Urbean, Avenue K, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Words: Araceli Barrera Arismendi    Photos:  Monica Tindall        

It was a gorgeous Sunday morning in Kuala Lumpur, perfect for tickling my senses and spirits with a delightful journey of aromatic coffees, soothing teas, and scrumptious café style food. Situated in the newly revamped Avenue K mall next to the KLCC LRT station, Urbean is one of those special coffee shops and kitchens that will keep visitors and locals coming back for more.

The urban and simple café lures you in with its sweet and bitter aromas of gourmet coffees while their savory but yet healthy hot and cold dishes sizzle in the kitchen. The Yum List team and I sat down at the back corner of the quaint coffee house, which was the perfect spot to scope out our surroundings.

Brown wooden square tables, metal chairs, checkered green tiles, eclectic pillow throws and a black accented wall with the words “All you Need is Love and More Coffee,” Urbean exhibits the perfect place in the city centre to relax, read a good book, or check your emails all while stimulating your taste buds.

Ms. Ashling Cullen, the mastermind behind the menu and co-owner, along with the general manager Ms. Sher Lynn, were greeting guests, serving food and making sure that everybody felt apart of the Urbean culture.  With only five months in business, this partnership truly understands the true essence of a coffeehouse – charm and high-standard coffee as the ingredients.

Serving coffee by Common Man Coffee Roasters (CMCR) from Singapore, you can rest assured that your first sip screams excellent and quality coffee. Some of the best roasters in the business including Australian roaster Five Senses Coffee, Harry Grover, and the Spa Esprit Group are behind CMCR. The CMCR roasters pride themselves in creating unconventional blends that will stimulate the palates of coffee enthusiasts.

After sampling the first latte at Urbean, it was quite evident that this unique blend was well balanced, just the right levels of acidity with a sweet lingering after taste.  The cappuccino was made to perfection; it had an equal amount of foam, milk and espresso. Not to mention, the pretty heart shaped latte art in the center makes this hot beverage so worth the coffee experience. Also on the menu, Urbean offers a nice mocha blend for those chocolate coffee fans out there. For those of you who prefer tea leaves to the coffee bean, the green tea and spiced chai tea were our favorites.  Produced by 5 Senses Coffee, the green tea was served in a lovely white teapot with fresh green tea leaves. The tea smelled delicate and every taste loitered on after every sip.  Caning, one of the Yum List’s crew, LOVED the spiced chai latte naming this drink the best he’s had in a long time.

Just as we were pleased with the beverages, we were equally impressed with the food.

Born and raised in Texas, huevos rancheros is a popular Tex-Mex breakfast dish. When I saw this option on the menu, I knew I had to have it. Served with tortillas, eggs, spicy black beans and tomato salsa, this dish had the right seasonings to bring back fond memories of my mama’s Tex-Mex cooking. I comfortably made myself a taquito (small taco) and the juices from the tomato salsa tasted so divine and the spices spot on. 

This platter consisted of a large buttery croissant filled with creamy béchamel sauce, Gouda cheese, mushrooms and smoked turkey. Gouda cheese can compliment almost any meal and the combination with the mushrooms and smoked turkey made this plate simply delicious. Accompanied with sautéed potatoes and a salad, this is ideal for those wanting something hearty and filling.

You never have to feel guilty again when ordering Urbean’s special carrot pancakes with pecan butter, jams and maple syrup offered on the weekends sometimes as part of a changing brunch specials menu.
This was my first time having carrot pancakes, and my stomach was blown away. The cakes were moist and fluffy and the carrots added enough sweetness that I only needed a very small amount of maple syrup.

Described as proper European-style sandwiches, the open face sandwiches made with homemade sourdough or walnut-style bread are ideal for the days you’re in a rush and need something quick and tasty. The roasted vegetables and feta cheese on this sandwich were delectable.

Super food at its best! Beetroot, chickpeas, alfalfa sprouts, peas, quinoa, cherry tomatoes, olives and toasted almonds are the energy in this dish. Monica and I were in heaven. Quinoa lovers and healthy foodies, this salad provided an organic boost of nutrients that we both adored. Tossed in an olive oil and
lemon juice, nothing was overpowering in this goodness. Every ingredient worked so perfectly with each other allowing the red quinoa to maintain its tasty and earthy flavors.

This is another super food that will blow your mind away. Forget about the fatty beefy burger and try this powerful protein dish.  Served with hummus, tomato salsa and alfalfa sprouts on gluten free bread, you will never know that your burger is 100% veggie.

If you’re feeling under the weather or need something warm and wholesome, the lentil and spinach soup is the perfect choice. Full of flavor and richness, the tanginess of the broth and the spices of the lentils will rejuvenate your spirits.

Made fresh to order, this pasta comes with chicken, basil, capers and olives in a tomato sauce. It is spicy, tangy and succulent and will make you ask for seconds.

Urbean also offers homemade cakes and pastries at the counter.  My favorite that we tried was the carrot
cake. It was moist, rich and melted in your mouth.  Yum!

Whether you are looking for a perfectly brewed coffee, a hearty meal or a super food to energize you, Urbean has something for every taste bud. The Yum List crew and I left the coffeehouse feeling invigorated, energetic and pleased that we found a wonderful place to count on in the KLCC area, where we can eat in or take away a delicious and nutritious meal.

Reasons to visit: high quality coffee; fresh and healthy food options; great place for a casual bite any time of the day