Warung Wok: Hidden restaurant in Puchong offers delicious authentic Kelantanese food
Okay, before I get into the tasty bits of Warung Wok, I must admit that I’m not familiar with Kelantanese cuisine with the exception of nasi kerabu. Nor have I been to Kelantan. But when I heard praises of an authentic Kelantanese restaurant in Puchong which boasted extremely yummy food at affordable prices, I figured it was time I get acquainted with the cuisine of Malaysia’s northeastern region.
At Warung Wok, you can expect Kelantanese offerings such as Nasi Kak Wok (RM8), Nasi Gulai Ikan (RM8), Nasi Kukus Ayam Berempah (RM9.50), Roti Soho Original (RM6) and Nasi Kerabu Set (RM12).
As I made my way into Warung Wok, I noticed that the restaurant was set up like an assembly line. First, place your order and watch in fascination as the staff makes your dish right in front of you. Within a few minutes, your food will be ready. Collect it, head to the counter to place your beverage order, and then make your payment.
What I tried at Warung Wok
The first dish I simply had to order was the Nasi Kak Wok (RM8.50). This is the must- try Kelantanese dish at Warung Wok. Plus, at an affordable price of RM8.50, how could I not?
A little introduction to this authentic Kelantanese dish— it can be traced back to the late Mek Wok Hassan or “Kak Wok” who started serving her creation at Kampung Lundang, Kota Bharu way back in 1984. Due to its popularity, there are many stalls not just in Kelantan but also in Klang Valley which replicate the dish.
I eagerly dug my spoon into the gravy-covered rice and chicken, then took a bite. The irresistible combination of steaming hot, fluffy rice drenched in creamy gulai ayam, killer sambal belacan and paired with nuggets of the crunchiest fried chicken is just heavenly. It’s a simple dish where the four elements work together in creating a delicious meal, which will leave you craving for seconds.
I didn’t find the sambal belacan particularly spicy (although I do have a tongue that enjoys spice) but it had just the right kick to send my mouth watering and demanding for more. And unlike other restaurants that serve fried chicken in large pieces, here it’s chopped into bite-sized pieces, which was a pleasant surprise. I was also delighted to find bits of tender liver in the gulai ayam which I gobbled up happily (you can always ask to remove the liver because I understand it’s an acquired taste).
Next on the menu was the Nasi Kerabu Ayam Goreng Berempah (RM11.00), because after all, how can one visit a Kelantanese restaurant and not have this dish?
Although it can vary in colour, the rice in nasi kerabu is traditionally blue since it’ is cooked together with petals of the butterfly pea flower. This complex dish consists of tinted rice that’s served alongside various accompaniments. And at Warung Wok’s, the blue rice is served with toasted coconut, raw shredded cabbage, crispy fish crackers, signature oh-so-good ayam goreng berempah, along with a good dose of the signature sambal. There is no one I know who can resist the beauty and colours of nasi kerabu. It truly is a wonderful dish.
The best way to eat nasi kerabu is to mix everything together and you’ll understand its appeal. Every bite is filled with different flavours and textures. What I felt was exceptional was the ayam goreng berempah. There’s nothing more exciting than pulling apart freshly-fried chicken to discover juicy meat and crispy skin. Trust me, you’ll want to eat this with your hands to get at every delicious morsel. So do keep the tissues on standby.
Final thoughts
Although I’ve never been to Kelantan, my meal at Warung Wok gave me a glimpse of the unique food culture the state has to offer. And honestly after this experience, I have a sudden desire to book a flight and eat my way through Kelantan.
If you’re ever in the Klang Valley and are missing a taste of Kelantan, I implore you to visit Warung Wok. And for those of you who are just like me and haven’t had Kelantanese cuisine, oh your taste buds are in for such an explosion of flavours. This is one ride you must take!
Expected damage: RM8 – RM11 per pax
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