The Hungry Spoon at Sri Petaling: Review

The Hungry Spoon is helmed by two chefs whose friendship spans 10 years & three countries – Suet Fei & Rahim first met each other a decade ago, when they enrolled at KDU’s school of culinary arts. They eventually continued their training abroad together & honed their craft in Ottawa, Montreal & Phuket before returning to KL this past year. Now, they’ve opened their own venue in Sri Petaling, with a well-curated selection that strives to lure patrons from both within & beyond this neighbourhood.

Shakshouka

The Hungry Spoon’s tenets are typified by its rendition of shakshouka (RM15.50), comprising poached eggs – perfectly runny – with sausages in house-made tomato gravy alongside the kitchen’s own-baked focaccia. Suet Fei & Rahim are determined to prepare as many ingredients as possible from scratch, from their sauces to their bread, complementing them with market-fresh local produce via potentially surprising strategies, such as by showering a fistful of coriander leaves on these free-range eggs.

Big Breakfast

Even the Big Breakfast (RM20.90) springs at least one unexpected touch, with the excellent baked beans cooked in a spicy chipotle sauce. Everything else on the plate proves worthwhile as well, from the scrambled eggs to the crusty bread, the natural-casing chicken sausage & turkey ham to the shimeji mushrooms. Brunch is served 12pm-5pm, Wed-Sun; other options include poached eggs with waffles, turkey ham & herbs (RM14.50) or English muffins, smoked salmon & spinach (RM19.90).

Most of The Hungry Spoon’s menu nevertheless sticks to the safe side, catering to nearby residents. You’ll find the regular range of bolognese/carbonara/aglio-olio pastas, with one slightly offbeat stand-out: a cream-based seafood pasta with subtle nuances of chillies & sambal (RM27). Mushroom soups, chicken salads, beef burgers & tuna sandwiches are also available.

Salmon

Main courses pull off satisfying results – recommendations include this moist & meaty slab of salmon (RM38), irreproachably pan-seared & restoratively partnered with a combination of crisp French beans, creamy cauliflower puree & cherry tomatoes …

Lamb Shank

… & carnivore-baiting, tenderly braised lamb shank, fulfilling in flavour, with juicy rapini mushrooms & potato mash (RM43).

Dessert

For dessert, The Hungry Spoon makes its own ice cream too – our favourites are the white choc & dark choc flavours, both densely textured & intense-tasting. Other flavours include milk choc & coffee, though those might be too mild to leave a lasting impression. Enjoy the ice cream with waffles (RM12.50 with a double scoop), blondies (RM16) or in an affogato (RM10.50).

Chocolate

Fans of chocolate can have a field day with a Musetti coffee panna cotta layered with chocolate jelly & sprinkled with dark chocolate shavings (RM10), as well as the dark chocolate tart infused with faint hints of cinnamon & chilli (RM10.50). Service at The Hungry Spoon is warm & welcoming; thanks to the team here, including manager Suresh & Chloe, for hosting this meal.