Cafe Chef Wan @ Setia City Mall — Restaurant in Shah Alam

Food: 4/5 - The food was good, with satisfying portion sizes and flavors. However, the kerabu chicken was salty, and the broth of laksa Sarawak was too heavy, tick - not enjoyable to slurp. There was also a slight bitter aftertaste, but it wasn't clear where it came from. The pistachio cake was just fine and tastes cheap.

Atmosphere: 3/5 - I'd give 5 stars for the front interior, but inside was just meh. I ended up with an inconvenient edge corner seat, which wasn't very comfortable or Instagram-worthy. (Keep in mind—I had already requested and deposited earlier with a remark.) Plus, there were flies buzzing around, and one fly was especially annoying, disturbing our peace throughout the meal.

Service: 1/5 - Oh boy, where do I even begin? I asked for the cake to be served NOW twice in front of the cake after I chose it, and even when I talked, he's opened the cake topper, like going to take already, so I think all good? But they only brought it out after I finished eating everything! I ordered it along with my other mes because I wanted to take pictures of all the food together to celebrate with my mom - I am Instagramable type of person.

Anyway we super hungry and started to eat the meals since we assuming the cake will arriver sooner. nOPE, I had to get up and find a waiter to ask for the cake since we were already finish everything. Then, he asked if I wanted a candle, and I said no because my mom doesn't like it. But when they brought the cake, it had a candle on it, and they didn't even give us a clean spoon to eat it!

And to top it off, the waiters didn't bother clearing our plates when the dessert is arrive. We finished all ya. I had to call another waitress to help clean up and request for cake spoon. When he finally did, he only cleared some plates and gave me meal spoon not a cake spoon or fork. I even helped by moving some plates closer to him, but he ignored them!

So, I ended up eating cake with leftover food on the plate and a fly buzzing around. They really need to put a badge or something if they have staff who need extra help or trainer or special. I'd understand then and wouldn't get so angry. And just so you know, the manager was around the whole time!

I being nice and thank them every time. I am not a Karen, but in my mind, I already arranged this review, so this is why you get long feedback. Hope you can...

The food was okay. For me personally, nothing special I guess. We order the cucur udang, lamb soup, nasi ulam, laksa johor, australian burger (?) and cendol. But the experience dining there itself was not the best i think. Maybe because we go as a (kinda) big group including 3 of my under the age of 12 nephews (1 special needs boy). At first, my special need nephew complained (in children tone, no screaming happen) that he was uncomfortable with the construction sound nearby (unfortunately there was some undergoing construction work nearby and my nephew is sensitive with a certain noise they were producing, fortunately the sound end quickly). For some people, my nephew's conduct might be disturbing (although personally i dont think he was being that loud or maybe im being biased, sorry for that). I think thats all the ruckus(?) we've done or were we talking that loud? We are truly sorry if we were but i think i heard other customers chit chating in the same volume. My nephews were behaving nicely throughout the visit as they were too busy with their own smartphone to keep them from being loud and running around.

We are truly sorry if other customers and employees were uncomfortable during our visit there. Most of the waiter and waitress were really nice and accomodating except for one waitress. She waits for us to stand up and leave our table (to clean it) and as soon as we try to leave, my SIL heard she 'Istighfar' and saw her shook her head left and right as soon as she tried to clear our table (as if we have done something terrible to her that need her patience to be constantly reminded by 'zikr'). I'm sorry but my fainted heart kinda offended. Idk what our faults are. Sure, we kinda made a mess there (as do other customers?), but we tried to clean it on our own (as much as we can cause we dont hv our own table cloth and anti bacterial spray).

If we really do something that were not allowed or trouble you, please tell us nicely so that we can get out or not doing it at all during our stay (please dont be judgy with us, just tell us nicely what we should have done and we will make sure to obey it).

Maybe its our fault for bringing children there. Anyways, we are truly sorry if our visit were causing trouble for your restaurant and we learnt our lesson. Hopefully, there will be no other customers who made the same...

I recently visited Cafe Chef Wan in Setia Alam to redeem my free birthday cake slice, which was a lovely gesture. Overall, my experience was pleasant, though I’d say it’s a spot best suited for those looking for a more premium dining experience and willing to spend a bit extra. The atmosphere of the café is bright and lively, with a warm, inviting ambiance that highlights Chef Wan’s vibrant personality and style. The decor is eye-catching, with touches that make it feel unique and give it a distinctly Malaysian yet modern feel.

As for the food, I decided to try the Burmese Curry Noodles along with my free slice of Red Velvet Cake. The curry noodles were an interesting dish, with a rich, creamy curry sauce that had a nice depth of flavor. The noodles were cooked well, and the ingredients were fresh, adding a good variety of textures to the dish. However, the flavor profile was a bit mild for my taste – I would have preferred a little more spice or intensity to bring out the curry’s bold flavors. That said, it’s still a hearty and enjoyable meal, and those who prefer a more subtle curry will likely enjoy it.

The Red Velvet Cake was beautifully presented and had a nice balance of sweetness. The cake was moist, and the cream cheese frosting was smooth and tangy, complementing the cake layers well. It wasn’t overly sweet, which I appreciated, as it allowed the flavors to shine through without being too rich.

One thing to note about Cafe Chef Wan is that the prices are on the higher side. While the quality of the ingredients and the presentation reflect a premium dining experience, it may not be an everyday spot for everyone. It’s ideal if you’re celebrating a special occasion or want to treat yourself, but if you’re on a budget, it might feel a bit pricey. The café does have a unique menu with dishes inspired by Chef Wan’s travels, so it’s worth trying at least once for the experience.

Overall, Cafe Chef Wan in Setia Alam is a nice place to enjoy a refined meal with creative, well-prepared dishes. The ambiance and service were pleasant, and the food was satisfying, though the price point may be best suited for those looking to splurge a bit. I enjoyed my experience and the chance to redeem a free cake slice on my birthday, which added a nice...