Warong Atokk Nenek: A Local Café in Andalas Serving Johor-Style Comfort Food
I’ve been coming back to Klang, my hometown at least once a week for years to perform my filial duties, yet somehow had never heard of Warong Atokk Nenek (translation: Grandpa and Grandma’s Cafe) until recently. So when I came across it while Googling what to eat, I was a little surprised to learn that the café had actually been around for over five years.
Located in a quiet row of shops in Taman Seri Andalas, a mere few blocks away from where I live, it’s easy to miss if you’re just driving past, but step closer and you’ll notice a small outdoor seating area under a canopy tent, half-hidden behind leafy plants. There’s even a red London-style phone booth tucked at one corner, adding a quirky touch that hints at the café’s English side.
Still, it was far too hot to sit outside at midday; no one else dared to, so my friend and I ducked inside instead into the air-conditioned dining area.
Warong Atokk Nenek is located at No. 8, Jalan Seri Siantan 39, Taman Seri Andalas, Klang, Selangor, a quiet residential area not far from the main roads of Andalas and Taman Sentosa. It markets itself as a neighborhood café serving both Johor traditional dishes and English comfort food, a mix you don’t often find in Klang (or Malaysia, for that matter).
They’re open 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, except on Wednesdays, which is their rest day.
Parking can be a bit tricky during lunch hours, as with most shoplot cafés in Klang, but you can usually find a spot along the side roads.
Ambience
Honestly, I didn’t expect much from a neighborhood cafe, especially one I had never heard of before. I usually gravitate towards places with a breezy open-air semi-outdoor layout, where I can get a sense of the ambience before walking in and also enjoy the view outside while I eat. This one was the opposite. From the outside, all you could see was a small tinted door and curtained windows.
But the moment I walked in, I was genuinely surprised.
The interior is a beautiful medley of Malay village nostalgia and English countryside charm. Vintage biscuit tins, old lampshades and sepia Polaroids line the shelves and corners. Meanwhile, white cabinets, floral wallpaper, and half-wall wainscoting immediately bring to mind old colonial homes.
The tables and chairs are wooden, with rose stalks in clear glass vases. The windows are covered with lace curtains gently fluttering in the air-cond breeze. It’s as if your Johorean grandma who lived in the UK has just come home and decided to open a café as her new passion project.
Outside, the canopy-covered section surrounded by plants offers a bit of greenery and shade, though during the midday heat, most people prefer to stay inside.
Food & menu highlights
Warung Atok Nenek stands out for its dual identity: Johor specialties alongside Western comfort food. The menu features Johor staples like mee bandung Muar, kacang pool, and lontong, side by side with mac & cheese, English breakfast platters, and bagel sandwiches.
We leaned heavily towards their Johorean offerings, since those are harder to find than Western dishes. These are what we had:
Laksa Johor — The star of the table. The spaghetti (yes, spaghetti, true to Johor style) is coated in a thick, rich fish-based gravy that is fragrant with herbs and spices. The sambal belacan plopped on top adds a nice punch, and the fresh garnishes (cucumber, calamansi, onion, and herbs) gives it brightness. It’s not an easy dish to find done well outside Johor, but this one came close.
Lontong Goreng — A seemingly small dish that is surprisingly filling. The cubes of compressed rice cake are stir-fried with vegetables and sambal, resulting in a smoky, slightly spicy dish that is super satisfying, especially with fried egg and shallots on top.
Sirap Bandung Soda — Sweet, fizzy, and unapologetically pink. It’s the drink we often serve at Eid open houses. But while the classic version is only made with rose syrup and evaporated milk, this one is mixed with soda water for extra fizz. It’s not for everyone (we found it a little too sweet), but if you have a sweet tooth, it can be addictive.
Kopi Kluang — A comforting classic. Strong, aromatic, and slightly bitter, balanced by a layer of condensed milk.
Again, I was surprised and impressed by how well the dishes were plated. You can tell that they actually care and put real thought into the overall dining experience, which of course includes the ambience and food presentation.
It made us feel like we were in a far more expensive café, even though prices here average only around RM10–RM20 per dish, with portions generous enough for a full meal. As far as the taste goes, we walked away content.
Final thoughts
As a foodie, blogger, and frequent traveler, I like to think I’m always in the know when it comes to cool spots. So imagine my surprise (and slight embarrassment) when I realized that this charming little café had been sitting in my own neighborhood for five whole years before I even heard of it. Consider me humbled.
If you’re ever around Andalas or Klang, skip the chain cafés and give this one a try. If you’re planning a trip around Klang, check out my Klang Travel Guide for more local finds. And if you enjoy discovering under-the-radar spots like this, take a look around the rest of my blog. You’ll find more restaurant reviews, destination guides, and plenty of stories from the road.
