The Cup & Quick Bites @ Publika

Asian street fare lines the corridors of Publikas lower levels, spanning Korean comfort cuisine at The Cup to Vietnams soulful sandwiches at Quick Bites.

First up, The Cup; service seems sluggish & slipshod but the food mercifully makes up for it.

"Jjampong," spicy noodles in broth thats hotter than expected, both in temperature & fieriness, & surprisingly hearty for a takeaway box that costs RM13.90.

Feel the full force of acquired-taste Korean flavors in this "tteokbokki," a steamy braised mix of rice cakes & fish cakes that feels ideal for a wintertime indulgence.

Scarcely six paces from The Cup, Quick Bites is a generically named little outlet that supplies nicely prepared Vietnamese specialties.

Grilled lemongrass chicken bahn mi, crunchy & fragrant, might be the best bet at Quick Bites, reputedly run by a Vietnamese American who once operated a similar business for his migrant community in San Francisco.

The Cup & Quick Bites,
Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.
Both outside Publikas EAT Food Village.