Mobile Police @ Desa Setapak

The mobile police station has moved to the corner of the roundabout, adjacent to SSL pan mee shop. It used to be near the roundabout, opposite the TOTO shop. This is a better arrangement - and frees up more parking space for others to park. 

Perhaps, the police can also do something about people who dont know how to park and double park. Find them, and fine them please!

What on Earth Is This?

Okay, out of curiosity, have you spotted this stencilled graffiti on newly painted walls in Desa Setapak? Well, saw this one near the HP shop near the LRT station. Cheese massage? Hope you don't get cheesed off.

Pontian Wanton Restaurant

There's a new kid on the block but we have yet to try it. Outdoing all other businesses, this one decided to go at it loud and clear and here you can see all the glamour in the banner. If you have tried it, then perhaps you might want to pen us a line or two below.

Got Car, Just Park lah!

See how some people can get away with murder? This taxi was seen parked at the roundabout at Taman Desa Setapak. How silly can you get? Roundabouts are for traffic diversion and to spruce up the surroundings. But from the look of this vandal, he couldn't care less where he leaves his car - even if it means driving up public property. And if the authorities decide to summons him, he will be all too quick to cry foul. Is there law and order anymore in Wangsa maju?

Tolong Kawan, Bagi Sikit Ler

This couple was spotted almost weekly at the Toto Shop in Taman Desa Setapak. The lady, holding a piece of paper, asks for donation for some cause. A donation box is nearby, watched by the male counterpart. Who are they or where the money is going, it is unclear. Whether they get something from the punters, one wonders, but they have been there for weeks already. Wouldn't it be easier to approach the MIC for funding?

Mr Bread - Pork and Lard Free

This bakery is located along the road into Section Two, at the new block of shops to your left as you make the turn into Section Two. The owner looked worried when I took the shot of his shop and the No Pork notice. (Relax brudder, we are just trying to help you.)

Okay, the bakery offers pretty decent range of breads and pastries. If you are looking for breads you have not seen before, check it out. The wholemeal breads are pretty well made, too, quite soft but a little light though.

When I surveyed the place recently, it was having a Buy Three Free One promotion. I don't know if this is on during low-peak hours are an all-day affair. Check it out yourself.

Baker's Cottage - Desa Setapak

This is one outlet you should visit if you love bread. In fact, it is one of the branches of the Baker's Cottage chain of bakery. What I like about it is the 99sen deals you find at certain times of the day.

The proprietor must have been a smart fella with good business acumen. After certain hours, you know for sure certain things can sell and certain things cannot, and will probably end up in the next morning's trash can if you insist on the price tag. But if you were to go cheap, even marginally, at the end of the day, not only will you garner goodwill from those who can ill afford your tagged price but earn their gratitude as well, especially during tough times when everyone is looking to stretch the ringgit.

This cheap-cheap concept is neither new nor novel - it has been practiced by some socially responsible corporate bodies already. It's about giving back to society when you reap from them.

Foh Yuen Vegetarian Restaurant - Where You Can get A Decent Meal for RM2.00

If you are short on cash and payday is a long way away, and are looking for cheap nutritious meals in Wangsa Maju, take a walk to Section 2 where the new block of shops at the perimeter of Desa Setapak facing Menara Alpha. Check out the Foh Yuen Vegetarian Restaurant where meals go as cheap as RM2 for rice and three dishes and a free drink if you eat in. Additional dish goes for a mere 50 sen.

I visited the eatery recently and found it to be quite popular, and why not? For a compassionate eatery (let's face it - where can you get RM2 for a hearty meal, and vegetarian, too?), it seems to be drawing quite a crowd throughout the day. Regulars include vegetarians and those who can ill afford expensive meals in Wangsa Maju.

From the decor, the eatery has a religious air about it that is reflective of a Buddhist organisation (see picture right) . Because of this, I think the eatery is not looking at high profit margin - it was set up to perhaps offer good vegetarian meals to vegetarians and the less financially abled. You don't see this kind of 'corporate compassion' nowadays. So, if you are in Wangsa Maju, check it out one day.



Update: Reader who wants to be known as CLF has an interesting story about this outlet and the philantrophy behind it. Read CLF's comment below this post.

What will the be building in the rubble?

Weeks ago, this writer wrote about how four hawker centres in Desa Setapak were reduced to rubble.

From the ashes - or rather rubble - something will be rising. The signs are there as a fence has been used to cordon off the area lest new squatters move in. While the hawker centres had been eyesores, one can't help wondering what will be coming up of this place.

According to one shop operator there, the developer will be building some shops. How true this is, one doesnt know. But isn't Desa Setapak jammed enough? One wonders!



Got flower pots some more!

Cendol and Rojak at Desa Setapak

This mamak cendol seller can be seen occupying two car parking lots at Desa Setapak almost daily. He and his partner in crime, another mamak selling rojak, can be seen from 10am to evening at this spot in front of Asashi computers.

