If there’s one thing Malaysia does well (not saying this is the only thing), it’s their yummy yummy food! I wasn’t supposed to write a separate blog post just for food, but realized what a disservice that would be as THE FOOD HERE IS JUST SO DAMN GOOD!

So, here’s my top picks of my absolute favorite restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. They’re mostly in the vicinity of Bukit Bintang as that was where I was staying. Click on the restaurant names, and it’ll link you to the website or a food review site 😉 Bon appetit!

Otherwise, if you’re less interested about the food and more interested on getting a lowdown of what to do in Kuala Lumpur, as well as potential day trips… then click this link for my detailed blog on Kuala Lumpur, sans the food 😉

 

Table of Food

Malaysian-style food

• Restoran Yut Kee: Breakfast food
• Madam Kwan: Malaysian comfort food
• Restoran Kin Kin: Hokkien-style chili pan mee
• Face to Face Noodle House: Sarawak-style noodles
• Sri Nirwana Maju: Banana leaf rice
• Lot 10 Hutong: Malaysian stalls
• Jalan Alor: Stingray fish
• Kim Lian Kee: Malaysian (charcoal fried hokkien mee)

 

Chinese-style food

• Lima Blas: Peranakan (Chinese-Malay)
• Village Roast Duck: Traditional Chinese (roast duck)
• Pao Xiang Bak Kut Teh: Traditional Chinese (bak kut teh)
• Oversea Restaurant: Traditional Chinese (char siew)

Western-style food

• Fuego at Troika Sky Dining: Fusion
• Alexis: Cakes

 

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Malaysian-style food

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Restoran Yut Kee

Why? Restoran Yut Kee is a hundred years old kopitiam institution in KL, which has been serving traditional fare since 1928. Locals love it (as evidenced by the long queue), and I’m sure you’ll love it too!

Must try: Chicken chop, roasted pork (only available on weekends, 10:45am onwards), steamed bread with kaya

PRO TIPS: 

• Expect to wait 15-30mins to be seated – the queues can get quite long!
• For the delicious roasted pork, be here by 10:45AM on weekends. By noon time, it’ll all be sold out
• Buy a kaya jar home for only RM 5.10 – makes for the perfect souvenir!

Madam Kwan

Why? Madam Kwan is THE place to go for Malaysian food. Whenever tourists come to visit Malaysia, the locals will make sure to bring them here first

Must try: Nasi Lemak, Hokkien Mee

PRO TIP: There are multiple Madam Kwan branches – check which one is nearest to you!

Restoran Kin Kin

You know you’re in for a truly authentic gastronomic experience if the restaurant serves only ONE dish, is filled with only locals, and is crazy difficult to find yet everyone seems to know about it! NOTE: It was so yummy… I forgot to take a photo and just dove right in!

Must try: Chili pan mee!!

What’s chili pan mee? Chili Pan Mee is a Hokkien-style egg noodle dish which contains blanched noodles, minced pork, dried anchovies, topped with a perfectly poached egg

PRO TIP: Adjust the heat with their hot fried chili paste (be careful, these things are HOT!)

Face to Face Noodle House

Why? Try the famed Sarawak-style noodles. If that’s not enough incentive – food here is super cheap!! But… they only accept cash

Must try: Chili pan mee, Sarawak style noodles

PRO TIP: Bring cash. If you forgot, there’s an ATM that’s ~5 mins away from the restaurant

Sri Nirwana Maju

Why? Because eating with your bare hands is a local experience you MUST TRY at least once

Must try: Dry mutton meal

PRO TIP: Come before 12nn (during off-peak house) to avoid the crowds

Lot 10 Hutong

Why? Running out of time to check out signature food stalls scattered all over the country? You’re in luck! These Malaysians have got us covered with the ‘Gourmet Heritage Village,’ a collection of hand-picked eateries from the “best of the best” street stalls, each with their own signature dishes that have been passed down for at least two generations.

