makan

9 Foodie Destinations Around Klang Valley And Beyond That Are Totally Worth The Drive

All these yummy places are less than 2 hours away!

Cover image via The Smart Local & Buro 24/7

If you're a real food enthusiast, you'll know that good food is always worth the journey

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In collaboration with BMW and the new locally-assembled BMW 3 Series, we wanted to celebrate the best gastronomic experiences you can find locally in Klang Valley and beyond

Image via BMW

BMW Malaysia just recently unveiled the new locally-assembled BMW 330i M Sport, and it's already exceeding expectations and breaking conventions as the ultimate sports sedan.

It comes with powerful, fuel-efficient engines, as well as innovative features like the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant that can recommend the best steakhouse or ice cream parlour near you. Find out more about these awesome features at the end of the story.

Here are some of the best local makan spots near Klang Valley that are totally worth driving for:

1. Feast on farm-to-table meals at A Little Farm On The Hill

Image via Buro 24/7

Located less than an hour from KL, Janda Baik is at the foothills of Genting Highlands, and is definitely worth the journey. Here, you'll get to savour all kinds of fresh produce along with delicious smoked meats, as you overlook lush green scenery.

Enjoy a long table gourmet lunch, with three set menus—meat, vegetarian, and smoked meat. Plus, you'll want to look out for their special Sunday Farmer's Lunch Club that happens a few times each month.

Image via Buro 24/7

BMW Pro Tip: Since booking a table at A Little Farm On The Hill is necessary, you can use your car concierge service to assist you and call ahead of time to make a reservation. This helps you and your friends to secure a spot with zero hassle!

A Little Farm On The Hill
Address: Lot 161 Tanarimba Janda Baik, Persiaran Enderong, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang
Operating hours: Pre-bookings only

2. Savour authentic Indochinese cuisine amidst a serene forest in Tamarind Springs

Feel the fresh forest breeze and enjoy the greenery at Tamarind Springs, a restaurant hidden on a secluded hill in Ampang. Here you'll get to sample authentic Indochinese delights, featuring familiar yet unique dishes influenced by a mix of Thai, Cambodian, Laos, and Vietnamese cuisines.

The food here is undoubtedly good, but people come here most of all for the ambience. Perfect for date nights and small gatherings, Tamarind Springs is a blissful getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.

BMW Pro Tip: Not sure how to find your way here? Use your car's intelligent personal assistant to set the location and guide you to your destination.

Tamarind Springs
Address: Jalan 1, Taman Tun Abdul Razak, 68000 Ampang, Selangor
Operating hours: 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 12am (not open for lunch on Mondays)

3. Chow down on Mexican delights and more at Buena Vida, a hidden gem in the middle of Kajang town

If you're craving for some good tacos, fajitas, or Mexican rice, Buena Vista has got you covered. For those who can take the heat, you'll be thrilled to know they have a spicy taco challenge, with varying levels of spiciness to test your tolerance.

Besides your usual Mexican fare, Buena Vida also serves up Western favourites like pasta, fish and chips, and slow roasted chicken, which gets raving reviews from frequent diners.

Image via Buena Vida

BMW Pro Tip: Kajang may sound super far away but good food is always worth the journey! Just turn on some music, cruise on down, and you'll be there before you know it. And if you're lucky enough to have a car with shock absorber technology, you won't even have to worry about all the annoying potholes and bumps along the way.

Buena Vista
Address:
3A & 5 MKH Boulevard, 43000 Kajang, Selangor
Operating hours:
11.30am to 2.30pm, 5.30pm to 10pm (closed on Mondays)

4. Enjoy unique raindrop cheesecakes at the quaint little About Blue Cafe, also known as 藍天白雲

Say goodbye to your blues when you sink your teeth into the exquisite and beautifully crafted cakes at About Blue Cafe. Nestled unassumingly in between kampung homes in Kuala Selangor, this cafe is a must-visit if you're in the area.

You have to try their signature raindrop cheesecake, topped with a round sakura or grape flavoured jelly. They also serve a variety of other delicious cakes and coffee, making About Blue Cafe the perfect place to chill during lazy afternoons or after meals.

