Heading to Kuala Lumpur and wondering where to eat? Kuala Lumpur, or more commonly known as ‘KL’ is a paradise for foodies and we can guarantee that you will not go hungry in this city! With mouth-watering local food at extremely cheap prices, here is our top picks for local Malaysian dishes you must try in KL!

1. Nasi Lemak

Oh, the glorious national dish of Malaysia! This amazingly fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk is light and fluffy and is paired with a sweet and spicy sambal. Sambal is a sauce made with shrimp paste, chilies, garlic, ginger, shallots and scallions to give it a delicious fragrant in itself. Not only does it come with Sambal, but also with fried anchovies and peanuts, a boiled egg and cucumber. To this date, the best Nasi Lemak we’ve tried is at Village Park restaurant where their Sambal is not too spicy and their rice is aromatic and light. Although, the highlight eating here is definitely their fried chicken! Marinated with a variety of spices then deep-fried with skin, crisp to perfection whilst the meat is still juicy and moist. This is absolutely one of the must-try local food items.

Location: Village Park Restaurant, 5 Jalan SS21/37, Damansara Utama, 47400, Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 7:00am – 8:00pm, Sunday 7:00am – 6:00pm

Tel: +603 7710 7860

2. Char Kway Teow

A popular noodle dish in Malaysia, Char Kway Teow in literal translation means stir-fried rice cake strips, is a crowd favorite originating in Penang. Stir-fried in a large wok over high heat with bean sprouts, fish cake, prawns, cockles, chives and Chinese sausage. The secret to a good Char Kway Teow is the intense flavour of the smokiness or as what us locals called it, ‘wok hei’. Undeniably one of the most unique local foods you can find in KL.

Location: Roberts Char Kway Teow at Lucky Seng Coffee Shop, 1061 Jalan 17/42, Seksyen 17, 46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Opening Hours: Open Everyday from 8:00am – 3:00pm

Tel: +6012 373 0360

3. Kaya Toast and Half Boiled Eggs with Kopi Peng

Kaya toast is a well-known breakfast staple served on either toast or steamed bread. Kaya is made from pandan leaves, coconut milk, eggs and sugar and is considered a Malaysia local food breakfast staple here in Malaysia paired with some half boiled eggs and Kopi Peng (Iced Coffee). Yut Kee is famous for their homemade Kaya spread and bread made daily amongst their other dishes. If you want the best local food experience in KL, this is definitely the place to visit!

Location: Yut Kee Restaurant, 1, Jalan Kamunting, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 7:30am – 3:00pm

Tel: +603 2698 8108

4. Rojak and Cendol

This is the perfect combination of a local pairing in the mid-afternoon. You’ll see many roadside stalls selling them everywhere. Rojak means ‘mixture’ in Malay with two versions of the dish – a sweet or savory version. The Sweet version is a mixture of fruits and vegetables whereas the savoury is fried bean curds, boiled eggs, a mixture of other fried fritters and vegetables all mixed together and coated with a spicy peanut sauce. And for those of you with a sweet tooth, Cendol is a shaved ice dessert filled with green rice flour jelly, palm sugar syrup and coconut milk. Combat the Malaysian heat and humidity with this indulgent and refreshing bowl of heaven.

Location: Rojak & Cendol Din, in front of Petronas Petrol Kiosk, Lot 29395 & 29396, Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: Open Everyday from 11:30am – 6:00pm

5. Hokkien Mee

A popular noodle dish in Southeast Asia, Hokkien mee is one of the most recommended local foods in KL. Thick yellow noodles cooked in dark soy sauce with fish cake, cabbage and pork over a large fire to have that smokey ‘wok hei’ flavor. Usually cubes of pork fat (a.k.a. lard) that is fried till crispy is added with the noodles, giving it an extra bit of texture and flavour. Ah Wah Hokkien Mee is where we would go for this scrumptious noodle dish that will leave you satisfied and wanting for more!

Location: Ah Wah Hokkien Mee, 66 Jalan 14/48 Seksyen 14, 46100 Petaling Jaya

Opening Hours: Open Everyday from 4:30pm – 1:00am

Tel: +6016 354 1524

6. Roti Tisu (Tissue) and Teh Tarik

Mamaks are an open air established extremely popular in Malaysia amongst the locals to hang with friends. One of the must try local food in KL would have to be the Roti Tisu. Roti meaning bread in Malay and the literal translation of tissue, this sweet flatbread is typically around 50cm long but can go up to even a meter long! Covered in butter, sugar and condensed milk, the thin and crispy goodness can be easily shared between 2-4 people depending on how big it is. To wash down the sweetness of this delicious delight, pair it with Teh Tarik (pulled tea) for the best Minum Petang (afternoon tea) experience.

Location: Valentine Roti, Stor No1, Jalan Semarak Opposite Menara Celcom, 54000 Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: Closed on Sunday, 5pm – 2am

Tel: +6014 966 1844

7. Bah Kut Teh

Bah Kut Teh is literal translation means ‘meat bone tea’ consists of meaty pork ribs simmered in a variety of spices and herbs served with mushrooms, iceberg lettuce and beancurd skin. The soup can be described as a thick, dark and meaty from the hours of boiling and simmering but yet, not too overpowering as well. The dish is often served with a side of ‘you char kway’ which are Eastern savoury donuts to dip inside the soup to soak up all that goodness making Bah Kut Teh something you cannot miss when you are in KL.

Location: Yeoh’s Bah Kut Teh, Jalan Batu Tiga Lama, 41300 Klang Selangor

Opening Hours: Open Everyday from 8:00am – 3:30pm

Tel: +603 3341 7551

8. Lok Lok

Lok Lok is a popular street food found almost everywhere around Malaysia. This must try food in KL is basically operated in the back of vans where there are mountains of meats, seafood and vegetables on skewers to be cooked in small pots of boiling water or grilled. A variety of sauces are available but our favourite is the peanut sauce which we love and gives a unique taste filled with crunch and flavour. Lok Lok street has so many stalls (or vans) to choose from, believe us you will be spoilt for choice there!

Location: Lok Lok Street, 19a Jalan Kenari 9, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47100 Puchong Selangor

Opening Hours: Closed on Thursday, 6:00pm – 12:00am

We have a lot more to say about Malaysian food but we're saving it for part two! Let us know if you checked out any of the places above or if you have recommendations for us. We would love to hear from you! Click HERE for part two!!!

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