Most Malaysians naturally associate Italian food with olive oil and Mediterranean flavours, but Gooddam is giving Northern Italian fare the representation it needs; bounteous amounts of lard and butter are slathered onto sourdough bread, coat individual strands of housemade pasta, or served as a dish's base.

The proprietors are picky about the quality of their ingredients, choosing only the best single-origin chocolate and Italian wines, which makes Gooddam's degustations all the more worth it. A minimum of two pax must order the said menus in advance.

Gooddam | Lot B-G-07, The Hub SS2, 19 Sentral, Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 19, Petaling Jaya | Monday-Thursday, 6:30pm-10pm; Friday-Sunday, 12pm-2:30pm & 6:30pm-10pm; Closed Tuesday

See also: Where to Get Your Pasta Fix in the Klang Valley

Look for the neon signage of Kooky Cream's logo—a cartoon character licking her lips—to locate this cakery and café next to The Language Arts Studio. Kooky Cream is where one whiles away a lazy Sunday afternoon with a paperback in one hand and a fork in the other. Decorative macramé, potted plants and framed art make up the décor at this airy eatery with an open kitchen.

With almost 20 different desserts on display (not including the shaved ices or ice cream) it's easy to get cold feet, so allow us to narrow down your options: opt for the tofu cheesecake to relish its cool, silken texture or the rose lychee cake with prized Korean strawberries. Otherwise, Kooky Cream boasts innumerable types of mille crêpe.

Kooky Cream | Lot A-G-02, The Hub SS2, 19 Sentral, Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 19, Petaling Jaya | +6016-773 7358 | Sunday-Thursday, 12:30pm-9:30pm; Friday-Saturday, 12:30pm-10pm

See also: Cake Cognoscenti: The Klang Valley’s Fabulous Bakers and Their Signature Products

PoPo Hot Pot SS2 follows the success of PoPo Steamboat Cafe in Kepong. While the soup specialists are loud and proud about their signature mala broth, but we like the one boiled with pork bones best. 

We suggest starting dinner with a plate of PoPo's signature Drunken Chicken Wings; the skin on each wing is so taut that the smallest incision releases droplets of flavourful chicken jus.

PoPo Hot Pot SS2 | Lot A-G-06, The Hub SS2 Retail, 19 Sentral, Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 19, Petaling Jaya | +6019-828 2780 | Monday-Thursday, 2:30pm-11pm; Friday-Sunday, 12pm-11pm; Closed Wednesday

See also: Guide to the Best Hot Pot Restaurants in the Klang Valley

Lot B is where you'll find a stretch of cafés that almost look like clones. If you must pick one, opt for Slow Coffee, which has more personality than its contemporaries.

Looking a lot like a design showroom straight out of Hong Kong, the café is frequented for its Fuwa Fuwa (Japanese for 'fluffy') pancakes and other brunch staples, but we found pleasure in the deep-fried tofu bites; these cubes with soft edges and even softer cores will implode in your mouth—we found ourselves reaching for our next piece before even having swallowed.

Slow Coffee | Lot B-G-3, The Hub SS2, 19 Sentral, Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 19, Petaling Jaya | +603 7931 9690 | Monday-Sunday, 9.30am-6pm

See also: These Cafes Sell More Than Just Coffee and Desserts

This modern cafe has good Western options, ranging from quiches and pies to burgers and pizzas. If you're in the mood for something a little closer to home, try their Malay nasi ulam and nasi kerabu . Weekends here are a more decadent affair, with a different menu centered around crowd favorites like savoury tartines.

Café Du Jour | B-G-01 & B-M-01 The Hub SS2, Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor | +603 7931 3717 | Monday-Thursday, 9:30am-5:30pm; Friday-Sunday, 9:30am-9:30pm

See also: 13 Malaysian Rice and Noodle Dishes to Know

Mei by Fat Spoon serves only wellness in a bowl. With 40 over Japanese-inspired comfort food ranging from warm to cold rice bowls as well as salads and onigiri, it is easy to be overwhelmed.

So let us offer our recommendations: aMEIzing Don comprising ox tongue and seafood in one hearty bowl, or the light-braised beef short ribs and radish with rice. If you're vegetarian, go for the mushroom and teriyaki tofu rice bowl. 

Mei by Fat Spoon | B-G-05 The Hub SS2 19 Sentral, Jalan Harapan, Section 19, 46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor | +603 7498 0220 | Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-8:45pm

See also: 6 Women-Owned F&B Businesses We Love in Malaysia

A Kaws sculpture sits in front of its door, a veritable magnet for Instagrammers. But Square 19 Glass House is an attraction on its own. The inviting interior is filled with natural light, setting up a cosy ambience for an unhurried meal of such signatures as Thai Basil Seafood Pesto, Duck Breast with Potato Dauphinoise and its wide variety of sandwiches.

Square 19 Glass House | Lot C-G-01, 19 Sentral, Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor | +6012 235 0019 | Monday-Sunday, 9am-10pm

See also: Quick Fix: 7 Coffee Trucks and Stands to Visit in the Klang Valley

A cafe where you can also get a haircut, it prides itself on matcha and hojicha drinks, pairing them with crusty crostinis. 

Half & Hāfu | Lot B-1-05, First Floor, The Hub SS2 Retail Office, 19 Sentral, Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 19, 46300, Petaling Jaya, Selangor | +603 79311990 | Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-8pm

See also: 11 Minimalist Cafés in the Klang Valley to Visit

For a quick and satisfying izakaya meal, Konnichiwa is an easy choice. With a good selection of set meals and other Japanese offerings, we recommend the bara chirashi filled with fresh sashimi and the katsu curry set.

Konnichiwa | B-G-03A, Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya | +6010 382 6005 | Monday-Friday, 11am-3pm & 5pm-10pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am-10pm

See also: 6 Omakase Experiences You Must Not Miss in Kuala Lumpur

Transport yourself to a trendy, minimalist cafe-restaurant reminiscent of those in the bustling capital of South Korea and treat yourself to an array of Korean eats from K-rose tteokbokki with crispy onion rings to croffle topped with walnut ice cream and dalgona honeycomb.

Our favourite? It has to be the thick-cut fries served with spicy Buldak mayo, which came highly recommended by owner Max. We even asked for a second helping of the sauce, which was personally tried, tested, and tasted by Max before it was made a mainstay on the menu.

Seoulite | A-G-3A, The Hub SS2 19 Sentral, Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor | +6012 387 0826 | Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-10pm

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