Budding drummer Lawrence beaming with delight as he gets to on stage with local singer Hero Goh (right) and invited guests Nero Vanitas (left), Keith (with spectacles) and and J-Ky (second from right). Image credit: Ooi Lay Beng (Author)
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Have you listened to Mongolian throat singing? Springsteen look-a-like Alan Lim does his unique style CCR number – Have You Ever Seen The Rain? (Video credit: Ooi Lay Beng)
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Happy moments of a nine-year-old: Budding drummer Lawrence Wong gets to play drums – Hotel California – on stage with local singer Hero Goh on Thursday nights. (Video credit: Ooi Lay Beng)
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Evergreen trio: Frankie Tan singing a Chinese number backed up by Alan Lim (left), Jimmy Loh (second left) and a member from the audience. (Video credit: Ooi Lay Beng)
Where Food Meets Art and Music
There is a place in Puchong that offers the most appealing and intriguing combination of food, music, and art—one that only the most curious and adventurous can find.
This hidden gem is called Bistro Monologue, located in a discreet corner of Bandar Bukit Puchong at No. 16, Jalan BP 7/11.
The secret is out!
One might assume that such a unique establishment would be situated in Bandar Puteri—Puchong’s bustling residential and commercial township, known for its extensive array of restaurants, hotels, offices, leisure spots, and entertainment venues.
However, Bistro Monologue sits on a quiet street in Bandar Bukit Puchong, a more subdued neighbourhood where one would least expect to find an intriguing café offering fusion dining, live music, and art (surprise, surprise).
Bistro Monologue could easily be mistaken for one of those stylish dining and entertainment spots typically found in Bangsar or Mon’t Kiara—affluent townships brimming with fashionable, upmarket cafés, bistros, restaurants, bakeries, salons, malls, and entertainment venues.
Long-time Puchong resident Michael Lee, who lives in Bandar Puteri and operates Michael’s Badminton Academy (MBA) just 100 meters down the same road as Bistro Monologue, also took some time to discover it.
“And my badminton courts are located in a building just 100 meters down the road,” Michael reflected.
“It took me quite a while—more than two years—to find this place. The main reason is that people would never expect such a venue here.
“After discovering it, I come here quite often, especially on Thursday evenings. The performers Frankie, Alan, and Jimmy play great music, which we seniors enjoy. They even take requests, and we get to go on stage and sing with them.
“You feel very much at home here. I’ve brought many foreign guests to Bistro Monologue, and they truly enjoy both the food and the music.”
This zesty combination of food, music, and art is what makes Bistro Monologue, a non-halal establishment, stand out.
Where Culinary Creativity Shines
Energetic couple and owners Emilyn Chan and her husband Alex Tan knew little about the food business when they first started. They initially ran a company specializing in safety signages for factories and commercial lots to meet the Department of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH) Malaysia’s requirements.
However, after investing in a three-storey commercial lot in Bandar Bukit Puchong—and given the relatively low rental costs—the idea of turning the space into a café took shape.
Their enthusiasm, creativity, and determination have resulted in some signature dishes, including:
✅ Raisin Pork Roulade
✅ Bangers and Mash
✅ Gyoza Ramen
“If you ask me, our signature dishes and most of our menu items were crafted from scratch,” Emilyn explained.
For the raisin pork roulade, Emilyn and Alex paired German pork knuckles with Italian herbs such as basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage, bay leaves, parsley, onions, and garlic.
“The secret of this dish lies in the roast pork, or siew yoke.
“To retain moisture, we roll up the strips of roast pork during cooking, making it crunchy on the outside yet soft on the inside—not too dry. To make it healthier, we use natural oil. Our raisin pork roulade pairs well with mashed potatoes and beer.”
For their bangers and mash, Emilyn shared that their Italian sausage consists of 97% pork spiced with Italian herbs and salt. The mashed potatoes are painstakingly prepared by grinding real potatoes—without adding flour.
This dish comes in four variations:
✔️ Pork & Herbs
✔️ Classic Italian
✔️ Cajun (with finely blended bell peppers and onions)
✔️ Cranberries & Thyme
The gyoza ramen boasts a pork bone marrow broth, stewed for two days over low heat to extract every bit of its natural flavour. A secret ingredient enhances the taste while absorbing excess pork fat, making the dish healthier.
Another must-try is their pork roulade nasi lemak, a delectable combination.
However, the writer’s personal favourite dish is the meatballs (available in pork or beef) served with hash browns instead of the usual mashed potatoes.
Emilyn initially failed to recognize the dish in a photograph due to this swap. But upon learning that this customization was often offered to a regular customer, she laughed it off sheepishly.
Beyond their signature dishes, Bistro Monologue offers an exciting fusion of Western and Asian cuisines, including:
✅Pasta, pizza, burgers, sausages, and chicken chops
✅Cakes, croissants, and ciabattas
✅Local delicacies like roast pork nasi lemak
Even the mushroom soup, served with toasted buttered bread, is home-made — free from additives.
“Our children and we also eat at this restaurant,” Emilyn pointed out.
A Melodic Experience
Beyond the food, music is a defining feature at Bistro Monologue.
Thursday nights: A three-piece band takes the stage at 8:30pm.
Wednesday nights: Hero Goh, a versatile performer, leads an open-stage jamming session at 8.30pm.
The Thursday band line-up includes:
Frankie Tan – A former Top of the Pubs winner, excelling in evergreen hits. His voice is rich and amazing.
Alan Lim – An advertising agency owner with long locks, a cool T-shirt, and energetic performances reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen.
Jimmy Loh – A bassist from Malaysia’s legendary band, The Alleycats.
The Magic of Open-Stage Nights
Wednesday open-stage nights are a big hit, especially with Wong Teck Bu, his wife, their 9-year-old son, Lawrence, and many others.
“We simply love the open stage concept,” Teck Bu confessed.
“At first, Lawrence was shy about going on stage to play drums. But J-Ky, the owners’ son, kept encouraging him. One day, Lawrence finally went on stage—and now, he loves it! We come here almost every week.”
Where Art Comes to Life
Adding another layer of charm to Bistro Monologue is the art displayed on its walls. These aren’t just random paintings; they are heartfelt creations by the owners’ children.
Each piece bursts with vibrant colours and imagination, reflecting the innocence and creativity of young minds.
“I love abstract and pop art, especially Andy Warhol’s style and vibrant colours,” said J-Zhen, the couple’s second son and a talented artist.
J-Zhen’s paintings are available for purchase, with part of the proceeds donated to charity. The bistro also displays works from other artists, and Emilyn plans to expand the art section in the future.
A Hidden Treasure Worth Discovering
Whether for the food, music, or art, Bistro Monologue is a place worth discovering. It offers warm hospitality, cozy vibes, and an intimate atmosphere, making it one of Puchong’s best-kept secrets.
Bistro Monologue: 16, Jalan BP 7/11, Bandar Bukit Puchong, 47120 Puchong, Selangor
Opens: Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat: 9.00am to 11.55pm, Sun, Mon, Tue: 9.00am to 9.55pm
Phone: 019-4729117
Email: bistromonologuehq@gmail.com
Facebook: bistro monologue