How their rojak and cendol taste is up to the individual to judge. But each time when frequenting the parking area starved Desa Setapak, one would wish they find a better to trade - at least not at the expense of car park users.

How can they take up two parking lots? What if others do the same? You be the judge!

Playground at the Most Jammed Junction?

I was perplexed when I saw this today. Someone was actually building a playground about 100 metres away from the access road into Wangsa Maju Section 2 and Jalan Genting Kelang junction near the Wardieburn camp.



This particular junction has traffic lights which sometimes forget they are traffic lights and turn green or red as they fancy, causing jams in the evenings and mornings. A couple of accidents have happened here as well because of selfish motorists and hell bikers.

Be that as it may, a playground is being built here, today. It is not too far away from the Hindu temple there and about 50 metres from the traffic lights junction.

While it is noble effort to beautify the area, I was wondering if anyone living nearby (at least 100 metres away) would want to have their children play there.

And if they do, they would have to keep their eyes open lest their children run onto the road, say while chasing a ball, into the harm's way in the form of fast driven cars from the upper part of Jalan Genting Kelang or from Desa Setapak/Wangsa Maju.

Desa Setapak Hawker Centres Reduced To Rubble!

The arrows mark those that have been removed. Two other, diagonally opposite these two, have also been removed.

I was shocked! Today, at the round about in Desa Setapak, four hawker centers lining the four corners of the roundabout were reduced to rubble.

The concrete structures were gone and upon enquiry, this blogger was informed that City Hall had removed the structures yesterday. Where the hawkers are going to trade is left to be seen. Why the structures were removed is for you to wonder.

One would assume that it was to act against illegal hawking. If so is the case, then good for enforcement. But are more illegal hawkers going to be pulled up and their illegal structures removed? Let's wait and see if those at Section One will be dealt the same fate.

And what about those near Section 6, a shout's distance from the 7-11? During the mornings, motorists park indiscriminately to buy nasi lemak. And what about the illegal stretch from Taman Sri Rampai towards Selangor Pewter? If I remember correctly, this piece of land was unoccupied until the fruit stalls take over. Do they have licence or are they going to suffer the same fate? Let's wait and watch.

Soon Soon Lai (slow-slow come) Xia Xu Noodles

Oi, you got eat herbal Xia Xu noodles before or not? If not, you should come to Desa Setapak. The noodles are hand made and the owner's fame has gotten him into HoChak TV programme.

Basically, if you ask me, it is similar to pan mee. Except that he gives you so many flavours. And don't miss the chili hot spicy mee. Better, if you eat there under the noon sun. Yes, got shelter but try and see if you do not sweat like hell.


See the menu?



Eat spicy mee under the umbrellas under the noon sun and you get extra kick.

Kopitiam Desa - Cheap Snacks and Meals

No queue means either food is finished or you are damn lucky.
Looking for delicious food and no time to cook? Cheap too? Check out this shop at Desa Setapak. You cannot miss it and if you do, you deserve to be hungry. There is usually a long queue when the shop opens for business from 10am. It is located on the LRT side of the shops, at the end near the roundabout. Noodles, soups, sweets and such are available, and cheap too.

Perfect Ice - Fruit Juice Popsicle

Ever tried fruity popsicle? No, I mean one made from fruit juice? Check out this stall at Desa Setapak. The stall is near the roundabout. Various types of fruits available. What he does is to first juice the fruit and then turn the juice into ice. Good thirst quencher.

Mini Clubman Workshop in Setapak Jaya

There is a little known Malay operated workshop at the corner of Setapak Jaya which repairs Mini Clubman and other antique cars. Judging from the queue of old cars, he must be quite a specialist. His workshop is located along the shortcut bypass from Setapak Jaya to Air Panas. Look out for the high tension wire pylons. His workshop (among a couple of illegal shops) is directly underneath. Next door is a second-hand car parts dealer.



The yellow one belongs to Mr Bean ... just kidding!

Desa Setapak

This is basically a medium cost housing area with two and three-storey compact houses (similar to Setapak Jaya) built in the 80s. The housing area surrounds a main thoroughfare which is today a bustling business area with all sorts of shops operating there.

Many of the houses still retain their old looks (above), probably because the owners have moved away and rented out to students from TAR College or MIA, or office workers. . Those who decide to stay, well, make a castle out of their common abodes (below).To know why this place is booming, visit it in the evenings. You will see scoreds of hungry college students queueing for their meals at the many 'chup-fun' (mixed rice) stalls there. Office workers come at 6pm till 8pm, of course. And the LRT station beside this thoroughfare also helps.

Food is cheap of course and plentiful, and so is the money to be made here from hungry students. And yes, stalls too fight for business with the established restaurants. The designer cafes which came up in 2007 also offer variety and give some exclusivity to those who want some "class".

This is one place you have to consider yourself lucky if you can find parking between 11am to 10pm, after businesses close.

Click for map of Desa Setapak