Manmaru at Mid Valley Megamall, a spacious restaurant with a wide-ranging menu that partners udon with the likes of pickled plums, creamy curries & even sweet corn soup.A small portion, pleasantly chewy, with smoked duck in savory gravy costs RM13.90; most other varieties here are cheaper. Side dishes include velvety eggs as well as tempura squid, tempura prawns, tempura chicken, tempura enoki mushrooms, tempura sweet potato, tempura pumpkin, tempura eggplant (the tempura compilation clearly rivals that of the udon).

Slurping our way through three udon specialists that opened in KL in recent months, starting with Yuu-jo, a fairly cozy spot on one of Mont Kiara's leafy streets.Udon & soba command the mightiest share of Yuu-jo's menu; for something that tastes pretty nutritious, order the cold udon with marinated shiso leaves & spinach, blended with olive oil & crowned with char-grilled chicken (RM17.80 before taxes).The remainder of Yuu-jo's repertoire includes light-lunch mains like fleshy cobia fish deep-fried in bread crumbs (RM12)Other menu highlights: Italian-style udon, beef bolognese or chicken carbonara-style, as well as green tea soba with salmon & raw egg, plus comfort-food rice bowls.

Take a hefty bite of the Big Apple at Brooklyn B, possibly the Klang Valley's first hipster cafe that centers on bagels.Brooklyn B's bevy of bagels is freshly baked, supplying a distinctive chew that's densely solid without being distressingly strenuous.Lunch might be the classic bagel with lox & cream cheese, plus capers & spring onions (RM15.50); Brooklyn B's salmon proves surprisingly luscious, signaling that the outlet is serious about stocking up on top-flight ingredients.Bagels are served all day long starting 10am, except on Mondays; begin with breakfast, when a warm bagel sandwich can be savored, heartily stuffed with scrambled eggs & veggies (RM8.30).For dinner, when Brooklyn B's speakers switch to the turbulent sounds of Florence and the Machine, consider the garlic-topped bagel filled with soft corned beef, Worcestershire sauce & black pepper (RM11.90).Regular bagels range from savory ones flavored with onions, poppy seeds & sesame seeds ...Excellent with creamy aioli; very simple but purely enjoyable. Bagel chips, thinly sliced & baked till golden-brown, even crunchier than potato crisps.

Coffee Sprex, a Petaling Jaya cafe that's notably owned by two deaf & mute friends; Kent bakes & cooks, while Angie prepares beverages.Coffee from around the world is taken seriously here, with Vietnam, Brazil, Sumatra, Colombia, Tanzania, Guatemala, Honduras & Ethiopia all featuring on the menu.Steamed lamb, pork or beef burgers are among the hot food served here.For sweet treats, there are blueberry pies & sugee cakes, plus tiramisu.

Isaiah 40, located on one of those Subang shop-house rows where parking is scarce.Isaiah 40 serves Puro fairtrade coffee; this is a socially responsible cafe that apparently also participates in community outreach initiatives.Basic cakes are served; customers are unlikely to regret a slice of the carrot cake.And it's always a pleasure to see affogato on the menu too.