#m.o.t.d Café Bar – Puchong
Words: Chris Letner
Photos: Han Sen Hau
Forty minutes southwest of KLCC in a strip mall filled with furniture retailers, DIY shops, and convenience stores exists a beautiful urban oasis conceived by an enigmatic real estate developer, simply called Mr. Wong, his design-obsessed partner Phoebe, and the understated Chef Kit, who lets his food speak for itself.
Inspired by the Bauhaus art movement, which originated in Germany in the early twentieth century, #m.o.t.d (Music of the Day) is all about minimalism and functionality. It incorporates sleek geometry and industrial materials to create a vibe that is both stylish and soothing. We were greeted by a hulking glass door, which opened into a dimly lit concrete cavern filled with monochromatic furniture, sharp angles, and modern art installations. From the chairs to the tableware, Mr. Wong and Phoebe lovingly designed nearly every element in the restaurant.
We soon discovered, however, that #m.o.t.d wasn’t just for the café-loving Art History major in the family. It really has something for everyone. Got kids? Settle down in the “Gossip Box,” a cozy nook filled with pillows of all shapes and sizes scattered across a sea of recycled plastic beads. Pets? Go ahead, bring all your dogs – one patron had three of them! A music lover in the family? This place has live music almost every night and unparalleled acoustics that allow for conversation and entertainment to coexist. Our photographer and videographer couldn’t resist geeking out with Mr. Wong over things like adjustable lighting, sound dampening, and reverberation control. I, on the other hand, was there for the food.
#m.o.t.d Café Bar Menu
#m.o.t.d Café Bar’s menu has the approachable sophistication of a high-end gastropub sprinkled with Chinese, Malaysian, and European influences. Think Sichuan-Inspired Half Chicken, Cacio e Pepe with Sarawak peppercorns, and cocktails flavoured with asam boi and chai syrup. Crowd favourites like Fish and Chips, Chicken Wing Skewers, and various pizzas will satisfy even the pickiest eaters in the family.
Brunch
The Dutch Baby (RM 18) is a dish that’s equal parts science experiment and culinary delight. For the unaware, a Dutch Baby is a billowy pancake made by pouring cold, thin batter into a blisteringly hot pan. The resulting reaction causes it to puff like a mushroom cloud, creating the weightless bread bowl of your dreams. Here, it’s rustically served in a cast iron pan, accompanied by a kaleidoscope of spreads smeared like acrylics on an artist’s palette. This kid-friendly dish, already a weekend staple at my house, will be your child’s new favourite brunch food.
Cocktails
After 11 years in Beijing, I was excited to try the Pepas (RM 48), a unique cocktail featuring China’s most beloved spirit, baijiu. For foreigners, drinking baijiu is often a reckless dare, a test of endurance that starts with horror, burns like jet fuel, and ends with questionable life choices. But for Chinese nationals, baijiu is a ritualised social glue woven into business deals, family gatherings, and drunken camaraderie. One sip of this cocktail and I exclaimed, “This ain’t your Shūshu’s baijiu!” Aperol, cinnamon liquor, lemon, and pandan syrup helped to soften the funk of the alcohol, which itself was infused with pineapple. If you’ve ever wanted to try baijiu but don’t want to spring for a $500 bottle of Moutai, this is the drink for you.
A sturdy Negroni (RM 46), a lively Whiskey Sour (RM 46), and a smooth Espresso Martini (RM 46) served in an ornate chalice completed our cocktail sampler. Now, we were ready for dinner.
To Start
Four centre-cut chunks of Grilled White Corn (RM 16) were first to arrive. A generous shaving of pecorino provided a salty tang, while julienned strands of mint offered a bit of freshness to the sugary kernels. A bite-sized riff on elotes, the popular Mexican street corn, this was a nosh-worthy snack that I could not get enough of.
Fluffy swirls of house-made Ricotta (RM 21), zinging from a squeeze of lemon, were topped with sliced cherry tomatoes and a drizzle of balsamic reduction. Toasted slices of sourdough acted as the perfect vessel for dolloping the elegant, unbridled cheese concoction.
A modern take on a Cantonese classic, Chef Kit’s Signature Char Siu (RM 23) featured a gloriously fatty pork cheek, lacquered in sweet sauce. A skillfully sliced fillet rather than a haphazardly hacked meat chunk, this reimagined dish melded #m.o.t.d.’s contemporary approach with the owners’ Chinese roots.
The Baby Octopus (RM 35) was an unexpected standout. Surrounding an electric green pool of avocado sauce (reminiscent of Peruvian aji verde), the charred suction cups contrasted beautifully with the meltingly tender tentacles, while strands of sea grapes added an oceanic burst.
