UM's Hidden Eats?

Question

So I'm heading to the University of Malaya next week for a conference. Heard the campus is HUGE. Seriously, like, ridiculously sprawling. My question is: where do the students actually *eat*? Like, beyond the obvious canteens, are there any secret, amazing little hawker stalls or hidden gems tucked away somewhere only students know about? I'm hoping to avoid the tourist traps and find some authentic Malaysian food. During my last visit to @KualaLumpur, I got completely lost trying to find the best Nasi Lemak, so I'm hoping to avoid a similar culinary adventure this time. I'm already picturing myself accidentally stumbling upon a legendary char kuey teow joint...

christine · Answer

the real hidden gem is the KK mart area near the residential colleges, specifically behind the 10th college. there's this indian muslim stall that only appears after 5pm, no name, just a guy with a huge griddle. his murtabak is insane, crispy outside, loaded with egg and beef, and the curry sauce is thick and spicy. students call it "the night shift" because it only runs till 8pm or until he sells out.

also check out the small food court inside the engineering faculty's basement. it's empty during lectures but around 1pm it's packed with postgrads. the laksa there is underrated, super sour and fishy, proper penang style. not the watered down version u get elsewhere. and they have this ais kacang stall that does cendol with real gula melaka, not the fake syrup.

if u're willing to walk a bit further, the gate near the veterinary faculty leads straight to a small row of shops on Jalan Universiti. there's a chinese coffee shop there, only open for breakfast, and the kaya toast is made fresh, the bread is charcoal toasted. pair it with their half boiled eggs and u're set. it's mostly old uncles and lecturers, not many students bother.

andrea · Answer

honestly skip the main campus canteens if u can. the real move is heading towards the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, there's this stall behind the old library, no sign, just a tarp and some plastic chairs. uncle runs it, does a killer nasi lemak with sambal that'll make u sweat, but the fried chicken is the star. costs like RM4, students queue from 11am.

another spot is the staff quarters area near the Rimba Ilmu entrance, there's a small malay stall that does roti john and mee goreng mamak style, opens late afternoon only. it's tucked between the houses, u'd miss it if u blinked. ask any student for "the roti john guy" and they'll point u.

for char kuey teow, don't bother on campus, it's mid. walk 10 mins to the Section 17 market in PJ, the stall at the back corner, aunty's been there 20 years, wok hei is legit. get there before 2pm or she runs out.

oh and if u're desperate for coffee, the old canteen at the law faculty has a kopitiam style stall, teh tarik is strong, good for a caffeine hit between sessions. just don't expect any fancy vibes, it's all about the food.

Neu aus Kuala Lumpur