Dishes to try:

• Kim Lian Kee: Fried Hokkien Mee
• Ho Weng Kee: Wanton Mee
• Penang Famous Fried Kway Teow: Fried Kway Teow
• Soong Kee Beef Noodles: Hakka-style Beef Noodles

Jalan Alor

Why? Experience a lively night market packed with street restaurants. It’s ridiculously touristy but gives you an all-in-one place to pick and choose what you want to have for dinner

Go-to restaurant: Meng Kee Grilled Fish – their grilled stingray fish is simply perfection!

PRO TIP: Just show them this picture and tell them that’s what you want to order (because I have no idea what it’s called in Bahasa) – that’s what I do anyway

Kim Lian Kee

Why? If you’re in pursuit of the best traditional charcoal fried Hokkien Mee in Kuala Lumpur, this is it!

Must try: Obviously… the charcoal fried Hokkien Mee

PRO TIP: I’m not exactly the pro as I couldn’t find the restaurant. Do note Kim Lian Kee is situated in the super crowded Petaling Street, Chinatown. My friends told me it’s located opposite Hong Leong Bank, and is only open at night – so remember that when you go off in search for the best Hokkien Mee ever!

 

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Chinese-style food

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Lima Blas

Why? While the Chinese can be found in pretty much every planet, they’ve always managed to assimilate into each country and come up with their own version of Chinese food. Here at Lima Blas, you’ll get to try Peranakan dishes! (Peranakan = Chinese-Malay)

Must try: Pai Tee, Sambal Udang Petai, and Cendol (dessert)

PRO TIP: Lima Blas isn’t just famous for their food, they’re also famous for their antique décor that effortlessly captures the best of Peranakan lifestyle and cooking traditions. So ready your cameras too!

Village Roast Duck

Why? Sometimes you simply crave for the familiar – so if you want traditional Chinese food done right, Village Roast Duck is it!

Must try: Roasted Peking Duck with Pancakes <3, Double Meat Platter – crispy pork and char siu, steamed cod fish with garlic

PRO TIP: Their crispy pork sells out REALLY FAST. So if you’re headed there, make sure to call them up and reserve the crispy pork beforehand!

Pao Xiang Bak Kut Teh

Why? For people who crave for bak kut teh, ’nuff said

Must try: Different variations of bak kut teh

What’s bak kut teh? Bak Kut Teh literally translates to ‘meat bone tea.’ NOTE: The meat here is amazingly tender, the broth richly packed with flavor – just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes and makes me wish I could go back to KL asap

Oversea Restaurant

Why? My frustration in living in a Muslim country is the sad lack of pork in my day-to-day life. Thankfully, Oversea Restaurant is just a short 10 mins ride from my place – and their char siew pork is divine!

Must try: Signature char siew – the caramelization on the outside of the pork is just SHEER BLISS

PRO TIP: Before making the trek to Oversea, make sure to call up the restaurant and ask if they have char siew left. If yes, tell them to reserve it for you! Else, by the time you get to the restaurant, they may have already run out…

No pictures, sorry. I practically inhaled the char siew when it was set down on the table… (it was the last char siew dish FYI!)

 

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Western-style food

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Fuego at Troika Sky Dining

Why? Rooftop dining is all the rage now – made all the better by the unobstructed view of the twinkling Petronas Twin Towers

Must try: Everything on their menu, truly!

PRO TIP: Reserve a spot – otherwise, you may have to queue (even on weekdays!)

Alexis

Why? I dub Alexis the BEST CAKE SHOP in KL. Period

Must try: Chocolate Strawberry Meringue and Tiramisu Cake

PRO TIP: Do NOT leave KL without trying Alexis cakes

 

Other Malaysia blog posts

Hope you enjoy the amazing Kuala Lumpur – and more broadly, the beautiful Malaysia. If you’re interested, below is a full list of Malaysia blogs I have available:

• What to do when in Kuala Lumpur, including day trips
• Eating my way through Kuala Lumpur – my top picks!
• Day trip from KL: Putrajay’s architectural wonders
• Day trip from KL: What to expect from Batu Caves
• Day trip from KL: Discovering the hidden treasures of Melaka
• A travel and food guide to Malaysia’s hidden jewel: Penang