Kuala Lumpur is a culinary experience that must be seen (or eaten) to be believed. There is such a wide-ranging choice of foods to be enjoyed that no matter what your budget, you will eat and drink like a king during your stay.

Above - Traditional Vegetable Soup

Types Of Local Malaysian Foods To Enjoy On Your Holiday

The beauty of Malaysian food is in its variety – because of it’s evolution, Malaysia has the culinary influence of many traditionally exciting food cultures, including China, India, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, Portuguese, French and other European cuisine and of course, Western. What results is a great offering of traditional cuisine from a stunning array of nations along with some terrific fusions.

Here are some of the foods you’ll enjoy during your stay:

Bryani Rice – A colourful rice dish with pineapple, raisins and cashew nuts being part of the dish. Cooked by Indians in their own distinctive style. Very tasty!

Pakoda – Initially an Indian starter where onion & vegetables are rolled into a ball and fried till crispy and golden brown. It’s pretty heavy on the garlic but not especially spicy.

Char Siew – A Chinese favourite. It is sliced fillet of roasted pork. This is usually eaten with rice.

Char Kway Teow – Delicious broad noodles, wok-fried in a soy and chilli base. Cooked with prawns and vegetables. Another Chinese delight.

Papadam – This is an Indian specialty and eaten as a starter or side dish. They are crackers made in a way that only Indians know how. Crunchy and savoury!

Popiah - a vegetable dish comprising of different types of vegetables wrapped into a short roll with flour batter and flavoured with prawn paste or chilli sauce. It is either fried or eaten as it is. This simple meal will fill your stomach without adding to your waistline!

Ikan Asam – A Malay dish. Fish cooked in sour soup. Not too spicy. This will tickle your tastebuds!

Laksa – Noodles in a coconut gravy which often has a variety of other ingredients such as chicken, prawns and vegetables. It’s like curry and is hot and spicy and a favourite dish among Chinese and Indians. Try it!

Nasi Campur – You can make your own choices of cured meats and vegetables to go with your rice.

Nasi Goreng – Fried rice with an assortment of small chunks of either chicken or beef and beans. Also very tasty.

Nasi Padang – A Malay dish of meat, rice & vegetables.

Rasam – Soup based dish which can be quite spicy.

Rendang – Thick coconut based curry that can have either chicken or meat.

Roti - Unique Indian-style bread often served with a curried sauce. They come in various styles and fillings. Some are made with eggs, others are filled with sardines etc. You’ve got to experience it for yourself!

Above - Tasty Roti Bread Served With A Choice Of Curries

Tom Yum Soup – Spicy fish soup, a dish that comes from Thailand. This really sizzles!

Malay Sweets - Often made with green & white rice, Malay sweets have a very delicate sweet taste.

Above - Selection Of Malay Sweets

That’s just some of the foods you can expect to be on a Malaysian restaurant menu. To find the others, you’ll have to experience a night at a traditional Malaysian restaurant yourself.

Restaurants Of Choice – The Places To Eat In Kuala Lumpur

Malaysians love their food, so there is no shortage of wonderful dining experiences in Kuala Lumpur – you can opt to dine in five star luxury within many of the opulent restaurants catering to the five star crowd or choose to eat at a roadside stall in one of the many night markets that the city hosts. It’s up to you, and no matter what your choice is, you shall eat well.

We’ll segregate the dining options by the type of cuisine:

For The Best Chinese Food In Kuala Lumpur…

Obviously, Chinatown is your port of call for the best choice in world class Chinese food.

West Lake Restaurant has some well priced meals popular with both tourists and locals. It’s located within Chinatown.  Another great choice is Parkview Chinese Cuisine Restaurant in Desa Parkcity, Kuala Lumpur.

Crystal Jade is a favourite for good quality Chinese fare within the Golden Triangle area of Kuala Lumpur.

Si Chuan Dou Hua – For a more upmarket Chinese restaurant in lush surroundings, this one is highly rated by businessmen in Kuala Lumpur.

Chynna – Also rather upmarket, Chynna is located in the Bangsar district, a chic and trendy part of Kuala Lumpur.

