Checking out two cafes with a Vietnamese influence in their menus, starting with Cafe Clon, an unconventionally decorated two-level hangout that opened on PJ's Jalan Kemajuan this month & offered us a warm, friendly refuge on a rainy evening.
Cafe Clon's highlight may be its Vietnamese 'pizza' (RM7), a savoury snack served hot, essentially a rice paper crepe with a spiced stuffing somewhat evocative of otak-otak - something you might spot being sold somewhere on the streets of Saigon.
There's also banh mi (RM15), but the recipe needs tweaking, as it tastes too much like a regular egg-&-ham sandwich - note that the banh mi comes with a side helping of chunky-crispy, crowd-pleasing sweet potato & yam fries, so there's actually no need to order those separately (RM10 for a full portion) if you're having the banh mi; we kinda wish the menu mentioned that. Cafe Clon's Vietnamese coffee (RM10 for hot) is lovely, with luscious nuances; a solid variety of tea & juices is also available.
Next stop: Chuckles, which tries to foster a cheerful spirit with its colourfully artistic flourishes in Taman Tun Dr Ismail.
Vietnam is represented at Chuckles by pho with sirloin slices (RM15), though it's a muted version that doesn't quite capture the delicious dynamics of this classic favourite. Chuckles' menu is extensive, spanning both East & West, so customers can have ayam percik in turmeric sauce with rice, ulam, keropok ikan & acar mentah (RM13) as well as a rocket salad with poached egg (RM15), plus everything from beef kuey teow to bolognese spaghetti. Mocktails, juices & ginger tea form the beverage ballot.
Cafe Clon
62, Jalan Kemajuan 12/18, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Open Sun-Thurs, 12pm-10pm; Fri-Sat, 12pm-12am. Tel: 03-7932-2088
Chuckles TTDI
135 Jalan Aminuddin Baki, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
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