We have lived in Kuala Lumpur for two years now. It seems
like yesterday, when we arrived fresh in Kuala Lumpur with no clues how the
city will greet us. We were still adjusting to the new routines here in our
host country, exploring local vegetable markets and grocers simultaneously. It
was not like easy cake-walk for us, but slowly and gradually we got a hang of
this city and its people. With so many varieties of cuisine here, Kuala Lumpur
is a foodie’s paradise. Its Malay , Chinese and Indian population makes this
city such a thriving and lively place to be in.The cosmopolitan nature of this
city means you can easily find high end eating joints at one side and on other
side, local small vendors who home-cook food daily, start their small and
convenient food-stalls during lunch and dinner hours and sell their home-cooked
food. This contrast makes it even more interesting and enticing. We as a family
don’t go out often during weekdays. But once a weekend, we do try eating out as
it gives me a break from my daily cooking spree. I was thinking to write about
Kuala Lumpur's food world, but I refrain myself from doing it from these past
years, as I needed some experiences before I could write about this topic.
Here is our list of eating out .The criteria of all these
places is one thing-family eating out, where they can sit , have a pleasant talk , spent
some time and eat delicious food.If you happen to shop in Shopping mall , there
are plenty of eating places one can go and eat.
I have listed good restaurants,
local food places(some on a budget) and places where you can grab a bite and do
take-aways as well, their food outlets as well.
Now to the list-
Pappa Rich – Bangsar, Mid Valley Garden mall –
tried the breakfast menu thick roti steam with butter+Kaya...…chicken satay ,
black pepper chicken siew mai , nasi lemak with curry chicken, Char Kway Teo , Asam
Laksa, Curry Laksa, Prawn mee ( my favourite), Ipoh Kway Teo soup with prawn and
chicken slices,Hainan steamed rice chicken, Dessert-Cendol and drinks – coolers
and iced beverages.Price-$$
Chilies- 1 Utama, mid valley megamall- Mexican cuisine...Cajun
chicken sandwich, Cajun pasta , prawn scampi pasta , Rancharo chicken tacos, Grilled
chicken fajita trio( served with 3 flour tortilla + sour
cream+Guacomole+salsa+pico de gello , all you need is to make your own fajita
and relish) chicken enchilada, Chipotle
chicken fresh bowl ( Tex-mix), watermelon Margarita ( cocktail- those who
prefer little spiked Tequila drinks) , classic Mojito, Bloody Mary etc and I would rather go for Virgin Pomegranate
Mojito( alcohol free) or watermelon juice, mango fizz, strawberry lemonade.…..they
cater to specific food habits also , like we got chicken quesadilla in place of
beef quesadilla as requested.Price-$$$
Marco creative cuisine - 1 utama shopping mall –
fine dining –Their pasta recipes - and dessert...creme brulee with white
chocolate sherbet are worth it...Price-$$$$
I dare you to try their squid ink Japonica rice.
Anyone!!
Mikey’s original New York pizza – mid valley megamall.
We tried their Loco Mexican Pizza and chicken parmigiana. The view is also nice
over there. You can eat and get to see people all across the shopping mall.Price-$$$
Breakfast/ Brunch/ High Tea at Corus Hotel – The
choice of brunch or high tea recipes are ample over here. A nice and fine dining
4 star hotel. For a nice brunch get-together they have Dondang Sayang Coffee
house which serves all day along. The choices are varied – from continental to
local Malay cuisine. The ambience is nice and warm. If you like to eat food in
a good ambience and in relaxed way, suggest to have weekend High-tea there.Price-$$$$
Pulp at Papa Palheta- Bangsar for coffee break.
Their Hot chocolate is also delicious. I have written a review about this place
as well here.Price-$$
Secret recipe – what not to like about it. You
can choose variety of pastries. Chicken satay ( Malaysian favourite recipe) ,
Thai style fried rice, Noodles in tom yum soup, curry laksa, Special seafood Mee
Mamak ( Malaysian recipe) , it has good western menu choices as well and their
pasta recipes are also worth trying – Pasta Arrabiata spaghetti , spicy seafood
pasta medley and lasagne just to name a few are worth trying it.Price-$$
And the
absolutely delicious dessert ( array of cakes and pastries- black forest,
double chocolate pastry, chocolate brulee,capachino cheese etc.) .
Venue- the Midvalley shopping mall and
Sunway Pyramid mall. They have branches all across Malaysia and also in
Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
Sri Nirvana Maju Banana Leaf – Bangsar – Kuala
Lumpur food arena is not complete if you don’t go to these local banana leaf
restaurants. Why they are called banana leaf, well food is served over banana
leaf, what else. This is a traditional South- Indian food fair to be precise.
Two varieties of vegetarian recipe dhal, then followed by non-vegetarian dish,
dessert, drinks and poppadum. You can fill your tummy and heart both.Price-$$
Rasa Uttara – Mid valley shopping mall – local
Malay cuisine. We have liked their Nasi Goreng.Specially Ayam Rendang Uttara ,
Ayam Kari Kaptan.Price-$$
ChatterBox – 1 utama shopping mall and Bangsar
Village – Non-Halal – this restaurant serves one of the most delicious clay pot
chicken we have eaten. Simple recipe but served warm every time we have ordered.
Their vegetarian food menu is also nice.Price-$$
Fahrenheit 600 – Publika shopping mall– Their pasta
Napoli and Snow white recipes, mushroom chicken lasagne are worth trying. Their
breakfast menu is also worth it..Price-$$$
Wong Kok – 1 Utama shopping mall, Petaling Jaya,
Chinese cuisine- the options for choosing Chinese noodles recipes are plenty. Price-$$
Their
black pepper chicken and rice is delicious.
Oasis Food Court in Mid-valley is worth a visit.You have display of many local food joints.Price-$
Food court in Pavillion Bukit Bintang- many local and international cuisine outlet at reasonable price.
This was part -1 of the foodie journey in Kuala Lumpur, we
will post second part in coming weeks.
This blogpost is our way of appreciating Kuala Lumpur and its magnificent food world and it’s cuisine.
I personally have learned a lot of new recipes, terms and history about local food. I will keep writing about that from time to time.I have also blogged local recipes Belanak Fish curry-
here, Singapore style beehun -
here and -Prawn Mee soup-
here and also with local ingredients Belanak Fish
here , Ash Gourd
here , Mackerel fish -
here, Ong Choi Green leaves-
here , Siakap fish -
here Sunlady melon
here.
I do hope this post will help all of you, who are new to this city and don’t know where to start their foodie journey.