The bustling district of Chinatown is packed with some of the best local grub you can find in KL. Street food vendors hawking fare like beef ball noodles, wantan mee and chicken rice are ubiquitous here, a veritable foodie’s paradise. The area has recently seen a boom in trendy new restaurants offering a range of unique dining experiences, and adding an interesting new culinary layer to the already colourful selection.
Read on to find out what’s on the new and improved Chinatown menu!
Da Bao
Specialising in succulently soft, traditional Hong Kong steamed buns, Da Bao takes pride of place among the gastronomic spread of Chinatown. These fluffy creations manage to be light yet filling, and are available in six different options here. We recommend going straight in with the Pork Bao with melt-in-your-mouth sake-braised pork belly. Balanced with coriander and roasted peanuts, you’ll fall in love with this decadent creation.
Image Credit – fb.com/dabaomalaysia
For something lighter but just as wholesome and savoury, the Vegetarian Bao hits the spot with tofu, Brussel sprouts, sweet potato mole and lashings of dragonfruit salsa and orange organic glaze. The portions here are generous as well, each bao being more than enough to fill you up and then some.
Da Bao
Where 145, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpu
When 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10pm (closed Mon)
fb.com/dabaomalaysia
Concubine
The name of this establishment is a nod to the sometimes less than savoury goings-on that may have transpired in the area, but in present day this double-storied cocktail bar has become a focal point of the new face of Chinatown since opening just over a year ago. The definition of old meets new, Concubine combines the storied past, seen on the eye-catching wall murals of cheongsam-clad women, with modern oriental-themed aesthetics.
Image Credit – fb.com/concubinekl
Whet your appetite with Asian-inspired cocktails like the Yuzu Spritz and Hibiscus, and then move on to inspiring small-plate creations that are great for sharing. Creativity soars with the Double Cheese Burger Gyoza – made with crispy dumpling skin, gooey cheddar and juicy patties – and the Keropok Nachos which bring together Mexican and Malaysian flavours in flying fashion.
Concubine
Where Lot 2, Lorong Panggung, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
When 11.30am-12am (closed Mon)
Tel 019 330 2633
fb.com/concubinekl
Liao Fan Hawker Chan
You may have heard of a little chicken rice place in Singapore that shot to fame when it was awarded a coveted Michelin star in 2016, making it as its tag line touts the “cheapest Michelin-starred meal in the world.” Branches have spread around the world now and here in Malaysia it touched down in two locations: Ipoh and Chinatown.
Image Credit – fb.com/hawkerchankl
A departure from the standard chicken rice found mostly in Malaysia, Hawker Chan’s is a Hong Kong-inspired version with braised soy-sauce chicken that boasts a super juicy and tender texture, paired with sauce-soaked rice and braised soya beans. This is both comfort and soul food done extremely well – whether it’s worthy of a Michelin star is debatable, but it’s a great meal nonetheless. The Traditional Char Siew Hor Fun are a must-try as well, as are the selection of beautiful pork cuts.
Liao Fan Hawker Chan
Where 141-113, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
When 10.30am-9pm (closed Mon)
Tel 016 564 6787
fb.com/hawkerchankl
Wildflowers
The brains behind this new venture are the same ones behind iconic café-restaurant Merchants Lane (located around the corner from Wildflower), and they are set to mirror their success with their second space.
The first floor of this airy restaurant is flush with greenery and natural light that streams in from the translucent ceiling, a playground for photography. The kitchen draws on global influences with local undertones so you have a diverse flavour profile with items like Assam Unagi Nori Sushi Rice, Sambal Red Wine Risotto, and Kimchi Pasta.
Image Credit – fb.com/wildflowers.kl
We highly recommend leaving space for dessert, especially the Coconut Panna Cotta which is a study in contrasting flavours and textures; fresh berries, baked custard and Oreo-cookie base come together for a delicious dish. The other must-try is the Deconstructed Tiramisu, an irresistible combo of cream cheese, soju-dipped ladyfingers, chocolate tuile and Ipoh Old Town coffee jelly.
Wildflowers
Where 153, Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur
When 12pm-10.30pm (Tue-Thur, Sun), 12pm-12am (Fri and Sat)
Tel 03 2856 3369
fb.com/wildflowers.kl
Luckin’ Kopi
Bringing you the old-school brand new, Luckin’ Kopi takes the age-old Kopitiam and imbues it with modern vibes and aesthetics. The result is an irresistibly charming restaurant that centres on soul-soothing comfort food for any time of the day. You’ve got all the classics here, including nasi lemak, mee siam, indo mee, chee cheong fun, all of which can be mixed and matched for breakfast with Kopi Kaw, tea, half-boiled eggs or any two pieces of Nyonya kuih for a bargain of RM7.90.
Image Credit – fb.com/luckinkopi
Heartier picks come in the form of assam laksa, salted egg chicken rice, Hainanese chicken chop, Rendang chicken bun, a variety of pastas and a petai bun – made with the love-it-or-hate-it stink bean.
There’s an unbeatable ambience in this quaint little café that draws you in just as soon as you step through the door, and that coupled with the lovingly made heritage dishes make it a top spot for dining.
Luckin’ Kopi
Where 14, Jalan Panggung, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
When 8am-6pm
Tel 014 263 6696
fb.com/luckinkopi
Kafei Dian
Another kopitiam in the area that demands a visit is Kafei Dian, which like many of the other eateries mentioned here, is located in a beautifully converted Tudor style building that used to be a post office. The interior is airy and spacious with marble topped round tables and rattan chairs sitting around them. Staples like half-boiled eggs and kaya toast or steamed bread are delicious here, and you can’t go wrong with the all-day Dim Sum either.
Image Credit – fb.com/luckinkopi
Meanwhile, the menu also includes dishes made for sharing like stewed ginger chicken, assam fish soup, kampung fish and stewed potato chicken among others. Everything here is competently made, if not outstanding, but paired with homely vibes and laid back atmosphere, this is also a great place to just hangout with friends and chit chat over some kopi!
Kafei Dian
Where 14, Jalan Panggong, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
When 8am-6pm
Tel 014 263 6696
fb.com/luckinkopi