By Sarawakian
Subang Jayans are a lucky lot. We have 10 stations beginning from the Subang Jaya station and ending at the Putra Heights station. This is part of the Kelana Jaya line which heads to Gombak and passes by major stops in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. While this line ends at Putra Heights, it connects at this station to the Seri Petaling Line and thereafter the Ampang Line.
Subang Jaya is the middle earth for rail public transport. This makes it so accessible for those heading to work or leisure or study in Petaling Jaya or Kuala Lumpur.
Throughout my travels with friends during the weekdays, we found that the station where most would get on and get off amongst the 10 stations mentioned earlier was the USJ7 station.
This station is also where one could take the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) into Bandar Sunway and within walking distances to Sunway Pyramid, Sunway Medical Centre, hotels, offices, colleges and universities. This station is also a short walk to the soon-to-be launched EasyHome Mall (previously DaMen Mall) and The Summit USJ.
Those who are working, studying or living in Subang Jaya are really blessed to have good rail transportation. With the availability of free feeder buses provided by the Smart Selangor buses and the KTM Subang Jaya Commuter shuttle buses and the paid Rapid On Demand Vans, the accessibility has been improved.
Having to find places to eat within the 10-station line would be easy. The best LRT stations to stop for makan makan in my opinion would be at the Taipan, SS18 and SS15 stations. These stations are also located within the same area. Those from Sunway coming in with the BRT could take the USJ7 station and head either way for lunch or dinner or even meet ups in these areas.
TAIPAN STATION.
For context, the walk from the Taipan station to the middle of Taipan towards Tim Horton’s coffee would be roughly a 12-minute walk. There are several kopitiams and restaurants around here. Names like Nanking, Shin Zushi, YodMilk and even Logenhaus are here. Foo Hing dim sum is only a 10-minute walk. USJ 9’s Mama Ting Sarawak Laksa and Kolo Mee is also a 9-minute walk. If you feel lazy, then just head to the Ten Tien Fatt Kopitiam below the Taipan station. They have great char kway teow, young tau foo, pork noodles and mixed rice.
SS18 STATION
The SS18 station is a great station to head to if you would like to savour Subang Jaya’s little India. You could head down to SS14, which is just below the station. The station is located between SS18 and SS14. In SS14, you could get vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian restaurants. There are many to choose from.
There is Café 15, Seni Sattisorru, Star Bhavan, Masala Grill, Bindhu Vegetarian and more. You could also stop by the famous Sugar & I for their awesome bomboloni and canelé to bring back. What is in SS18 then? Just less than a 5-minute walk away you could get to the famous JM Bariani House. This was where they started.
On the same row you could find Nibbles café, Fine Gerson batik and café, Shikomi Coffee and awesome char siew at Jom Makan Minumlah @ Alpha and Omega Café. The later has char siew from the famous PJ store, TnR by Sean & Angie as a collaboration.
If you walk 10 minutes from the station under the trees, you will reach the famous Picolli Lotti Gelato, Foxhole Coffee, KUEH, Organic Vegetarian Fresh Mart and Restaurant, Kar Heong and XFrens. These are exceedingly popular with Subang Jayans.
The furthest walk from this station and taking about 15 minutes would be to the famous chicken rice place, Kar Heong. The same row has many Bak Kut Teh shops like Yu Kee, Ki Heong, Ah Ping and Ming Siang. Do not confuse Kar Heong Chicken rice with SS18’s Kar Hiong restaurant which sells cooked to order dishes.
SS15 STATION
The SS15 Station is anchored into the heart of the old Subang Jaya. It has a multitude of offerings to choose from. For a more affordable treat, head to the Subang Jaya Market complex. Above there are various stalls to choose from. Steps away are Ali, Muthu & Ah Hock, Ah Muk as well as the famous Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu. TK Bakery and RT Bakery are synonymous nearby and have been around for ages.
Brands like Ah Muk Cha Chaan Teng, Dao Tau Fu Fah, Fowlboys, Hotbird, Sumi-Ka Yakitori and cool cafes like Baristar Roastery and Atap by Pagi Coffee Co would surely add to the variety. Within a 10-minute walk, you can actually also reach Uncle Soon’s fried rice and Uncle Seng’s Noodles. Both are also nearby the famous Ooi Pork Noodle shop.
The best part of this station is that it is also closest to Jaya Grocer which is in SS15 Courtyard! Last-minute purchases before heading home using the train would be convenient. Besides that, SS15 Courtyard now has a particularly broad selection of makan places. Names like Omega Pork Noodle, CantonBoy, Chicken Rice Hub, The Nasi Lemak Shop and Ya Lim Seafood Restaurant. These add to the offerings of Rakuzen (HQ restaurant), Kheng Wah Kopitiam, Fei Fan Hotpot, Naj & Belle and Kairos coffee.
But if you do not want to walk much, just head to the Big Family Kopitiam below the train station for your kopitiam selections.
Makana Makan in Subang Jaya is easy with the LRT. This has benefitted many. However, it is important that MBSJ, councilors and the ADUN look at the roads within SS15 which really need resurfacing. The back lanes, especially at the old SJ Uptown section, are very dirty and unsafe to walk.
They must act now as SS15 needs attention. The walkways to and from the train stations need to be extended to connect with the bus stops. There is also a dire need for better information boards at the train stations on the public bus facilities. Finally, the lighting within the station needs attention as well as these are rather dark nowadays with fewer lights being switched on.
