Chef Wan is a name that needs no further introduction. After the success of De. Wan 1958, the famous chef expanded his F&B empire and opened Cafe Chef Wan, a nod to his travel adventures around the world. We recently had the opportunity to try the menu at the cafe located in KL East Mall and it didn’t disappoint!
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Cafe Chef Wan is themed “My Travelogue Of The World”, where it serves Western and Asian dishes that the chef has tried and loved during his extensive travels. The menu includes well-loved dishes like pasta, pizza and local dishes such as mee rebus and cucur udang (prawn fritters).
The first thing we noticed when the dishes are served was how huge the portions were! You could probably share one dish and it’ll leave you enough space for desserts. First up, we had the cucur udang (RM28), which came on a big plate. You might be used to small, bite-sized pieces, but here, the cucur udang is bigger than your palm! We loved how crispy it is and the dipping sauces —- chilli and peanut — complemented it perfectly.
Next, we tried the sambal seafood pizza (RM59). This one’s perfect for seafood lovers! The pizza base is spread with spicy sambal sauce and loaded with fresh seafood such as mussels, tiger prawns, and squid and topped with mozzarella cheese. The combination of sambal and cheese might take some time to get used to, but once it kicked in — whoa! It reminded us of the times when we travel and would eat sambal ikan bilis (anchovies) with bread for breakfast.
Another must-try at Cafe Chef Wan is the spicy duck ragout (RM44), where slices of duck are perfectly cooked and tender. It’s served with large pappardelle pasta with a pinch of chilli flakes and topped with fried herbs. Super yummy!
If you’re a fan of noodles, then the signature Che Ani’s mee rebus (RM32) is a must-try! The recipe is perfected by Chef Wan’s mother (a.k.a Che Ani) so you know it must be good! The heart-warming bowl of yellow noodles in thick sweet potato-based gravy is served with generous amounts of Australian beef tenderloin slices, soft-boiled egg, bean sprouts and bean curd. It’s such a comfort food!
The main highlight at Cafe Chef Wan would be the lamb kerutup (RM69). We’re still dreaming about it! The slow-cooked kerutup lamb shank is juicy and fall-off-the-bone tender. Accompanying the lamb is the fragrant nasi bukhari and served with pineapple chutney, dhal, raita and pappadom. We highly recommend ordering this dish!
Finish off your meal with something sweet. Cafe Chef Wan has a wide selection of French pastries such as fruit tartlets, canelle and danishes. Just take your pick and enjoy!
The cafe is perfect for family and friends gatherings, especially if you have a special day to celebrate. The tastefully decorated cafe has plenty of Instagrammable spots that will make your feed pop! Do expect a crowd during peak hours and reservation is highly recommended.
There is also another Cafe Chef Wan outlet at The Shore, Melaka.
Halal status: Muslim-owned.
Address: Unit 26 & 27, Level G2, KL East Mall, Jalan Lingkaran Tengah 2, KL East, 53100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (Daily)
