Being a multicultural country, Malaysia boasts a rich culture revolving around the three main ethnic groups in our country, which explains the diverse food selection that we have. If we were to go through every food Malaysia has got to offer, the list could go on forever, so for this time, our focus would be Chinese food. Being one of the most prominent food types of food that Malaysians enjoy, Chinese food can be found almost everywhere—from hotels to neighbourhood shop lots, to shopping malls. Though the origin of Chinese food is from China, the Chinese food in Malaysia is a little unique, as some flavours have been heavily influenced from Indian and Malay cooking techniques, which makes it suitable for the Malaysian palate. In terms of where to find good Chinese food, KL should not be ignored. Typically, KL may be associated with the finer ends of dining. However, it is not short of delicious Chinese food too.
Read on to find out some of the best Chinese restaurants KL has up its sleeves!
1. Lot 10 Hutong @ Bukit Bintang
Located in Lot 10 Shopping Mall, Lot 10 Hutong is the perfect Chinese restaurant (more specifically a food court) to rest your legs after a shopping trip. Housing more than 20 food stalls, Lot 10 Hutong offers a diverse selection of Chinese food to choose from. The variety of food stalls that have set their base in this food court is not just any run-of-the-mill Chinese stall, but are all well-loved hawkers from Kl, Penang and Singapore that have been meticulously handpicked to set up a store in this award-winning gourmet food hall. Some of the most popular food stalls even include Lian Kee’s Hokkien Mee from Chinatown KL, as well as Soong Kee Beef Noodles.
Besides its food, the design of Lot 10 Hutong is another one of its attractions, where it bears an appearance similar to an old Beijing village—having narrow “alleyways” linking stalls. Though the food here is slightly more expensive compared to the usual hawker rate, it is a reasonable price to pay as you will be able to enjoy some of the city’s best hawker dishes in one convenient and air-conditioned location.
Address: LG Floor, Lot 10 Shopping Centre, 50, Jln Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours:
Monday – 10:00am to 8:00pm
Tuesday – 10:00am to 8:00pm
Wednesday – 10:00am to 8:00pm
Thursday – 10:00am to 8:00pm
Friday – 10:00am to 8:00pm
Saturday – 10:00am to 8:00pm
Sunday – 10:00am to 8:00pm
Contact Information: 03-2782 3500
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/yaXnUdjKAkS4gJnWA
2. Restoran Lian Kee @ Chinatown
If you have been attentive, you would have noticed that this restaurant was mentioned to be Lot 10 Hutong above. Run by the Lee family, the official Lian Kee restaurant is set at the junction of Petaling Streets and Jalan Hang Lekir, and has been serving Hokkien Mee to the local population for over 100 years. Starting as a hawker stall, Lian Kee has since expanded to the sizable restaurant it is today, which you can spot easily with its trademark all red building.
Although a variety of Chinese dishes such as vegetables, meat and seafood, are offered at Lian Kee, the signature dish that attracts the crowd is their Hokkien Mee. Most notably, Lian Kee’s Hokkien Mee comprises of a generous serving of prawns, pork, squid and lard fritters, which gives it its flavourful punch that is sure to make your mouth water. If you’re planning to visit Lian Kee for their Hokkien Mee, do take note that it will only be served from 5 pm onwards so be careful not to go too early.
Address: 25, Jalan TS 6/10a, Taman Subang Permai, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Operating Hours:
Monday – 10:00am to 10:00pm
Tuesday – 10:00am to 10:00pm
Wednesday – 10:00am to 10:00pm
Thursday – 10:00am to 10:00pm
Friday – 10:00am to 10:00pm
Saturday – 10:00am to 10:00pm
Sunday – 10:00am to 10:00pm
Contact Information: 016-323 9499
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/YoHmGppSY3a6bjnQA
3. Restoran Koon Kee @ Petaling Street
If you are a fan of Wantan Mee, Koon Kee would be a Chinese restaurant you don’t want to miss. Serving plates of traditional Wantan Mee, the dish at Koon Kee’s may not look impressive at first glance much like its outer appearance, but don’t let its appearance deceive you as the Wantan Mee at Koon Kee has the edge over the rest in terms of flavour. Having operated for more than 50 years, this Wantan Mee store is well-loved by locals for its springy and flavoursome noodles and its unique topping of chicken feet and mushrooms that is offered as an option other than the classic char siew.
