Unexpected Weekend Crush To ChoCha Food Store With @enjiliew

@enjiliew and I were having our weekend study session at national library on this lovely Sunday. Right after the session, we decided to take a tour to Merchant's Lane to try out the infamous Merchant's Lane Cafe which was rumoured to have over thousands good reviews on Google Maps, as well as Trip Advisor. Unfortunately, the queue was insane and we decided to go for this humble, very local themed restaurant named Cho Cha Food Store. The place was an adaptive reuse of the old shop house which was used to be a brothel. The shop has been revamped into retro feel and conserving parts of the architecture of the building. I would say, a very economical way to work on the interior renovation and yet customers appreciate it as a memoir of the heritage it used to be.

The Menu

Different alcohols arranged at the bar near the entrance

The Counter

We were wondering what kind of food they are serving at the very first glanced. Perhaps a very "atas" western cuisine which such a set up. However, to our surprise, it served a very authentic yet very creatively recreation of our local cuisines. Both of us ordered a different dish just so to try out the quality of the food.

Her Food

@enjiliew tried out their Pan-seared Barramundi served with fried giner chutney and a very unique cauliflower cous cous, slight mixed with garlic and a very local flavored green sauce (tasted herbally fresh), the fish was fresh and well cooked! At the first sight on the cous cous, we thought it was packed with garlic and was worried about our mouth odour. With the first bite, it broke our worriness and we enjoyed the following bites.

My food

As for me, I went for a more conservative choice of Duck Confit Rice with pan-seared duck confit whereby the skin was well done packed with the pan fragrance and herbs, duck fat barley rice which was new to me and a very smooth texture and well ratio. The Ajitama egg was cooked well, with the yolk slightly half-cooked and mixed with some sugar that heighten the taste of itself. Lastly, the house pickled local salad, a mixed of parsley, rockets and coriander (hope I get that right). Not forgetting a piece of fermented, pan seared chilli!

After the food, we toured around the space. I loved how the shop retained the courtyard area and letting natural light penetrating through the skylight. The whole space was air conditioned but slightly warm in the middle as it is impossible to retain the heat outside while letting the light coming in. The overall decor were simple and yet blended well with the old context.

The courtyard area

Courtyard Space Decorated with Lime Plants

Talking about ambience and services, both of them were relatively good. The place is slightly narrow due to the old shop house design, but yet we can still comfortably enjoy the food and place. As for the service, not bad. Nevertheless, do take note on the high price tag for the food and drinks. Ohya, even though most of their staffs are Malay, they serve alcohol too! No coffee here but they sell a lot of different crafted tea and even cold brewed tea. Yet to try that out, perhaps another time with more budget :P

@enjiliew leaving our table

Our next table 1

Our next table 2

Cute symmetrical toilet basins

Credit to @enjiliew for her amazing food photos!

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Restaurant Information

Chocha.Foodstore

156, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Unexpected Weekend Crush To ChoCha Food Store With @enjiliew
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