KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — The midday sun is unforgiving but the next order is already waiting to be picked up and delivered.
Delivery riders make sure you get to eat your lunch or dinner on time but have you ever wondered what they themselves eat?
For them, meal breaks are rarely elaborate affairs. More often than not, these involve pulling over at a roadside warung, grabbing a quick bite before the next job comes in.
Like many Malaysians grappling with rising costs, riders are mindful of how much they spend on food. A meal needs to be affordable but also filling enough to get them through the rest of the day.
At a time where nasi bujang – that humble combination of rice, a fried egg and soy sauce – has become a symbol of making ends meet, one might assume affordable eating leaves little room for choice.
Yet riders say eating affordably in the city does not necessarily mean settling for the bare minimum.
“Most of us end up at simple warungs or stalls,” said one rider. “It’s not troublesome, the food is satisfying and, most importantly, affordable.”
“We just want something good and filling. Sometimes when it’s really hot, all you want is a bowl of cendol and a place to sit down for a while,” a rider, Mohd Husni, said.
Nasi Lemak Ujang Corner, Greenwood diners enjoy a good plate of ‘nasi lemak kukus’. — Picture by Sayuti Zainuddin
Their recommendations paint a picture of a city filled with neighbourhood eateries that continue to attract loyal customers without relying on viral marketing or social media hype.
Beyond their daily grind, riders find their own comfort in eateries they discover along their delivery routes.
Ahmad Ijan, 32, names some of his favourites around Gombak and Taman Melati.
His first recommendation is Nasi Bajet Toklan, which he describes as his go-to spot for nasi campur.
“If I want something filling that won’t cost much, I’ll go there. This is one of the cheapest spots for nasi campur, for RM6 you get rice, a meat dish and a vegetable dish. The portions are good and there are plenty of dishes to choose from,” he said.
When the weather is particularly hot, Ahmad recommends Nizam Cendol Goncang.
This cendol joint offers the dessert for only RM1. “Sometimes after being under the sun for hours, you just want something cold. The cendol is simple but satisfying, and it’s affordable.”
For dinner, if he is in the area, he would head to Mariyana Tomyam in Gombak for, obviously, tom yam.
Another rider, Hafiz Badaruddin said Nasi Kerabu Kambing Bakar DUKE is his frequent breakfast stop. Known for its nasi kerabu paired with grilled lamb, beef or chicken, Hafiz said this combination is a unique pairing.
Nasi kerabu kambing bakar DUKE serves grilled lamb, beef and chicken as sides for ‘nasi kerabu’. — Picture by Soo Wern Jun
“I rarely have time for breakfast, but if I do pass this area, even seeing the smoke from the grill excites me,” he said.
For Rosma Aliff, 30 who frequently operates around Bukit Antarabangsa and Ukay Perdana, Selera Thai Seafood is her recommendation whenever someone asks where they should eat.
“The udang celup tepung (battered shrimp) is a must-order and the sup daging (beef soup) is one of my favourites.
“I don’t like thick broth, this sup daging comes in clear broth with just the right amount of cili padi and tomato,” she said.
Meanwhile, another rider singled out Nasi Lemak Ujang Corner in Greenwood as one of the area’s most dependable eateries.
Closer to the city centre, rider Azri Amri recommended Ayam Penyet Mak Maya in Kampung Baru.
“I would say that this is one of the most reasonably priced ayam penyet. “You can get a complete meal for RM12,” he said.
Ayam penyet Mak Maya, Kampung Baru, is one of the more affordable ‘ayam penyet’ stalls, a full meal costs RM12. — Picture by Raymond Manuel
Desmond Lim, an e-hailing driver, said Wang Kopitiam is a humble eatery that he looks forward to going for a quick lunch.
“If I’m in the area, I’d always stop for a quick meal of zha jiang mian (noodles served in fried bean sauce),” added Lim who operates around Titiwangsa and Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
“If I have space, the fried sui gao (dumpling) is also good.”
Wang Kopitiam, Titiwangsa is an outdoor hawker that specialises in ‘zha jiang mian’ (noodles in fried bean sauce), it is also popular for its fried dumplings. — Picture by Soo Wern Jun
Also in the vicinity, there is Restoran Sup & Popia Zaiton Hussin.
Rider Shamim Ali, 35 said this restaurant’s specialty is its variety of soups and for those who fancy a side dish, they serve popiah (fresh spring roll).
“It isn’t the normal fare you find at the mamak, you have to try it for yourself,” Shamim said adding that the portions are quite generous for sharing and are below RM15.
While the eateries differ in cuisine and location, riders say they share a common characteristic: they deliver value.
Restoran Sup & Popia Zaiton Hussin, serves a wide variety of mutton, beef, chicken, ‘perut (stomach)’, ‘tunjang (tendon)’ in a mild texture broth. — Picture by Soo Wern Jun
Most are modest establishments tucked away in neighbourhood areas, serving food that is straightforward, comforting and affordable.
At a time when discussions about the cost of living often revolve around sacrifice and compromise, these rider-approved eateries offer a reminder that eating on a budget does not necessarily mean settling for bad meals
Across Kuala Lumpur there are still lots of places that prove that a good meal can be both satisfying and affordable – if you know where to look.