RAW, Real and Wholesome, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

It’s Earth Week, which means it’s a great time to reflect on ways to make our lives a little more eco-friendly.  One movement gaining popularity is Meatless Mondays, encouraging everyone to go meat-free one day per week (any day will do).  Eating meat free saves fossil fuels as producing a pound of meat requires more water and fuel resources than producing and harvesting plants.  Plus, a vegetarian diet - even once a week - can also benefit the body, reducing cholesterol and fat consumption. 

For unpretentious vegetarian food that nourishes the body AND does Mother Earth proud, one look no further than the newly expanded vegetarian menu at Real and Wholesome (RAW). 

I first discovered RAW last year while on a quest for an independent coffee shop in which to meet a friend.  I did a quick search of this very website and found a post by Monica on Real and Wholesome (RAW) Coffee.  I would have never stumbled upon RAW’s location on my own (in the lobby of the Wisma Equity building) but I was so excited to have found it – the location was convenient, the coffee, roasted onsite, was outstanding and parking out back was free.

RAW has expanded their menu in the last few months, and is now a hot spot for anyone looking to fuel up and feel great at the end of a meal.  The new menu is simple yet offers plenty of variety; all-day breakfast includes muffins, pancakes, and rosti-combination choices while lunch options include soups, sandwiches and pasta dishes.

Most dishes at RAW are vegan-friendly, yet you’d never know it by taste alone.  The Rosti with Sautéed Spinach and Cashew Nut Sauce (RM13) gave me a chance to try the vegan sauce, as rich and sinful as any Alfredo sauce I’ve had, but without the heavy cream and the “Why did I just eat that?” after-feeling.  I’ll be trying to recreate this one in my kitchen soon! 

Among my favorite dishes is the Moroccan Spiced Pumpkin Soup (RM15). The perfect consistency, not too thick but not at all runny, one spoonful was all it took for me to be hooked.  The bowl is deep and plentiful, but bread served on the side should be left for the end, you’ll want it for sopping up any residual soup – it’s too good to waste a drop! 

The hearty Tagine Cous Cous (RM15) is a warm homemade dish combining varietal squash in a fresh tomato and vegetable base with a lemony zing aftertaste.  Topped with the nutty, chewy and seed-bedazzled tempeh and set beside a large portion of seasoned cous cous, this delightful dish may have changed my mind forever about tempeh, a fermented soy product used as a meat substitute. (I’ve had some not-so-great experiences eating tempeh but was thrilled to rediscover tempeh done well at RAW.)  Even if it hadn’t, the tempeh can easily be omitted and the dish is would still be excellent.

At the request of a RAW customer, the aforementioned tagine has been incorporated into an equally tasty sandwich and now appears on the menu alongside the BLT (Tempeh “bacon”, Lettuce and Tomato), Mushroom Pesto and Cheese, and the Tomato and Scallion sandwiches.  Each comes with a side salad and is served on a choice of bread: whole meal, gluten free, ciabatta, or white.  Big enough to share with a friend, sandwiches are a reasonable RM15.

If you’re short on time and still want to pop in, choose from several salads in the display case for takeaway including beetroot, marinated mushrooms, pumpkin and green salad. 

I’ll admit, I had people coming for dinner and no time to cook last week so I headed to RAW, armed with my own Tupperware.  I loaded up on pumpkin, mushrooms, and three orders of the Cous Cous Tagine and snuck them home and into nice serving dishes.  For less than RM60 I had dinner for four (with leftovers) and my guests remarked they loved the meal and felt fantastic afterwards.

RAW is located in the bright and spacious lobby of the Wisma Equity building directly across Jalan Ampang from KLCC.  Catering mostly to business people in the adjacent buildings, RAW also makes for a relaxed social setting to enjoy a long lunch and chat with friends, or for getting some work done while luxuriating over some seriously good coffee.  (Clickhere for more info on RAW’s coffee.)

Reason to Visit:Delicious meals for healthy living, eco-friendly, vegan friendly, exceptional single-origin coffee roasted onsite.