Before stepping foot in Hawker Hall Sri Hartamas, I had imagined a classic food court featuring multiple stalls, each with its own specialty. At least, that was the impression I gathered from an older menu I stumbled across online which was neatly divided by vendors — a proper hawker collective. But reality, as it often does, proved different.
The space now houses only about 5 stalls, their offerings streamlined into a single unified menu. No stall-to-stall rivalry, no distinct culinary personalities — just one consolidated list of kopitiam-style fare. Prices leaned higher than what you’d expect for such comfort food, but then again, Sri Hartamas real estate doesn’t come cheap.
Oddly enough, the restaurant wasn’t buzzing, even during lunch hour. A handful of office workers scattered across tables gave it a subdued atmosphere. I recalled a review mentioning that the place had seen better days, and the quiet only fed my curiosity. Was Hawker Hall past its prime? Time to find out!
What I tried at Hawker Hall Sri Hartamas
Now, I’m not someone who goes out of their way for kaya toast — it’s more a passing indulgence than a craving. But fate (and my kaya-toast-obsessed colleague) had other plans. Thus, our meal began with the classic Hainan Kaya & Butter Toast (RM6.51). It came with 2 golden slices of bread, crisp yet not abrasive, stuffed with kaya and firm slabs of butter.
What caught my eye was the preparation. Instead of simply slathering spreads across the surface, the bread had been sliced open just in the middle to tuck the kaya and butter within. It kept the proportions balanced, ensuring every bite was a harmonious marriage of sweetness, richness, and crunch. I might steal this idea for the next time I’m making my own kaya toast!
Mama Lek: Underrated award-winning Thai restaurant for Muslim-friendly Isaan-style beef noodles with tender cuts & spicy broth
Next came the Penang Char Kway Teow (RM14.06), which was a dish that is, in many ways, a rite of passage for any Malaysian eatery. The plate arrived with 2 sizable prawns, a scattering of cockles, and a side of pickled bird’s eye chillies. The portion, truthfully, was petite. Nothing about its appearance screamed “must-eat.”
But appearances do deceive. The first bite carried the unmistakable aroma of wok hei. The seasoning was bold, though bordering on salty; certain bites hit even harder than others.
The prawns, likely frozen, had a springy bite. The cockles, while generously portioned, leaned fishy. The pickled chillies, disappointingly mild, failed to cut through the richness. Still, for all its flaws, it was undeniably tasty.
We ended our meal with the Ayam Gepuk Set (RM12.17), which — by KL standards — was priced fairly. The portion, however, told a different story. A modest scoop of sad-looking rice splashed with soy sauce, a small chicken piece topped with sambal, and a rather pitiful spoon of crushed cashews. The presentation didn’t really get us drooling.
And yet, the chicken blew us away. Crisp skin, juicy flesh, seasoned just right — proof that appearances, once again, don’t always predict the outcome. The rice, unfortunately, was not cooked well, just as we had expected. The sambal leaned more towards the “geprek” style than authentic gepuk, but it had enough kick and flavour to keep things interesting.
Final thoughts
Hawker Hall Sri Hartamas is, in many ways, a place of contradictions. The dishes arrived looking unappetising, yet tasted better than expected. The kaya toast was brilliant, the char kway teow delicious despite the random sprinkle of salt here and there, and the chicken in the ayam gepuk set an unexpected triumph.
What let the experience down wasn’t so much the food, but the atmosphere. The decor was cosy enough, but the stalls looked tired, out of sync with the inviting exterior. One can’t help but wish it would reclaim the vibrant, multi-stall hawker spirit it once promised.
Hawker Hall may not be the culinary powerhouse of Sri Hartamas, but it isn’t without charm. Perhaps, like its kaya toast, it just needs a little more balance — and maybe a revival of its original concept — to truly shine again.
Expected damage: RM6.51 – RM25 per pax
Nasi Lemak Sepinggan: Bangi’s go-to late night spot for affordable nasi lemak with bold sambal & juicy grilled lamb
The post Hawker Hall Sri Hartamas: “Atas” hawker-style eatery with kaya toast, Penang char kway teow & ayam gepuk appeared first on SETHLUI.com.