Porch & Pantry: Bangsar’s hidden café for kids, pets and comfort food

Stacey Fredericks, a first-time business owner, wanted to create a kid- and pet-friendly space. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle)

KUALA LUMPUR: Tucked within Bayu Angkasa condominium in Bangsar, Porch & Pantry Café is easy to miss at first glance.

There isn’t a large signboard out front, so first-time visitors may find themselves wondering if they have arrived at the right place.

Only a small sign near the entrance points the way to the café’s parking area. From there, a short flight of stairs leads to the eatery, located beside the condo guardhouse.

The café was started in January by Stacey Fredericks, a new mum who decided to step away from her desk job.

“I moved to Bangsar during the pandemic and saw this empty space. I was looking to start a business and I love cooking. I could immediately visualise this space as a kid- and pet-friendly café,” she shared.

According to Fredericks, the premises was once the residence of a former prime minister before he took office. The building’s traditional façade and original roof remain, set beneath the surrounding residential towers.

Porch & Pantry Café is said to be located in a former prime minister’s residence. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle)

“The main indoor café area used to be the hall of the residence,” she went on. “I kept the original flooring and some of the doors to maintain its heritage.”

Slide the door open, step inside and you’ll be greeted by a bright, pristine interior with wooden furniture and marble floors.

In one corner sits a custom-built indoor playhouse, complete with a slide and high-quality toys. It is in clear view of the dining area, which allows parents to keep an eye on their children while they eat.

Those visiting with pets can head to the doors leading out to a breezy porch and semi-outdoor terrace, which is fully shaded.

The café’s custom-built indoor playhouse is a strong pull factor for families dining in. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle)

As a new business owner, Fredericks is glad to have gone down this road.

“It’s very fulfilling, especially when I see the same faces coming back again and again. I even have a customer who visits every day,” she said.

Of course, a pretty space means little if the food doesn’t hold up. Porch & Pantry offers comfort food inspired by various cuisines.

Start with the owner’s favourite: Mama’s Mee Siam with ayam goreng berempah. Served with sambal and a wedge of lime, this dish is possibly FMT Lifestyle’s favourite, too!

The portion is generous, and the real highlight is the noodles themselves – springy, tangy and full of flavour. The chicken thigh is equally well done, with crisp skin and juicy meat.

From mee siam and devil curry to grilled cheese sandwiches and creamy udon, Porch & Pantry is all about comfort food. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle)

As a nod to Fredericks’s mixed Portuguese heritage, there’s also the Eurasian devil curry: chicken drumsticks in a rich curry served with rice and potatoes. It’s a hearty option, though not as spicy as you might expect.

If you’re craving western cuisine, the menu includes pastas and pancakes, but the standout is the grilled cheese sandwich – sourdough bread with triple cheese, served with thick tomato soup for dipping.

It may not deliver that dramatic cheese pull, but the flavour comes through strong.

For something more fusion-forward, try the cleverly named “U-DON-KNOW-MEE”, a creamy miso yakisoba stir-fry with mushrooms, onsen egg and chicken karaage.

This is pure decadence. Stir everything together, let the onsen egg do its thing, and you get a rich, silky mix that clings to every bite of noodles.

Iced Aussie latte, strawberry matcha and iced blue fizz lemonade are among the fun drinks to try. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle)

The café also showcases a small selection of baked goods made by fellow mum entrepreneurs.

Beyond the food, Porch & Pantry is worth visiting for its drinks. The menu features a range of specialty espresso-based classics, including the indulgent iced Aussie latte, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Matcha lovers should try the ceremonial-grade strawberry matcha, which isn’t overly sweet, allowing the quality of the matcha to shine through.

For a refreshing pick-me-up, try the iced blue fizz lemonade, which tastes exactly as vibrant as it sounds.

So, whether you have a pet, a child, or simply a hearty appetite, Porch & Pantry is definitely worth checking out.

Follow Porch & Pantry Café on Instagram.

Porch & Pantry Café
Bayu Angkasa,
Jalan Medang Kapas, Bangsar,
59100 Kuala Lumpur

Business hours: 8.30am-5pm (Tuesdays-Sundays)