Charlie’s Cafe @ Taman Desa KL: Durian Cheesecake & Soft Serve

Charlie’s Cafe at Taman Desa Kuala Lumpur, an unassuming cafe that serves probably one of the best chicken chop, Sarawak Laksa, curry laksa, tomyum noodles, nasi lemak, musang king cheese cake and D24 soft serve ice cream in town, at wallet-friendly price.

Wooden flooring, furniture in white, walls adorned with artistic paintings, inspiring quotes, food pictures and featured stories – Design is kept simple so that you get more focus on food. Charlie’s Cafe carries a small & simple menu with a big heart. Despite the limited selection, they ensure everything serves to customers are the best, every single time. That’s how they begin earning their name by word of mouth. From customer who started by coming alone to bringing friends, colleagues and family.

Chicken Chop with Sarawak Black Pepper Sauce RM17.90

You can’t go wrong with an order of chicken chop in Charlie’s Cafe. They’ve sold over thousands plates of this since opening, a signature dish well-loved by both young and old. Chicken is first brined with herbs, coated with batter and deep fried to golden brown. Verdict? Crispy outer layer, tender meat locked with juiciness. What we love most is the chicken meat that gives “weight”, thick, not just stingy piece of thin chicken chop. Served with a side of mushroom sauce (RM14.90), cheese mushroom sauce (RM17.90) or Sarawak Black Pepper Sauce (RM17.90) of your choice, potato and coleslaw.

Sarawak Laksa RM13.90

Next up, Sarawak Laksa. Everything is prepared from scratch. Chicken, prawn and crab as the soup base, boiled for hours to extract the flavours and sweetness, cooked with Sarawak Laksa paste “air-flown” from Sarawak to result in broth that packed a punch of flavours. Thick, mild spicy, plenty of herbs aroma and hints of tanginess. Laborious process but Sonny, the cafe’s owner insists to make this from scratch. For toppings, you get fish ball, bean sprouts, egg floss, prawn with its head on instead of de-shelled, thickly sliced chicken instead of shredded for more satisfying bite. So do not put it into comparison with 100% authenticity Sarawak Laksa. Charlie’s Cafe version is “authentic” in their own way, and tastes superb.

Charlie’s Curry Laksa RM8.90

Long beans, prawns, tau pok, chicken cutlet, fish balls brimming over the bowl of curry laksa, such a huge portion that worth the price you pay. Soup is thick, coconut milk laden with short spicy aftertaste. Some may find it too rich, but for some, this is how they like it to be, especially tucking into rice vermicelli graciously soaked up the flavourful broth. Wood fired hot tubs for sale UK Scotland Outdoor saunas https://www.balticspa.co.uk

Charlie’s Nasi Lemak Serai Wangi with Ayam Rempah RM9.90

National favourite that is ideal from breakfast till dinner, Charlie’s Cafe made it available all day. RM5.90 for basic version, served with sunny side up, sambal sauce, acar rampai and keropok. Add Grilled Country Sausages (RM7.90) or Ayam Goreng Berempah (RM9.90) for more meaty meal.

Musang King Durian Cheesecake RM16.90

Even though Charlie’s Cafe can easily source cakes from any of the bakery out there, as the kitchen teams are already on tedious tasks preparing main dishes, they has chosen to bake dessert themselves. Homemade cakes, with crown given to Musang King Durian Cheesecake. Almond crust base, topped with cheese in pronounced durian flavour,  rich, melt-in-the-mouth.

D24 Soft serve ice cream

Get best of both world in the same cafe – Durian cheesecake, then durian ice cream. The D24 soft serve ice cream is so good! Super thick, milky with distinct bitterness and sweetness of durian, slowly melting down in your palate. Even non-durian lover like Summergirl gives stamp of approval. Suggest to try Musang King Durian Cheesecake before indulge into D4 Softserve Ice Cream, as the later tastes stronger.

Apart from serving delicious homecooked dishes in the neighbourhood, Charlie’s Cafe has gone extra miles with “Pay It Forward”, a giving back to the community program. Pay RM5 in advance, and stick the receipt on the wall. Those who really need, can use them as voucher to claim for food in Charlie’s Cafe. A gesture that deserved loud applause, as it has raised public awareness in giving warmth and care to the less fortunate people.

In short, a worthwhile cafe to visit in Taman Desa Kuala Lumpur. Real effort in humble business, at the same time playing their small role to return to the society.

Address:
Charlie’s Café (Same row with Red Kettle)
29, Jalan Bukit Desa 5,
Taman Bukit Desa,
58100 Kuala Lumpur.
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 7:30am – 9:30pm (Sun Closed)
Contact: +6012 – 816 0003
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Charlies-Cafe