BMW Pro Tip: They're only open four days a week, so make sure to use your car's concierge service to check if they're open before heading over for a visit.

About Blue Cafe 藍天白雲
Address: Pasir Penambang, 45000 Kuala Selangor, Selangor
Operating hours: 
3pm to 9pm (Thurs, Fri), 11am to 7pm (Sat, Sun)

5. Tantalise your tastebuds with authentic Korean cuisine at Eid Halal Korean Food in Bangi

Craving for some Korean food? Then you'll definitely want to check out this halal Korean food restaurant in Bangi. You know a place serves authentic Korean food when they make their own gochujang, an essential ingredient in dishes like tteokbokki and bibimbap.

Image via Radin Fadli

Here at Eid Halal Korean Food, their portions can be quite huge, so just keep that in mind when ordering. If you're looking to try something interesting, the cheesy corndog is definitely worth ordering!

BMW Pro Tip: The original Eid is actually from Itaewon in Seoul. Now, you won't have to fly across the world for it, 'cause yummy halal Korean food is just a drive away!

Eid Halal Korean Food
Address: No 8-23-01, Ground Floor, Jalan Medan Pusat Bandar 7A, Bangi Central, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor
Opening hours: 11.00am to 11.30pm

6. Drop by the first and only Malaysian restaurant to make it into Asia's Best 50 Restaurants list, Dewakan

Image via UPPRE

A blend of the words dewa and makan, this prestigious restaurant serves up "food from God", featuring modern Malaysian cuisine brought to life by visionary chef Darren Teoh.

Unlike other fine dining restaurants that highlight expensive ingredients like wagyu beef and foie gras, Dewakan instead chooses to cast the spotlight on indigenous ingredients from Malaysia's farms, seas, mountains, and jungles.

Image via Dewakan

The dish above is Dewakan's prawns warmed in starfruit juice with herbs. Similarly, all of Dewakan's delectable dishes have local spins to it, such as roast eggplant with keluak and candlenut oil, slow cooked red snapper with a broth made from temu, and kid goat from Boden farm with petai-so.

BMW Pro Tip: Dinners here usually take a few hours, as you'll be served a multiple course meal. So make sure you keep the entire night free, 'cause you'll want to savour every moment of this fine dining experience.

Dewakan Restaurant
Address:
Platinum Park, Level 48, Naza Tower, 10, Persiaran KLCC, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 6.30pm to 10pm (closed on Sundays)

7. Satisfy your cravings at My Elephant Thai Restaurant

Image via CNN

There are few halal Thai places as good as My Elephant Thai Restaurant. Besides their signature duck curry and green curry, they also serve Thai soups and refreshing salads that are worth driving the distance for.

Image via KL Now

After starting out as a neighborhood joint in PJ, My Elephant Thai Restaurant has since expanded to a new, fancier spot in Sri Hartamas.

BMW Pro Tip: If you're craving for Thai food, think no more. Grab your car keys (or your smartphone if your car has Digital Key access), and drive to your nearest My Elephant Thai Restaurant.

My Elephant Thai Restaurant @ Section 17
Address: Block C-G4, Happy Mansion, Jalan 17/13, Section 17, 46400 Petaling Jaya
Operating hours: 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6pm to 10pm

My Elephant Thai Restaurant @ Sri Hartamas
Address: No. 20-G1, Jalan Sri Hartamas 8, Taman Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6pm to 10pm

8. Enjoy a sushi experience unlike any other at Two Chefs Lab

Image via Two Chefs Lab

Located in Bandar Mahkota Cheras, this restaurant looks like a cafe from afar, but serves up some of the most delicious sushi, rice bowls, and Japanese side dishes. Their creations are unique, like the signature maki that comes with crabmeat, unagi, ikura, sweet shrimp, scallop, and spicy salmon.

Image via Fave

BMW Pro Tip: Every time you come here, the two things that stand out are their fresh seafood ingredients and attentive service. Make sure to book your reservation ahead of time if you want to avoid disappointment!

