We found ourselves at Wisma Cosway following our visit to the CIMB Bank located adjacent to it. It has been less than a year since our last visit, and it appears that quite a few food and beverage establishments have commenced operations in this vicinity since then. Most of our previous visits occurred during the evening, and it is possible that the atmosphere varies significantly between night and day. Our initial intention was to dine at the well-known fish and chips restaurant, Lad & Fry; however, to my surprise, it appears to be permanently closed. Did it not just open a few months ago?
Visiting Wisma Cosway during the lunch hour on a weekday is indeed a noteworthy experience. It appears that a majority of the working individuals from the upper floors converge on the lower level to dine. The atmosphere is quite vibrant and colorful. After exploring the Ground and First floors, we found ourselves in a corner featuring a long queue. The setup of this floor consists of shop lots of varied sizes, and this specific area comprises two dining establishments – Kantan and Mak’kar. For our lunch selection, we chose to try Mak’kar, which resembled a mini food court. It was bustling with activity, and every table was occupied. As a result, we opted to pass the time with a drink downstairs before returning around 2 pm. By that time, Mak’kar was somewhat empty.
Parking: Visitor carpark available in the basement of Wisma Cosway, at a cost of RM 4 for first hour, RM 3 for subsequent hours.
There is limited information available regarding this establishment online. It appears to be one of those establishments set up to cater to the office folks in the area. Approximately five to six food stalls are present, offering a variety of dishes such as Chicken Chop Rice, Wan Tan Mee, Pan Mee, Hor Fun, and Pork Noodles. We chose to sample the noodles offered at this location.
Dry Pan Mee, RM 12 (Big) + Wan Tan Mee, RM 10 (Big)
The Wan Tan Noodles presented a simple yet satisfying experience. The flavors were reminiscent of those typically encountered in traditional Chinese coffee shops. While the pork strips were tastefully seasoned, they were not the sweet and succulent char siu that I personally favor. The noodles were light and had a pleasing springiness.
As for the Dry Pan Mee, the stall provides three choices of noodles: flat, thin, and thick. We chose the thin option, and our dish was served within a span of five minutes. The dish was quite flavorful, with the noodles generously coated in a rich ketchup sauce that appealed to my taste. I appreciated the ample portions of minced meat, mushrooms, and crunchy elements included. After thoroughly mixing the dish, there were sufficient amount of toppings that remained until the very last bite. If there was one thing I can change, it would pertain to the texture of the noodles; I personally find chewy noodles less enjoyable, a characteristic that was present in this instance. Aside from that, this dish was decent.
Would I consider returning? I am open to revisiting Mak’kar to explore the other dishes available. Regarding the dishes we sampled, although they were decent, they did not leave a lasting impression. Should I be working in the vicinity, and I regularly visit this area, I could envision myself enjoying these dishes once more. However, if I were traveling from the opposite side of town to Wisma Cosway with the intention of having lunch here, then I would not. The two noodle dishes we tasted are not worth coming all the way for. You’d be able to find better options elsewhere.
Address: First Floor, Wisma Cosway. (Next to Kantan)
Opening hours: To be confirmed.
Signing out now, Ciao.