I was in Shah Alam one morning, wandering around with no real plans in mind when that familiar kind of “hunger” crept in. You know, when you’re not exactly starving but your mouth just wants something to eat.
I kind of wanted somewhere cool to chill at, maybe with a cup of coffee, and while there are many Western-style cafes in Shah Alam, I wasn’t really in the mood for croissants or pastas. That’s when I came across Kueh Café, tucked in one of the shop lots in Section 13 Shah Alam, and honestly, it turned out to be exactly what I didn’t know I was looking for.
A modern space with a traditional soul
Right outside the entrance, there’s a mock traditional Malay house setup, showing a front verandah complete with oil lamps, low wooden fences, stacked bamboo poles (like someone’s about to make lemang), and a roof made from dried coconut leaves. It sets the mood before you even step inside.
There’s both indoor (air-conditioned) and outdoor seating, with long wooden tables and benches that try to replicate the vibe of a village warung or a roadside coffee shop, where old uncles like to gather over kopi o and half-boiled eggs. Inside, the walls are left bare, unpainted, and the floors are untiled, sticking to a deliberately rustic look.
The menu here focuses on traditional favorites — rows of soft kuih in different shapes and colors, nasi dagang in banana-leaf wrappers, and traditional snacks in plastic containers, ready to be taken home.
I like that they label all the different types of kuih on offer, because sometimes at night markets, I just point at things that I want — too embarrassed to admit that I don’t know all their names.
The kuih
I picked out three types of kuih to try:
🧡 Pumpkin onde-onde
These were easily my favorite. Slightly larger than your usual onde-onde, the soft pumpkin-infused dough had a mellow sweetness and beautiful color. Bite into it and you get the familiar burst of molten gula melaka, made even better by the generous coat of shredded coconut.
💗 Kuih sagu
Glistening and pink, the kuih sagu was also shaped into balls, instead of the usual little squares. It had that satisfying chewiness and springiness I always look for in sagu, with just a hint of salt from the coconut coating to balance things out.
It’s a simple dessert, but easy to get wrong — either too soft and gooey, or too tough and rubbery. This one is definitely done right.
💚 Kuih akok
This one took me straight to Kota Bharu. The akok was rich and eggy, with that slight smokiness from the traditional baking style. It was a little denser than I’m used to, but still moist and caramelly.
Other than kuih
While kuih is clearly the star, Kueh Café also serves hot local dishes, and I couldn’t resist trying two: laksam and nasi impit with kuah kacang.
🍜 Laksam
This was a comforting dish — rolled rice noodles sitting in a creamy, fish coconut gravy, topped with ulam (raw vegetables) and a squeeze of lime. The gravy had that unmistakable homemade taste. Earthy, thick, and slightly grainy from the fish.
A good choice if you’re after something filling and not too spicy, although I do wish it’s served in a bowl for dine-in customers instead of in a takeaway plastic container.
🥜 Nasi impit with kuah kacang (rice cakes with spicy peanut gravy)
The kuah kacang was the real hero here. Thick, fragrant, and full of crushed peanuts, with just a little sweetness and a gentle spice. The nasi impit was soft and well-pressed, soaking up the gravy without falling apart. A satisfying light lunch or snack.
☕ Coffee
I paired everything with a hot latte, which came out nicely balanced — mild, not too acidic, and smooth. It’s good coffee, and holds its own next to all the heavier food.
Final thoughts
Kueh Café reminds you that tradition can sit comfortably beside the modern. It’s a solid stop when you’re in Shah Alam, for that nostalgic bite of kuih or a proper meal. Prices are fair, portions are reasonable, and everything I tried tasted like it was made with care.
Would I go back? Definitely — I only tried three types of kuih, and they had like twenty more? After all, there’s always room for more kuih!
Kueh Cafe has a few branches in the Klang Valley:
- Shah Alam (Section 13) – No 6, Jalan Renang 13/26, Tadisma Business Park, 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor. (Sat – Thu, 8am – 7pm; Fri 8am – 1pm, 2pm – 7pm)
- Subang Jaya (SS18) – 11G, Jalan SS 18/1B, SS18, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor. (Tue – Thu, Sat & Sun, 8am – 6pm; Fri 8am – 1pm, 2pm – 6pm; closed on Mon)
- Petaling Jaya (Section 16) — No 15 (GF, Lorong Universiti C, Seksyen 16, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. (Tue – Thu, Sat & Sun, 8am – 7pm; Fri 8am – 1pm, 2pm – 7pm; closed on Mon)
- Setia Alam — 48, Jln Setia Perdana BE U13/BE, Setia Alam, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor. (Mon – Sun, 8am – 7pm)
Craving more? Check out the rest of my blog for more Malaysian food recommendations, travel tips, and destination guides around the country. Whether you’re planning your first trip or looking for new places to explore, there’s plenty here to inspire your next adventure.
