The Pasta Shop, Cyberjaya

Pure pasta passion, new in Cyberjaya: The founder of The Pasta Shop swapped an engineering career for a chef's apron half a decade ago, aiming to open his own pasta place with his wife.

Now the couple offer made-fresh-daily mafaldine, rigatoni and more at The Pasta Shop. 

Mafaldine is a must, its unbroken ridges perfectly holding the eight-hour slow-cooked sauce of DOP San Marzano tomatoes and basil. Top up with tender chicken breast slices. 

The Pasta Shop
Section D, Block 3503, Prima 3, Jalan Teknokrat 5, Cyber 5, Cyberjaya, Selangor.
Open Monday-Saturday, 11:30am-9:30pm.

Don't Tell Mama, Petaling Jaya

Officially opening 30 May, PJ's new warehouse-turned-cafe by day, steakhouse by night, Don't Tell Mama bowls up boiling-hot beef ramen for lunch, brimming beautifully with bountiful brisket in bovine broth, bolstered by beef balls, tripe and tendons in a cheeky, cheerful space.

Hatsumi, Awana Puri Condominium

Officially opening 1 June, Hatsumi is Awana Puri Condo’s peaceful new poolside refuge for plant-powered meals like olive rice with black beans and tofu, plus pound cakes and other house bakes, served with welcoming warmth.

Operator 21, Damansara Uptown

Damansara Uptown’s stylish new Operator 21 serves up a smooth selection, spanning Angus smash burgers to Gochujang Carbonara flatbread.

The signature Dutch Baby pancake is a May must-eat, carefully calibrated by chef Xing Yu, golden with gently crispy-fluffy lightness, stretchy with locally made stracciatella, layered with chicken ham, figs and maple syrup for nectarous savouriness.

Standing in Uptown 7 beside the Starling Pickl3 Town pickleball courts, healthier indulgences like mixed berry bowls with Koukakis Greek yoghurt and Sabah organic honey are also available, plus a full range of brunch fare, burritos, pastas and more.

For strawberry matcha completists, Operator 21 makes a marvellous one, mellow with natural notes of earthiness and fruitiness, served with warm enthusiasm.

Tao Zui Kitchen, Bandar Damai Perdana

Tao Zui Kitchen is Damai Perdana’s new family-run cafe for comforting rice bowls, warmly led by chef Tao, his wife and his sister.

Aburi Five-Spice Pork Belly is lusciously layered with slow-cooked meat, fresh-tasting with fragrant smokiness, perky with pickled cucumbers and onsen tamago. Pair with supple-smooth chilli oil wontons, soulfully tongue-tingling.

Fun fact: Cooking runs in Seremban-born chef Tao’s family. His grandfather worked in a Hainanese kopitiam in Port Dickson, where their household enjoyed preparing communal meals like chicken rice.