Blazed with fiery wok hei, Sekalf’s Fried Kuey Teow comes very close to the moreish street-side options from Penang (Photo: Emily Yap/ The Edge Malaysia)
Sekalf has quickly made its way to becoming one of the top brunch spots in Chinatown. Scoring high in location (right outside the Pasar Seni MRT station), ambience, food and coffee, this two-storied joint, with warm wood furniture, brick walls and greenery, is the total package for those looking for respite in the busy area.
The sister café of Flakes in SS2, Sekalf (Flakes spelt backwards) is a crowd-pleaser with wholesome Aussie-esque selections with an Asian twist. Open-faced sandwiches, avocado toasts and big breakfasts are an option for brunchers, so are the enticing buttery pastries at the counter. But there are also 10 pastas to choose from — the cheesy conchiglioni with beef bacon crisps may cause a food coma, but we say go for it — and wholesome rice bowls that are sure to satiate.
The Chicken Roulade (RM25.90) was a tender butterflied breast, stuffed and rolled with truffled mushroom duxelles and laid atop a bed of silky mashed potatoes. It was delicious on its own, but the moat of savoury berry sauce surrounding it dragged the dish down. Good things were said about the beef stew, though. Slow-cooked for four hours with a side of mash and toasted sourdough, the general consensus was it should take the roulade’s place as best-seller.
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On the menu are also quintessential Malaysian favourites like Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng Berempah and Pasembur Salad with Prawn Cakes for those itching for something familiar, comforting and local. But if you could only pick one from the list, let it be the Penang Fried Kuey Teow (RM14.90). Blazed with fiery wok hei, Sekalf’s version comes very close to the moreish street-side options from the island. The chef is a Penangite, after all. The only downer? No cockles — what woe!
Wash the food down with the Blossom Fizchee and Affluxion Fruitage mocktails, both RM13.90, or sip on a freshly brewed cuppa (RM12.90) for that midday java jolt. Prices at Sekalf are fairly affordable by usual standards, making it a fitting re-fuel station for those playing tourist in Petaling Street.
Sekalf, 208, Jalan Tun H S Lee, KL. Daily, 9.30am to 6.30pm. Call 013 234 2026 for reservations.
This article first appeared on July 17, 2023 in The Edge Malaysia.
