My favorite 20 dishes in Kuala Lumpur
Based on my extensive experience living in Malaysia, I have carefully selected 20 must-try dishes in Kuala Lumpur. These selections are based not only on taste and value for money but also on accessibility, cleanliness, and ease of dining. This comprehensive list encompasses the best of Malaysian cuisine that can be recommended to everyone, making it a definitive guide rather than just an ordinary article. It's truly a "secret manual." The list will be updated regularly.
Nasi Lemak
Nasi lemak is a traditional Malaysian dish consisting of fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, typically served with various accompaniments such as fried anchovies, peanuts, hard-boiled or fried egg, cucumber slices, and a spicy sambal sauce. It's considered Malaysia's national dish and is enjoyed throughout the day as a hearty and flavorful meal.
Village Park Restaurant
Cuisine: Malay
Location: Petaling Jaya
Halal Status: Halal
My favorite: Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng
A must-try dish in Kuala Lumpur, Nasi Lemak is Malaysia's national dish. Village Park Restaurant stands out among the many famous Nasi Lemak eateries in the country. It has been visited by prominent figures such as former Prime Ministers Mahathir and Najib. If you visit Kuala Lumpur, you cannot miss this exceptional dish. Daging Rendang is also delicious here, so be sure to try it.
Madam Kwan
Cuisine: Nyonya
Location: Bukit Bintang, Mid Valley, etc.
Halal Status: Halal
My favorite: Nasi Bojari
As a famous chain of Malay-Nyonya cuisine, Madam Kwan's offers reliably delicious dishes. However, ordering their signature Nasi Lemak might not be the best choice to compete with Village Park Restaurant. Instead, try their Nasi Bojari.
Satay
Satay is a popular Southeast Asian dish, particularly in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. It consists of skewered and grilled meat, typically chicken, beef, or lamb, served with a flavorful peanut sauce for dipping. Satay is often enjoyed as a snack or appetizer and is loved for its tender, marinated meat and rich, savory sauce.
Satay Station
Cuisine: Malay
Location: Mont Kiara, Cheras, etc.
Halal Status: Halal
My favorite: Chicken Satay
De.wan 1958
Cuisine: Malay
Location: Petaling Jaya
Halal Status: Halal
My favorite: Beef Satay
A high-end Malay restaurant known for its overall high-quality dishes, De.wan 1958's satay is particularly delicious. While chicken satay is usually decent no matter where you have it, the beef satay here is tender and incredibly tasty. It's one of their signature dishes worth trying.
Bak Kut Teh
Bak kut teh is a Malaysian and Singaporean pork rib dish cooked in a flavorful herbal broth, enjoyed for its rich flavor and aromatic spices.
Shin Feng Bak Kut Teh
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: Imbi
Halal Status: Non Halal
My favorite: Pork Rib
Bak Kut Teh, a popular Chinese-Malaysian dish, is a must-try. Start with Shin Feng Bak Kut Teh's Original Bak Kut Teh, a classic restaurant. If it's your first time, the recommended option is the mixed variety that includes a bit of everything. The dry version of Bak Kut Teh is also tasty, but if you have to choose, I recommend the soup-based one. You can also try ordering durian and mango for dessert.
Pan Mee
Pan Mee is a Malaysian noodle dish with handmade noodles served in broth. It features minced pork, anchovies, mushrooms, and leafy greens, and can be served dry or with soup. Enjoyed for its comforting taste and flexibility, it's a popular choice across Malaysia.
Jojo Little Kitchen
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: Sri Hartmas, Petaling Jaya, etc.
Halal Status: Non Halal
My favorite: Traditional Pan Mee / Dry / Thick
Jojo Little Kitchen is a popular chain known for its dry flat noodles, Pan Mee. With multiple locations, it offers excellent accessibility. It's affordable and incredibly tasty. While the soup version is great, the ultimate delight is the dry Pan Mee with thick noodles and topped with an egg.
