Didi's is giving European bakes a local makeover

Free Malaysia Today

3 days ago

Didi's Café and Bakery is bringing something fresh to the table. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle)
KUALA LUMPUR : Listen up, Wangsa Maju folks – your neighbourhood just got a cool new café that's baking up a storm.
At Didi's Café and Bakery, you'll find specialty coffee and freshly baked pastries with a unique twist you won't get anywhere else.
Opened in February, the café's name means 'elder sister' in Hindi – a sweet tribute to what owner Nashilla Rafiq is called at home. While it's a family-owned spot, it's Nashilla, a former lawyer and mum, who runs the show.
'All of this started because our entire family loves coffee,' the 35-year-old told FMT Lifestyle. 'We wanted to bring something new and exciting to the neighbourhood.'
All the café's goodies are baked in-house by a skilled pastry chef. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle)
At Didi's, classic European bakes get a local makeover with creations like rendang croizza and masak lemak-stuffed ciabatta. Nashilla's younger sister, 25, is the creative force behind many of their creations.
'She's really good with flavour profiles – always trying new things, exploring funky combinations,' Nashilla said.
'She came up with the idea for the masak lemak-stuffed ciabatta, and even though customers are hesitant at first, we encourage them to give it a try. Most end up loving it.'
The siblings first tested their ideas through pop-ups. Once they realised their unique creations were a hit, they brought on skilled chefs to help execute their vision – and just like that, Didi's Café and Bakery was born.
The croizzas come in three flavours and are a must-try. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle)
FMT Lifestyle tried some of Didi's signature items, and loved every one of them.
The masak lemak stuffed ciabatta was a pleasant surprise. Shredded chicken in a fiery, tangy masak lemak sauce is stuffed into crusty Italian bread, with a bright yellow filling that looks intense but isn't oily. Somehow, they've nailed the richness of masak lemak without the heaviness – keeping it moist, spicy, and seriously flavour-packed.
You've seen big pizza chains experiment with local flavours, but on a croizza? That's something else.
Generously loaded with tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef, this croizza hits all the right notes. The croizza base is the real game-changer: made with croissant dough, it's flaky, buttery, and still sturdy to hold all the toppings together.
The Kefir chicken croizza is also a must-try with its perfect balance of spice and sweetness.
The apple turnover too was a quiet winner. Chunky apple pieces and smooth custard are wrapped in a golden puff pastry, with just the right touch of sweetness. You will end up finishing it in a few greedy bites.
The pistachio cherry croissant meanwhile, which happens to be Nashilla's personal favourite, is a visual stunner. The croissant is perfectly laminated, topped with a crown of crunchy pistachios, and filled with luscious pistachio cream and sweet-tart cherry compote.
On Wednesdays, Didi's offers 10% off all matcha lattes for ladies' night. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle)
And if none of this is your cup of tea (or coffee), they've got plenty more – from sourdough and focaccia to cinnamon rolls and beyond.
Didi's takes their drinks seriously, too. The butterscotch latte and matcha strawberry are definite must-tries. And if you're a matcha lover, swing by on Wednesdays for ladies' night, where you'll get 10% off all matcha lattes.
As it's a family affair, you'll often find Nashilla's mother, Noor Shida Ismail, around the café – coffee in hand, happily chatting with customers.
'What I've realised from running this café is that people who come here end up sharing pieces of their lives with us,' Noor Shida shared. 'On Mother's Day, we had two girls sitting here in tears because their mother no longer remembers them. It's moments like that which are so touching.'
So if you're craving a little downtime, drop by this cosy café. With seasonal specials like the Raya-exclusive onde-onde pain suisse, there's always a reason to come back for more.
Head over to Wangsa Maju to discover this cosy little café. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle)
Follow Didi's Café and Bakery on Instagram.
Didi's Café and Bakery
69, Jalan Wangsa Delima 5
Pusat Bandar Wangsa Maju
53300 Kuala Lumpur
Operation Hours:
9am-12am: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
9am-1am: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
(Closed on Mondays)