Malaysians are well-known for their deep appreciation for food. And when it comes to having their favorite food for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between, they would do whatever it takes it as long as they get to satisfy their cravings. Even if it means having to be on the road for two hours, and queuing for another hour.

If you are not able to understand our fascination with our local fare, here is a quick lowdown on the top 9 must eat foods in Kuala Lumpur. Mark our words, once you have tried a couple of our recommendations, you will constantly be on the look-out for more food to try.

Nasi Lemak

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Wrapped in banana leaf, the aroma of the coconut milk infused rice, topped with a generous helping of toasted groundnuts, freshly cut cucumber slices, deep fried anchovies, a quarter of a boiled egg and a dollop of spicy sambal is enough to tantalize your tastebuds. The nasi lemak has remained to be one of the most popular breakfast items, and its popularity has made it into the Food Network Food Wars. Even the McDonald’s in Singapore came up with the Nasi Lemak Burger in conjunction with the Singapore Food Festival 2017.

Nowadays, the nasi lemak is offered with a twist in which you can add other dishes like fried chicken, sambal sotong or fried egg to complement it.

Where to find in Nasi Lemak Kuala Lumpur:

Nasi Lemak Tanglin (winner of Food Network Foodwars)
Address: Gerai no.6, Kompleks Makan Tanglin, Jalan Cendrasari, Kuala Lumpur
Phone: 019-3972781
Operating Hours: 7am - 12 noon

Nasi Lemak Mak Wanjor
Address: 8, Jalan Raja Muda Musa, Kampung Baru, 50300, Kuala Lumpur
Phone: 012-3953884
Operating Hours: 7am - 2pm, 4pm - 1am (Closed on Sunday)

Banana Leaf

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Vegetables, pickles, chutneys and all sorts of other goodies are served together with rice on top of a banana leaf. To top it off, fish, meat or vegetable curry is poured over the rice. All that’s left is to dig in and indulge yourself in the many flavors of this impressive spread. Wrap up your meal by drinking a small cup of rasam, a South Indian soup that has a mixture of spicy, tangy and mild sweet flavours.

For this meal, we recommend you to eat using your right hand. And a little tip, after you have had your food, fold the leaf along its spine, ensuring the spine is facing away from you. This little dining etiquette signifies your appreciation towards your meal.

Where to find Banana Leaf Rice in Kuala Lumpur:

Sri Nirwana Maju
Address: No.43, Jalan Telawi 3, 59100, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 11am - 11pm

Restoran Uma Rani
Address: 26G, Jalan 1/47b (Batu 4, Jalan Ipoh), 51200, City Center, Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 7am - 4am

Yong Tau Foo

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To say that yong tau foo is synonymous to Kuala Lumpur is an understatement. Within Ampang alone there are several reputable eateries that are dedicated to the dish. For those who are unfamiliar with yong tau foo, it is a dish where bean curd and vegetables such as chilli, bitter gourd and brinjals are generously stuffed with fish paste.

These scrumptious morsels are then served with a clear soup base, or you can dip it into a sweet and spicy sauce. For a heartier meal, pair the yong tau foo with rice, chee cheong fun or flat rice noodles.

Where to find Yong Tau Foo in Kuala Lumpur:

Fatty Mok Hakka Yong Tau Foo
Address: AS 27, Jln Hang Tuah 3, 57100, City Center, Kuala Lumpur
Phone: 03-79814888
Operating Hours: 9am - 10pm (Closed on Wednesday)

Yong Tau Foo Kampung Pandan
Address: Jalan Thaver (Jalan Kampung Pandan), 55100, City Center, Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 11am - 9pm

Bak Kut Teh

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Legend has it that the best bak kut teh establishments in Malaysia can only be found in Klang. Then again, there are several notable bak kut teh places right here in Kuala Lumpur. Literally translated as “meat bone tea”, the herbal pork ribs dish is available in the Hokkien-style, Cantonese-Style, Teochew-style and the infamous dry-style, which is typically found in Klang.

Bak kut teh is a comforting dish, often taken to warm the body. A halal variation of the bak kut teh is the chik kut teh, where pork is substituted with chicken.

