Continuing our top five series, we put the spotlight on Taman Jaya and the area around PJ New Town, where there are enough restaurants to send even the most decisive diner into a flurry.

Here are our pick of some of the best places for a makan when you just don’t know where to head to.

Ume-Tei, Amcorp Mall, Jalan Persiaran Barat

Amcorp Mall has a lot of eating places, but make sure you trek to the top floor to this understated Japanese restaurant that offers cheap but cheerful food. Their range of set ‘bento box’ style meals is impressive and great value, while the main menu offers everything you may want to get your Japanese hit. The wooden décor is cosy and relaxing but be warned, at peak times you may have to fight for a seat.

Restoran Grand City, 51, 11/4 Jalan Dato Mahmud, +603 7957 3158

This neighbourhood banana leaf joint is not flashy but perfect for a lazy dinner, and they offer a decent spread as well as a good choice of meat and fish dishes to supplement your veggies. The fish cutlets are great, and for something lighter the coconut appams are rather divine. Grand City is always packed with regulars, so the staff won’t give you funny looks no matter how many times a week you come!

Out of Africa, PJ Palms Sport Centre, 1 Lorong Sultan, +603 7955 3432

For something entirely different, why not have a taste of some African food at Out of Africa? This cool restaurant is right beside the newly-refurbished Olympic-sized pool and serves up some outstanding steaks including ostrich, as well as various African dishes that you won’t have heard of but will want to eat again! Worth going down just to find out exactly what Braaied Boerewors are.

Strawberry Fields, 14 Jalan Tengah, PJ New Town

This restaurant gets two prizes: one for the cutest name and one for the longest and most varied menu in the area. Anything you want can be found within the laminated booklet that is slapped on the table at this quirky eatery, from Western to Thai via Malaysia and Vietnam. Their Jumbo Juices are great and they even have a café across the pavement where you can go for cake after your meal.

New Restaurant Ipoh Chicken Rice, 107 Jalan Gasing, +603 7956 0958

No longer do you have to drive all the way to Ipoh for your chicken rice fix! This restaurant may have a rather silly name, but it is becoming renowned for the excellent and authentic chicken rice it dishes up to many a-customer every day of the week. There is loads of place to sit but only a certain amount of chicken, so don’t leave it too late to go at weekend meal-times.