7 Underrated Places to Eat in Shah Alam You Should Try

Shah Alam is usually known as an administrative city, but tucked between its sections are rows of eateries with stories of their own. We picked seven places that rarely make the usual lists, and each one brings a different flavour.

Start in Seksyen 13 with Rumah Makan Selebriti, a Malay restaurant owned by actress Nazia Mustafar. Its beef and chicken rendang are the backbone of the menu, while the dish people usually order first is the Lontong Darat Selebriti. Soto, cucur udang (prawn fritters) and nasi lemak with various sides are also available. In Seksyen 7, Warong Citarasa Abah opens from late afternoon until late at night and is known for its shell out masak lemak (seafood in spicy coconut gravy) and ikan bakar. We got to try battered fried squid fresh out of the wok, and you can also order belangkas (horseshoe crab) here, something rarely found.

For breakfast, Roti Kitab by the Seksyen 7 lake only opens in the morning. Besides the toast it's named after, this stall serves Kelantanese food like nasi kerabu, nasi dagang and ayam percik, with relaxed mat seating. In Glenmarie, Tanah Aina Cafe is run by the family behind Farhana's Oven. We had bihun tomyam, nasi goreng and ayam penyet, and the kuih is served on a congkak board that you can actually play if you ask for the marbles.

Puteri Kabsa surprised us with a hearty lamb shank and a must-try kek batik. For Western food lovers, P&C Kitchen in Eco Ardence is a halal restaurant with pasta and pizza options that suit local tastes.

To wrap up, Salai Power at Batu 8, Jalan Kebun Tambahan. This restaurant showcases Negeri Sembilan cooking with its own smokehouse, and visitors can watch the smoking process. Smoked chicken, beef, catfish and duck are cooked in masak lemak cili api (fiery coconut gravy), in a peaceful kampung setting. Along the way, we also stopped by a small coffee shop that roasts its own beans, perfect for a quick break.