Feature: Best Value Meals under RM15 in Ara Damansara

Since we are on the theme of cheap/value eats, I recently wrote this article for Hungrygowhere Malaysia featuring some of the best budget meals right in my own backyard of Ara Damansara township. 

As the saying goes, my wallet has been feeling the (big) pinch lately; what with the imposition of GST and the snowballing effect of price hikes as well as our free falling currency; most things, even basic necessities have just become so much more costly. 

For my family, eating out is restricted to mostly weekends; and we are more conscious of choosing food places that offer value for money meals.

Within my own neighbourhood of Ara Damansara, there are a few places that we like to frequent particularly for lunch.  You can get a very decent meal, complete with drinks for under RM15, particularly on weekdays.  Here are my pick of the 4 best budget lunch spots for RM15 or less. 

Restoran Pun Chun, Taipan 1, Ara Damansara

The famous Pun Chun duck noodle restaurant in Bidor has spread its wings to Selangor – firstly to Kota Kemuning and the second branch in Ara Damansara. 

 

Housed in a corner shoplot, the restaurant is non-airconditioned, but is spacious and airy. The menu is straightforward and limited – mostly cantonese and hakka noodles and single dish with rice options. Tuck into its signature herbal duck soup with rice or noodles; springy wanton noodles with plump and juicy shrimp wantons; or its appetizing sour and spicy pork trotters with rice. 

 

Washed it all down with a glass of ice cold frothy white kopi, and there's still plenty of spare change to sample their fried yam puff / woo kok – crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth centre of yam and minced pork. The crowd starts packing in from 1230pm onwards till 2pm.

Restoran Pun Chun, No. 21, Block H, Taipan 2, PJU1A/3, Ara Damansara, PJ. Tel: 017.770.1121. Opening hours: 7am – 4pm daily. GPS: 3.1148661, 101.5923856. Non Halal.

Thai Nyonya, Taipan 2, Ara Damansara

Almost hidden right at the back of a semi industrial block, admidst a cluster of vacant shoplots is this no-frills thai eatery that serves up tasty dishes at wallet friendly prices. A family-run restaurant, Thai Nyonya's set lunch menu has plenty of options, from noodles to single dish with rice choices, all comes with a side salad or a bowl of tom yam soup, free iced pandan water and occassionally even a bowl of red rubies on the house. 

 

Lunch business is roaring, whilst dinnertime is quieter. The restaurant is open air with some airconditioning. There is a small alresco section for smoking diners. This is probably our all-round favourite budget thai eatery for its pleasant environment, tasty food and a varied menu that's very pocket friendly.

Restoran Thai Nyonya, No. 27, Block L, Taipan Damansara 2, PJU1A/1, Ara Damansara, PJ. Tel: 012.227. 6183. Opening hours: 11am – 9pm daily. GPS: 3.1169323, 101.5975205. Pork Free.

Ali, Muthu, Ah Hock, Oasis Ara Damansara

This modern kopitiam serves some delicious local fare in a comfortable and rustic ambience. You'd find rattan chairs with round marbled tables, framed photos of the owners in period costume adorning the walls, and those 70s horizontal window panes.

The most popular item on the menu; almost every table orders this – is their Nasi Lemak Ayam. If you are a fan of the insanely popular Village Park nasi lemak in Damansara Uptown, I'd say AMAH's version is a close rival; and a good alternative if you just can't bear elbowing your way through the packed restaurant or driving into the notorious traffic snarl in DU. 

AMAH's version is complete with fluffy santan rice, crunchy anchovies and roasted peanuts, sambal that is sweet yet not oily or cloying, and a glorious piece of fried turmeric chicken leg. Complete this meal with a glass of frothy cham ice, and there's still spare change for a piece or two of their kuih muih.

Ali, Muthu and Ah Hock, B-G-01, Oasis Ara Damansara, PJU1A/7, PJ. Tel: 03.7832.3138. Opening hours 8am – 5pm, Mon to Sat. GPS: 3.1526796, 101.5289293. Halal.

 

Kumar's Indian Restarant, Oasis Ara Damansara

If you are craving for some South Indian food without having to sweat over the meal, then head over to Kumar's. It is a full fledge restaurant and is fully airconditioned. 

 

Kumar's thali set lunch comes with options of various meats and a vegetarian choice – starting from RM13.90 for the chicken option. Since our criteria is RM15 or less, we chose the chicken set to try. We were pleasantly surprised at the generous platter that arrived – there was a total of 14 items in the set, including a drink. There was an assortment of condiments such as papadams, rasam, dhal, cucumber raita, stewed spinach, stir fry mix veg, deep fried bittergourd, a serving of chicken varuvel, a mound of sweet sambar, a slice of thosai, and a glass of ice lemon tea. This platter can easily be shared by two persons with an order of extra rice, as the dishes are all full flavoured. Overall, the food tasted fresh and well prepared.

We give Kumar's a big thumbs up for offering such a value for money set, given that it is a full fledged restaurant – complete with crisp white table napkins, stainless steel cutlery; you get the drift. Service was prompt and waiting staff was courteous. With so many boxes ticked, Kumar's lunch set tops our list of best budget eats in Ara Damansara.

 

Kumar's Indian Restaurant, 2, Jalan PJU1A/7A, Oasis Ara Damansara, PJ. Tel: 03.7734.7742. Opening hours: 1130am – 3pm, 630pm - 10pm. GPS: 3.115167, 101.5737827. Pork Free.

Find the original article on HGW HERE