Attractions of eateries through designated and undesignated spaces of food consumption in SS2, Petaling Jaya

1. a food + culture project by Lin Shan En | 0331085 |Tutor: Mr Nicholas Ng
tasting SS2
Experiential Spaces for Food and People
“The sensorial experience of food endures in one's memory bank, long after
the context in which it is consumed disappears or changes.”
-Wong (2007)

3. content
preface
01
framework
02
scope of
study
03
designated
& formal
04
undesignated
& formal
1410
designated
& informal
undesignated
& informal
19
conclusion
27
reference
28

4. preface
food-space-consumers relationship
The physical act of enjoying the food itself most likely lasts
only minutes, but the memory linked to that food
experience can last a lifetime. Thus this study focussed on
how the spatial setting of different eateries, creates
different overall food consumption experiences in linking
the food and people in SS2.
SS2, as a large business district area with over 20
separated blocks of shophouses and surrounded with
residentials, houses diverse dining options to cater for
people from all walks of life. The use of designated and
undesignated eating spaces for both formal and informal
dining becomes a particular interest to study:
How different spatial setting give rise to different
sensorial experience? How these sensorial experiences
affect the reason for consumers’ choice of eating spaces?
1

5. framework
spatial setting vs sensorial experience
spatial setting
sensorial experience
Designated
&
Informal
Designated
&
Formal
Undesignated
&
Formal
Undesignated
&
Informal
Atmosphere PeopleFood
orderly spontaneous
2

6. scope of study
mapping flavours/people in SS2
Research topic:
Attractions of eateries through designated
and undesignated spaces of food
consumption in SS2, Petaling Jaya
1. designated formal eating space - Two Pesos
2. designated informal eating space - Wai Sek Kai
3. undesignated formal eating space - K.T.Z. Dessert
4. undesignated informal eating space - Open air wet market
3
1
2 3
4

8. two pesos
taiwanese style mini steamboat
designated, formal eating space
This modern style mini Taiwanese steamboat restaurant has been a
hype is SS2 since its opening in 2014. Upon reaching, a long queue is
observed especially at night and patrons will need to wait for
approximately half an hour after ‘registering’ their name and number
of pax dining at the counter. Chairs are provided outside for them to
wait until their names are call upon.
Walking inside, hungry patrons are greeted with aromatic smell and
warm steam of boiling soup. While enjoying their food under public
accommodation, the orderly arrangement and fixed distance
between each tables provide relative privacy for conversations.

9. spatial setting
designated, formal eating space
the definition.
restaurant which only uses its interior space for food consumption activity
Food consumption activity only occurs inside the restaurant because the cooking of
food - steamboat requires gas supply and happens after the food ingredients served
on the table. The five foot walkway is only used as waiting area.
The seating arrangement is fixed as there are built in soft seatings at both side of
the walls, and each tables need to be connected to gas supply. The fact that each
table has four gas stoves, causes the size of groups this restaurant can serve rigid -
patrons who come in a group larger than four would have to split table.
However, fixed spacing between tables which are unmovable gives to an orderly
and clean feeling, beside ensuring a relative distance with patrons of next table
from overhearing conversations, thus more privacy is provided for people who
prefers eating with families and close friends without being interrupted by possible
new contacts.
interior seatings only
Tealive
built in soft seating
food
preparation
KedaiUbatWeiYip
counter
waiting area
self service
sauce table
private & not accessible
each table with
four stoves
chairs provided at
five foot walkway for
people waiting for
their turn to dine in
half-body-height
glass partition
5

10. food | atmosphere | people
selling point: delivering the best soup with the most suitable pot, in terms of:
mongolian herbs
Italian tomatotwo pesos BBQ pork
cast brass pot
traditional
tomato-shaped ceramic pot
symbolism
pot + pan grill
a two-way pleasure system
visual representation
photo courtesy to taufulou
6

11. food | atmosphere | people
Various kinds of pot, designated for a particular type of soup & ingredients.
Each hotpot in the menu is served with different type of pots, unique cooking
methods and serving process forming flavoursome dining experience, meanwhile
combining different ingredients with matching soup flavours to create the perfect
sense of taste.
two pesos stone pot
cast iron stone pot
boiling of the soup
after gentle aromatic stir-frying
tajine seafood pot
moroccan pot
with narrow top at the cover
theory of heat circulation + steam & vapour
to preserve water content of ingredients
unique cooking method & serving process
japanese sukiyaki pot
japanese cast iron pot
preserving nutrients of ingredients
+ providing natural iron mineral
photo courtesy to vkeong
photo courtesy to auntie lilly
photo courtesy to auntie lilly
7