Like any other Wantan Mee stall, you may think that that the star of the dish here is its char siew, but this is not the case for Koon Kee, as their highlight is more on the dumplings that come with the noodle dish. Generously filled with minced meat, prawns, white cabbage and diced Chinese mushrooms, the dumplings serve as a perfect side to the Wantan Mee which is guaranteed to make you a fan.
Address: 105, Jalan SS 21/37, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Operating Hours:
Monday – 8:00am to 10:00pm
Tuesday – 8:00am to 10:00pm
Wednesday – 8:00am to 10:00pm
Thursday – 8:00am to 10:00pm
Friday – 8:00am to 10:00pm
Saturday – 8:00am to 10:00pm
Sunday – 8:00am to 10:00pm
Contact Information: 03-7728 7872
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/L2njnRrHtPo7MmjbA
4. Restoran Sek Yuen @ Jalan Pudu
Being one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in KL, you can easily spot Sek Yuen with its bright neon signs that decorate the exterior of the restaurant. Operating for over 70 years, Sek Yuen is still a favourite among locals, the popularity of this restaurant rising to the point where it had even expanded to the size of several shop lots.
With a menu revolving around the serving of Chinese food cuisines, some of their signature dishes would include the Pei Pa duck, which is roasted to golden-brown perfection and beef noodles. As Sek Yuen is a popular restaurant, the store is quick to fill up with hungry customers, especially during dinner times on the weekends. Therefore, if you plan to visit, we recommend that you call them up and make a reservation, especially if you are not a fan of waiting. Do take note that Sek Yuen is closed on Mondays as well.
Address: 313, Jln Pudu, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours:
Monday – 11:30am to 2:30pm & 5:30pm to 10:00pm
Tuesday – 11:30am to 2:30pm & 5:30pm to 10:00pm
Wednesday – 11:30am to 2:30pm & 5:30pm to 10:00pm
Thursday – 11:30am to 2:30pm & 5:30pm to 10:00pm
Friday – 11:30am to 2:30pm & 5:30pm to 10:00pm
Saturday – 11:30am to 2:30pm & 5:30pm to 10:00pm
Sunday – 11:30am to 2:30pm & 5:30pm to 10:00pm
Contact Information: 03-9222 9457
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/wr4WQTfdJo6nVw8d6
5. Chuan Kee Hakka Restaurant @ Jalan Pudu Ulu
As the name of the restaurant suggests, Guan Kee is known to serve the Chinese food that is made with the distinctive cooking style of the Hakka people. Although there are a variety of restaurants in KL, Chuan Kee holds a special place in the hearts of most locals as it has a homey flavour akin to a grandmother’s cooking—making most people around the neighbourhood regular customers of this restaurant.
Chuan Kee also offers a diverse menu where some of their best-selling items include dishes such as pork trotter in vinegar and long beans and eggplants. Even then, most regulars would agree that the signature dish of Chuan Kee would be its tofu dish—the popularity of this dish often leading it to be sold out by dinner time.
Address: 14, Jalan Pudu Ulu, Batu 3 Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours:
Monday – 11:30am to 3:00pm & 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Tuesday – 11:30am to 3:00pm & 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Wednesday – 11:30am to 3:00pm & 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Thursday – 11:30am to 3:00pm & 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Friday – 11:30am to 3:00pm & 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Saturday – 11:30am to 3:00pm & 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Sunday – 11:30am to 3:00pm & 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Contact Information: 03-9202 2955
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/FmSaxcbjm4iXad9MA
With that, we have introduced you to some of the best Chinese restaurants in KL. Happy dining!
For more recommendations and articles, go to LokaTaste!