Veggies
The Grilled Caesar Salad (RM 22) was a refined take on the old standby, featuring lightly charred leaves of gem lettuce, a bacon/breadcrumb crumble, and a soft-boiled egg drizzled with a tangy anchovy emulsion. The Grilled Cauliflower (RM 23) was equally as enjoyable. Bathing in a pool of its pureed brethren (not cruel because it’s vegetables), the caramelised florets retained a bit of crunch, which was accentuated by a scattering of jewel-like pomegranate seeds. Sweet and mellow, smoky and complex, crunchy and smooth…this dish highlighted the versatility of the humble cauliflower.
Pasta
Frilled ribbons of Mafaldine, coated in a velvety emulsion of Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano Reggiano, and freshly cracked Sarawak black pepper, composed a sumptuous plate of Cacio e Pepe (RM 32). Cooked al dente with a piquant, peppery bite, it’s amazing how something so complex can be created using just four ingredients.
Main Courses
The Iberico Pork Cheeks (RM 46) were slowly cooked sous vide to liquify their acorn-scented collagen before being kissed by flame and finished with a prickly black pepper sauce. Back in the day, my foodie friends and I used to jokingly slip the self-indulgent word “unctuous” into nearly all of our reviews. Fast-forward 15 years, and I can finally use it again, this time unironically. This dish was the very definition of unctuous.
Twenty-four hours of low simmering resulted in Braised Beef Short Ribs (RM 62) that fell apart with the gentle nudge of a spoon. A streak of chimichurri and a sphere of grainy mustard teamed up to cut the meaty richness, while a pomme puree offered a more decadent rendition of common mashed potatoes. Hearty and comforting, I was tempted to go snuggle up with this dish in the Gossip Box.
After the creamy noodles and the indulgent meat courses, I needed a cool breath of fresh air. But then I remembered we were in the tropics. Fortunately, the Grilled Barramundi (RM 45) came to the rescue. The succulent white flesh, only accessible after smashing through the cracker-like skin, was invigorated by a dip in a mirin and soy-infused beurre blanc. It was a graceful ending to a delicious ballad of entrees.
Dessert
A flaming cascade of Hennessy and Cointreau flowed over a wine-poached pear for a truly grand finale in the Pear au Vin (RM 33 + RM 10 for flambé). The fiery baptism infused the spiced fruit with hints of candied orange and caramel as the flavours blended harmoniously with streams of melted vanilla ice cream.
#m.o.t.d Café Bar Wine List
With the meticulous attention to every detail we witnessed at #m.o.t.d Café Bar, we shouldn’t have been surprised by the thoughtful wine list. Still, our oenophile editor was intrigued by the well-curated selection. Here’s what Mon had to say.
To start, the choice of five quality wines offered by the glass (RM 32) is much appreciated, with two reds and three whites from both the Old World and New. For example, the Le Petit Balthazar Viognier Sauvignon’s easy-drinking style makes it a versatile option as an aperitif or with light starters, combining the crispness of Sauvignon Blanc with the floral notes of Viognier.
The wine-by-the-bottle collation is a neat one-pager, again featuring value-for-money labels from across the globe. A great choice for our starters, the Tenuta Montecchiesi Vermentino Chardonnay (RM 219) is a fruit-forward white from Tuscany. It cut through the creamy Homemade Ricotta and Cacio e Pepe with notes of green apple, juicy peach, and puckery pineapple.
Its Italian countryman, Paolo Leo Millefiori Veneto (RM 269), showcased a vinification technique, appassimento, in which withered grapes are fermented to create a deeply intense red. The Corvina and Merlot blend, packed with dark fruits, chocolate, light spice and a surprisingly long finish, paired seamlessly with the Braised Beef Short Ribs.
Finally, a bottle of South African Kanonkop Kadette Cape Blend (RM 239) brought notes of smoky plums, black cherries, and a touch of tannin to balance the luxuriousness of the Iberico Pork Cheeks. The blend of Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot splash offers exceptional quality at this price point.
From start to finish, the crew at #m.o.t.d. delivered a stellar performance, and I have no doubt they pull out all the stops for their guests every single night. What a show!
Reasons to visit #m.o.t.d. Café Bar in Puchong: Trendy and sleek, yet comfortable enough to spend an hour (or five) working on your memoirs, #m.o.t.d is just as suited for a weekend brunch excursion as it is for a jazzy night out. Bring your kids (human or otherwise) for the family-friendly menu, or leave them with the sitter to enjoy a romantic dinner in the sensual space. Infinitely Instagrammable, while culinarily proficient, #m.o.t.d. is worthy of a drive out of the city. Well-chosen wine list.
#m.o.t.d Café Bar
1, Jalan Tpk 2/8, Taman Perindustrian Kinrara
47100 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia
Link to #m.o.t.d on Google Maps
+6016-662 6951
@motd_cafe_bar
#m.o.t.d Café Bar Opening Hours
Wednesday – Monday: 11 am – 1 am
Tuesday: Closed
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