This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on December 7, 2020 - December 13, 2020

Tucked behind Columbia Asia Hospital in Puteri 7, Bandar Puteri Puchong, is a small commercial area comprising Jalan Puteri 7/9, 7/10 and 7/11.

“To outsiders, there is nothing really special about this commercial area. It’s just rows of shoplots surrounded by houses. If you are from around here, you will know the hidden gems,” says Ben, who has lived in the area for a decade.

The shoplots are occupied by everyday businesses such as car workshops, florists, clinics, hair salons and laundry services as well as the hidden gems — selected F&B offerings.

Among them is Puchong Mess Banana Leaf Rice, located above Chakra Catering Services. Shoes have to be removed before entering the eatery. The setting within the small space is like a mess hall or cafeteria, with long tables. It is not a place meant for one to linger and have a conversation but, rather, just to eat and leave.

Ben says: “Before the pandemic, it was almost full every single day. It was so hard to get a seat and, sometimes, I had to wait at least 20 minutes. But it was definitely worth the wait, as the food is really fantastic and has a homey feel.”

He says the owner of the catering business downstairs operates the eatery, which is open only on weekdays. One of its signature dishes is the raw banana curry and banana flower cooked with grated fresh coconut.

Meanwhile, Banh Mi Café, which takes up a corner unit, is the go-to place for authentic Vietnamese street food, according to Ben. “Banh mi” means bread in Vietnamese. One of the classic items on the menu is the Banh Mi sandwich — a baguette filled with Vietnamese-style meats, pickled carrot and daikon, fresh pâté, coriander, cucumber and various sauces.

“My favourite is the Banh Mi Bo Kho, which is basically plain baguette with beef stew — they are so good together. The baguette is soft and light — unlike those sold in supermarkets — and pairs perfectly with the spiced carrot beef stew,” says Ben.

For fans of Chinese food, Restaurant Mun Kee Steam Fish Head is worth a visit as well. As its name suggests, its signature dish is steamed fish head with black bean and soy sauce.

“There are a few outlets in KL and Selangor. As the Puchong branch is the closest to me, I visit it often. The fish is always fresh and definitely value for money. It is cooked in a very simple way and I can taste the sweetness of the fish meat. The restaurant is a regular dinner spot for my family and me,” says Ben.

According to Hartamas Real Estate Sdn Bhd, Puteri 7 was built in the early 2000s and the commercial area is to serve the residents staying nearby.

This year, a 1½-storey, 1,880 sq ft intermediate shoplot in Jalan Puteri 7/10 was sold for RM838,000. Last year, two transactions involving similar shoplots were recorded — one in Jalan Puteri 7/9 was sold for RM1 million and the other, in Jalan Puteri 7/11, was transacted at RM960,000.

Hartamas Real Estate notes that the shoplots in Puteri 7 are showing their age, as they are around 15 years old. The roads here are narrower than those in the commercial areas in Puteri 1 and 2.

It says: “Located behind Columbia Asia Hospital, [the commercial area in] Puteri 7 does not have main road frontage, reducing its appeal to new businesses. It does, however, serve its main purpose of catering for the residents in the neighbourhood.”

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