More than just a pretty cafe — fennel & co. brings bold flavours to KL’s cafe culture
This Bukit Tunku cafe serves up real flavour with a halal-friendly twist.
As cafes continue to sprout across the Klang Valley, catering to the aesthetic-obsessed and the brunch-savvy, fennel & co. steps into the spotlight not just with flavours, but with heart. They are redefining the cafe experience by blending soulful hospitality with a carefully curated halal menu.
Cafes in Malaysia have evolved far beyond their original purpose of serving a good brew. They’ve become social playgrounds, creative hubs, and destinations for discovering identity through taste and design.
“With the cafes that are opening left and right, you can just find a spot, chill there, and just, like, cafe hop," regular cafe-goer Vanessa Lim said.
She also highlighted how the affordability and approachable quality of most cafes make them accessible to many Malaysians in the rising trend of cafe culture.
But as the trend becomes mainstream, some voices question whether these spaces are truly about the food.
“People nowadays care more about the ambiance or the overall vibe, especially teenagers.
“Sometimes I feel like it defeats the purpose, but I mean, to each their own,” 22-year-old food and cafe enthusiast Bonnie Chan remarked.
Despite this, Bonnie makes an exception for fennel & co. — a name that is now quickly making its way into conversations among discerning brunch lovers.
“The food at fennel & co. was definitely worthy of praise as well,” she said.
Nestled in the lush surroundings of Bukit Tunku, fennel & co. officially opened its doors on May 12, 2025.
The aesthetically pleasing restaurant’s founders envisioned more than a dining spot — they strived to build a space that feels like a second home for restaurateurs and cafe enthusiasts.
“We’ve built more than just a space to eat — we’ve built a space to belong,” the team shared during an exclusive media preview.
From early-morning coffee rituals to unhurried dinners with family, fennel & co. invites patrons to pause, connect, and be present.
While it might just be regarded as a cafe at first glance, there is a certain charm that pulls people in — influenced not just by what they serve, but how it feels to be part of an experience, exploring the different worlds of tastes they offer.
What sets fennel & co. apart is its halal-friendly menu, where the fantastic fusion of Malaysian flavours with Western components and Thai spices creates a delicious combination of dishes — not simply out of obligation but as an act of reverence.
Each ingredient is selected with care, and every dish is prepared with the familiarity and comfort of a well-loved home kitchen.
The standout Biiig Breakfast offers a choice between Spanish chicken or corned beef sausage, prepared with a familiar fusion of spices that brings the Spanish chicken to life.
The Croque Monsieur is a unique fennel & co. signature, reinventing a French classic with chicken ham, melted cheese, and a luscious mornay sauce, sandwiched in soft brioche.
A particular favourite among the attendees, this dish packed a delightful three-pronged barrage of flavours as the chicken ham, seasoned with a variety of spices, was contrasted by the salty yet milky melted cheese, topped off with the rich mornay sauce.
For something bolder, the Buttermilk Fried Chicken — oat-crumbed and crisped to perfection — comes paired with house-made sauces including gochujang, habanero, and chilli lime, offering multiple layers of flavour.
A personal favourite, the Nyonya Tomyam Prawn Spaghetti, is a masterful blend of local herbs with a creamy, spicy finish that nods to Malaysia’s love for layered spice.
The fusion of authentic Thai tomyam lathered on Malaysian-style spaghetti noodles offered a taste that truly embodied both iconic flavours in one dish.
Among the many cafes and food establishments sprouting in Malaysia, fennel & co. is part of a broader movement dubbed “cafe culture,” which is changing how young Malaysians eat, socialise, and explore food.
In this way, cafes have become incubators for taste evolution, allowing people to step outside their comfort zones in the most casual, enjoyable way.
While many establishments focus on visuals and “Instagrammability,” fennel & co. bridges the gap between beauty and substance — proving that great food, thoughtful design, and authentic human connection can, and should, coexist.
Download Sinar Daily application.Click Here!
