Chawan-ful of flavours

WHERE in Kuala Lumpur can you enjoy a huge bowl of Lontong Sotong at RM9.90 that's enough to be shared by two or three persons? I wouldn’t walk the city just to find this out but I know Chawan@Bangsar serves a generous portion of this dish.

A cup of Kopi Teluk Intan at Chawan@Bangsar.

If you’re no big eater then be prepared to either tapau (takeaway) or be at Chawan with one or two other friends so the dish isn’t wasted.

It’s been a while since I last came to Chawan, opened in June 2008. When it first opened the place was packed and it still is on most days today because both food and ambience go hand in hand.

A friendly customer gave me permission to shoot the drinks they ordered.
The drinks look and taste (according to them) delicious!

There’s nothing overly special with the outlet’s décor. The exterior is kept dark brown while inside is all gray. Simple bamboo blinds help give extra shade when the day is too hot or when there’s a light drizzle. But don’t ask me what happens when there’s a heavy downpour because I’ve not faced that situation as yet.

Customers seat themselves at either the cement benches that line the sides of the outlet or at the single kopitiam chairs and stools. The tables are zinc-topped, which I prefer as they don’t look as nasty as plastic tables when they are stained.

This is one Lontong dish I'd come back for more. Only at Chawan@Bangsar.

I know from the first day Chawan opened it has been getting a lot of reviews. Most of them are positive although some feel the food is pricey. I however feel RM9.90 for a huge serving of Lontong Sotong, a huge bowl of Lin Chee Kang at RM4.50 and a cup of Kopi Teluk Intan at RM3.80 is fair.

Besides the price this is one place that gives fast service – the wait staffs are fast to come to the table to take orders, they notice when a customer waves for service, the orders come on time and most importantly you’re getting quality food – loads of ingredients in the Lontong dish and nice thick, creamy santan (coconut milk) gravy.

Great on a hot, hot day - my serving of Lin Chee Kang.

Best of all is the level of cleanliness – no stained plates and saucers and cleaned, wiped tables, and yes, no serious litter on the floor.

I will always return to Chawan, not only for all these good reasons but also because it’s a nice place to chill at on a quite weekend just having nice food and enjoying a bit of Malaysian sun.Yes, even when you're just on your own and without company...but order small ;)

Chawan@Bangsar

69-G Jalan Telawi 3

Bangsar Baru

Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +6 03 2287 5507