How to Find Good Food in Kuala Lumpur: A Local's Guide

Kuala Lumpur is a city for foodies. One of the reasons that makes dining in KL so unique is the city's distinct blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and colonial influences.

As the city has evolved, so too has its cuisine. Today, you'll find hawker stalls and fine dining restaurants alike dishing out mouthwatering Malaysian staples, from comforting nasi lemak to fragrant beef rendang to spicy chilli pan mee.

Wondering where to find good food in Kuala Lumpur? Don't worry, you won't have to look far. This guide will lead you to the best restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, as well as the best street food markets, hawker centres, food courts, and more. 

Because of Malaysia’s multicultural culinary influences, the list of good food in Kuala Lumpur is long. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but here are the foods you simply can’t miss when dining in KL.

• Nasi lemak: This is the national dish of Malaysia, usually served with a pandan and coconut milk-infused rice, a boiled or fried egg, cucumber, fried anchovies, peanuts, and sambal. It's commonly accompanied by fried chicken.

• Laksa: Generally, this is a spicy noodle soup, but there are lots of variations across Malaysia. When dining in KL, you'll find curry laksa (a coconut broth soup), asam laksa (a sweet and sour fish soup), and Sarawak laksa (a uniquely spiced soup dubbed "the breakfast of the gods" by Anthony Bourdain), to name just a few. 

• Roti canai: A Malaysian breakfast street food staple of Indian-influenced flatbread and dahl curry.

• Char kway teow: Flat rice noodles stir-fried with everything from cockles to eggs. 

• Rendang: Beef simmered for hours in coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, chillies, and other spices.

• Chilli pan mee: Noodles with minced meat, fried anchovies, poached egg, and chilli oil.  

• Satay: Grilled chicken or beef skewers served with a spicy peanut sauce.

• KL Hokkien mee: Thick, chewy noodles coated in soy sauce and tossed with pork and seafood. 

• Nasi kandar: A meal of fried rice accompanied by small servings of side dishes, like curries, meats, and veggies.

• Cendol: A popular dessert made of shaved ice, pandan rice flour jelly 'noodles', coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup. 

You simply can't come to Kuala Lumpur without sampling as much street food as humanly possible. From hawker centres to night markets, random roadside stalls, and even food courts, street food plays a huge role in the Kuala Lumpur dining scene.

Here are a few places to sample the most popular KL street foods. 

Located in Chinatown, Petaling Street is one of the most famous markets in the city. This place is technically open 24 hours a day, but most vendors are set up from around 10am to 10pm. You can find everything here, from tourist trinkets and knockoff handbags to street food galore. At peak hours, you can expect this place to be teeming with both tourists and locals alike. 

It's not all about the street food stalls, though. You'll find some of the best restaurants in Kuala Lumpur in the streets surrounding Petaling Street, so be sure to wander around Chinatown and see what piques your interest.

If you're on the prowl for street food in Bukit Bintang, the red lantern-lined Jalan Alor Food Street is another must-visit night market for all of your Kuala Lumpur dining classics, as well as popular stalls selling dry chilli chicken, Thai basil chicken, chilli prawn, sugar-dipped fruits, and coconut ice cream. That being said, the most popular food here is probably the BBQ chicken wings at Wong Ah Wah. 

This night market gets started around 5 pm and shuts down around midnight. But the food doesn't stop there. Lot 10 Hutong Food Court is located a 5-minute walk from Jalan Alor Food Street. This is another great place to sample all of KL's best street food – but in the comfort of AC.

Located in Pudu, ICC Pudu is another one of the top spots for good food in Kuala Lumpur. The only downside is that this indoor hawker centre doesn't have AC, so it does get hot and crowded. But if you can stand the heat, you'll love dining like the locals do at ICC Pudu. 

Try the Signature Curry Mee at Madam Eng Curry Noodle, the Char Siew Wantan Mee from Hong Kong Famous Roast Meals, the vegetarian Mee Curry from Teratai Vegetarian, and the Pork Curry Nasi Lemak from Ann Nasi Lemak, to name just a few options.

When it comes to listing the best restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, it's an impossible task. But here are some local recommendations to get you started in the right direction.

Located a short stroll from Petaling Street in Chinatown, Sin Kiew Yee Shin Kee Beef Noodles is a must-try. You'll have a hard time choosing between the Fresh Beef Soup, Beef Ball Soup, Beef and Ball Soup, and the Mix Soup with sliced beef, beef balls, and beef intestines. There are also dry versions that are just as tempting. This no-frills restaurant is small but popular, so expect a wait.

At local favourite Tan Heng Noodle House, the saucy Hokkien Mee is mixed with pork lard, prawns, and pork meat, and it's addictive. The menu is huge, though, with other popular dishes being their Loh Mee noodle soup with fish cakes and egg, and Steamed Lala with steamed clams and a spicy ginger broth.

Located in Petaling Jaya, Village Park Restaurant is a go-to for authentic nasi lemak. They have a few variations, but you can't go wrong with the fried chicken or chicken rendang nasi lemak. They also have a great selection of other must-try KL foods like assam laksa and curry mee.

For a more upscale Kuala Lumpur dining experience in the heart of Bukit Bintang, Bijan Bar & Restaurant is always a great choice. This place is all about fine Malay dining that blends a little bit of old and new. From their Rendang Tok (beef slow-cooked in spiced coconut milk) to the Udang Sambal Petai (prawns with spicy chilli paste) and the Gulai Kambing (lamb leg braised with turmeric and lemongrass), this is home cooking at its finest.

For casual fine dining in KL, you'll find De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan on the second floor of The Link KL mall. The chef puts a modern spin on traditional Malay recipes, which you get to enjoy in the whimsical British colonial-style living room. Whatever you decide to order, be sure to end your meal with the gourmet Cendol De.Wan. You won't regret it. 

One of the best ways to understand the food in Kuala Lumpur is by taking a food tour at the very beginning of your trip. That way, you'll know how to best eat your way around the city. With Simply Enak's Kuala Lumpur Street Food tour, your local guide will take you around the streets of KL where you'll sample over 10 types of local street food, meet food vendors and chefs, hear about the lives of local Malaysians, and so much more.

KL is a very walkable city, which means you'll want to choose a hotel that's near the city's foodie hot spots. 

Mercure Kuala Lumpur Shaw Parade is a modern hotel that puts you a 5-minute walk from ICC Pudu, a 15-minute walk from Jalan Alor Food Street and Lot 10 Hutong Food Court, and a 30-minute walk from Chinatown and Petaling Street Market. 

When you're not eating your way around KL, you'll love cooling off in the rooftop pool, sipping drinks with city views at the pool bar, and working off those extra calories in the fitness centre.

Plus, the rooms here are outfitted with colourful artwork, comfy beds, designated workstations, and plenty of natural light.