The 10 Best Things to Eat in Kuala Lumpur

Similar to the iconic tallest twin buildings in the world, the National Capital of Malaysia boasts unforgettable and exceptional food fare. With Chinese, Indonesian, Indian and Malay-infused cuisine, it’s no wonder that one of a foodie’s dream destinations is Kuala Lumpur. Their incredible wide variety of food is a reflection of the diverse cultural traditions they have.

With the infinite culinary options in this city, we’ve trimmed down all the choices that to our opinion, are the 10 best things you definitely should have in the Klang Valley.

Once you’ve experienced Kuala Lumpur’s cuisine, you’d discover that their food is incredibly cheap, full of different tempting flavors, very enticingly aromatic and have varied textures, thus always making every meal a wonderful gustatory experience.

From flavorful curries, to slurp-worthy noodle and soup dishes, savory meat viands to decadent desserts, Kuala Lumpur has something good to offer everybody, depending on what one fancies and one’s budget.

KL’s food scene is aptly comparable to Petronas Towers’s stature – exemplary, well-known and a constant great source of pride.

Here are the 10 best things to eat in Kuala Lumpur.

The mere fact that it has earned the reputable Malaysia’s National Dish label, Nasi Lemak should be on top of any foodie’s list of must-tries.

As one would unwrap the banana leaf, the aroma of pandan leaves would waft in the air, whetting a hungry tummy’s appetite. Then a mound of fluffy, soft rice deliciously cooked in rich and creamy coconut milk, some side dishes of crispy dried fish, savory meat, cool cucumber bits, crunchy peanuts, and that noteworthy sambal paste will greet you.

A good sambal paste is made of anchovies, onions, chili, garlic, tamarind and lemongrass, which gives that distinct taste to Nasi Lemak. Have a bit of each ingredient in a scoopful and a myriad of flavors and textures would burst in your mouth.

Here are the best places to get your Nasi Lemak in KL.

• CHONG KOK KOPITIAM
  For delectable Nasi Lemak, breakfast bread and coffee
  What to order: Butter cakes, Kopi, Roti Bakar
  Price range: RM 3 to RM 10 ($0.72 to $2.40)
  When: 07:00 - 18:00 Mon to Sat, 07:00-14:00 Suns
  Where: 5 Jalan Stesen Klang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur
• 6 2 10 GRILL & NASI LEMAK at Aman Suria
  For delicious Nasi Lemak and Western grilled dishes
  What to order: Nasi Lemak, Pork Sambal, Pork Rendang, Steaks
  Price range: RM 11 to RM 20 ($2.64 to $4.79)
  When: 12:00 - 14:30 and 18:00 - 23:00 daily; Closed on Tuesdays
  Where: C-21, Block C, Jalan PJU 1/45, Sunway Mas Commercial Center, Petaling Jaya, Aman Suria, Kuala Lumpur
• NASI LEMAK PEEL ROAD at Cheras
  For Chinese-style Nasi Lemak and other out-of-this-world variety of dishes
  What to order: Nasi Lemak, Wild boar curry, Curry mutton, Sambal kerang
  Price range: RM 4 to RM 10 ($0.96 to $2.40)
  When: 16:00 - 20:30 daily
  Where: 96, Jalan Peel, Kuala Lumpur, Cheras

Ikan Bakar is so simple and basic but it has brought so many humble stalls a massive number of devotees. The secret to its popularity?

The fish used is fresh out of the water. It is then infused with a spicy paste or rubbed with turmeric and salt that gives the tasty flavor to the fish. This will be grilled until it gets a slightly crispy skin and the flesh becomes heavenly soft.

You can dip it in a variety of sauces but a favorite is one that is made of soy sauce, tamarind water, chopped chilies and onions.

Include the grilled stingray as it is the best choice for a grilled fish. Be ready with a handful of napkins on your side as it will be a finger-licking treat!

Here are the best places to get ikan bakar in KL.

• MAT TEH IKAN BAKAR
  For juicy and flavorful ikan bakar
  What to order: Grilled catfish, Grilled stingray, Fruit juices
  Price range: RM25 per pax ($8.20)
  When: 11:00 until end of lunch, daily
  Where: Dato Keramat Market, Jalan Dato Keramat, Kuala Lumpur
• MEDAN IKAN BAHAN GERAI NO.3 
  For a tasty party of grilled seafood
  What to order: Grilled stingray, Roasted squid, Sambal roasted prawns
  Price range: RM25 per pax ($8.20)
  When: 11:00 - 23:00 Monday to Friday
  Where: Jalan Bellamy, Bukit Petaling, Kuala Lumpur
• SAMBAL HIJAU RESTAURANT 
  For a huge range of authentic Malaysian dishes
  What to order: Grilled fish, Roasted squid, Braised beef tendon, Malay desserts
  Price range: RM10 to RM12 ($2.40 to $2.88)
  When: 07:30 - 02:00 Mon to Sat; 07:30 – 12:00 Suns
  Where: Lot 2990, Kampung Sungai Penchala, Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur

CNN ranked this Malay dish #26 of the world’s 50 most delicious foods in 2011. A lot of restaurants ladle out this dish to customers who don’t mind the trickling sweat and tears they get from a fiery hot bowl of this noodle dish.