Where to find Bak kut teh in Kuala Lumpur:

Restoran Yu Yi
Address: No.53-6, Jalan Barat, Off Jalan Imbi, 55100, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Phone: 03-21456416
Operating Hours: 6.30am - 8.30pm

Pao Xiang Bak Kut Teh
Address: Lot 4.01.00, Level 4 Connections, Pavilion Shopping Mall, 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
Phone: 0321486388
Operating Hours: 10am - 10pm

Roti Canai

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Delicious and inexpensive, some like it crispy, some like it soft. Some like it thin, some like it thick. One thing is for sure, the roti canai is another popular food item and Malaysians from all walks of life often have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or supper.

The roti canai comes in several varieties such as the roti kosong, which is fried flatbread, or the roti telur, which is fried flatbread with egg. Every person has their favorite way of eating their roti canai. Whether you dip it in dhal, curry, sambal or a combination of all three, a hot plate of roti canai is the perfect way to start or end a good day.

Where to find Roti Canai in Kuala Lumpur:

Valentine Roti Canai
Address: No. 1, Jalan Semarak, 54000, City Center, Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 10am - 3 am

Tg’s Nasi Kandar
Address: 8, Tengkat Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: 019-3350490
Operating Hours: 12am - 12am

Pan Mee

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A popular Hakka dish, pan mee is handmade noodles, served dry or with an anchovy based broth. Usually made without any artificial colourings and preservatives, the popular choice is to order the “tear form”, as compared to flat strips. A good bowl of pan mee means the noodles have just the right thickness.

Depending on the shops, pan mee can usually be found served with pork, minced meat, anchovies, potato leaves, coriander, sliced mushrooms, or fried shallots. Typically eaten for breakfast, pan mee is also taken for lunch or dinner.

Where to find Pan Mee in Kuala Lumpur:

Chin Kee Pan Mee
Address: Ground floor, Wisma Cosway, 88 Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200, City Center, Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 10am - 10pm

Ah Po Pan Mee
Address: 606, Jalan 20, Kampung Baru Ampang, 68000 Ampang
Phone: 016-6610113
Operating Hours: 12 noon - 4pm

Fish Head Curry

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A rich and flavourful dish, the price of a bowl of fish head curry varies depending on the type of fish being used in the curry. Needless to say, the better the fish head, the better the taste of the curry. This tasty treat comes in the form of a big, juicy fish head, full of meaty and flaky flesh, delicious creamy and spicy gravy as well as a generous amount of vegetables.

Highly addictive, pair the curry with some rice and a couple of side dishes and you have yourself an unforgettable meal.

Where to find Fish Head Curry in Kuala Lumpur:

Restoran Kari Kepala Ikan Jalan Pudu
Address: No. 368, Jalan Pudu, 55100, Kuala Lumpur
Phone: 03-21434208
Operating Hours: 6.30am - 1pm

Sin Hiap Kee
Address: 32, Jalan Brunei Selatan, 55100, Kuala Lumpur
Phone: 03-21489557
Operating Hours: 7am - 7pm (Closed on Sunday)

Satay

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Spelled as satay or sate, these delectable pieces of skewered meats are a popular food best enjoyed with family and friends. Seasoned to perfection, satay is usually served with a generous serving of peanut sauce for dipping and slices of cucumber and onions.

Malaysians usually love to order beef or chicken satay. But if you are feeling gutsy, you can order venison, rabbit or liver satay. To make it an even more complete meal, request for nasi impit (compressed rice cakes) to go along with your satay.

Where to find Satay in Kuala Lumpur:

Fat Brother Satay
Address: Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur 50200, Malaysia, 50200, Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 6pm - 1am

Capital Cafe
Address: 213, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, 50100, City Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 9am -  9pm 

Ramly Burger

Reputed to be Malaysia’s favorite burger, the Ramly burger is the perfect solution for a quick burger fix. The Ramly burger burger stands can easily be found in any neighbourhood, and while the taste is nowhere near to a Big Mac, it has a distinctive charm and a made at home feel to it.

Tasty and inexpensive, a simple Ramly burger would typically have a burger patty, cucumber slices, chilli sauce, mayonnaise and black pepper sauce slapped between two pieces of toasted burger buns. Some stalls put other types of seasonings and ingredients like the Worchestire sauce or shredded lettuce, so it is best to ask before you make your orders. For foodies, you can step it up a notch by ordering the burger Ramly special,. It has everything that a regular Ramly burger has, but add an egg and melted cheese oozing out of it and you have yourself a perfect burger orchestra playing in your belly.