Rawang is a town located 30 minutes away from the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It used to be a tin mining town back in the early 19th century when it was first founded.
Since the ’90s, this little town has expanded greatly and is now a massive township. Nevertheless, there are things that only those who grew up in Rawang during the ’80s, ’90s and early ’00s would definitely know and understand.
Check out this list and see if you remember memories from your childhood!
1. NESAN!
source: venoth’s culinary adventures
Anyone who grew up in Rawang cannot deny how amazing Nesan’s food is. If you’re looking for finger-licking good Indian cuisine, you don’t need to travel all the way to India or even Brickfields.
2. You either owned your own transport or go through hell
Back then, we didn’t have any great public transportation. Actually, we still don’t. We either had to take the mini bus or walk. And don’t even bother with Grab or Uber because the service was not available then; heck, it was hard to even find any taxis around!
3. The never-ending traffic jam
Heading somewhere? Well, good luck because you’ll confirm be stuck in traffic. If you’re heading to KL then you’ll be stuck from Batu 16, all the way through Templer’s park.
If you want to use the North-South Expressway, then good luck again with the traffic passing by Seri Garing. Thinking of just staying within Rawang town? Well, have a good day weaving through the jam there too.
Traffic was horrendous back then, and it’s still the same now. *sobs*
4. “What do you do for fun in Rawang?”
Err… we’re not too sure either.
5. The old cinema that screens Indian films is still up and running
source: venoth’s culinary adventures
Ah yes, the old cinema behind the row of shophouses in Rawang town is probably older than most of us. However, the most surprising thing is actually how it is even still in business in 2017!
They mostly air Indian movies only though.
6. Fei Zhou Yu
source: constance ant
Many people from the outskirts of Rawang will definitely make a pit stop in this little town just for a nice lunch at Restoran R. Cheng Fei Zhou Yu Wantan Mee or Restaurant Lan Je.
source: venoth’s culinary adventures
The fish (usually tilapia) is steamed in a ginger-garlic style that’s super aromatic and ‘spicy’. Many would often indulge in this hearty dish during rainy days to stay toasty inside.
7. Piping-hot dim sum from the big tree coffee shop
This dim sum place isn’t anything atas like Din Tai Fung, but the deliciousness it offers can definitely beat the famous Taiwanese food chain. It comes out piping-hot from the steamer and you’ll be blowing at your food non-stop just to cool it down a bit so you can start feasting!
source: foursquare
8. All your accessories were from Cass Top (now called Comme Ventures)
You aren’t a true Rawang kid if you don’t know Cass Top. Back then, we didn’t have Zalora or Lazada, let alone fancy malls to shop at. So, we could only visit Cass Top to get pretty accessories and cosmetic jewellery.
In fact, a lot of couples bought their matching items from this store too. The only downside is the quality of the items. They’re cheap so their products definitely don’t last very long.
Also, now they’ve apparently changed their name to Comme Ventures.
9. Travelling all the way to 1 Utama or Mid Valley for movies and shopping
Before Aeon Rawang was built, we had to travel all the way to 1 Utama or Mid Valley just to watch the latest movies or shop for branded clothes. You kids today are super lucky.
The bigger problem was, we had to drive all the way to 1 Utama or take the horrid KTM to Mid Valley. Of course, we could only go IF we had permission from our parents, which was rare by the way!
10. The fun fair
source: note to self: breathe
Any Rawang kid would be all too familiar with the fun fair that’s located right opposite the Rawang KPJ Hospital today. However, back in the day, the fun fair was located where the MCA building is right now.
They also had many rides, though with lesser safety features, so you could have literally been thrown off those machines.
11. Getting Yu Yu Ice from the old uncle by the Magnum 4D shop on a hot day
source: places and foods
If the day is way too hot, then kids would pop by the Magnum 4D store just to get some cool Yu Yu ice from the old uncle. There are several flavours available such as asam boi (dried plum), cendol, corn, and red bean.
12. McDonald’s was THE hangout spot
source: open rice
When Rawang McDonald’s was built in the ’00s, it instantly became the hottest hangout spot ever. Even now, youths would still fill up the vicinity after school or during football matches.
The best part is, this branch opens 24 hours daily, which is why everyone enjoys being there. Plus, got air cond lah…
13. PERFECTION
You either love or hate Perfection; but there’s definitely no denying that it was the most stylish tuition centre in Rawang, ever. In fact, it still is.
Before Perfection opened a branch in Rawang, we either had to go through home tuition or go to some other tuition centres that were just too dull or overly strict.
souce: lyshaa lye
Plus, mathematics always became more interesting when Mr Ben was teaching. 😉
14. The pork-spare-part uncle
source: rawangku rawangcool
There’s another uncle who used to barbecue pork spare parts at the old pasar pagi near the dim sum place. People would know him for his yummy pork delicacies, the homemade chili sauce, and the fact that he sold out of his old van.
Now, the uncle no longer stays in one place. Ever since the old pasar pagi was demolished, he has been roving around Rawang selling at different locations.
source: rawangku rawangcool
15. Parkson was THE mall before Aeon Rawang came along
source: property guru
Before Aeon Rawang was built, we did our shopping at Parkson Rawang. Of course, there wasn’t much in that mall. It was barely a hangout spot, which was why everyone would rather go all the way to 1 Utama or Mid Valley.
The only highlight was just the huge Popular bookstore located on the second floor.
16. The battle between Batu 16, Seri Garing and Taman Desa schools
source: seri garing
If you didn’t go to any one of these 3 schools in Rawang, then you wouldn’t be familiar with the smug feeling one would feel whenever the other school gets into trouble.
We would always taunt each other from the school bus and throw shady remarks meant to insult them. It gets particularly fun when one of the schools is mentioned in the newspaper for disciplinary issues. The competition was real, man!
I’m looking at you, Seri Garing. #TeamSemekar
17. We all know Sungai Kanching is haunted AF
source: twitter
Sungai Kanching is located right next to TWO cemeteries. As if one wasn’t bad enough, there are two right there! We all know that the place is super haunted but we still visit with friends anyway.
Well, it really is a beautiful place for a Sunday picnic and the waterfalls are so refreshing to bathe in.
18. Rawang drivers are SHIT
If you think KL drivers are bad, wait till you encounter drivers in Rawang. Over there, the green traffic light means go, the amber light means speed up, and the red light means just go and hope you don’t get into a crash!
Also, turn signals are alien objects.
They say that if you can drive in Rawang, you can drive anywhere!
19. Kids from Bukit Beruntung, Bukit Sentosa and Serendah always claim they are from Rawang
These three locations are part of Kuala Selangor and not Rawang, yet somehow those who are from the area always tend to claim that they are from Rawang. You’re not, ok.
20. Kids from Rawang claiming they are from Kuala Lumpur
Well, Rawang isn’t exactly the most glam place to boast about, so every person from the town would subtly shun their inner Rawang aside.
Okay, that’s just an exaggeration but seriously, why do Rawang people always say they’re from KL? We should be proud of what our little town has expanded into now.
Many businesses and property developers are moving up north of KL and into Rawang today. Soon, this place which was just a small and humble town back then will blossom into a bustling metropolis city. Let us dream a little ok?
#RawangkuRawangCool
Also read: 6 Cool Facts You Should Know About the Soon-to-be-Completed Rawang Bypass