12. food | atmosphere | people
Although every table in Two Pesos has 4 gas cookers, they did
not maximise the usages of all four seats of the tables. Each
pair are observed occupying a table of four, when they easily
can filled the table up by sharing table, which will cut the
waiting time by half.
After all, steamboat is about the intimacy of the occasion
when dining with good company. Sharing tables might be an
intrusion of personal territory. According to the study of
interpersonal distance of man by Edward T. Hall, between 46
cm to 122 cm is considered personal distance for
interactions between good friends and family.
friends
couple
couple
no culture of
sharing table
relative distance
between people
8

13. food | atmosphere | people
The spatial setting contributes to maintaining established contacts with family and
friends. A suitable meet up place after a long day at work or school.
people attracts people
warm interior colours
invitation
long queue at the five
foot walkway stimulate
interests of passer-by
brightly lit storefront
with TV advertising the
food
orange & red boost
appetite as a part of
marketing strategy, but
also produce feelings of
intimacy
9

14. wai sek kai
claypot chicken rice | chee cheong fun | pork satay | ABC
designated, informal eating space
Housing almost 100 food vendors, ‘Wai Sek Kai’, a direct translation from Gluttony Lane in
Cantonese, is often packed with locals looking to enjoy affordable meals for dinner and supper.
Its diversity in choice and ability to house patrons from different social classes and income
levels, in a way, portray a microcosm of SS2 community, using food as a media.
Though it is not air-conditioned, this food court is covered by a massive roof with several fans
providing a cool breeze all night long. Plenty of fixed seats and tables in the middle of the food
court, with numbered stalls lining up at both sides, make this food court a convenient and
comfortable one.

15. spatial setting
designated, informal eating space
the definition.
permanent hawker stalls in open air buildings with common shared or stall dedicated
tables and chairs provided for patrons
A food court typology with almost 100 hawker stalls lining at both side along the
whole stretch, while fixed tables and seatings are set up in the middle. The tables
and chairs are unmovable, thus boundaries between eating groups can be well
defined unless sharing of tables occur, sometimes with the addition of temporary
table between two fixed table.
The large space with large number of fixed seatings is an advantage in terms of
housing huge crowd during eating hours, but it can appear hard and cold, giving an
abandoned and deserted feeling during off peak hours.
11
under a roof
fixed seatings
attached to table
temporary tables
sometimes added
between fixed
tables
hawker stalls lining
up both sides
columnssupporting
longspanofroof

16. photo courtesy to isabella
food | atmosphere | people
photo courtesy to vkeong
photo courtesy to suanie
stall no. 69
Loong grilled fish & seafood
stall no. 70
Lim satay house
stall no. 4
Leen chee kang
stall no. 78
Abas nasi lemak
photo courtesy to pure glutton
stall no. 48
Penang fried kway teow
stall no. 19
Claypot chicken rice
photo courtesy to open rice
photo courtesy to open rice
stall no. 25
Thai food
stall no. 36
Hong Kong chee cheong fun
photo courtesy to pure glutton
photo courtesy to pure glutton
stall no. 41-
ABC stall
12
Everything under one roof
Dining in a family or big groups, sometimes it is hard to make decision on what to
eat. Daddy might want chicken rice but mommy wants noodles. When in doubt,
food court mou?
Food court is a best representation of ‘jalan-jalan cari makan’ as a local culture
among Malaysians as it provides a wide variety of street foods. Though there is
repetition of stalls offering the same food, it's still a pleasure to walk around and get
a glimpse of the wide variety of choice it offers.

17. 13
large number of seatings
People are widely spaced out without intimacy of scale, and sharing of tables is
optional because there is so many tables available. Although the setting is informal,
the arrangement of eating space is well defined, thus people stay to themselves or in
existing groups, instead of flowing freely, weaving in between one another.
people widely spaced out
accommodate different
group sizes to maintain
established contacts
less chance contacts as
people can choose not to
share tables
food | atmosphere | people

18. k.t.z. dessert
tong shui | shaved ice | snacks
undesignated, formal eating space
Remember to eat! The translation of ‘Kei Tak Zhek’ from Cantonese, forming the
name of this shop, never fail to bring back the memories of how your grandparents
will remind you to eat no matter how late it was.
11pm and the night is still young for the night owls in this area as many of them have
just ended their long day at work or school. Tables and chairs spilling out to the
parking spaces in front of the restaurant and five-foot walkway of the neighbouring
Hong Leong bank, invites people who come in group of family and friends, for supper;
or some working adults for late dinner.
An informal meeting place to talk over the long day.

