Bukku Cafe

We got wind of a rather "young" book cafe in the royal town of Klang, which got me interested. But Klang is erm, considered far from where we normally hang out.

I got the impression that they were Japan-inspired as their name had Japanese characters. Was not sure what I was expecting from the decor and menu but I left feeling unsure of which aspects of the place was Japanese. Not that I am an expert on Japan but...

It was a weekend when we visited and it was when the government had just relaxed the SOPs on the MCO. Therefore, there was a queue when we arrived because there were fewer seats compared to before to adhere to physical distancing requirement.

Immediately after we placed our orders, I started to look for the "book cafe" aspect of the place. I found shelves against a whole wall. But that was it. Not sure what I was expecting to find but perhaps it did not help that it was a weekend after the MCO and therefore, many people were out to catch up with people they have not seen for 2.5 months, so books would not be top on their priority list.

Not sure if I was expecting more books but perhaps, I was let down by how no one in the cafe (at the time I was there) was reading a book. People were either talking to each other or fiddling with their electronic devices.

Otherwise, I thought it felt rather cosy (note to self: do not visit on a weekend in future).

Okay, now to the noms.

Not sure what transpired at the time but we decided to order chocolate instead of coffee. Rare, right? I know.

Very satisfying, I tell you. We tried their finest Belgian chocolate (RM12) because we think that not many cafes choose to use Belgian chocolate - had one Milk 34% and one Dark 54%. Two thumbs up!

Jenny had coffee, which came in a bigger copper mug. So fancy.

Jenny also ordered a Big Breakfast (RM23), which consisted two gourmet sausages, two sunny-side up eggs,  sourdough bread, grilled tomato, baked sweet potato and fruit salad:

 

Just before we left, we tried their popular Salted Egg Yolk Croissant (RM7.50):

Verdict: They would do well with a branch on this side of the state, so that we do not need to cross districts 😉

Note: Always check their social media sites for updates on opening hours due to the ever-changing (x)MCOs.

Bukku Cafe

1 Jalan Singgahsana 4A/KU2, Bandar Bukit Raja, 41050 Klang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.

M: +60 12 567 7392; E: bukku.cafe@gmail.com

Daily 9:00am to 7:00pm

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Sunday Coffee & Cakes

Another one of those random coffee dates with the bff back in non-lockdown world introduced me to this place. Ironically Coincidentally, the first time we visited was on a Sunday and it took a while for me to register when she said, "We can only come today because it is Sunday". 😅 

As we entered, we were greeted with the aromatic smell of caffeine, chattering of patrons and a warm welcome from a waitstaff. I also noticed the pastries in the glass cabinet facing the entrance and a trophy sitting on a shelf on the wall. White seemed to be their main colour and I suppose, befitting the minimalist style that they were attempting to achieve (or so I assumed).

I did not think that they had plenty of seats, to be honest, which may explain the occasional weekend queue. As parking is a problem there, I suppose the smaller number of seats is a good thing. There are seats outdoors, too, for those who prefer to be outdoors and for those with pets.

We were particularly impressed by the service of a male waitstaff who wears spectacles. He was patient and helpful, and gave us a feeling that if we visited often enough, he could become a good friend. We did not manage to get his name, though.

First up, coffee. 

And me feeding my camera with it.

Bff decided to not take her chance of having her second coffee for the day (because she recently could not sleep at night when she had too much coffee in the day). She was more looking forward to the food she ordered because she had not eaten yet at that point. I, on the other hand, was looking forward to dessert because I had my lunch.

The Mentaiko Sandwich (RM20) is their signature fat white bread that sandwiches a homemade juicy tamago and torched creamy mentaiko on top served with yellow radish slices on the side. If it was not because I had lunch, I would have ordered another serving of this - yes, it was good!

Their Strawberry Tartine (RM13) is a rather large slice of housemade sourdough with whipped Philadelphia cream cheese topped with strawberries and honey. A feast for both the tastebuds and the eyes.

As the bff mentioned that their Tiramisu (RM12) is rather popular judging from comments on social media, we ordered a serving even though we were in fact, quite full. A rather adorable serving of cocoa and espresso with mascarpone cheese and ladyfinger biscuits, we liked it but it was not to the extent of "we have to come back again for this" kind of like.

Recall that she did not order any coffee? Well, in the end, she ordered a cup of matcha (RM13), which she thoroughly enjoyed.

If I recall correctly, they use the matcha powder from Niko Neko Matcha here.

The second time I visited was with Jenny, after our staycation night at a hotel in the city centre. This time, I had proper lunch.

We shared a creamy pumpkin option of the Sunday Soup (RM17), which they serve with a fat white toast bread. The other option was creamy mushroom.

The Tamagoyaki Sando (RM18) is similar to the Mentaiko one above, just that this is deep-fried and has a hint of mustard and wasabi.

The most filling was the Lion Head (RM19), homemade chicken meatball in creamy dipping sauce served with pan-seared fat white toast. This really filled me up to the brim.

Do check their social media pages for the latest arrangements due to the different MCOs. When the lockdown is over, do pay them a visit to experience their hospitality and savour their food. And no, you do not need to wait until Sunday.

Sunday Coffee & Cakes

14 Jalan Selera 1, Taman Bukit Indah, 58200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

T: +60 3 7498 1038; E: wearesundaycoffee@gmail.com

Daily 9:00am to 6:00pm

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World of Phalaenopsis

I found out about World of Phalaenopsis through TianChad's IG a few years ago. As soon as I saw the photos, I told myself that I must bring Mum there because she is an orchid fanatic.

The first time I visited was with Mum, Dad, the teachers and the volunteers of our concert and graduation a few years back. Alicia tagged along, too.

When I saw for myself the rows and rows of colourful orchids in different sizes that I saw in TianChad's photos, I could not contain my excitement. I did not give my camera a break.

There were small pots and there were big pots. There were those in elaborate arrangements and there were those that were for replanting.

There were those with stripes and those with spots. There were those that look like butterflies and those that looked like a star.

As the orchids were arranged according to colour, the place was visually pleasing and gave a sense of grandeur.

There were also orchids that looked like they had more than one colour, something like ombre.

I noticed that some pots were hung outdoors, without the air-conditioning, too.

There was a part of the farm that was reserved for cultivation, so there were no stems of flowers, only green leaves.

Obviously, Mum could not leave without getting anything. Our first visit's haul:

My second visit was more recent and was thanks to one of the Melbourne cousins. We were thinking of where to bring her that would make a good day trip and Dad agreed when I suggested to bring her here.

This trip saw a new addition to the farm - a cafe. A very nicely-done one at that.

Ingenious use of strainers

Not limited to just coffee and cake, the cafe also serves hot meals like nasi lemak and fried noodles.

While we did not buy a whole box worth of orchids like Mum did the last time, we did purchase a pot or two. As Dad was paying, I noticed that there was a small section next to the payment counter that had succulents:

I highly recommend this place for a relaxing day trip. Nothing like having a cuppa surrounded by pretty flowers and there is not need to go far, as Ulu Yam is just before the Selangor-Pahang border.

World of Phalaenopsis

Ulu Yam Farm: Lot 1017, Kampung Sungai Kamin, Ulu Yam Baru, 44300 Batang Kali, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. 

Genting Farm: Lot 100, Gohtong Jaya, 69000 Genting Highlands, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia. 

T: +60 3 6075 1133

Daily 9:00am to 5:00pm

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