within the Shoppes at Four Seasons, Malaysia Food Village was created by Yong Kee with the aim of sharing genuine Malaysian cuisine with the global palate. Eager to savour the offerings, I journeyed to this eatery myself.
The ambience was filled with the resonance of numerous lively conversations, along with the enticing scent of delectable cuisine wafting through the air. Observing numerous office workers relishing their meals in the company of friends, their smiles radiating contentment, I was reassured that my decision to explore this place was a wise one.
Despite its modest size, the establishment’s decor evoked a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of classic hawker centres and food courts. The presence of signs perched atop the stalls and a vintage colour palette transported me to another era. There were a variety of food options to choose from like char kuey teow, chicken rice, and even bak ku teh.
What I tried at Malaysia Food Village
While I was sorely tempted to order my beloved char kuey teow, I opted for a culinary adventure and went with a bowl of Claypot Chicken Rice (RM13.80).
My initial encounter with claypot chicken rice was rather inviting; I wasted no time and delved right in. As I combined the rice with the sauce, I noticed that the rice seemed somewhat dry. However, I decided to give it a fair chance and took a bite.
My hunch about the rice being dry was correct, but when mingled with the sauce, it turned out to be more palatable. On the other hand, the sauce had a notably thick consistency and left a faintly salty aftertaste.
Moving forward, I explored the chicken. At first glance, I found it to be an unusual piece of poultry. The precise part of the chicken served remained a mystery, but my guess was that it might have been a flattened piece of breast meat. Although I was initially unsure, I decided to take a taste along with the rice.
To my surprise, the chicken was exceptionally tender and marinated to perfection. It did require some effort to blend all the components of the dish together, particularly with the rice. However, once everything was harmoniously mixed, the overall flavour was rather delightful.
I do believe that there are other better tasting claypot chicken rice, however this is my first rodeo with the dish and I was quite satisfied.
Final thoughts
In summary, Malaysia Food Village proved to be a worthwhile destination. While, in hindsight, I regret not opting for the char kuey teow, the general atmosphere and the joy on the faces of other diners reassured me that there were other delectable food options to explore.
I look forward to returning to sample a variety of dishes, particularly the asam laksa and fried oyster omelette. The overall ambience of the eatery exuded a vibrant, nostalgic charm, making me feel as though I had been transported to a bygone era.
It’s essential to note that the stalls exclusively accept cash or QR payments.
Expected damage: RM5 – RM20 per pax
Price: $
Our Rating: 3 / 5
Malaysia Food VIllage by Yong Kee
B1.01(B, Shoppes at Four Seasons, 145, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50450
Malaysia Food VIllage by Yong Kee
B1.01(B, Shoppes at Four Seasons, 145, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50450
