It’s no question that the neighbourhood of Taman Tun Dr Ismail (affectionately known as Taman Tun or TTDI for short) is one of the go-to areas for eating out in KL. But with so many choices in this food haven, how do you even begin with making a decision?
Credit: GIPHY
Well, if you’re looking for a place where you can just sit back, relax and kick it with your loved ones while indulging in a spread of delicious Middle Eastern fusion food, then Mukha Cafe is definitely the place to be ?
Established in 2011, this cozy cafe is the brainchild of husband and wife, Sayid Abdul Rahman and Liyana Ferdaus. Drawing inspiration from when they were living in Melbourne, the concept of a community-based cafe came to life and was met with a warm reception by customers from the time it debut up to this very day.
Step through the arched wooden door and into the cozy space of Mukha where its rustic decor perfectly captures the personality of the cafe. From the shelves of books to the comfy nook set on a raised platform, the homely vibes is a great setting for you to unwind and have your next gathering with friends and family.
As you settle into the snug environment, get ready to tuck into some of the most amazing Middle Eastern fusion food served at this cafe. While you can’t go wrong with any of their dishes, the Lamb Shawarma should definitely be one of your top picks. Served with a side of chips, enjoy the flavours of this top-selling dish that comes with smoked lamb, tabouleh salad, caramelized onion, melted cheese and homemade garlic aioli all neatly wrapped in pita bread ?
Don’t just stop at one best-selling dish, have a go at another by ordering their Spaghetti Olio! Dig into this hearty dish with bits of beef bacon, basil, garlic, mushroom and chilli flakes. You can also opt to have this dish served as vegetarian as well.
Other popular items that are current crowd-favourites include the Gulf Rice that comes with a choice of smoked lamb or spiced chicken and Shakshuka - a dish of baked eggs in tomato sauce, hand cut potatoes and coriander topped with melted cheese ?
Pair your meals with some of Mukha’s must-try drinks like the Shahi pot (Yemeni tea) with mint leaves or the Gahwa Pot (Yemeni coffee), a type of black coffee that Arabs would drink together with kurma when breaking fast during Ramadhan.
#HHWT Tip: According to Liyana, it’s best to eat Shakshuka when it’s served hot. So, skip the takeout and dine in instead ?
Need a little dessert to end your meal with? Fear not, for Mukha offers cakes by Souka - a tiny bakeshop within the cafe that has now expanded itself to the neighbourhood of SS15, Subang Jaya! Though the selection may be limited, you can be assured to find something here that’ll give you the sweet treat you need ?
Enjoy the ambience of Mukha further by taking your time to explore the various Islamic books lined up in the book cabinet by the wall.
If you’re lucky, you might chance upon some rare finds like the English translation of the Qur’an!
Should you decide to stay longer to read, do some work or just hang out, there is a prayer room available for your convenience as well ?
Credit: Mukha on Facebook
Besides the dining experience at Mukha, you can also look forward to some of the cool events hosted at the cafe like a film club (every first Tuesday of the month) and a book club (every second Tuesday of the month). At times, scholars and Muslim entrpeneurs are invited to share their experience in a talk. So, make sure to check out their social media pages to know more about the type and dates of upcoming events.
Whether you want to savour Middle Eastern fusion food, catch up with loved ones or attend a community event, Mukha has all the right ingredients when it comes to a warm and inviting neighbourhood cafe that inspires those who visit with a wonderfully good time.
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Opening hours: Mon-Thu; 3PM-12AM, Fri; 3PM-1AM, Sat-Sun; 11AM-1AM
Address: 15, Lorong Rahim Kajai 13, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603-7732 2248