Food heaven at Golden Triangle: part 1
You’ll find any kind of food that you ever wanted to try in the Golden Triangle. For budget streetside food, there is Jalan Alor (although the area is becoming a little too touristy), while expensive restaurants line Changkat Bukit Bintang. Jalan Imbi and the roads running off it have many Chinese restaurants. Jalan Bukit Bintang near the intersection with Jalan Sultan Ismail is becoming the focal point of KL’s Middle Eastern restaurants. All the malls in the Golden Triangle have foodcourts where you can try local and international fare in comfortably air-conditioned surroundings.
Malaysian
Budget
Budget restaurants, and “street stalls” are located almost everywhere in town, and these are good places to try the “real” Malaysian food, though hygiene can be sometimes an issue.
- Lot 10 Food court, Lot 10 Shopping Complex basement – Provides an excellent spread of Malaysian food in hygienic and air-conditioned comfort at prices that are only slightly above those outdoors. (Note: As of 1 Nov 2009, the basement of Lot 10 now has a supermarket, not a food court. The food court at the Pavilion may provide an alternative.)
- Sungei Wang Food court, on top floor of Sungei Wang, one of the cheapest food courts in the area, big selection of Chinese rice dishes, plus other stalls selling Chinese, Indian and vegetarian dishes.
- Signatures Food Court, 2nd Floor, Suria KLCC – Very good selection of Malaysian specialities from throughout the country. During lunchtime very popular with the employees of the Petronas Tower.
- Laksa Shack, Second Floor Suria KLCC – Specializes in nothing but the many forms of the Malaysian laksa noodle (all RM8.60), but the sour Assam Laksa is usually the top seller.
- Nasi Kandar Pelita, 149, Jalan Ampang (opp Corus Hotel) – A huge outlet of Malaysia’s largest nasi kandar chain, with long queues snaking out at lunchtime. Ordering is easy, just choose and point, but be sure to ask for their specialty kuah campur (mixed gravy), meaning that you get half a dozen curry sauces splashed on top. Air-con available upstairs. Open 24 hours, most servings RM5-10.
Mid range
- Asian Flavours Food Court, 4th Floor, Suria KLCC – A collection of restaurants offering both Malaysian and international fare. Among them are:
- Madam Kwan’s, Lot 420/421, Fourth Floor, Suria KLCC – Very popular restaurant with excellent local fare in a pleasant ambience. Try the nasi lemak (RM12.80) or the meltingly smooth beef rendang (RM6.80), and wash it down with a bowl of sweet green chendol (RM5.50). Get there early to beat the queues.
Splurge
- Bijan , 3 Jln Ceylon – Modern-styled décor in a home-like setting with outdoor verandah-garden compliments the well prepared (though perhaps slightly overpriced) Malaysian food. Classy patrons and impeccible service however make it worth a try. Around 60-90RM per adult.
- Seri Angkasa, Atop KL Tower – A revolving restaurant that has a good reputation, but is (inevitably) fairly steeply priced. The RM65++ lunch buffet is comparatively good value. (RM40-45 for afternoon tea, RM140 for dinner accompanied by piano either 6-9pm or 9-11pm slot, reservations almost essential for evenings)
Chinese
Budget
- Jalan Alor stalls – This is now one of KL’s busy food streets and coffeeshops with chairs and tables placed right on the sidewalk line the entire street. You’ll be able to find the usual coffeeshop fare like Hokkien fried noodles, wantan mee, char koay teow, bak kut teh, grilled seafood, chicken rice and the works. All places sell bottled or canned beer. The prices may not be the lowest in KL but certainly still affordable.
- Super Noodle House, LG-001, Lower Ground, Sungai Wang Shopping Centre, Jalan Sultan Ismail. Tel: +60-3-21424729. Location: 3°8’41.39″N ; 101°42’41.21″E – One of the best Hong Kong-style restaurants in KL. Menu includes porridge, wantan mee or chicken rice. Good food with reasonable pricing.
Mid range
- Hakka Restaurant, 6 Jalan Kia Peng. Tel: +60-3-21431907 or +60-3-21431908 – There are many restaurants serving Hakka food in KL, but this is the only one named “Hakka restaurant” . Located within a stone’s throw from the newly-opened KL Convention Centre the Hakka Restaurant is now at the junction of Jalan Kia Peng and Jalan Bukit Bintang near the Pavilion shopping complex. Hakka Restaurant has been serving up its famous dishes for more than 40 years in KL. Try the chicken, sharksfin and shiitake wrapped in lettuce or the ever-popular stewed pork with steamed mantou dumplings. Patrons may opt for indoor air-conditioned seating or enjoy the breezy night air at the el-fresco section with a cold beer. A definite must-try for the ex-pat, most dishes RM10-20.
- Overseas restaurant, 84-88 Jalan Imbi, Tel+603-21449911
This is one of the most popular Chinese restaurants in Kuala Lumpur attracting a clientele ranging from local billionaires to middle class families. The reason is the food is outstanding and if you care to take a little time and book a day or two earlier you can order any number of special dishes that are typically but not necessarily more expensive. Service is haphazard and as prices are cheap, a discrete tip to one of the Captains and the waitress however, will change everything. Favorite dishes here include the ‘Har Lok” which are large river prawns cooked in a thick soya based sauce(order well before you arrive at the restaurant), the suckling pig sandwich, the asam fish (your choice of fish, usually pomfret cooked in tangy sauce, Char siew (honey roasted pork- very popular so order at least before you arrive), Ngow Lum (Beef Brisket in Clay pot-advance order day before), Double boiled chicken soup(advance order), Belly of pork braised with salt fish in a clay pot, steamed fish, Roasted baby Duck.The Beggar duck, sweet and Sour Pork and the double fried rice are also delicious although many of the dishes are meant for plain steamed rice.