Two Chefs Lab
Address: 23-G, Sek 9, Jalan Temenggung 29/9, Bandar Mahkota Cheras, 43200 Kajang
Operating hours: 12pm to 10.30pm (closed on Wednesdays)

9. Grill your own wagyu beef that melts in your mouth at Shin Nihon in Desa Sri Hartamas

Image via SAYS

Who needs to fly to Japan when you can get premium quality wagyu beef right here in Malaysia? Originating from Japan, Shin Nihon serves customers authentic yakiniku, or Japanese-style barbeque, featuring a variety of high-quality cuts of marbled beef you can grill at your own table.

Image via SAYS

Besides grilled meats, you can also enjoy their premium slices of wagyu over rice, as a nigiri sushi, or as a tartare mixed with avocado and raw egg. If you're feeling adventurous, order the wagyu beef boat that comes with seven different cuts of premium beef.

BMW Pro Tip: Come here with a group of friends so that you can try the different cuts of wagyu beef. Perfect for a big celebration or random night out, remember to book in advance not to be disappointed.

Shin Nihon
Address: No:26-G, Jalan 24/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: 5.30pm to 1am, 12pm to 2.30pm (open for lunch on Sat, Sun)

Ready to go on an exciting food trip? Hit the roads with the new locally-assembled BMW 330i M Sport and drive off to some of these amazing foodie destinations!

Image via BMW

The BMW 330i M Sport shows off a new design, with an appearance that meets the wish for sheer driving pleasure with every detail. The interior is spacious, featuring sporty yet comfortable seats, making your road trips even more enjoyable.

This seventh generation of the BMW 3 Series marks the start of a new chapter in the BMW design language. What's more, this evolution doesn't just apply to the facade of the sports car, but also to the powerful and innovative features that work behind the scenes to give you the best drive you've ever experienced.

Enjoy the ultimate convenience with BMW's Digital Key, which allows you to unlock your car with your smartphone

Image via Evo Malaysia

Keep your physical car key at home, 'cause you can now lock and unlock your car by using your BMW Digital Key, which works with selected Samsung smartphones. You can also start your engine by placing your smartphone on the wireless charging tray, making your drives a seamless experience.

Your road trips will never be boring again thanks to the BMW Live Cockpit Professional, the coolest and most powerful infotainment system around

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Equipped with the latest BMW Operating System 7.0, the BMW Live Cockpit Professional features customisable and situation-linked displays on a fully-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster, as well as a 10.25-inch touch sensitive Control Display.

Plus, all it takes is a simple, "Hey, BMW", to activate your sports car's intelligent personal assistant. This is especially useful if you want to adjust the car temperature or change radio stations, so that you can focus on driving without taking your hands off the steering wheel.

BMW ConnectedDrive Services like the Concierge Service is always ready to give you assistance and make your life easier during any time of the day

Image via BMW

It's nice to always have someone on the line to guide and assist you any time of the day. Whether you're looking for a nearby restroom, petrol station, or the best food in town, the BMW Concierge Service will be on the line to give you real-time recommendations.

You can also drive with peace of mind thanks to BMW's Intelligent Emergency Call, which gives you immediate assistance in case of emergencies. For instance, if an airbag is deployed, the BMW Intelligent Emergency Call will establish contact with you, inform the emergency services, and give you support by telephone.

Most of the best food spots have limited parking, which is when BMW's Parking Assistant system comes in really handy

Image via BMW

Parallel park into tight spots without breaking a sweat thanks to BMW's Parking Assistant. If you accidentally drive into a dead-end, the Reverse Assist helps you reverse out the exact same way you turned in. You also won't have to worry because you will still have full control of the accelerator, gears, and brakes.

You can now own the BMW 330i M Sport at RM288,800

Image via BMW

Plus, here are all the amazing benefits that come with the BMW Premium Ownership Experience:

  • BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme
  • BMW 2-Year/ 24 Month Tyre Warranty Programme for its Run Flat Tyre offering and services
  • BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline
  • The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW White Card
  • BMW Service Online

For more information, head over to BMW's website today

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