Determinedly seeking Korean desserts, let's head to Like Mom at Plaza Damas and return to Namoo On The Park in Publika, both cheerfully Korean-run cafes with fun names.
Earlier entry on Namoo: July 19, 2012.
Earlier entry on Namoo: July 19, 2012.
Like Mom's sweet potato and green tea muffins, dense in texture and delicate in taste.
A multitude of house-made cookies is sold here, with flavors like cinnamon and poppy seed.
Patbingsu, a summer snack of shaved ice topped with plenty of sweetened azuki beans, evocative of Malaysian ais kacang (though patriotism compels us to say we prefer the latter).
Like Mom's proprietors are proud of their coffee; one sip makes it clear why.
Only caveat: Like Mom is closed during dinnertime ...
... so that's the time to hop over to Solaris Dutamas, where Namoo opens for a few hours longer.
Namoo's sweeping selection includes a mousse-like sweet pumpkin and tofu cake that might be the least sinful, most natural-tasting cake we've tasted this year.
Carb attack! Yaksik, steamed glutinous rice, seasoned with brown sugar and mixed with chestnuts and pine nuts. Traditionally eaten at Korean weddings and festivals, but available all year round at Namoo.
Yang Geng, jelly-like tidbits with flavors reminiscent of beans. Or of nature or something.
Yakgwa, sweet, crunchy biscuits made of honey, sesame and wheat flour.
Getting hot and heavy: Mat-tang, an addictive ensemble of honey-glazed sweet potato, pumpkin and nuts. Steaming, starchy and sugary; we can't stop snacking!
Beverages, an acquired taste: sweet potato latte and rice wine yogurt cocktail.
Cutesy touches for a cute cafe.
Like Mom,
E-0-5, Plaza Damas, Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur.
Namoo On The Park,
4A, Level G3, Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.
4A, Level G3, Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.
Waah...the sweet pumpkin and tofu cake, and the sweet potato latte sounds extremely interesting lar =)
ReplyDeleteUlric: it almost feels like the ideal cake and latte for a vegan. and the flavor is all there; the taste of the tofu, the taste of the sweet potato :D
DeleteWe walked past Like Mom that day, and wonder why you didn't blog about this place before. LOL
ReplyDeleteCK: ooh, maybe it's because it's not open for dinner, heheh. it would actually be a nice place for some dessert at night :D
DeleteSo many great little places like these opening up in KL..... so little time to eat. The pumpkin cake looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteBaby Sumo: yeah, these independent outlets that are run with a lot of passion and heart are really worth visiting. there's also a carrot cake at namoo that i might try next time :D
Deletethe sweet pumpkin and tofu looks unique and nice..
ReplyDeleteSimple Person: ya, i've never tasted any cake like it before =)
DeletePatbingsu is my preferred choice though. Ooops! :P
ReplyDeleteRice wine yogurt cocktail?? damn! I got to try that!!
Rebecca: heheh, maybe the patbingsu available in korea has more ingredients :D ya, the rice wine yogurt thing reminds me a bit of tapai =)
Deletewow...all the desserts above looks special to me =)
ReplyDeleteMelissa: yeah, a nice change from tiramisu and creme brulee, heh =)
DeleteWhat is the business hour for Like Mom?
ReplyDeleteChoi Yen: i'm not sure if it closes on sundays, and i'm not sure what time it opens in the morning, but it closes by 7pm =)
DeleteI want to try namoo. So, they open dinner?
ReplyDeleteMichelle: oh yeah, lunch, tea and dinner :D
DeleteSteamed glutinous rice - yummo!
ReplyDeleteThe Yum List: an interesting ingredient for dessert, since it's something i usually associate with savory starters! :D
Deletefor a moment there I thought the Yakgwa looked like pieces of friend luncheon meat until i read the caption. Sweet potato latte?!! err...
ReplyDeleteEiling: heheh, it tastes nicer than luncheon meat (i guess i say that cos i'm not a fan of luncheon meat) :D yeah, sweet potato latte tastes healthier than a normal latte =)
Deletelike mum sounds interesting too!
ReplyDeleteish, too many to try!
www.ivyaiwei.com
Ai Wei: oh yeah, if you enjoy cookies and muffins, then you might enjoy this place. one by one, can visit all, heheh :D
DeleteI can feel the steamed glut rice.. going straight to my hips :D hahaha
ReplyDeleteCiki: hips don't lie, and neither do i! that delicious rice is so worth it, heheh :D
Deletelove Namoo! great team, excellent food. they really appreciate your posts on the place, so keep an eye out for a mention of your blog in The Star iPad's upcoming Korean pullout this Aug 12 :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle: they seem to be a really terrific bunch of people over at namoo, and I'm glad they're earning themselves many satisfied customers =) thanks for the info, will look out for it :D
DeleteMy pleasure Sean, big fan of your work here as well, hence the shout out! The picture's up on our official Facebook, here you go :) http://is.gd/2AmotT
ReplyDeleteMichelle: thanks for your very kind words on the fb page. i honestly enjoyed your review of namoo in the ipad article too. very nice interview with kim, and it made me wanna head back asap for the food and drinks =)
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