We all love a 24-hour makan spot, the kind you keep in mind for late nights or days when meals run on your own clock. I recently found another one to add to that list at Damansara Heights, and it goes by a name that instantly grabs attention: Cekik The Food Chapter.
Bold, maybe even cheeky at first glance, “cekik” actually carries a deeper meaning rooted in heritage. In the Chetti community of Melaka, also known as Peranakan Indians, the word simply means to eat. Straightforward, communal, and very much about gathering around food.
The space matches that grounded spirit. Expect a modern rumah kampung atmosphere, with batik patterns inspired by Kelantan-style line art across parts of the interior, all hand-drawn and rich in colour.
Along the walls, softly lit cubby shelves display old tiffins, kuih moulds, and vintage pieces collected from Melaka and Kuala Selangor. Many are second-hand, chosen to give old items a new role instead of creating more waste. Even their takeaway packaging follows the same thinking, using biodegradable materials.
Any time cravings
Cekik runs non-stop, and the menu shifts with the hours. Evenings through late mornings are for comfort favourites like nasi lemak, curry mee, roti canai, thosai, and roti bakar. It works as breakfast, dinner, or supper, depending on how your day looks.
From 11.30am onwards, attention turns to their banana leaf spread, served until 7pm. It’s the kind of lunch that can easily stretch into tea time, especially if you’re the sort who takes your time with curries and refills.
Banana leaf that steals the show
This is what most people come for, the unlimited refill banana leaf rice (RM14.90). A generous leaf arrives with rice and a colourful line-up of sides: tauhu sambal, tempeh with cili padi, brinjal, pumpkin, bitter gourd chips, and five different curries.
Every spoonful brings something different, warming spices, rich gravies, and rice that soaks it all up properly. It’s satisfying without feeling too heavy, and the refill option means no one leaves hungry.
What stands out most is how they treat the sauces. No pre-made pastes, no shortcuts. The sambal and gravies come from family recipes shared by friends and relatives of the owners, and everything is prepared in-house. The result is food that tastes genuinely home-cooked, not mass-produced.
Cekik specials worth sharing
If you’re going beyond the banana leaf set, their Cekik Specials are worth adding to the table. Each dish carries a Malaysian name, a small detail that reflects how rooted the menu is.
Mak Cik Timah’s claypot lemak cili padi prawns (RM19.90) arrive in a bubbling coconut gravy that coats each prawn with creamy heat. Uncle Raj’s mutton perattal (RM19.90) comes tender and deeply spiced, without the toughness you sometimes get with mutton. Aunty Lim’s ginger spring onion chicken (RM10.90) is lighter, aromatic, and easy to pair with rice.
There’s also the chicken briyani (RM24.90), served with fragrant rice and meat that falls apart easily, plus cashews for texture. And if you’re the type who builds your perfect bite, don’t skip the fried onions (RM5). They’re crisp enough to snack on by themselves.
You’ll also find familiar staples like nasi lemak, curry mee, and pad kra pao, which makes Cekik an easy pick no matter what hour you turn up.
The drinks menu holds its own too. My favourite was the Gula Melaka Latte, which stood out for its depth and sweetness without being cloying. It’s made using coffee beans developed specifically for Cekik by their supplier, and it shows, it tastes considered, not like a generic add-on.
A thoughtful, flexible spot for groups
One practical touch I appreciated is flexibility. Every dish can be prepared in a fully vegan version, so plant-based diners can still get the full flavour experience. The restaurant is also Muslim-friendly, which makes it an easy choice for mixed groups.
Overall, this place works for casual meals, family catch-ups, or even hosting clients when you want something local in a neat setting. Behind Cekik is The Chapter Group, known in Kuala Lumpur for spots like The First Chapter and Benang The Second Chapter, plus Scubar The Third Chapter over on Koh Phi Phi Island in Thailand.
Here, they’re putting the spotlight back on Malaysian food, in a space that feels warm, honest, and welcoming.
Cekik The Food Chapter
Address: 9G, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 24 Hours Daily
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