Roti Canai
Roti canai is a popular South Indian-influenced flatbread dish found in Malaysia. It's made from a simple dough of flour, water, and ghee, cooked on a griddle until crispy outside and fluffy inside. Typically served with curry or dhal, it's a versatile and beloved staple of Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine.
Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar
Cuisine: Indian
Location: KL Sentral, Mid Valley, etc.
Halal Status: Halal？
My favorite: Roti Canai
For the best value Indian-Malay cuisine, Roti Canai is unbeatable. It's delicious, quick, and affordable. You can't go wrong with Roti Canai at any decent establishment. While Pelita is a well-known Indian-Malay restaurant, I recommend this clean and appealing establishment that seems to be well-liked by Japanese visitors.
Chicken Rice
Hainanese chicken rice in Malaysia features tender poached or roasted chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth, accompanied by sliced cucumber and chili sauce. It's beloved for its comforting flavors and widespread availability in Malaysian eateries.
NAM HEONG
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: Chinatown and some branches
Halal Status: Non Halal
My favorite: Steamed Village Chicken
When it comes to chicken rice in Kuala Lumpur, this is the place to go. Located in Chinatown, it competes on equal footing with famous chicken rice establishments in Ipoh and the "Big Four" chicken rice shops in Singapore. It can get crowded during lunchtime, but the high turnover rate makes it easier to find a seat. Be aware of their early closing time.
Dim Sum
Dim sum is a Chinese cuisine featuring bite-sized dishes served in steamer baskets or on small plates. It includes a variety of dumplings, buns, rolls, and desserts, often enjoyed during brunch or lunch with tea.
Jin Xuan Hong Kong
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: Sri Hartamas, Cheras, Petaling Jaya, etc.
Halal Status: Non Halal
My favorite: Scallop Shrimp Dumpling
A classic dim sum restaurant with multiple branches and convenient access. While siu mai and har gow are already popular choices, let me recommend one dish that has been praised by local friends: a dumpling that includes both shrimp and scallops. Before ordering two portions of har gow, be sure to give this one a try.
Char Kway Teow
Char Kway Teow is a Malaysian and Singaporean stir-fried noodle dish featuring flat rice noodles cooked with shrimp, cockles, Chinese sausage, eggs, bean sprouts, and chives in a savory soy sauce-based sauce. It's renowned for its smoky flavor and is a beloved street food in the region.
PappaRich
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: Sri Hartamas, Cheras, Petaling Jaya, etc.
Halal Status: Non Halal
My favorite: Scallop Shrimp Dumpling
When you visit PappaRich, there's no need to order anything else but this dish. It may not be their signature dish, but it's unbelievably delicious. If you're a fan of prawns and squid, definitely go for the Special version.
Char Kway Teow SpecialSteamboat
Steamboat" in Malay, is a beloved dining experience where diners cook raw ingredients like meat, seafood, and vegetables in a simmering pot of broth placed at the center of the table. It's enjoyed with a variety of dipping sauces and is popular for bringing people together over a shared meal.
FWF Hotpot
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: Bukit Bintang
Halal Status: Non Halal
My favorite: Shrimp Soup, Pork Belly
Steamboat a beloved dining experience where diners cook raw ingredients like meat, seafood, and vegetables in a simmering pot of broth placed at the center of the table. It's enjoyed with a variety of dipping sauces and is popular for bringing people together over a shared meal.
Steam Era
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: Imbi
Halal Status: Non Halal
My favorite: Fresh Marbled Slices
When it comes to steamboat, boiling is the usual method, but this restaurant offers a unique twist by steaming the ingredients. And let me tell you, steaming is just as delicious. One particular recommendation is the thinly sliced pork steamed with cucumbers, a delightful combination that is reasonably priced yet incredibly tasty. Don't forget to try the okra too. It's truly the era of steam.
