Pandan Republic Kwai Chai Hong 青青咖啡馆- We have always wanted to visit this charming cafe near Petaling Street KL since they opened in October last year, but ended up checking out other cafes, as we easily get carried away by many other eateries around that area. From Wildflowers to Kafei Dian, Bunn Choon, Chocha Foodstore, Ho Kaw Kopitiam, Lim Kee, Aku Cafe & Gallery, Hungry Tapir, Concubine, Mingle, Luckin’ Kopi, Bubble Bee Cafe – and the list goes on.
Finally dropped by for their Pandan Softserve few weeks ago on our way back to car park, just to have something to chill and compensate our not so pleasant experience at Niko Neko Matcha. A random stop, but got attracted by their homey, cozy environment plus friendly service. Decided to return for a proper meal the week after.
If we are not mistaken, Pandan Republic Kwai Chai Hong is a family run business, by a former radio DJ. The cafe has two floors, with the upper floor that takes advantage of the heritage design, coupled with rustic white, exposed bricks and wooden flooring for that weathered, worn feel.
Hot food on Pandan Republic menu are limited, but all worth trying, homemade with love. So if you are looking for hipster cafe-style breakfast like egg benedict, big breakfast, french toast, etc., this might not be the right cafe for you. San Gu’s Hakka Lei Cha is top selling item, available only from Monday to Friday. So if you came on weekend, you may opt for Mama’s Curry Chicken Rice, Guma’s Dried Shrimp Sambal Fried Egg with Minced Pork Rice, Malaysian Style Must-try Spicy sambal Mushroom Spaghetti and Not too Creamy Yummy Mushroom Ham Carbonara Spaghetti. Price between RM18- RM20.
We had Today’s Special Minced Pork Rice. Hard-to-go-wrong comfort food that tasted good and homey, but we felt that it is rather pricey at RM18.
End the meal sweet with dessert including Pandan Gula Melaka Cheesecake (RM13), Pandan Layer Cake (RM12), Homemade Kuih (RM12/3 pcs) – you would love these beautiful morsels of Nyonya Kuih! They offer different types of kuih everyday, and they will choose for you on behalf.
Pandan Soft Serve RM13. Great for scorching hot weather.
Do be patient if your order didn’t arrive in a jiffy, as we saw only one staff multi-tasking at the front of house. He is the only one handling the order at the counter, preparing drinks, serving dessert and handling some additional requests from customers – Can I take away this? Can I have extra spoon? Do you have soft serve in whole tube? bla bla bla… Not to mention the hassle of cleaning all the glass wares, and keeping beverage counter in order. Not sure about other hours, but throughout our two hours there, he was the one to cope with all these, and still being helpful and attentive.
For drinks, other than common flower tea, green tea, espresso based coffee, matcha latte, houjicha latter, they also have house special Penang Nutmeg Soda, Lemongrass Sensatoin Soda and Kopi-oh n Tonic. Overall, we love the relaxed ambience in Pandan Republic. Will definitely return for their Nyonya kuih.
Pandan Republic 青青
Address:
Kwai Chai Hong,
Lorong Panggung, Jalan Panggong, 50000 Kuala Lumpur.
Opening hours:
Mon-Tue (10.30AM – 5.30PM)
Wed closed
Thur – Sun (10.30AM-5.30PM)
Nearest public transport: Pasar Seni MRT, 3 minutes walk
