6 Restaurants to visit for modern Malay cuisine around Klang Valley
Rendang on our mind
From the traditional nasi lemak to the more lavish rendang, Malay cuisine has always been comfort food for us Malaysians. Furthermore, each state in the country has its own distinct take on classic dishes, making this cuisine diverse and enjoyable for foodies.
Whether you’re looking to break your fast in style this Ramadhan season or just to explore the rich nuances of Malay dishes, these top modern Malay eateries in the Klang Valley will tantalise your taste buds and serve you an elevated dining experience.
1. OpenHouse
With its collaboration with Jabatan Warisan Negara, OpenHouse aims to revive and reintroduce national heritage recipes to prevent them from disappearing. OpenHouse also sources its produce from the jungle and works with the Orang Asli community to bring it to the city. Options to try here include Umai Prawn Borneo (prawn ceviche, calamansi juice, ginger flower, dry-shrimp, chili padi, nuts, wrapped in a betel leaf cup); and Soup Ekor Kepayang (Australian oxtail soup, stuffed black nut, lemongrass, lime leaf, coriander, bay leaf, served with garlic toast).
Address: KLCC, Unit G48, Ground Floor 241, Suria, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 12PM to 10PM daily
Contact: 03 2162 0888
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2. De.Wan 1958
Established by the renowned Chef Wan, the restaurant aims to redefine Malaysian cuisine and food culture through the influences of the diverse Malaysian diaspora. The tropical interiors also reflect Chef Wan’s cheery personality and Malaysian roots, which add to the fun experience of dining there. Some dishes to try at De.Wan 1958 include Sup Singgang Samudera with Udang Galah, Asam Pedas Sea Bass, Daging Rendang Selangor, and Lamb Rack.
Address:
- De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan Kuala Lumpur: The Linc KL, Lot 2 – 2, Level 2, No.360, Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
- De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan Bangsar Shopping Centre: F1 & F6, Level 1, Bangsar Shopping Centre, 285, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
- De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan Bangi: Bangi Resort Hotel, Off Persiaran Bandar, Bangi Golf Club, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor
Opening hours: 11AM to 3.30PM | 6PM to 9.30PM daily
Contact: 03 2935 9375
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3. Bijan
Since opening in 2003, Bijan has made its presence known. Along with its intimate yet spacious interiors, the restaurant offers a dining experience like no other with wholesome flavours and modern presentations. Bijan specialises in innovative Malay food using a combination of old recipes handed down over generations and fresh versions that are reflective of the current zeitgeist.
Dishes to try include Gulai Lemak Daging Salai dengan Jantung Pisang (banana flower simmered in thick turmeric gravy and topped with chargrilled marinated Australian sirloin slices); Rendang Itik Bijan (deep-fried marinated duck breast and leg topped with rendang sauce); as well as Ikan Siakap Sos Asam (deep-fried seabass served with a blend of peanut and tamarind sauce, slices of raw four-angle bean, red onions, and red chillies).
Address: No.3, Jalan Ceylon, Bukit Ceylon, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 4.30PM to 11PM daily
Contact: 03 2031 3575
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4. Congkak Nusantara
Congkak Nusantara serves traditional Malaysian and Indonesian cuisine to give you a taste of home. The restaurant’s signature dish is the Nasi Ambeng platter where you can enjoy up to 18 sides with a generous amount of rice in the middle, definitely made for sharing. The platter also comes with acar rampai, serunding kelapa, telur masin, ikan masin, sambal belacan, sambal Jawa, kerabu sayur, terung sambal, keropok Belindo, begedil, ikan kembung belado and a choice of either ayam masak kicap or gulai ayam.
Address and contact:
- Congkak Nusantara Kuala Lumpur: 24, Jalan Beremi, Off Jalan Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang 50200 Kuala Lumpur | Contact: 6019 289 7008
- Congkak Nusantara The Curve: G51, The Curve, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, 47800 Selangor | Contact: 6016 262 4113
Opening hours: 12PM to 10PM (closed on Mondays)
5. Dusun OpenHouse
Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, this charming eatery offers an eclectic mix of traditional Malay dishes and contemporary fusion cuisine. Dusun OpenHouse emphasises using local ingredients and imported produce that are cooked with kampung cooking techniques such as smoking and burning which ignites more complex flavours. Plus, the restaurant’s rustic decor and cosy seating make it the perfect place to relax and savour your meal with friends and family. Have a go at their Coast + Country Platter—kemangi rubbed grilled lamb shoulder, neraka tiger prawns, panggang squid, micro ulams, dusun sambals selection, jeruk—which feeds up to two to three pax.
Address: G9A Bangsar Shopping Centre, Jalan Maarof, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03 2011 8988
Opening hours: 11AM to 11PM daily
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6. Dancing Fish
Dancing Fish has been known for their Malay-Indo cuisine since their inception in 2010. The menu features a mouth-watering array of Malaysian and Indonesian dishes, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and being MSG-free. You simply have to try its signature dish, the Dancing Fish—a whole fish marinated in a blend of herbs and spices, deep-fried until crispy, and served with a delicious sambal dabu-dabu sauce.
Address: Lot T120 &121, 3rd Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Jalan Maarof, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03 2095 6663
Opening hours: 11.30AM to 10PM daily
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