Foodie Day Out In KL: From Ramen Honolu To Chinese Beef Roti & Rawtee Sandwich

Posted on July 7, 2025July 8, 2025 by Auri Duham by Auri Duham

“Where do you want to go this weekend?”

My partner asked—just like every other weekend. This is our little routine: go out and find good food together. Like always, I asked him back,

“Do you already have a place in mind?” (Of course, he did. He knows me too well.)

After looking at the suggestion he gave me, I said, “Why don’t we go to Bukit Bintang? We’ve been talking about it for a while.”

And just like that, our foodie day began.

1. Ramen Honolu, Lot 10 (J’s Gate Dining)

We started our day at Ramen Honolu, located on Level 4 in J’s Gate Dining, Lot 10. This area is often described as a “Little Tokyo” in the heart of Kuala Lumpur—a curated collection of Japanese restaurants under one roof. But here’s the catch: not every outlet is halal, so Muslim diners should check carefully. Thankfully, Ramen Honolu is one of the popular halal-certified options, and that’s what drew us in.

✅ Ambience & First Impressions

The restaurant had a lively, fast-paced vibe. Diners were constantly coming and going, giving the place that typical Tokyo ramen bar energy. The space itself was compact but inviting, with simple wooden furnishings and an open kitchen where you could see the chefs in action. Traditional paper lanterns hung from the ceiling, adding a touch of Japanese charm that made the experience feel even more authentic. It wasn’t fancy, but it had that cozy, street-side ramen bar feel that instantly put us in the mood for a good bowl of noodles.

✅ What’s on the Menu?

Ramen Honolu serves a pretty decent spread for a small outlet. Their ramen selection includes:

Special Rich Ramen
Beef BBQ Shoyu Ramen
Spicy Fried Chicken Miso Ramen
Rich Chicken Curry (if you are in the mood for rice)

You can also order side dishes like crispy karaage (fried chicken) and gyoza (dumplings). Perfect if you’re feeling extra peckish.

Ordering is done via a paper sheet, where you can customise your bowl from the richness of the broth to your preferred toppings, spice level, and more. Drinks are kept simple, mostly soft drinks, and we decided on iced lemon tea.

✅ What We Ordered

From the Special Rich Ramen selection, we went for the Spicy Chicken Cutlet Ramen. Our food arrived in about 10 minutes, served hot and ready. Here’s what we thought:

The chicken broth was well-balanced: creamy but still light and soupy, not too thick or oily. It had depth without being too heavy.
The noodles were classic yellow ramen-style: springy, with a nice chew that held the broth well.
The chicken cutlet was juicy inside, with a satisfying crisp on the outside. A great protein pairing.
The spicy kick came from sambal, but don’t expect it to burn your tongue. It was more flavorful than fiery, made with minced chicken cooked in sambal-style sauce.

Overall, this was a solid bowl of ramen—flavourful, comforting, and well-executed. The customisable options were a nice touch. My only slight gripe? The portion felt a bit small compared to other ramen shops I’ve tried.

If I had to compare, Seirock-Ya still ranks higher on my personal list. I find their sambal more fragrant and spicier, and their noodles a little more satisfying. But Honolu definitely has its own signature style, and it’s worth trying, especially if you’re looking for halal Japanese food in Bukit Bintang.

This was the perfect first stop for our foodie trail. The ramen didn’t fully fill us up, but that was totally fine because we had our next food stop lined up.

2. Next: Mon Chinese Beef Roti

Just a short 3-minute walk from Lot 10, we arrived at one of Bukit Bintang’s most beloved roadside stalls—Mon Chinese Beef Roti. If you’ve ever wandered the streets of KL looking for iconic street food, chances are you’ve heard of this one. You’ll spot it easily: just look for the small crowd gathering by the curb.

Despite its popularity, the queue moved surprisingly fast. I’ve had this place bookmarked for ages, and finally standing in line made it all feel real!

They keep things simple with just 2 options on the menu:

Chicken Roti – RM6.00
Beef Roti – RM6.50

Of course, we went for the beef roti—their signature item.