Some slippery vermicelli noodles cooked in a tangy and spicy tamarind broth is combined with sweet mackerel flakes, fresh mint, and coriander or pineapple bits for one mouth-watering explosive dish.

Pair a bowl of asam laksa with cold fruit juices to refresh your taste buds. This will help you accommodate more bowls of the flaming laksa.

Here are the best places to get asam laksa in KL.

• LAKSA STALLS @ MADRAS LANE
  For having the best bowls of both asam laksa and curry laksa
  What to order: Asam laksa, Curry laksa, Chicken curry, Pork ball soup
  Price range: RM5 to RM9 ($1.19 to $2.16)
  When: Daily 08:30 onwards
  Where: Lorong Bandar 20, Off Petaling Street, Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur
• LITTLE PENANG CAFE AT KLCC
  For generous portions of the famous asam laksa that’s been enjoyed for so many years
  What to order: Asam laksa, Char kuey teow, Fish ball noodles, Ice kacang
  Price range: RM9 to RM15 ($2.16 to $3.59)
  When: 10:00 - 22:00 daily
  Where: Lot 409-411, 4th floor, Suria KLCC, 50088, City Center, Kuala Lumpur
• KEDAI MAKANAN AH LOY
  For slurp-worthy noodle dishes
  What to order: Asam laksa, Pork spareribs curry mee, Noodle dishes, Yong tau foo
  Price range: RM7 to RM10 ($1.68 to $2.40)
  When: 11:00 - 23:00 Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Mondays
  Where: 11 and 13 Jalan Hujan Rahmat 3, Taman OUG, Kuala Lumpur

Klang-style bak kut teh is a delectable version of bak kut teh that is well loved all over Malaysia and Singapore. The allure of the dish lies in the herbal-rich broth, which can give tired travelers a quick dose of energy.

Slices of fatty pork marinated in herbs and soaked in thick and flavorful broth will be best enjoyed with heaps of rice. Top it with chili flakes, fried green shallots and mint leaves and it will surely leave your palate yearning for more.

Here are the best places to get a simmering bowl of Klang-style bak kut teh in KL.

• KA KA BAK KUT TEH
  For the best bak kut teh in KL and even Malaysia
  What to order: White pepper pork belly soup, Ketchup bak kut teh, Vinegar pork leg
  Price range: RM7.50 per pax ($1.80)
  When: 06:00 - 02:00 daily
  Where: 351 Jalan Kepong, Taman Kepong, 52100, Kuala Lumpur
• SUN FONG BAK KUT TEH
  For generous servings of wholesome bak kut teh righ in central KL
  What to order: bak kut teh, pork kidney, fermented beancurd
  Price range: RM10 to RM20 ($2.39 - $4.78)
  When: 07:00 -23:00 daily
  Where: 35A-43A, Medan Imbi, 55100, City Center, Kuala Lumpur
• FATTY BAK KUT TEH
  For a large number of delectable food
  What to order: Bak kut teh, Steamed fish head, Pig intestines with wine, Chicken wine soup
  Price range: RM10 to RM20 ($2.39 - $4.78)
  When: 18:00 - 04:00 daily
  Where: 5, Jalan Klang Lama, Pusat Dagangan 3rd Mile Square, 58100, Kuala Lumpur

Satay is absolutely a good option when you want great food. Here in KL, their skewered pork, chicken or beef are well-seasoned with turmeric powder and comes with a sweet and spicy peanut sauce that makes it more palatable.

What to expect from a no-frills food such as this? Just some succulent, chunky meat with a sweet-salty flavor that can be eaten on its own or with mounds of rice. It is a filling snack or a great viand that you can easily get anywhere in Kuala Lumpur.

Here are the best places to enjoy satay in Kuala Lumpur, at very reasonable prices, too.

