Pokok KL – LaLaport
Words: Nichole Ong
Photos: Monica Tindall
Pokok KL originated as a small glass-house cafe, opening its first branch at MAHSA University in 2018 and enjoying immense popularity since then. Their newest outlet opened just three weeks ago in the LaLaport Bukit Bintang Mall and is set for the same success.
Pokok KL is located on the rooftop of the LaLaport mall and continues the fresh garden aesthetic of its predecessor, offering an airy, spacious interior with ample lighting from Pokok’s signature floor-to-ceiling windows. It is the perfect place to enjoy a tasty, well-crafted meal.
Starters at Pokok KL
Pokok KL offers a variety of starters, from soups to fries to salads. Our Mediterranean Salmon Salad (RM 35) was a light and healthy start to the meal. Great as a brunch option or the precursor to the rest of a delicious meal, the pan-seared salmon was cooked to crispy perfection and was complemented with fresh, crisp greens and savouriness from the feta cheese and salad dressing.
Mains
One bite of the Nasi Lemak Bomb (RM 32) explains its name completely as the flavours explode in your mouth. We were impressed by the generous portion of the dish, containing both chicken berempah and beef rendang. The ayam berempah was served as an entire quarter chicken with tantalising juiciness and delightfully crispy skin, and the beef rendang provided an equally appetising addition with the optimal level of spiciness. On top of this, the rice exuded an appetising coconut aroma that underscored the dish superbly and was topped with a fried egg. The Nasi Lemak Bomb is a must-have showcase of Malaysian local flavours, bringing together every element that makes a Nasi Lemak delicious.
As a fan of brunch foods, the Avo Maverick (RM 22) satisfied my every need with its serving of sliced avocado with poached eggs and mushrooms on a base of sourdough bread. The eggs are a highlight, spilling out onto the bread with just the right consistency and synergising with the earthiness of the mushrooms and the creamy avocado. Even the sourdough bread below was a delight, baked to the right spongy texture to soak up all the deliciousness from the ingredients on top. The dish also looked great, topped with a butterfly pea flower for a vibrant pop of colour.
Keeping with the avocado theme, the Green Freak Wrap (RM 25) is another worthy dish for breakfast or brunch, stuffed with a satisfying helping of avocado, mushrooms, and scrambled eggs, as well as crispy lettuce and cherry tomatoes. The crispy lettuce and the creaminess of the avocado, and the scrambled eggs paired nicely together with the mushroom and cherry tomatoes bringing in welcome pops of flavour. This dish is a great vegetarian choice, offering the right balance of lightness and nourishment.
For smoothie lovers, the Pokok Acai Bowl (RM 25) is a vegetarian brunch item made with fresh acai berries and served with soy milk, fresh fruits, and seeds. The acai berries were sweet and tart, flavouring the dish well, as well as giving it an attractive magenta hue. I also appreciated the added complexity of texture the seeds provided. Although I think the consistency can be improved, it was a refreshing, healthy, and light smoothie bowl perfect for the hot Malaysian weather.
Drinks Menu
Coffee aficionados will be glad to see the variety of options available on the Pokok KL menu. We tried the Latte (RM 10 hot, RM11 Iced) made with a rich JWC roast with beans grown in Indonesia and roasted locally. It was a great accompaniment to the brunch items on the menu and sure to satisfy the need for a daily caffeine fix.
As a non-caffeinated option, the Pink Latte (RM 15 Hot, RM 16 Iced) is a more unique drink item with an intriguingly eye-catching pink colour. The hue comes from the beetroot power used to flavour the soy milk in the drink, pairing the earthiness of the beetroot with the sweetness of the milk. I also enjoyed the addition of a dash of cinnamon, giving the drink a new depth of taste.
For a fresh, light drink, look no further than the Green Goddess (RM 13), a refreshing blend of celery, cucumber and green apple. The flavour of the celery comes through very well, while the green apple supplements it with its acidity, and the cucumber provides a nice, fresh taste. This drink truly lives up to its ‘green’ name both in appearance and healthiness.
Dessert at Pokok KL
Pokok KL has a range of desserts on display at the counter, each looking gorgeous and delectable. We tried the Pavlova (RM 15), a great way to end the meal. It was the perfect combination of textures, with the crispy meringue outside giving way to a spongy, sweet interior. The fruits on top added vibrancy and balanced the sugar with a soft tang.
Pokok KL LaLaport Review
While already entranced by the open, spacious setting of the cafe, we were delighted to discover that the food at Pokok KL lived up to the aesthetics. Pay a visit for a great rooftop garden view paired with delicious and healthy food.
Reasons to visit Pokok KL at LaLaport: garden aesthetic; great brunch spot; local delicacies; healthy food; a good range of drink options; feed yourself and your feed.
Pokok KL @ LaLaport BBCC
Lalaport BBCC, Lot L4-04C, Level 4 Mitsui Shopping Park,
Jalan Hang Tuah, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Pokok KL @ LaLaport Opening hours
Weekdays 10am-8pm
Weekends 10am-10pm
Find more of our favourite cafes here and stay up to date with the latest gourmet happenings around Malaysia here and here.