#theWanderlist: Cuisine Scene Kuala Lumpur, Pt. 2
Thanks to Starwood Hotels in Asia, I was able to make a much needed and quick weekend getaway to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia for the first time ever. And in the first of this two-part post on that trip, I introduced different elements about that city which I found quite surprising. These elements included interesting architectural sites, ie. contemporary architecture in the city with heavy Islamic influences, as well as spotting some really cool art spaces dispersed throughout. While the architecture was obvious, the art galleries were harder to find. For shops we went to check out Publika Gallery to find independent designer items. And for hotels, we of coursed toured newer design-oriented properties from Starwood, including Aloft Kuala Lumpur, Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, and Four Points by Sheraton Puchong.
Our art spaces tour made it obvious that Kuala Lumpur sights are destination oriented; meaning that while there are really cool things to discover, to make sure you don’t miss key places, the trip’s itinerary needs to really be pre-planned in advance. A rent-a-car, driver, or taxi is very necessary because the must-do’s are quite far apart, which brings us to FOOD. Like all cities, Kuala Lumpur has great food, but it also has tons of okay or lacklustre selections, and of course we don’t want to waste our time. So here’s my bonafide list of the best food in Kuala Lumpur. (For now.)
ALL DAY EATS KL
+ PUCHONG DISTRICT / Hay Siang Kopitiam
The Puchong district is a sleepy residential/industrial neighbourhood on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, which has immediately become a focus of KL urban redevelopment. However, before redevelopment, Puchong eateries have been known to house a destination for really good local and original flavours. Take for instance this destination kopitiam called Hai Siang Kopitiam which opened 9 years ago by an ex flight attendant and his wife. Serving traditional hand brewed black coffee with a wallop of condensed milk, Hai Siang has on offer unique twists to homestyle recipes like the family recipe for Chicken Rice (Chicken served with soup rather than with the rice), the Sarawak Laksa, and the Nasi Lemak Randang. Don’t leave without trying the addictively crispy and gooey Yao Char Guai with Kaya, which is basically a fried dough stick with kaya jam inserted inside.
EAT Hai Siang Kopitiam . Jalan Puteri 1/6, Bandar Puteri . 47100 Puchong, Selangor . +603-80616919
+ PUCHONG DISTRICT / Restoran Puchong Yong Tau Fo
I’m not necessarily a big fan of Yong Tau Foo i.e. stuffed bean curd, however if you are already in Puchong hood, the Restoran Puchong Yong Tao Fo is apparently one of the best. You can pick your choice of noodles (dry, with curry, with rice etc) and then pick from a selection of food like fish balls, crab sticks, cuttlefish, big chilis, minced seafood, meatballs etc. They make it into a soup. I’m not a fan, but people love it. Try it with Deep Fried stuffed egg plants (the best part of the meal for me.)
EAT Restoran Puchong Yong Tau Fu . Jalan Puteri 2/2, Bandar Puteri, 47100 Puchong, Selangor . +603-80811159
+ PUCHONG DISTRICT / Penang One
Penang One is a really interesting concept. It looks like a fast food chain but it’s not a chain at all. The Puchong branch was the first location, and they have just recently opened a second one in another part of town due to its popularity. Basically Penang is known for inventing delicious and amazing Malaysian food. Penang One takes 12 of the best cooked food brands and selections from Penang and serves their best food items every day in Kuala Lumpur. Items like Rojaks, Hokkien Mees, Laksas, Yam Cakes, Loh Baks, and Shaved ice desserts that Penang is known for all available here. For soups, meals, and desserts, they start cooking the items in Penang in the afternoon, dry suction seal all food, get it placed in a truck, have the dishes shipped overnight, and then its received before the shop opens the next day… this is before preparation. Nothing is frozen or thawed.
EAT Penang One . Jalan Puteri 2/6, Bandar Puteri, 47100 Puchong, Selangor . +603-80520181
+ CHINATOWN / Aku Cafe & Gallery
Located in the first floor of a little shop house in Chinatown (along Jalan Panggung), Aku Cafe & Gallery is literally a cleaner and updated version of your auntie’s home. Wooden chairs and mahogany tables blend well with sparse white walls which display a rotating selection of artwork. Best of all, one can sit and watch staff work their magic with hand-dripped or siphon-dripped (and very strong/sharp) brewed coffee. The signature coffee cake and kaya-toasts are divine. After coffee, enjoy art upstairs at FINDARS gallery and Lostgens gallery which I wrote about in the previous KL post.
DRINK Aku . 1F, 8 Jalan Panggong, Petaling Street, 50000 Kuala Lumpur . T: +603-28576887
+ BUKIT BINTANG DISTRICT / Celestial Court
I’m from Hong Kong, and I feel that absolutely, full stop… the Celestial Court restaurant in Kuala Lumpur is by far one of the best iterations of Canton food i’ve ever tasted. We had a try at the Sunday Dim Sum, which as it turns out, was all-you-can-eat, served to your table for a very affordable price, definitely a fraction of what 5-star setting would cost in Hong Kong. I can say Cantonese with a “modern twist" all I want, but no one will believe me. The food here is definitely inventive and a showcase of colours and layers of flavours. Due to the no-pork, Halal rules, the Chef replaces pork with shrimp and seafood for Shanghainese dumplings and Siu Mais… which is why it’s an “inventive” and “modern twist” iteration. My favourite dim sum is the Crispy Jumbo Har Kao served with Watermelon Ring topped with Wasabi Mayo. The no-pork rule is not a lack but actually an advantage… creatively. I promise.
EAT Celestial Court . Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel, 129 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur . T: +603-27179900
+ BUKIT BINTANG DISTRICT / Bijan
Bijan is literally one of Kuala Lumpur’s most celebrated modern bar-restaurants, a contemporary destination for high-end, but authentically classic Malaysian cuisine within tastefully rustic contemporary interiors. The restaurant was founded in 2003, yet it feels like it has not aged a year. Indoor and outdoor dining areas are grand-yet-intimate, and a good setup for dishes such as MSG & pork-free selections of grilled satays, pegged, prawn fritters, tofu cakes, popiahs, beef renderings, and coconut curries. The char-grilled short ribs is the house signature and a must-try.
EAT Bijan Bar & Restaurant . 3 Jalan Ceylon, 50200 Kuala Lumpur . T: +603-20313575
NIGHTLIFE KL
+ BUKIT BINTANG DISTRICT / BarLai
BarLai, around the corner from Bijan, is really a wonderful destination for sneaky old fashioned drinks. This unique and charming bar is set inside an old two-story ancestral home, which still retains that quirky feel. On the second floor is the Sekeping Sin Chew Kee (see last post), an art space. Exposed decaying walls, picnic tables, and old-fashioned lounge areas create a very secret and intimate atmosphere that makes one feel like they are a part of a creative urban family. Check out cocktails like the Siam Mojito which is a rum with columns based and the Barlai Pina Colada with a dash of pandan syrup.
DRINK BarLai . 3 Jalan Sin Kew kee, Bukit Bintang, 50150 Kuala Lumpur . T: +603-21417850
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