• PAK DIN SATAY GOMBAK
  For one of the best satay in Kuala Lumpur
  What to order: Chicken satay, Beef satay, Lamb satay
  Price range: RM0.80 ($0.19) chicken, RM0.90 ($0.22) beef, RM1.40 ($0.24) lamb
  When: 18:00 - 23:30 daily, closed on alternate Sundays
  Where: 121, Jalan Gombak, Gombak Setia, 53000, Kuala Lumpur
• RESTAURANT QUEEN'S
  For a large array of food that aptly deserves two thumbs up
  What to order: Satay, Steamed fish head, Mee goreng, Tom yam noodles
  Price range: RM10 per person ($2.40)
  When: 10:00 - 00:00 daily
  Where: 74-96 Jalan Peel, Taman Maluri, Kuala Lumpur
• SATAY STATION
  For juicy and huge servings of satay
  What to order: Pork satay, Beef satay, Mee robus bonda
  Price range: RM2 to RM10 ($0.48 to $2.40)
  When: 17:00 - 02:00 daily
  Where: 55, Jalan Pandan Kemajuan A, 55100, City Center, Kuala Lumpur

Rojak is one of the dishes that best exemplify the cultural diversity of Malaysia. This toothsome mixture of fruit and vegetable salad combines all sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavors in one dish that can be perfectly enjoyed as a snack or as an appetizer.

What brings the blanched fresh fruits and vegetables together is the umami prawn paste that surprisingly works so well with this food. As if that’s not enough, a generous topping of crunchy ground peanuts is added to the already pleasurable rojak.

Make the rest of your day a whole lot better by pairing your salad with fruit thirst quenchers. Aside from being cheap and tasty, the best reason to try it is it will surely do a lot of good things for your body.

Here are the best places to have rojak in KL.

• ROJAK BELLAMY
  For unique rojak dishes
  What to order: Nasi ayam, Rojak sotong, Rojak mi ayam
  Pricing: RM5 ($1.20)
  When: 07:00 - 17:30 weekdays, 07:00 - 15:00 weekends
  Where: Pernama PN 090, Jalan Bellamy, 50450, City Center, Kuala Lumpur
• ASYIQ DANG WANGI
  For fantastic servings of fiery, good rojak
  What to order: Teh tarik, Mee rebus, Rojak mamak
  Pricing: RM5 ($1.20)
  When: 08:00 - 14:30 daily
  Where: Jalan Kamunting, 50300, City Center, Kuala Lumpur
• KEPONG ROJAK
  For rojak with heavenly peanut sauce
  What to order: Fresh juices, Pasembur, Rojak
  Price range: RM3 to RM 10 ($0.72 to $2.40)
  When: 14:00 - 15:30 or until rojak is sold out
  Where: Jalan Mergastua, Kepong Baru, 52100, Kuala Lumpur

This simply rolled out dough made of flour, sugar, margarine, eggs and condensed milk is certainly Malaysia’s favorite bread. It’s so versatile that can be enjoyed as a snack, as a meal or even as a dessert.

No-frills, basic and downright delicious on its own. But if you want to take it a notch higher, use the roti canai to scoop up the rich curry or top it with more condensed milk, some fruit chunks or ice cream.

With this kind of simple delicacy, the imagination just needs a little tapping to turn it into an excitingly delightful treat.

Here are the best places to get roti canai in KL.

• LAN ROTI CANAI
  For soft roti and creamy dhall
  What to order: Roti Canai, Roti sardine, Roti telur
  Price range: RM1 to RM3 ($0.24 to $0.72)
  When: 06:00 - 12:00 daily
  Where: Jalan 4/112, Off Pantai Dalan, 59200, City Center, Kuala Lumpur
• MANSION TEA STALL
  For insanely delicious roti canai banjir special you wouldn’t find anywhere else
  What to order: Roti canai banjir special, Sambal, Fish curry, Teh tarik
  Price range: RM0.90 to RM3.80 ($0.22 to $0.91)
  When: 24 hours daily
  Where: 2, G/F, Selangor Mansion, Lorong Bunus Satu, Off Jalan, 50100, Kuala Lumpur
• VALENTINE ROTI
  For a wide selection of roti canai
  What to order: Roti potato, Valentine roti, Teh tarik
  Price range: RM1.20 to RM4.50 ($0.29 to $1.08)
  When: 10:00 03:00 daily
  Where: No.1 Jalan Semerak, 54000, City Center, Kuala Lumpur

Chilli pan mee is yet another popular noodle dish that one should definitely try. This fiery hot noodle concoction is comprised of flat, chewy noodles, fried shallots, minced meat, crispy little dried fish, yolk-oozing poached egg and some highly lethal chili flakes.

There’s often a bowl of sweet potato leaves that come with the spicy noodles to help in toning down the flaming hotness of this exquisite dish. Chilli pan mee’s intensity literally does bring one to tears but it also brings one to ask for more. What else does this dish bring you? A truly lovely (and lively) gustatory experience!

Here are the best places to get chilli pan mee in KL.

