Vegetarian Breakfast Bangsar – Roots KL
Words: Joanna Florento
Photos: Matt Wehner
Roots Bangsar, the latest newcomer on the Jalan Telawis, embodies exactly what its name implies: well-grounded, plant-based food that goes straight to the source with the natural origin of its ingredients. Ian Tan and his brother Sean opened their first Roots restaurant in Johor Bahru in 2022 and brought their innovative vegetarian creations to Bangsar approximately two months ago. They envisioned offering affordable vegetarian dishes that eschew heavily processed ingredients without compromising quality and choice. We visited Roots on a quiet Sunday morning to sample their breakfast offerings and were very eager to dig in (pun intended).
Vegetarian Breakfast Bangsar – Brew & Bites
Breakfast kicked off with The Classic (RM 11.90), featuring warm slices of seeded sourdough with butter and homemade pumpkin kaya on the side. The pumpkin kaya was fully vegan and slightly sweet, which paired well with the soft, smooth, and slightly salty butter. Sean Tan, based in Johor, bakes all of the bread featured at Roots using his own original recipe. The Warm and Wake (RM 10.90), affectionally nicknamed “French roti canai,” showcased a flaky buttery croissant paired with signature curry and sambal, with express instructions to tear, dip, and enjoy. We did all three with great gusto. Notably, all items on the Brew and Bites menu come with complimentary brewed coffee, with refills for only RM 3.
Bowls
We then tucked into the Yoghurt Bowl (RM 19.90), with fresh blueberries, sliced strawberries and bananas, honey, granola, and mint resting atop a bed of creamy Greek yoghurt. The granola was textured and featured plenty of oats for natural fibre. This bowl is ideal for breakfast-goers who want to wake up their palates with fresh flavours, creaminess, and a little bit of crunch.
Rakyat’s Taste
Rakyat’s Taste brings innovative twists on local breakfast favourites to the table. The Laksa Bee Hoon (RM 16.90) is 100% gluten-free, with rice flour vermicelli noodles immersed in mouthwatering laksa dotted with tempeh and beans. This was served with sambal, which is artfully infused with cabbage to enhance its flavour. Hot on its heels was the Basmathi Nasi Lemak (RM 14.90), showcasing local artisanal tempeh as a natural source of probiotics. Well-seasoned mushrooms served as a sly stand-in for traditional anchovies, matching them in crunch and taste. The pandan rice was deliciously soft and fragrant, bringing a comforting element of the traditional nasi lemak to this artful reimagining. The Mee Siam (RM 12.90) had a fresh and citrusy profile, an attractive option for those who want a lighter breakfast. The noodles are also gluten-free, and the sambal on the side provides options for increasing the spice level to your liking. All offerings on the Rakyat’s Taste menu come with free brewed coffee – a welcome treat on a slow Sunday morning.
Roots Vegetarian Breakfast Bangsar
Our Roots Breakfast (RM 14.90 for four choices, add-ons RM 5 each) featured generous portions of seeded sourdough, roasted chickpeas, blanched broccoli, crispy sweet potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, and fluffy scrambled egg taking up almost the entirety of a large plate. The pumpkin was seasoned and roasted well, smoothly contrasting with the tender broccoli and crunchy chickpeas. We appreciated that this dish was reasonably priced and had a generous selection of options for diners to choose from. Choices spanned from roasted tomatoes to tempura cauliflower and soy-based “ham”, demonstrating Roots’ range and desire to cater to customers’ every breakfast-based whim.
Drinks
Our steady stream of caffeine continued with the Coconutfee (RM 18), an addictive beverage consisting of a whole fresh coconut with a shot of espresso, a little sugar, and some coconut milk mixed inside. Ian developed this drink seeking to strike a perfect balance between the creaminess of the coconut and the acidity of the espresso. Needless to say, he achieved it – transporting diners to a free mini vacation to a beach club in Bali for the duration of their drink.
The Purple Sweet Potato Lassi (RM 16) was served in a tall glass and topped with blueberries, its visual appeal supplementing its sweet and creamy taste. The Green Apple Lassi (RM 16) brought the same creaminess but added a hint of tartness for balance. All throughout our meal, we also sipped delicious lattes complimented by soy milk (RM 2 extra) and almond milk (RM 3 extra).
Vegetarian Breakfast in Bangsar Review
We had a great time enjoying our leisurely breakfast of Western and local-inspired plant-based offerings. Roots extends a hearty welcome to its patrons through its ambience, with warm orange and serene blue accents creating an inviting atmosphere for diners to enjoy their meal. Upstairs is equally vibrant, with two adjoining private rooms available to celebrate special events. The upstairs dining area also features beautiful murals celebrating human connection, trees, and roots. For simple yet satisfying vegetarian food (with many options to go fully vegan) that derives its flavours directly from the source, be sure to visit Roots KL!
Reasons to try Roots Bangsar’s vegetarian breakfast: Reasonably priced but comprehensive menu offering extensive plant-based breakfast options, delicious seeded sourdough bread, complimentary coffee for certain breakfast pairings, and beautiful ambience. We’d reorder the Coconutfee, Roots Breakfast and Laksa Bee Hoon.
Roots KL Bangsar
1, Jln Telawi 3, Bangsar
59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Link to Roots Bangsar on Google Maps
@roots_malaysia
Street parking is available (come early to beat the rush!). Otherwise, park underneath the police station or in Bangsar Village.
Roots Bangsar Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday: 11 am – 10 pm
Friday to Sunday: 8 am – 10 pm
Vegetarian Weekend Breakfast: 8 am – 10:30 am
Find more vegetarian restaurants in KL here and stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in KL’s food and beverage scene with The Yum List on Instagram and The Yum List on Facebook.