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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Image credit: Li Tsin Soon
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.
