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By Mihar Dias November 2025
I’ve walked past Cekik at Plaza Damansara almost every day since it opened in October. But like any good Malaysian who’s suspicious of fancy-looking mamaks, I never bothered to step inside — until today.
See, growing up in Alor Star, the word “cekik” isn’t something you’d expect to find on a restaurant signboard. To us, it means to stuff yourself, as in “Jom pi cekik!” But it can also mean to choke or to strangle someone — usually in jest when someone’s getting on your nerves. “I cekik you!” is practically part of Kedah vocabulary.
Cekik at Plaza Damansara: The Mamak That Got a Makeover.
But here’s the twist — in Chettiar slang, cekik simply means to eat. So there you go, a name that’s both slightly violent and very appetising.
After my morning stroll today, I decided it was time to find out what the fuss was about. I walked in and met Eric, the friendly manager who grew up along Jalan Ipoh. He told me this outlet is Cekik’s fourth chapter. The first two are bars — one above KK Mart and another above Family Mart on Jalan Medan Setia 2— not far from my regular haunt, Huckleberry.
Their third outlet is surprisingly on Phi Phi Island in Thailand, believe it or not. This one, however, is their first venture into food.
Eric proudly called it a “stylish Mamak eatery.” They took over the space from La Bodega and kept much of the chic interior — including the classy bar counter, which now serves non-alcoholic beverages only.
And stylish it is. Unlike your typical mamak — where the tables wobble, the floor’s a little oily, and the fans sound like they’re about to take off — Cekik is clean, bright, and surprisingly zen. The kind of place where you can actually hear your conversation and still smell your food.
The menu sticks to familiar favourites. I ordered the tosai telur — could’ve been crispier, but the dhal was the real star. Thick, hearty, and beautifully spiced. Not too spicy, not too bland — just enough to make you want another scoop. Eric even noticed me scraping the plate clean and offered a refill. Nice touch.
Prices? Same as your regular mamak. Nothing fancy. You can get nasi lemak pyramids by 7am (I was told they’re good and cheap) and banana leaf rice for lunch. And yes, they’re open 24 hours, so your midnight roti craving is safe.
All in all, Cekik pulls off what most mamaks don’t even try — being clean, cool, and still affordable. It’s a mamak where you won’t feel shy bringing your boss or your date.
📍 Cekik, Plaza Damansara, Jalan Medan Setia 1
Open 24 hours. Stylish Mamak vibes, local Mamak prices. Go cekik lah.
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