19. spatial setting
undesignated, formal eating space
the definition.
restaurant which extends its space for food consumption to five-foot walkway and
parking space to add on to its original interior spaces
The privatisation of sidewalk with drainages to accomodate a ramp with railings at
both side where people queue and wait. Tables and chairs spill out to five foot
walkway of Hong Leong Bank at the side and to the parking space in front to
accomodate more people.
Tables and chairs inside the restaurants are movable and can be rearranged to
accommodate different sizes of group. As a result, this place can be very crowded
at times and the waiters serving food have to weave between tightly arranged
tables and chairs. People from different tables might be sitting very close to each
other, even though back-to back. If so, sitting outdoor under open air is sometimes
more preferable.
Setting is slightly more casual compared to Two Pesos but it might get too noisy
for intimate conversations.
interior seatings
Hong Leong
Bank
food preparation
Fluidity in seating
arrangement where tables
can be combined to
accomodate a larger group counter
Ramp with railings are built
on top the sidewalk which
houses drainage
parking space
five foot
walkway
Drainage in front of
Hong Leong Bank intact
15

20. indoor
the five-foot walkway of
Hong Leong Bank
the five-foot walkway
in front of the shop
16

21. photo courtesy to open rice bowl
photo courtesy to @yhisgreat
photo courtesy to sakthi
photo courtesy to junior how ka chung
food | atmosphere | people
fried snacks
glutinous rice ball
redbeanpaste
peanut paste
The variety of food, from noodles and porridges as main course to keep you full,
shaved ice and hot dessert to satisfy your sweet cravings, make this eating place the
best place to eat when you are not sure whether it is time for dinner or supper.
Its opening hours until 1am make it a suitable gathering place for people who ends
their day at work late, when the other restaurants around are closed.
cheong fun
shaved ice - “mat toh loh”
a taste of everything
dimsum&porridge
17

22. food | atmosphere | people
To accomodate more people, two strategies are to:
1. extend the usage of spaces to outdoor
2. rearrange indoor seating arrangement based of sizes of group
Both strategies make this place become more lively, when freedom and spontaneity
are induced, the meeting become more casual, making this ‘place to eat’ a suitable
place to loosen up the day.
Because the tables and chairs indoor are also movable , the atmosphere offered to
people sitting indoor are more or less the same as outdoor. The only difference
might be one is in the presence of air-conditioning, while the other is under cool
open night air.
Thus people visiting this place do not really mind where to sit, as long as they get to
sit together with their company and enjoy their food.
lively and casual
undesignated eating spaces along
the five foot walkway and car park
are less formal
outdoor indoor
designated eating spaces inside the
restaurant become less formal when
the seating arrangement are broken
down randomly
18

23. open air wet market
coffee | hakka mee | curry laksa
undesignated, informal eating space
“Kopi beng ngalat!”
The elderly gather over mugs of coffee and tuck into
breakfasts while talking about their son in-laws. Or
either they are alone during some days, taking their time
to read newspapers over a long cup of coffee.
Husbands and wives sitting down to enjoy a hot bowl of
curry mee as breakfast after buying groceries supplies
for the week, making conversations with passer-bys they
happen to know, who are walking along the wet market
where the front of the food stalls extended out to.
Puddles of water dot the uneven floor of side alleys and
the five-foot walkway is further narrowed down by the
temporary placement of tables and chairs for eating. But
the energy of the place is palpable as the hawkers and
eaters exchange conversation.
It is a great way to start a morning, isn’t?

24. spatial setting
undesignated, informal eating space
the side alley
the definition.
temporary hawker stalls which uses the road, side alley between buildings and the
five foot walkway of other shoplots for food preparation & food consumption
the five foot
walkway
the road
Nikudo SeafoodBawaigo
Plus Cafe
curry
mee
hakka
mee
coffee
tables and chairs of cafe
tables for food preparation
The food stalls where food preparation occurs, and temporary tables and chairs
where food consumption activity take place, take up passageway where people
walks through the market stalls. Walking space become narrower, thus people who
sit down to eat and people who are walking through this space can easily make
contact.
Because of limited eating spaces, people often share tables. It offers to
spontaneously generated conversation and greetings, especially when these
people are from common background and come to the wet market for a common
reason.
The scale of this local food node become intimate. It is a matter of distance and
communication because we now can perceive more clearly the emotions of other
people, at this point the meeting become relevant in a social context. (Jan Gehl,
2011)
market stalls
undesignated parking
20

