[PHOTOS] 5 Underground Supper Clubs That Will Make You Feel Right At Home
This week on SAYS Makan, we dive into the exclusive world of intimate dinner parties and lovingly-crafted menus from some really, really talented home cooks.
By Samantha Khor — 12 Mar 2015, 06:08 PM
First things first, what exactly is an underground supper club?
Underground supper clubs - sometimes known as underground restaurants or private kitchens - are essentially paying dinner parties hosted in someone's home.
Note that supper clubs are not actually business establishments, but a venture usually initiated by someone who is passionate about cooking and would like to share their love for good food with like-minded people. While prices tend to be on the expensive side, the home-cooked food and multi-course setting makes it pretty worth it.
Dinner parties are usually hosted in the host or chef's residence based on their availability and guests will only be entertained if they make prior reservations or in the presence of an invitation. Dinner events are often advertised by word-of-mouth, e-mail or Facebook.
So, if you're yearning for something new combined with the familiar taste of home, here are some underground supper clubs to check out:
1. Huck's Cafe @ Jalan Abdullah, KL (pork-free)
Established by self-taught cook and former advertising creative director Poh Huck Seng four years ago, Huck's Cafe's menu is a mix of Asian, Italian, Western, and Mexican fare, with his most-requested dishes including lemon grass-grilled squid, chicken cordon bleu with baked apples, banana brownie with ice cream, and chocolate-mud-pie ice cream.
Where: 22, Jalan Abdullah, Off Jalan Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
When: Tuesday to Sunday from 7.00PM to 11.30PM
Price Range: RM100 to RM150 per person, inclusive of drinks, appetizer, soup, main course, dessert and coffee or tea.
Contact Details: Call 03- 2282 2126 or 012- 604 8719 to make your bookings. Alternatively, drop an e-mail to [email protected].
2. Chyuan’s Tiffin Underground Supper Club @ Sri Petaling (non-halal)
Chyuan’s Tiffin Underground Supper Club has a self-serve concept for bigger groups while small groups of four or less will enjoy a sit-down dinner menu. The passionate cooks behind Chyuan's - Eddy, Raymond, and Muk - offer different dishes each time to showcase their repertoire of Nyonya and Thai cuisine.
Where: Endah Promenade, Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur
When: By invitation or by making advanced reservations at least one week prior
Price Range: RM75 to RM100 per person
Contact Details: Make your reservations via Eddy (012-917 6268) or drop them an e-mail on [email protected]. Also, get the latest updates on their ever-changing menu on their Facebook page.
3. Cute Ball Kitchen @ Taman Paramount (non-halal)
Run by Malaysian-Vietnamese husband-and-wife team Kenneth and Hoa, Cute Ball Kitchen invites its guests to indulge in authentic Vietnamese fare such as caramelised pork belly in claypot, refreshing Vietnamese salad, and crispy spring rolls with French-inspired desserts and baked treats like dark chocolate tarts and macarons to finish.
Where: Paramount View Condo, Jalan 22/44, Taman Paramount, 46300 Petaling Jaya
When: Saturdays from 7.00PM to 9.00PM
Price: RM88 per person, kids under 5 years of age eat for free
Contact Details: Email them at [email protected] or send a message on Facebook for bookings.
4. Transparent Apron Underground Supper Club @ KL (non-halal)
Transparent Apron Underground Supper Club serves mainly Euro-American cuisine with lots of rich sauces, interspersed with Asian ingredients. Expect dishes like bouef bourguignon, coq au vin, braised belly pork in dark ale, risotto with roasted pumpkins, and its ilk.
Where: Differing locations in Kuala Lumpur.
When: Saturdays nights pending the availability of the chef and host or upon appointment for dinner parties of 6 to 8 persons.
Price Range: RM120 to RM160 per person.
Contact Details: For further information or to be kept updated on upcoming dinner dates, send an e-mail to [email protected] or check out their Facebook page.
5. Jen’s Underground Supper Club @ TTDI (non-halal)
Conceived by self-taught cook and baker extraordinaire Jennifer Palencia, Jen’s Underground Supper Club is a movement that caters to gourmands, serious foodies, chefs, executives, and high-profile events and parties. Expect to be served European-inspired food tweaked for the Malaysian palate in the cosy environment of the matriarch's family home.
Where: Palencia residence at Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.
When: Every last Saturday of the month, bookings can be made from May 2015 onwards.
Price range: RM50 to RM150
Contact Details: Call 03-7733 8589 or 016-249 8009 to make your bookings. Check out JUSC's Facebook page for updates on future events.
While the underground scene is still relatively new in Malaysia, many others have begun opening their culinary doors for strangers to have a taste of their cooking
In fact, an online directory of available private kitchens and supper clubs called PlateCulture had been set up to connect home cooks and dinner party hosts with foodies in search for authentic home-cooked meals from different cultures.