Asia Cafe regulars shocked to hear news of its impending closure

REGULAR patrons of Asia Café, the well-known food court in SS15 Subang Jaya, are dreading the day when the place shuts down.

Not only is it a favourite hangout among students, as there are many colleges and universities in the area, the food court is popular because of the variety of reasonably priced food available in one dining destination.

Subang Jaya resident Aaron Raj, 31, said the place holds happy memories for him as he has been frequenting it since his student days.

“It was convenient because we could get food anytime of the day.

“When I heard it was closing down, I could not believe it at first.

“It was the only place where I could get any type of food at a reasonable price,” he said, adding it was also the best place to watch sports.

“We would watch football, badminton, and wrestling on the big screen,” he said.

Many are sad and shocked to hear that Asia Café, the popular food court in SS15 Subang Jaya, will be closed soon.

Students and staff from Taylor’s University and Inti International College Subang will probably miss it the most.

Kathleen See, who works in Inti Subang, goes there for lunch almost every week.

“My colleagues will miss the economy rice stall that opens for lunch and I will no longer be able to enjoy the fried mushrooms at night,” she said.

Ding Tai Hin, 51, said he would often bring foreign visitors to enjoy the hawker fare there.

“There is something for everyone and it is more spacious and cleaner than other food courts.”

Asia Cafe general manager Raymond Khoo confirmed the place would be demolished to make way for a 30-storey small office, home office (SoHo) project.

“We have yet to set the exact date (of closure) but it will definitely be by the end of this year.

“We have given our tenants three months’ notice so they will have time to find a new place,” he said.

Tan, who operates a grilled seafood stall at Asia Cafe, says he plans to relocate to Rock Cafe in PJS 11, Bandar Sunway.

Mediaraya Sdn Bhd owns the land that Asia Café sits on.

Before the company bought the land in 2003, there was a cinema there.

“We demolished it and built Asia Café,” said Khoo.

“There are about 35 tenants who have been with us since we began operations in 2004.”

Khoo added that the food court was open for business from 7am to 4am daily.

There are 60 stalls, 500 tables and 2,800 chairs.

Some of the stall operators are unsure whether their regular customers will follow them when they move to a new place.

Tan Choo Chan, who operates the popular grilled seafood stall from 6pm until the wee hours of the morning, is among those who has been with Asia Cafe from day one.

“Many of my regulars will tell me how they miss my food when they are away and would come here upon returning to the country or when they are in town,” said Tan, adding he plans to relocate to Rock Cafe in PJS 11, Bandar Sunway.

Another vendor who has been with Asia Cafe from the beginning is Alex Poh, 41, who operates the fried mushroom stall.

“I am the first in Kuala Lumpur to sell fried abalone mushroom.

“I used to operate in several areas before Asia Cafe.

“I have 20 years experience.

“Having worked in a mushroom farm, I know how to select mushrooms that are fresh,” he said.

Aung Myowai, who has been operating both the Penang Nyonya stall and Thai food stall for the past seven years, said he has not decided where to go.