IF YOU are by any chance headed to Hulu Selangor (P94) to cast your vote, there are a few good makan places around.
The focus areas are Kalumpang, Kuala Kubu Baru and Batang Kali.
First off, let’s head to Kuala Kubu Baru (N06 Kuala Kubu Baru), a sleepy little town and the staging point to the Selangor Dam and Fraser’s Hill.
If you love Chinese food, there is a good makan place which is located at the edge of town called Teo Kee (N 03 33.751, E 101 39.516).
Famous for their mui choy yuk (pork braised with preserved vegetable) and taufoo mun yee (ikan kurau steak braised with tofu), this stall is also frequented by Hong Kong celebrities.
A simple meal with the mui choy yuk, taufoo mun yee and the stall?s famous chilled leong char (herbal) tea in XO bottles comes up to RM26.
Opening hours at Teo Kee is from 9am to 2pm.
If you love nasi padang, Restoran Peladang (N 03 33.909, E 101 39.638) would be the top choice.
Chettinad cuisine: Arumugam’s Indian Village restaurant in Batang Kali serves up delightful south Indian flavours.
It is located near the town’s bus station and just next to the Maybank branch.
This makan place is cheap and good and is usually packed during lunchhour.
Here, the highly recommended dish is the ikan sungai goreng (fried freshwater fish).
A typical lunch fare (a piece of fried chicken, vegetables and kuah lemak) is priced at RM6.
Restoran Peladang opens strictly for lunch and is closed on certain days.
Once you have eaten your fill, the highly recommended areas for sight-seeing are the Selangor Dam’s visitor centre and the Pertak waterfalls.
Further up the road, about 15km away is Kalumpang village.
This quaint little kampung is split into two main areas – the new and old village.
Nestled in the older part of Kalumpang (N05 Hulu Bernam) near the police station is Cheong Fong coffeeshop (N 03 38.409, E 101 34.392).
Known for their home-made pau (steamed bun), the highly-recommended dish here is the char siew pau and kaya pau.
A piece of char siew pau costs RM1.50 per serving and no makan experience here is complete without the kopi-o kau at RM1 a cup.
Flavour of the day: Lor mee from Batang Kali.
Cheong Fong is also famous for their curry mee (served only at breakfast).
Opening hours at this coffeeshop is from 7am to 3pm.
Kalumpang is known for its clear streams and picnic areas and there are many team-building facilities in the area.
About 10km away, lies Batang Kali (N07 Batang Kali), a town known for its proximity to Genting Highlands.
If you love Indian food, the only place that serves a decent fare here is Indian Village (N 03 27.717, E 101 39.386) in Jalan Meranti 2A in Batang Kali new town.
This makan place is known for its freshly-fried fish and chicken.
The owner B. Arumugam also prepares his own spices for the fish and poultry marinade.
A typical fare – fish and rice costs RM7 per serving.
Batang Kali is also famous for their lor mee and fried fish cake.
There are two shops serving this noodle dish here and one of the noteworthy makan places is Chuang Kee restaurant (N 03 27.665, E 101 39.448) in Bandar Utama Batang Kali.
A bowl or lor mee costs RM4 (small bowl).
For places of interest, check out the Sungai Sendat state park located near Hulu Yam Lama (about a 20-minute drive from Batang Kali new town).
Another makan place worthy of mention is the Mee Sup Serendah. This roadside stall (N 03 21.849, E 101 36.181) is a must-try if you love noodles in soup with fishballs (RM3.50).
If you decide to check out all the makan places, the best thing to do is to take a trip on the KTM Komuter from KL Sentral.
There are train stations in Tanjung Malim (to access Kalumpang), Kuala Kubu Baru, Batang Kali and Serendah.