For The Best Indian Food In Kuala Lumpur…

Vansh, located in the Golden Triangle region of Kuala Lumpur, has what many believe to be the best Indian food in the city. Nearby, another good option is Restoran Nagansari which offers some world class curries.  Spice Garden Imperial in Jalan Bukit Bintang within the Golden Triangle is also a firm favorite among locals.

In the Little India region of Kuala Lumpur there are a few good Indian restaurants including the glitzy That Indian Thing, Bilal Restoran and Sangeetha.

Elsewhere, in Jalan Brickfields (Brickfields Road, another predominantly Indian area of the city) you’ll find the highly regarded Gem Restaurant – reasonably priced and always very good.  In the upmarket Bangsar area, there is Chutney Mary Restaurant that serves Northern Indian cuisine with a smattering of Western and local disches.  House specials are Khairi Chicken Special, Chicken Nor Jahani Bryani and Kulfi.

If you’re doing some shopping, world class Indian food is served up at Spice Of India inside the Pavillion Mall. Try their Lamb Chettinad which has to rank as among the best in the country.

Above - The Spice Of India Restaurant In Pavillion Mall

For The Best Traditional Malay Food In Kuala Lumpur…

Little Penang Kafe, located in the Golden Triangle is a great place to try some traditional Malay dishes, as is Old China Café in Chinatown. Also within the Golden Triangle district, you’ll find speciality Malay eateries such as Bijan and Seri Angkasa.

More Superb Eateries Within Kuala Lumpur…

Asian

Mythai Jim Thompson is a superb place to find Thai food within the Golden Triangle area. You can find other Asian restaurants like Ginger (general Asian dishes), Wa-Raku (Japanese) and Sao Nam (Thai) in the Golden Triangle too.

You can find one or two nice Japanese places outside KLCC (Golden Triangle) too – Yu Re Tei for example is situated within Little India and is set amidst pleasant surroundings and décor.

Western

There are a good selection of Western places to eat – eateries that provide Tapas, Italian and more are all available provided you know where to look.

Prego, inside the Golden Triangle is one of the best places to find quality Italian fare. Also within the Golden Triangle boundries are Sentidos Tapas (Spanish fare) and the upscale Frangipani.  Also try going to Izzi in Jalan Sultan Ismail, which is a casual dining restaurant chain founded in Indonesia known for its Italian and Asian cuisine with French-influenced desserts and pastries.

Moving away from the Triangle, the popular Coliseum Café offers a myriad of European & American style dishes.

In Chinatown you can go for French and Italian cuisine through outlets such as Café Café and Dining Room (both offer a pleasant ambience to enjoy a casual dinner). Finally, the buzzing Carlos restaurant is a great place to get some tasty Mexican fare set within a loud party atmosphere - try their Mexican pizza and signature cocktails.

Above - Carlos Restaurant Has Tasty Mexican Food & A Nightclub Atmosphere

Bars & Clubs In Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a late night city – while many shops remain open to ten (clothes shops & malls), restaurants stay open often till 2am and beyond. This is a city that rarely sleeps, so you can imagine the plethora of bars to be found!

In the city centre, the Golden Triangle, has an incredibly good selection of bars to enjoy – for example Ceylon Bar is particularly popular and Finnegan’s is the place to go if you want to catch a live sports game while having a few drinks.

Elsewhere, Bar Savanh is a popular place in Asian Heritage Row, and more bars can be found in Chinatown (such as Reggae Bar), as well as Flam’s bar in Bangsar.

The above is just a selection – your hotel will be able to recommend a good bar close to where you stay. The clubbing scene within Kuala Lumpur is also thriving – many of the most popular ones are located along Asian Heritage Row, including Cynna, Maison and Loft.

Other Entertainment In Kuala Lumpur – Cinemas, Theatre & More

Theatre goers may find something that appeals to them at either Istana Budaya (drama shows & musicals) and similarly the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre also hosts plays and cultural events.

There are some cinemas (called cineplexes) in a couple of the large malls that are located throughout the city, but specialist cinemas can be found at the Digi Imax Cinema in Berjaya Times Square, or at the Golden Screen Cinemas in Bangsar (the biggest cinema complex that Malaysia has to offer).

If you’re in the mood for some Malay type music then pop into Seri Melayu where you can see traditional Malay dances and cultural shows.