'The Humble Chef' Offers Generous Food For RM5

Ever since I moved in this cosmopolitan city last year, I have been frequenting this nice little place called The Humble Chef in Bukit Damansara. As its name suggests, this unassuming place serves pasta dishes in small servings at an affordable price of RM5.00 per plate.

The Humble Chef at Jalan Medan Setia 2 in Bukit Damansara is open from 12 noon to 11:30 pm. They are closed on Sundays. (Photo: www.vkeong.com).

My husband and I would go here every week because we crave their specialty: carbonara with chicken toppings for me and pesto with shrimp for him. Other options for meat to go with include beef or lamb. 

But just because it's relatively cheap doesn't mean the meals are forgettable as most food in every food court in boleh land. To be honest, I wouldn't use the word "cheap" to describe the foodie place. That would be an insult to the kind and humble chefs working behind the counter. There's definitely more value to it and a guarantee that it wouldn't not suck.

More often than not, small portions discourage people from visiting the same restaurant for a second time. The case is different with The Humble Chef, which just last month or so started going with the tagline "cut smaller, costs less". 

The Humble Chef serves Carbonara with prawn (beef, chicken, or lamb) for only RM5.00 per plate. For more flavor, get theor Pan-Fried Chicken with Spaghetti in Spicy Cream Sauce for RM22.00.

Of course it makes perfect sense: serve little portions would justify budget-friendly prices. But if The Humble Chef relies too much on this business idea alone, I don't think the place would thrive and keep these students, yuppies, young couples like us, and even big families on coming back for more. (Especially on Fridays and weekend afternoons when finding an empty table is such a feat).

Intentional or not, the brains behind The Humble Chef are definitely taking advantage of their small portions as bait to attract people from all walks of life to try their food, which I honestly think taste better than stalls serving Italian food at Food Republic and the likes. Their carbonara definitely has more spunk, and cream that gives off a homey, comfort food vibe. Something that is so rare to find in KL if you have a Filipino palate like me. 

(Tip for Pinoys: There is a Filipino restaurant called Merienda 2 or 3 doors away from The Humble Chef but I always go with the last one because of the price range. To get more value out of my money. Mas sulit talaga.)

Enjoy this Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream for only RM6.00 at the Humble Chef along Jalan Medan Setia 2 in Bukit Damansara

Once you tried out their food, it's hard to resist the urge of getting another plate to satisfy your big appetite. You just have to order one more. In fact, I always notice couples or small group of hipster friends having an extra plate of pasta on their tables. Either that or you just go back to the counter and buy their sandwhich (with the choice of beef, chicken, or lamb spreads) for only P2.50 each. They also serve mushroom soup and pita bread.

Another thing I like about the The Humble Chef is their desserts. I like the fact that I don't need to look for another place so I can just end my lunch or dinner with a bang of sweet things. Their Chocolate Brownie with Ice Cream on top never failed me. For only RM6.00, you'll experience a harmonious marriage between a hot/moist brownie with cold vanilla ice cream. If that one isn't available, I would go for their Cheese Souffle. Again, for RM6.00.

Those with sweet tooth need to watch out, however. The Humble Chef changes their dessert line-up every now and then. If you happen to visit and saw a Chocolate Lava Cake on their chalk board, make sure to order that one. They offer that as rare as you can find Mewtwo when you go Pokemon-hunting.