25. the road
the side alley
the five-foot walkway
21

26. kopi o
food | atmosphere | people
hakka meecurry mee
food memory
“Food memories feel so nostalgic because there’s all this context of when you were
preparing or eating this food, so the food becomes almost symbolic of other
meaning.”
-Susan Whitborne, physcologist.
古
早
味
Food is good, reasonable pricing and portion, but nothing much to boast about.
With only three hawkers stalls, there is not much choice but people still crowd this
place. What makes the crowd here and what makes this place a destination to eat:
is more than the food itself.
It might not much about the curry mee itself, but the whole experience of having it
before with your grandparents as a child, being in a family and nourished, and that
acquires a lot of symbolism apart from the sensory quality.
22

27. food | atmosphere | people
He remembers that
this lady always want
her drink ‘kurang
manis’, and that
couple always share
a ‘teh si ngalat’.
It is about the
relationship built
with the seller over
the years. It is
associated with
memories and
familiarities.
Which an outsider
might find it harder
to relate.
紐帶
the knot who ties
the people to
this place
23

28. food | atmosphere | people
But the culture of sharing tables help.
Unlike in designated, formal eating spaces where the boundary between eating
spaces are prominent and fixed, the setting of a crowded market and the
friendliness of the market communities makes the sharing of tables (daap toi - 塔台)
a natural gesture.
Conservations and greetings flows freely as if you have known each other when
there is a third person, a middle man - the hawkers who weaves the communities
with their simple but sincere food.
It is an authentic atmosphere powered by the spontaneous act that we simply
can’t recreate in a carefully choreographed designated, formal eating spaces.
friends
relatives
couple
new contacts forming, adding on to established contacts
塔台
24

29. “I have known the
owners of this coffee
stall for more than ten
years. I came here for
breakfast everyday
since I stop working.
We can sit here for a
long time, reading
newspaper, while
chit-chatting with
friends.”
-‘extra-friendly’ aunty
“Eh hi, want to join
us for breakfast?”
“Teacher, sit down
and join us lah”
“I haven’t seen you here
for a long time”
daily routine
here the people cannot be separated from the food and the atmosphere

30. “I came here every morning from
Setapak, sometimes I will sit
here alone having my daily
coffee, but sometimes I will meet
my friends here.”
-semi-retired uncle Leong
“We always get our family supply from this market
but this is the first time we sit down and eat here.”
-the couple
the regulars
the first-timers
because these people don't come here for the food alone

31. conclusion
the secondary function of eateries: a meeting place
In the study of food-space-consumers relationship by looking at
attractions of eateries through designated and undesignated spaces
of food consumption, although quantitative conclusion regarding
the consumers’ preferences on places to eat cannot be made, a
certain pattern is observed.
While people’s experiences are subjective, a clear conclusion can be
made on the shifting function of an eating place to a place of
meeting. The nature of meeting, whether with established contacts
or new contacts, is then very much influenced by the spatial setting
of the eateries. The level of contact is highly influenced by the
spontaneity and freedom the spatial arrangement offers.
Restaurants such as Two Pesos and K.T.Z. Dessert are usually visited
by a group of close friends and families - to maintain established
contacts. The rigidity of table arrangement and fixed spacing
between tables in Two Pesos give more personal distance compared
to K.T.Z Dessert, where the meeting can be partially informal under
open air together with the fluidity of tables and chairs arrangement.
Informal eating places on the other hand, has more potential as a
starting point to a new level of contact because of the culture of
sharing tables. In Wai Sek Kai, however, due to the large designated
space with many seatings, people have a choice to not sit together
and be widely spaced in between. In contrast, temporary hawker
stalls in SS2 wet market serves as a better external stimulus to bind
people together - the spirit of food is inseparable from its people
and atmosphere due to its physical and cultural setting, where the
passage for people to walk through become narrower when tables
and chairs take up spaces, and how conversations are generated
naturally between sellers and buyers from other stalls.
27

32. references
Hall, E. T. (1969). The hidden dimension. Garden City, N.Y: Anchor Books.
Gehl, J. (1987). Life between buildings: Using public space. New York: Van Nostrand
Reinhold.
Wong, H. S. (2007). A taste of the past. Historically themed restaurants and social
memory in Singapore. Department of History, National University of Singapore,
Thomson, J. R. (2017). Psychologists Explain Why Food Memories Can Feel So Powerful,
accessed 14 June 2019 from
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/power-of-food-memories_n_5908b1d7e4b0265
5f8413610
28

34. SS2 as a place
food | space | people | culture