• RESTORAN SUPER KITCHEN
  For constantly imitated chilli pan mee and the best comforting soups you will ever find in Kuala Lumpur
  What to order: Chilli Pan Mee, Homemade fried dumplings, Fish head noodles, Chinese prawn dumpling soup
  Price range: RM5 to RM10 ($1.20 to $2.40)
  When: 09:00 - 21:00 daily
  Where: 18, Jalan Metro Perdana 8, Taman Usahawan, Kepong, 52100, Kuala Lumpur
• JOJO LITTLE KITCHEN
  For a wide array of pan mee variations imaginable to one
  What to order: Herbal chicken pan mee, Hot and spicy pan mee, Fried pork pan mee
  Price range: RM5 to RM10 ($1.20 to $2.40)
  When: 09:30 - 22:00 daily
  Where: 30, Jalan Kuchai Maju 9, Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park, 57100, Kuchai Lama
• RESTORAN KIN KIN
  For chilli pan mee that won Best Cheap Eats in the Time Out KL Food Awards 2013
  What to order: Sayur manis soup, Pork meat balls, Chilli pan mee
  Price range: RM5 to RM10 ($1.20 to $2.40)
  When: 07:30 - 21:00 weekdays, 07:30 - 16:00 weekends
  Where: 40, Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman, Kampung Baru, 50300, Kuala Lumpur

Char Kuey Teow (aka Fried Kuey Teow) is one of the most sought after dishes that never fail to please even the pickiest eaters. You can have it dry, wet or in-between.

The mere aroma of this dish can lure one enough to have a seat and take part in a feast of the senses. For as low as RM5 ($1.20), you can get the amazing flavors from the brilliant combination of flat, stir-fried noodles, deshelled cockles, crunchy bean sprouts, rich shrimp paste, chives, soy sauce and fresh prawns. Add some Chinese sausage or fish cake, you’ll instantly fall in love with CKT.

Here are the best places to get char kuey teow in KL.

• LAU WAN KUETIAU GORENG
  For award-winning and authentic Penang food fare
  What to order: Fried kuey teow, Curry mee, Nasi goreng, Green spicy sambal
  Price range: RM6 to RM10 ($1.44 to $2.40)
  When: 17:00 - 22:00 daily except Tuesdays
  Where: No. 13, Selera Wawasan, Jalan SS 3/33, Taman Universiti, 47300, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur
• ROBERT'S CHAR KUEY TEOW 
  For good char kuey teow at very reasonable prices
  What to order: Fried tong hoon, Char kuey teow, Ice milk tea
  Price range: RM4.50 to RM5.50 ($1.08 to $1.32)
  When: 11:00 - 22:00 daily
  Where: 1083, Jalan 17127, Section 17, Petaling Jaya, 46400, Kuala Lumpur
• TIAM FATT FRIED KUEY TEOW
  For appetizing kuey teow with distinct wok hei flavours
  What to order: Fried kuey teow, Yam cake, Fried lo bak gou, Noodle dishes
  Price range: RM4 to RM10 ($0.96 to $2.40)
  When: 07:00 - 14:00 daily
  Where: 20, Jalan Bandar 1, Taman Melawati, 53100, Kuala Lumpur

Now any foodie knows very well that a great meal would only be perfect if it is capped off with a sweet ending. And when in Malaysia, nothing gets any better than having a refreshing tub of cendol for dessert. It is the best way to cleanse your palate after all the rich food that you had.

A simple recipe of green pandan-flavored rice flour strands with palm sugar syrup, coconut milk, kidney beans and shaved ice is the most glorious thing one can have, especially under the heat of the sweltering sun. If you’re feeling fancy, add some creamed corn, grass jelly or even durian to your cendol.

Here are the best places to get cendol in KL.

• PENANG ROAD FAMOUS TEOCHEW CENDUL at Cheras Leisure Mall
  For tasty cendol and other penang-style desserts
  What to order: Desserts, Penang curry mee, Rojak
  Price range: RM6.50 to RM9 ($1.56 to $2.16)
  When: 10:00 - 23:00 daily
  Where: L1-43 and 44, Jalan Manis 6, Taman Segar, 56100, Kuala Lumpur
• STRAITS FOOD COMPANY
  For scrumptious snacks and more in an old-school setting
  What to order: Cendol, Pai tee, Old-fashioned biscuits, Nyonya laksa
  Price range: RM4.50 to RM16 ($1.08 to $3.83)
  When: 10:00 - 22:00 daily
  Where: 2, Jalan Abdullah, Off Jalan Bangsar, Bangsar Utama, 59100, Kuala Lumpur
• UNCLE CENDOL
  For the best thirst quenchers and desserts
  What to order: Fruit juices, Cendol, Rojak
  Price range: RM3.50 to RM10 ($0.84 to $2.40)
  When: 10:00 - 23:00 daily
  Where: Brein Mall, Jalan Kepong, Jinjang Selatan, 52000, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur