Meet Jan Zainal, a once IT consultant in the bustling city turned full-time fairy garden of the one and lovely Taman Hati Studio and Cafe, occupying a humble space in SS2, Petaling Jaya. When asked about the reason for her departure from a 20-year career in the industry, her response was simple: she was offered a paid retirement, which eventually led her to turn her terrarium-crafting hobby into something more significant. Hence, in 2018, after two years of hosting online and pop-up classes in terrarium-making, Jan established the first-ever Taman Hati, which was initially only a plant shop somewhere in Bangsar. The branch we visited is her third, which has now been rebranded as a cafe and terrarium class all in one place.

As we stepped in, a bell rang, announcing our arrival at the cafe. We were welcomed with such warmth by the staff and lineup of beautiful plants, ready to be “adopted”. The wooden interior and homey decorations successfully comfort us as they contrast the fast-paced life of a university student in the big city. Upon entering the workshop space, we were surprised by a little fellow lurking in the shadows and running towards us. Meet Mocha! One of Jan’s cats is brown and he is shy! Without further ado, we began the terrarium-crafting. If you are curious about how this intricate plant-in-a-box was made, you, too, should come and see for yourself!

After a long session of assembling our small forest named “Tiramisu”, the kitchen prepared the free menu with the terrarium. The set we got includes a Cinnamon Croffle topped with whipped cream and a cup of hot Biscoff Latte. We made additional orders, indulging ourselves with their mouth-watering appetizers, main course, and desserts. To begin our feast, we ate warm coffee with a crispy exterior and flaky interior. The cinnamon flavor was not overpowering, and the whipped cream added an extra creaminess and velvety texture, making this classic dish a perfectly balanced sweet treat. There was nothing better than pairing pastry and coffee; hence, we sipped on the Biscoff Latte right after. The combination of biscoff spread, bits of biscoff cookies, and the smooth blend of coffee is like a match made in heaven, which blew us off. Besides the coffee and latte, out of Jan’s generosity, we also got to try their eye-catching Fruit Shaken Tea, a magenta-coloured fizzy drink. As we slurped on the liquid, the first taste that acquired our taste buds was a mixture of berries with a hint of chrysanthemum. It was indeed a refreshing drink, suitable for the hot Malaysian summer!

Now, it is time to sample their mains! We started with their Peruvian Chicken with Butter Rice. A whole chicken leg marinated with lime, chillies and a blend of fragrant spices, topped with Peruvian aji verde sauce, served with butter rice and a refreshing salad, this meal was a bombshell of flavors! The acidity from the sauce perfectly balanced the rich and hearty spice from the chicken, perfectly baked to divine succulence. Then, we sampled their soup of the day – tomato soup served with toasted garlic bread. I broke off a piece of the garlic bread – crispy on the edges, fluffy like a cloud in the center – and dipped it into the tomato soup. The flavors brought me right back to Grandma’s lodge. The warm hominess from spice and the distinct umami-ness afforded by fresh tomatoes are augmented by the signature slight pungency of garlic. Undeniably, their in-house soup was crafted with the utmost care and love and served fresh and warm just for us. 

Towards the end of our tour, we were served our dessert: a slice each of lemon loaf and carrot zucchini cake. As a lemon pound cake connoisseur, I had high expectations while sampling theirs. We took a bite of their lemon loaf and were blown away by its decadence. The lemon pound cake was incredibly moist and had a way of delivering a massive punch of fresh zestiness from the citrus fruit. It had none of those headache-inducing synthetic lemon fragrances you occasionally would find elsewhere. The lemon loaf was adorned with lemon-infused royal icing that brought sweetness to every bite, creating a divine harmony of saccharine tartness. I recommend that anyone visiting experience the sheer decadence of their lemon loaf. Indeed, nothing is better than a simple dish (or, in this case, cake) done well, to the point of nigh perfection. Next to the shimmering stardom of its sister, the carrot zucchini cake paled in comparison. It had its charms, of course, and with its textural complexity from carrots and zucchinis, it was an intriguing experience. Topped with a classic cream cheese frosting, it was still an adequate closing for a delicious meal. 

To our dear readers, if you ever find yourself stifled by the hustle and bustle of city life, head over to your nearest Taman Hati and breathe. Breathe in the calm solemnity of the plants surrounding you as you craft your capsule of life in the form of a terrarium. Let yourself rest in a place where love is in every part of the process, beautifully crafted by the owner, Jan – a social entrepreneur who believes in giving back to the community, sourcing all of her ingredients from local small businesses. And when you’ve experienced its homey serenity for yourself and wish to rent the venue for your little escapade, Taman Hati is there for you.

Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Drinks: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Decorations/Interior: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Appearance on the outside vs inside: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Service: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Article by Teresa and Jason

Photos by Ezriq