Hubba Hubba at Seni Mont Kiara: Review

Look for the tell-tale pink sign: Perched on the first floor of the Seni Mont Kiara condo, Hubba Hubba’s third branch brings a new thrill to the neighbourhood – this suburban sanctuary with a verdant view would serve seamlessly well for a solo lunch, a teatime tete-a-tete, or sundown wining & dining. Bonus points for the convenience of free public parking in this building.

Within a short stroll of addresses such as Kiaraville, Hubba Hubba is a boon for nearby residents who can step in & check out a bountifully stocked deli counter for grab-&-go fare. Snap up freshly crafted salads of the day (potentially Greek, chicken with baby corn or buffalo mozzarella with tomatoes) or build your own sandwich with the likes of smoked salmon, beef pastrami & turkey bacon in baguettes or ciabatta, with dressings that range from garlic anchovy to pesto mayo to kitchen-made mustard. Pastries are available – croissants, kaya puffs & cinnamon combs – alongside chocolate muffins & berry cheesecakes in jars.

Stay For a Hot Meal

If you have time to linger, stay for a hot meal; Hubba Hubba is no chicken when it comes to offering bold-flavoured food that leaves an impression. Feast on fowl – the chicken wings fried with cili padi, curry leaves & onions (RM16) are a tongue-tingling, lip-smacking treat with potent but not overpowering dimensions that fans of Chinese ‘dai chow’ cooking may especially enjoy (trivia: this recipe, with shades of kam heong stir-fries, is a personal favourite of Hubba Hubba’s founding team). Proving that the restaurant can glide easily between East & West, there’s one other distinctive chicken speciality to sample here – Jamaican-inspired jerk chicken, with mildly smoky nuances, cushioned with mash & greens, a balanced offering for RM24.

Pastas and Pizzas

Pastas & pizzas veer toward unconventional tangents too; the soft-shell crab spaghetti has an aglio olio base spiked with Thai herbs & spices for extra zest (RM25), while the playful pizzas might be spotted in surprising hues – tomato-tinged dough forms an eye-catching foundation for punchy toppings like a four-cheese fraternisation of feta, fontina, goat’s & mozzarella (RM25).

The original Hubba at Bukit Ceylon recently hosted a pop-up by the popular American burger chain In-N-Out – that event lasted only a few hours, but customers can still head to Hubba Mont Kiara & order a fun burger concocted by the creative minds here. Hubba’s signature burger features a moist, house-made beef patty crowned not only with cheese but guacamole for a creamy boost, accompanied by ample portions of sweet potato fries & a gherkin salad, pleasingly priced at RM20.

Something for Everyone

There’s something for everyone: If you feel like a dose of home-grown tradition, take comfort in the familiar contours of nasi lemak, fragrant & satisfyingly flavoursome, with chicken rendang & the complete ensemble of requisite ingredients (RM18). We say so long & thanks for all the fish by wrapping up with a fleshy slab of salmon glazed with Pommery mustard (RM28).

The Wine Selection

Another reason to visit Hubba MK: A wine selection that spans some interesting 170 labels, offered at prices that are 30 to 40 percent lower than most restaurants; a bottle of Chilean red starts at about RM70. Search the shelves, get a bottle or carafe, & browse through the menu’s range of Martinis, Mojitos & Margaritas as well. If you’re here on Friday nights, there’ll often be live musical performances, perhaps an acoustic guitar show by Joven Goce. Many thanks to Hubba Mont Kiara for having us here.