✅ Hands-On Cooking, Street-Style Charm

One of the best parts of this place is how open and honest it is. You can watch everything being made right in front of you—from the way the dough is rolled out to how it’s stuffed with minced beef and onions, then deep-fried until golden. The smell alone was enough to make my stomach growl.

Our roti came out fresh and piping hot—so hot we couldn’t eat it right away. We took it with us to our next stop and enjoyed it there.

✅ The First Bite

When I finally took that first bite… oh wow. It was exactly what I hoped for. My partner said it reminded him a little of murtabak, but this was something else.

The outer layer was golden and crisp, but not the kind of crispy that hurts your gums—it still had a soft inner layer that gave a satisfying chew. It wasn’t dry either. A bit oily, yes, but that’s to be expected with something deep-fried.

Inside, the beef filling was generous, juicy, and perfectly seasoned—a beautiful blend of spices without being overpowering. No weird smell, no funky aftertaste… just solid, delicious street food at its best. I was worried it wouldn’t be enough, but surprisingly, one roti was filling enough to tide us over. It’s definitely the kind of snack you crave again the next day.

Mon Chinese Beef Roti lives up to the hype. It’s simple, comforting, and full of flavour… the kind of street food that reminds you why KL is such a foodie paradise. It’s definitely worth the queue.

3. Rawtee & Oh Poké, Bukit Bintang (Italian-style Sandwich)

Our next stop was Rawtee, a small sandwich bar just a 4-minute walk from the beef roti stall. Located inside the HSBC building in Bukit Bintang, it’s easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. The space wasn’t big—just a few tables and a bar by the window. There was no air-conditioning when we were there, but we managed to grab a seat at the bar next to a stand fan, which made things bearable in KL’s heat.

Rawtee is known for its Italian-style focaccia sandwiches. The bread is super soft and generously filled with a variety of pork-free meats and cold cuts, making it a Muslim-friendly spot.

✅ What We Ordered

We shared one sandwich, the Agnello Pesto (RM24.90), made with:

Lamb leg
Pesto cream
Mozzarella cheese
Sundried tomatoes
Arugula
Grana Padano (a nutty Italian cheese similar to Parmesan)

To be honest, I’m not usually a sandwich person, but my partner is, so I let him take the lead. He loved it and said it tasted like something you’d find in a little sandwich shop in Italy. I only had two bites. Flavour-wise, it was good, just not my thing.

But I will say this: the bread was wonderfully soft, slightly oily in the best way (thanks to the olive oil!), and packed with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Luckily, they provided us with gloves, which was a thoughtful touch and made the whole experience less messy.

4. Final Stop: RVC Vietnamese Coffee

As we made our way back to Lot 10 to get the car, something caught my eye—a small Vietnamese coffee stall called RVC Coffee. And if you know me, you know I can’t resist a good cup of Vietnamese coffee. So, of course, we had to make one last stop.

The setup was simple and fuss-free… just a few stools and a table by the side of the stall. We placed our order and took a seat, happy to take a short break after a full day of food hunting.

The coffee? Bold, rich, and beautifully strong—just the way I like it. It wasn’t overly sweet (though that might just be me—my sweet tolerance is definitely higher these days, haha), and the depth of flavour really came through. It had that signature Vietnamese kick that wakes you up from the inside out.

We sat there slowly sipping, letting the coffee work its magic, and just soaking in the moment. No rush, no pressure—just a great cup of coffee to wrap up the day.

Wrapping Up Our Foodie Trail

And that’s a wrap on our mini food trail around Bukit Bintang! From slurping rich, halal ramen at Ramen Honolu, to grabbing that golden, beefy roti by the roadside, to a fancy bite of Italian-style sandwich at Rawtee, and finally winding down with a bold cup of Vietnamese coffee—this little adventure was the perfect mix of flavours, cultures, and vibes.

I love how you can explore so much in just one area without even needing to hop in a car.

If you’re planning your own food hunt in KL, I definitely recommend this route. Come hungry, bring a friend (or two), and don’t be afraid to try something new. Who knows? You might just discover your next favourite snack.

Till the next Makan trip!