Laksa
Laksa is a popular spicy noodle soup dish that originated in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. There are several variations of laksa, but especially curry laksa and asam laksa are so popular.
Chin's Curry Laksa at Madras Lane
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: Chinatown
Halal Status: Non Halal
My favorite: Fresh Marbled Slices
Ranked second on the Lonely Planet Ultimate Eatlist, this is the ultimate curry laksa experience. The restaurant is located in Madras Lane, in the heart of Chinatown. There are three laksa stalls side by side in Madras Lane, but the one mentioned above is the rightmost stall. The adjacent legendary grandmother's shop is also popular. Keep in mind that the shops in Madras Lane close early, and once they run out, that's it, so it's best to visit in the morning.
Indian Curry
In Malaysia, due to the presence of a large Indian immigrant population, authentic Indian cuisine is readily available. One can often request adjustments to the level of spiciness.
GEM Restaurant
Cuisine: North Indian
Location: KL Sentral
Halal Status: Non Halal?
My favorite: Butter Chicken Curry
The impact of the first time I tried this dish is unforgettable. It reigns as the king of Indian curries, or rather, all curries I've ever tasted. Despite not being widely known, its excellence surpasses even the renowned Bombay Palace.
Butter Chicken and Plain NaaanSri Nirwana Maju's
Banana Leaf Curry / South Indian Cuisine
Cuisine: South Indian
Location: Bangsar
Halal Status: ???
My favorite: Chicken Biryani Rice
Sri Nirwana Maju is a renowned restaurant for Banana Leaf Curry, a cuisine brought by the Indian community from South India. Even if there's a bit of a wait, it's worth it. Pair their biryani rice, a South Indian-style flavorful rice dish, with your preferred curry. Unlike the creamy North Indian curries like Butter Chicken Curry, South Indian curries have more liquid and a lighter texture.
Buffet
Restoran Rebung Chef Ismail
Cuisine: Malay
Location: Jalan Tanglin, KL
Halal Status: Halal
My favorite: Tomato Nasi Lemak
This restaurant is owned by a legendary chef. It offers a buffet where you can experience traditional Malay cuisine in its entirety. Rather than reaching gastronomic heights, it's the perfect place to.
Others
W.A.W restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: Sri Hartamas, Cheras, Petaling Jaya, etc.
Halal Status: Non Halal
My favorite: Chicken Wings
No discussion about KL's culinary scene would be complete without mentioning this restaurant. Located on Arrow Street, it is one of the most famous establishments in Kuala Lumpur. Look out for the fake Mickey Mouse signboard. Their signature dish, the chicken wings, is renowned. I also recommend pairing it with their Seafood Fried Rice.
Marco Polo
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: KL Sentral, Mid Valley, etc.
Halal Status: Non Halal
My favorite: Peking Duck
An upscale Chinese restaurant that has been a representative of Kuala Lumpur for a long time. If you want to taste authentic Peking duck in Kuala Lumpur, this is the place to go. Their lettuce wraps, where you wrap the leftover duck meat with lettuce, are also delicious. Their dim sum lunch is highly regarded.
Rotiboy
Cuisine: Bakery
Location: KL Sentral, Mid Valley, etc.
Halal Status: Halal
My favorite: Steamed Village Chicken
This cheat code bread condenses all the best elements of bread into one. If you're lucky enough to have it fresh from the oven, consider it a major event in your life. Personally, it's one of the most delicious foods you can find in Malaysia.
Fruit
When it comes to things you must eat when in Malaysia, fruits are definitely a must-try. Malaysian fruits are not only affordable but also incredibly delicious. While most shops offer good quality fruits at reasonable prices, there can be variations in quality depending on the shop you visit. One recommended shop is located at the intersection of Chinatown. The fruit stalls at Suria KLCC's food court is also easily accessible. For those prioritizing quality, I'd recommend Mou Tak Ding in Midvalley Megamall.
