One of the best places for cheap and tasty vegetarian food in Puchong is at this place called Mushroom Culture in Bandar Puteri. I guess many Puchong-ites agree, judging from how packed it is on weekends and religious dates! Located in the center of a busy commercial district, the resto is no-frills – stuffed to the brim with wooden chairs and tables to accommodate more guests. Thankfully, they have air-conditioning so diners can enjoy their meals in comfort.

While they have ala-carte meals such as fried rice and noodles, we usually go for the family set, which comes with a choice of four dishes with rice.

Vegetarian food doesn’t have to be boring, as proven by the wide variety at Mushroom Culture. Mock meats, often made from soy-based products and tofu, are cooked creatively – and some even resemble real meat!

(Above) Fried ‘fish’ in olive sauce. The skin is made from crispy seaweed, and the ‘fish’ has the added advantage of being boneless.What’s not to like?

Deep fried salad ‘prawns’ with thousand island dressing. I am amazed at how closely the texture resembles real shrimp, as it has that firm and bouncy feel when you bite into it. Of course, real shrimp has a naturally sweet taste, which the vegetarian version cannot emulate. Still, good stuff.

Regular stir-fried mushrooms (oyster, shiitake and enoki) with tofu and carrot. This was a bit bland but the flavours were there, just muted.

My favourite, and a must-have every time I go to Mushroom Culture – the salt and pepper ‘kidneys’. I love stuff that has a crunchy and chewy texture (like squid), so this is right up my alley. Idk what they make it with (crack, maybe, coz it’s so addictive) but I can probably polish off a whole plate by myself. The salt and pepper seasoning is just right without being too salty and the ‘kidneys’ have a delicious, golden crisp on the outside.

So if you ever feel like taking a break from all that meat, head on to Mushroom Culture for tasty and affordable veggie fare. 🙂

MUSHROOM CULTURE

22, Jalan Puteri 2/2, Bandar Puteri,

47100 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia

+60 3-8061 2252

Opening hours: 10.30am—3pm / 5.30—10pm / Full &New Moon 8am-10pm