After our as-always-very delightful lunch at Restaurant Pik Wah (MABA) with my parents on Tuesday (Deepavali school holiday), hubs brought us to Kwai Chai Hong, which is just 0.5km away from Pik Wah. Dad has read all the rave on Kwai Chai Hong from the media recently and just in the morning, he asked hubs where this place is.
But before I get down to Kwai Chai Hong, let's take a look at what we dug into at Pik Wah!
'Toong Por Yoke' (briased pork belly) with fried mantou buns.
Yam basket and steamed chicken with minced garlic sauce.
'Kar Heong Jai' (vegetarian) and stir-fry vegetables.
'Wat Tarn Hor' and anchovies fried rice.
Ok, now let's talk about Kwai Chai Hong!
Kwai Chai Hong is currently the best-kept secret in the Chinatown area in Kuala Lumpur, with the lovingly-restored pre-war buildings in the history-rich lane. This lane, which is pretty similar in nature to Ipoh's Yi Lai Hong aka Concubine's Lane, is set to be the latest tourist hot spot in Kuala Lumpur.
Chinatown is virtually synonymous with Petaling Street or Jalan Petaling, which stretches beyond the mega arches of Chinatown. Project Kwai Chai Hong involves 10 restored shophouses — six fronting Jalan Petaling and another four units along Lorong Panggung, as well as a delightful laneway tucked between the two roads of Jalan Petaling and Lorong Panggung.
Why the name Kwai Chai Hong?
The origin of the Kwai Chai Hong moniker is, however, not supernatural in nature, with at least two credible theories floated regarding this name.
One is that migrant workers from China who settled here used the colloquial slang of "kwai chai" (ghost children or little demon) to refer to mischievous children running around Lorong Panggung.
Another theory is that Kwai Chai Hong's past as an area filled with gamblers, drug addicts, drunkards and those engaging in vice activities led to its nickname, while another story claimed that Lorong Panggung was the hideout of the "Dragon Tiger Clan" whose boss would call his members "Little Ghosts."
Enjoy the photos! I could have snapped more photos but it was sizzling hot that day (around 2 pm) and I was on the verge of melting. I had to take random snapshots before running to find shades for shelter 😂 After our stroll down Kwai Chai Hong in billy boiling temperatures, we had to run back to the car as the skies suddenly turned dark and ominous, suggesting another frog-choker and flash flood.
Alycia with her Sarah ku ku with a delicious coconut soft serve ice cream.
Hubs and I 😆
Our dancing queen.
Lovely wall mural.
Century-old lamp post, which is one of the oldest in Kuala Lumpur.
Tucking into something cold and refreshing at Tang Ge Kopitiam @ Kwai Chai Hong to cool down.
Second round of dessert at Bubble Bee Cafe to try their specialty - egg waffles in the shape of bubble wrap! This cafe is a green-themed environment-friendly cafe to enjoy coffee, desserts and all day brunch.
Photo credit - Malay Mail
Photo credit - Malay Mail
But before I get down to Kwai Chai Hong, let's take a look at what we dug into at Pik Wah!
'Toong Por Yoke' (briased pork belly) with fried mantou buns.
Yam basket and steamed chicken with minced garlic sauce.
'Kar Heong Jai' (vegetarian) and stir-fry vegetables.
'Wat Tarn Hor' and anchovies fried rice.
Ok, now let's talk about Kwai Chai Hong!
Kwai Chai Hong is currently the best-kept secret in the Chinatown area in Kuala Lumpur, with the lovingly-restored pre-war buildings in the history-rich lane. This lane, which is pretty similar in nature to Ipoh's Yi Lai Hong aka Concubine's Lane, is set to be the latest tourist hot spot in Kuala Lumpur.
Chinatown is virtually synonymous with Petaling Street or Jalan Petaling, which stretches beyond the mega arches of Chinatown. Project Kwai Chai Hong involves 10 restored shophouses — six fronting Jalan Petaling and another four units along Lorong Panggung, as well as a delightful laneway tucked between the two roads of Jalan Petaling and Lorong Panggung.
Why the name Kwai Chai Hong?
The origin of the Kwai Chai Hong moniker is, however, not supernatural in nature, with at least two credible theories floated regarding this name.
One is that migrant workers from China who settled here used the colloquial slang of "kwai chai" (ghost children or little demon) to refer to mischievous children running around Lorong Panggung.
Another theory is that Kwai Chai Hong's past as an area filled with gamblers, drug addicts, drunkards and those engaging in vice activities led to its nickname, while another story claimed that Lorong Panggung was the hideout of the "Dragon Tiger Clan" whose boss would call his members "Little Ghosts."
Enjoy the photos! I could have snapped more photos but it was sizzling hot that day (around 2 pm) and I was on the verge of melting. I had to take random snapshots before running to find shades for shelter 😂 After our stroll down Kwai Chai Hong in billy boiling temperatures, we had to run back to the car as the skies suddenly turned dark and ominous, suggesting another frog-choker and flash flood.
Alycia with her Sarah ku ku with a delicious coconut soft serve ice cream.
Hubs and I 😆
Our dancing queen.
Lovely wall mural.
Century-old lamp post, which is one of the oldest in Kuala Lumpur.
Tucking into something cold and refreshing at Tang Ge Kopitiam @ Kwai Chai Hong to cool down.
Second round of dessert at Bubble Bee Cafe to try their specialty - egg waffles in the shape of bubble wrap! This cafe is a green-themed environment-friendly cafe to enjoy coffee, desserts and all day brunch.
Photo credit - Malay Mail
Photo credit - Malay Mail