We don’t normally condone violence, but you might want to close an eye in this instance because we’re talking about food and drinks—Battered, a fish-and-chips place, is now open in B.E.D. at The Exchange TRX, a cocktail bar. If you think fish and chips with cocktails isn’t a complementary combo, we’d have to disagree. Don’t knock it till you try it.
There’s something about proper, newspaper-wrapped-style fish and chips that hits the spot. It’s probably that thick, crackly batter giving way to a fillet that’s still steaming when you dig into it. KL doesn’t have many places doing this well, which is why Hull-born siblings Danny, Ashleigh, and Charlie built a small but devoted following at Battered in REXKL. Recently, they’ve cast their net further out to The Exchange TRX, setting up shop inside B.E.D on Market Lane—and the result is Battered in B.E.D., a fish and chip menu married to a proper bar.
While Battered’s REXKL outpost is the flagship, its new location within B.E.D is a little more upscale, and the dishes on its menu reflect that. B.E.D already had the drinks and the al-fresco Market Lane setting sorted; what it needed was food worth lingering over, and that’s the gap that Battered’s fish and chips fill. The Classic Fish & Chips made with battered sea perch is the one to order first—thin, crisp batter around juicy, flaky fish, served with chunky-cut chips and a properly tangy tartare sauce, none of it greasy despite the deep-fry. Take it a step further and drench the fish with some of the Sarson’s malt vinegar on your table—it will add a whole different dimension of flavour to your regular fish and chips. As a bonus, the lads encourage you to try sprinkling some Chip Spice over your dish. It’s a savoury, paprika-based seasoning powder that’s only available in Hull, which the team has specially brought over from their hometown.
Don’t stop at the fish, though. The Battered Sausage deserves a place on your order list. It’s smooth, tender, and easily one of the better bangers we’ve had in KL, batter-fried the same way the fish is. Pair it with the mushy peas or curry sauce if you want the full chippy-shop experience, or keep it simple with the tartare. Our personal favourite has to be the Fish Buttie, a hearty rendition of a fish burger paired with tartare sauce, nori seasoning, pickles, shredded lettuce, and American cheese. That’s a balanced meal, in our opinion. Everything on the menu is alcohol- and pork-free, and you can even swap out the fish for tofu for a vegetarian option, making Battered in B.E.D. an easy decision for a group with mixed dietary needs—a rarity for a menu this indulgent.
Oh, and if you really want to set that calorie bar high? Get the Deep Fried Mars Bar.
The bar in bed
Having Battered open shop in B.E.D is an ideal pairing since the bar was already built to linger. It’s where you go for a casual, I’ll-only-have-one-drink spot that inevitably turns into a two-hour hang, helped along by friendly staff and a laid-back, well-designed interior. Their latest menu, Between Dreams, showcases a variety of cocktails perfect to have a casual night or a…heavier night. Whatever reality you choose. The Yuzu-Hi is the easiest of the lot, perfect for easing you in before the fish and chips arrive, but the Irish Coffee and Strawberry Coffee are really where it’s at. It packs a punch—in flavour and ABV—but comes in a small enough vessel so you don’t overdo it in one go. When it gets hot? The Guinness Slushie and Slushie Irish Coffee are here to the rescue—perfect to sip on when you’re seated outside. So, order a cocktail to go with your chips (or in our case, a baby Guinness), and you’ve essentially built the ideal Market Lane pit stop: proper British comfort food, mixed drinks, and outdoor seating to people watch.
Last thoughts
Battered in B.E.D. isn’t reinventing fish and chips—it’s doing the basics properly, in a setting that makes it easy to stay for a second round of chips and another drink. If you’re at The Exchange TRX and craving something different from typical mall food, Market Lane’s newest collaboration is worth the walk.
Address: B.E.D, Lot GS.03, Ground Floor, Market Lane, The Exchange TRX, Persiaran TRX, 55188 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. (Sun–Thu); 10 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Fri–Sat)
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