Places to eat around UM Central: Some Recommendations

Eating food is very important, especially when being on campus. A lot of learning and studying means that it is important to make sure that one’s stomach should be filled in order to maintain the focus and energy required for reviewing materials and conducting study sessions. Within the heart of the UM campus that is UM Central, there are a variety of places to eat that one can go to while balancing the required nutrients, affordable price, and strategic location. Going to these places means that one can satisfy their hunger with food that can power them throughout the day.

1. Bayu Cafe, Faculty of Education

Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GqFEvzNiksos4DXY7

This is the go to cafe for students who want a balanced mix of affordable price and good quality food. Located in the Faculty of Education, Bayu Cafe offers a variety of food to choose from, from curry chicken to fried fish and a variety of vegetables. A normal portion that consists of rice, some curry chicken, and vegetables will cost around RM 9-11. Of course, one can always adjust the portion to suit their needs. The price will increase or decrease based on how many things you put on your plate. For example, if you put rice, fried chicken, vegetables and some side dishes, it will cost around RM 12-14. But if you put only rice and some fried chicken, the price will be around RM 8-9. Adding more portions of the same dish usually won't affect the price, so you can increase or decrease the amount of rice for example and the price will be the same regardless. But besides the food, there's also a variety of drinks to order, and the price is quite reasonable, unlike the RM 4-5 you see in normal restaurants. One table can accommodate 5-6 people, so if you have a lot of friends, then you can invite all of them at the same time. The only downside about this place is that it gets really crowded around 10 am to 2 pm from
Mondays to Thursdays because that's when most classes finish. Overall it's a pretty good place to eat for those who are nearby, like Faculty of Education and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences students.

1. Nasi Kandar Restaurant, Bangunan Azman Hashim

Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sYvGSysuGjTFiuin6

Located on the second floor of Bangunan Azman Hashim in the Faculty of Business and Economics, this place is absolutely recommended for those who want a hearty meal with an affordable price. Admittedly the food options here are not as diverse as Bayu Cafe, but if you don't mind the lack of variety, then this place is for you. Nasi Kandar, a popular staple of Malaysian cuisine, is a standard menu in this place, but similar to Bayu, you can also adjust your portion according to your needs. There's curry chicken, ketchup chicken, and a variety of vegetables. The only difference is that only the workers are able to pick up the food for you. As mentioned, the price is reasonable, with one plate costing RM 8-10 depending on the portion. The one cool thing about this place is that it is 100% air conditioned, so no matter how hot it is outside or how tired and exhausted you are, once you enter, it will absolutely be the best feeling ever. There are also windows that provide a nice view of the surrounding area, so it’s also the kind of place where you can contemplate. Of course, that's not to say that you can't bring your friends here, you absolutely can. It's just that this place caters to those who might not be in a particularly positive mood

1. Behind UM Central He & She Cafe, UM Central

Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Srw12S3Pk2C6iYLw8

This isn't really one specific cafe but more like a general area with multiple cafes. Located behind the He and She coffee shop in UM Central, this general area has stalls selling a variety of food, snacks, and tasty drinks to eat. One stall within this area called Dear Wifey has snacks like fried chicken wings, french fries customizable with a variety of sauces and a diverse set of drinks. The stalls beside it sell delicious desserts that are sure to satisfy your sugar cravings. The few downsides about this place are higher prices, large crowds during weekdays, and the small, cramped nature of the seats. But overall, if you don't mind gorging yourself on junk food once in a while, this is the place to go to do it. And add to that the strategic location, being located near the heart of UM, it's very accessible.

There are actually many more places to eat than the ones I mentioned above. These are just the recommended list for those who have recently arrived in UM and don’t really know where to eat. Hopefully this list helps anyone who's confused about where their cravings should be satisfied! I'll be more than happy to guide anyone to the best places to eat at UM!