Carpacker Kuantan-Cherating-Kemaman – Part 3 – Great and Interesting Food Places

Continuing from the Sungai Lembing Tin Mine. Click here for the pre-travel.

This time, I’ll share locations of great and interesting restaurants and warungs, mostly in Kuantan. The status is current (February 27, 2022), although we visited there a few years ago.

Disclaimer: Not sponsored by any party.

Warung Paksu and Maksu

Covid-19 Status: Still open

Location: (many branches, go to the main branch below)

Google Rating: 4.1/5.0

Our Rating: 4.5/5.0

Review:

Since we are “carpackers” and headed to Cherating after this warung, we packed extra food from Warung Paksu and Maksu to be eaten in the car. We mostly packed “sata” and fried fish/prawns/squid. Very delicious. For those from the north, south, and KL/Selangor, if you want to taste East Coast food, this is the place!

I really can’t resist looking at those battered and fried goodies!

With sweets, laksam, and all…

---

Ana Ikan Bakar Petai

Covid-19 Status: Still open

Location:

Google Rating: 3.8/5.0

Our Rating: 4.0/5.0

Review:

While staying at Arenaa Batik Boutique Hotel in Kuantan, that night we wanted seafood at reasonable prices with not too many menus since it was just us, husband and wife, and one child.

We rate a slightly higher rating compared to Google for several reasons. Maybe our taste buds found the food delicious and the service was fast at that time. What I liked the most was the easy and free parking. The price was very reasonable. Can’t expect high service like waiter services and so on. Understandably, this place is crowded, especially early in the evening, and not just here, there’s another spot further away!

The prices below may have changed in 2022.

Those dips in the bowl are truly mouthwatering!

---

Warung Aja

Covid-19 Status: Still open

Location:

Warning: Come early between 12.00 PM to 12.45 PM. Food runs out quickly!

Google Rating: 4.3/5.0

Our Rating: 4.3/5.0

Review:

Provided in the form of “nasi campur” dishes and only open for lunch until the afternoon. So many dishes available here that I felt like taking everything on multiple plates!

The location is a bit far from Kuantan City but worth it for the taste. Prices are very reasonable. The main problem is parking and the number of tables available is insufficient. Too many people.

Look at the picture… the amount of dishes is already running out, even though it’s only 1:22 PM.

---

Sara Thai Restaurant

Covid-19 Status: Still open

Location: Jalan Gambut branch:

Google Rating: 4.0/5.0

Our Rating: 4.0/5.0

Review:

The second night in Kuantan, we craved Thai food or something tomyam-related.

This place is famous for mango sticky rice like in Hat Yai. We ordered a portion suitable for the three of us. In short, everything we ordered was delicious. Will we come again in the future? Definitely!

A reasonably priced menu for a dine-in restaurant.

---

Kula Cakes

Covid-19 Status: Still open

Location:

Google Rating: 4.2/5.0

Our Rating: 4.2/5.0

Review:

This cafe has long gone viral and became known in the TV3 show Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan. When we came here, we were still full and only ordered the famous Mango Cheese Cake just to try. It was delicious, according to my wife. But it was ordinary for me because my mom is a cooking teacher and often makes similar cakes. Like KFC chicken which is delicious, but since I always eat it, it becomes ordinary.

Located right in the middle of Kuantan city, parking is quite difficult. We were lucky to find a spot right in front of the cafe. The fun part is that Kuantan Esplanade is only 350 meters away from here.

For those who want to take away more, please inform the cashier at the counter. They will pack it nicely for longer-lasting freshness.

To be continued in the final entry, the Cherating Turtle Conservation and Information Center.