They say variety is the spice of life, and if there’s something Kuala Lumpur (KL) offers, it’s variety, particularly when it comes to food. But when you start to tire of nasi kandar, nasi campur, and chap fan, what then? For the curious and the adventurous, we’ve done the digging for you.
We’re kicking off our culinary adventure with Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Kazakhstani, and Peruvian cuisines. Then, we’ll discover the rich and diverse worlds of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. If you’re partial to a spicy kick, complex flavours, and unusual flavour combinations, you’re sure to love the second half of the list.
Here are ten alternative (authentic) cuisines to try in KL without the hassle (and $$$) of taking a flight to another country. Let’s dig in!
1. Koffie Craft (Dutch | Netherlands)
Want a taste of delicious Dutch specialities the likes of eggs hollandaise, bitterballen, Dutch Babies, and Limburg waffles? Then Koffie Craft in Bangsar South is your best bet. Originally founded in the Netherlands in 1927, they make everything in-house, from scratch, and import key ingredients like cheese and ice cream. Eet smakelijk!
Address: Unit UG-2, The Sphere No 1, Avenue 1 8 Jalan Kerinchi Bangsar South City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +6 03 5033 2135
2. DenHygge (Danish | Denmark)
Step into a little slice of Denmark at DenHygge and immerse yourself in the ‘hygge’ lifestyle, a Danish concept that encompasses the feeling of quiet comfort and “a form of everyday togetherness.”
Opened and run by powerhouse couple Niels and Olga Jensen, the restaurant offers a colourful medley of mouthwatering smørrebrød (Danish open-faced sandwiches) and other classic Danish-style dishes to try. Tak os severe.
Address: 1st Floor, Heritage Lane, Empire Damansara, F113, Jalan PJU 8/8, Damansara Perdana, 47820 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: +6 012 824 0020
3. Bartolo Lisboa Bakehouse (Portuguese | Portugal)
Baked goods, small plates, art, and gigs, Bartolo is an inspiring Portuguese cafe and bakery nestled in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Must-tries include their croquettes, pão with house-made dips, octopus salad, codfish à brás, and, of course, their chocolate pastel de nata.
They host a bunch of fun events, including jazz jams, poetry slams, yoga sessions, and more, so follow them on Instagram to keep up with their program!
Address: Mezannine floor lot 204-206, Central Market, Jalan Hang Kasturi, Annexe, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +6 011 6167 1458
4. Astana Restaurant (Russian/Kazakhstani | Russia/Kazakhstan)
Discover the diverse and rich flavours of Central Asian cuisine, from beshbarmak and lagman to manty and medovik, at Astana Restaurant – a small, cozy spot where a plethora of traditional Kazakh dishes take centre stage. When you have Central Asians, Russians, and people who have lived in Kazakhstan saying it’s “as authentic as it gets,” you know you’re in for a treat.
And if you’re feeling extra adventurous, they have some interesting dishes made with horse meat and cow’s tongue.
Address: A-01-10, Endah Promenade, Jalan 1/149e, Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, 57000 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +6 03 9054 3642
5. Feliz (Peruvian | Peru)
Hear us out—traditional Peruvian flavours with a Japanese touch. As unusual as this sounds, Peru actually has the second largest ethnic Japanese population in South America (after Brazil). Executive Chef Franco Aldana of Feliz brings us this beautiful 100-year-old cultural exchange in a diverse and delectable way.
Address: L4-05, LEVEL 4, Avenue K, 156, Jln Ampang, Kampung Baru, 50350 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +6 011 1771 7742
6. Leen’s Middle East Kitchen (Syrian | Syria)
One visit is all it takes for Leen’s to bulldoze its way into your list of faves. Spearheaded by Syrian chef Ameer Alzalek, Leen’s showcases traditional Syrian dishes with an imaginative flare of flavours and textures that stay true to the OGs. If you’re a fan of Middle Eastern cuisine, then this is 100% a must.
Masterpieces include their creamy smoked hummus, baba ghanoush salad, freshly-baked Arabic bread, and crispy Syrian rice.
Address: 136, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +6 011 7020 7551
7. Restoran MonaKay (Nigerian | Nigeria)
If you’re looking for truly authentic Nigerian fare, then MonaKay is the place to go. Spicy, savoury, packed with flavour, and generously portioned, their hearty dishes are a wonderful introduction to West African cuisine.
Delicacies include fufu egusi (a mochi-like cassava flour dough with a smoky, spicy, nutty melon seed and meat gravy dish), jollof rice (a one-pot dish of rice, tomatoes, onions, chillies, spices, and meat), and pounded yam and okro soup.
Address: B4-1-37, PARKLANE, Jalan 1/152, Taman Perindustrian Oug, 58200 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +6 017 350 5676
8. Ceylon Crab House (Sri Lankan | Sri Lanka)
Nestled in a casual al fresco nook, Ceylon Crab House serves up the finest of Sri Lankan cuisine and specialises in – yes, you guessed it – crab.
Fresh, juicy, cooked to perfection, and bursting with flavour, choose from a signature selection of crab dishes ranging from negombo to jaffna. Pair your choice with yellow rice, plain puttu, or bread, get some brinjal moju and tempered okra on the side, and end the meal on a sweet note with appam for a complete experience.
Address: Lot G1, Ground floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Jalan Maarof, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +6 03 2011 6882
9. Gantawin Myanmar Restaurant KL (Burmese | Myanmar)
Visiting Gantawin is like walking into a little slice of Myanmar, where the servers, dressed in traditional clothes, are all Burmese. The menu is extensive…and in Burmese script (albeit sprinkled with some vague English descriptions). But this can only mean one thing – Gantawin is as authentic as it gets.
Must-try dishes include mohinga (a fish-based soup with rice noodles that is one of Myanmar’s national dishes), si chet khao swe (Burmese garlic noodles), and lahpet thoke (tea leaf salad).
Address: 29, Jalan Lebuh Pudu, 50050 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +6 03 2022 2225
10. Fong Lye Coffee & Teahouse (Taiwanese | Taiwan)
Viral bubble tea and fried chicken aside, Taiwanese cuisine is a medley of indigenous flavours and external influences. Street food and Taiwanese-style home-cooked meals are a vital part of the food culture, ranging from deep-fried snacks to steaming noodle soups, and Fong Lye has it all.
From braised beef noodles to supreme diced chicken, Fong Lye specialises in trio set meals and individual-sized hot pots. Their delectable soul food will have you coming back for more.
Address: Multiple locations
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on 24 September 2024 and has been updated to include more locations.
