Hey! Did you know this is part two, click HERE to read part one now!!!

Buddyz is back for another round of must try food in KL! If you’ve already tackled all the food items on that list, we've got a new list of local food dishes in KL! If you didn’t know, KL, short for Kuala Lumpur, is the capital of Malaysia and also one of the many hubs in the country for good food.

Image by Kesom Cafe (Note: Kesom Cafe is closed permanently, but fear not! They’ve opened up a new place called Nyiru Cafe, and it still serve the original Terengganu food)

Nasi Kerabu 

A typical local Malay cuisine, this rice dish is typically served with various fresh herbs, pickles, shredded vegetables, salted egg, crackers and either a choice of fish or chicken. Originating in the state of Kelantan and Terengganu, the blue rice gets its color from petals of butterfly pea flowers whilst cooking the rice. Whilst it may sound plain, the star of the dish is definitely the budu! Budu is anchovy fish-sauce that is drizzled on the dish. Don’t worry, the anchovies and fish sauce doesn’t over power the other ingredients in the dish, it’s there to add another dimension adding to the flavors and freshness of it all.

Location: Nyiru Café, F-G-46 Jalan PJU 1/45, Aman Suria, Petaling Jaya

Opening Hours: Sun-Tue (11am – 5pm), Fri-Sat (11am – 9.30pm), closed on Wednesdays

Tel: +603 7886 6559

Banana Leaf Rice

The term banana leaf rice is literally what you will be getting. It isn’t a hidden term of a special dish in Malaysia; you will be getting rice served on a banana leaf. This isn’t only a must try food in KL but an experience in itself! After informing the waiters you’ll be having banana leaf, a leaf will be placed in front of you and a basic banana leaf set comes with rice and 3 sides of different vegetables, papadom and curry to drench your rice in. You are able to choose either chicken or fish curry or dhal for the people who can’t eat spicy food.

Other dishes such as meat and seafood can be ordered separately as well if you feel like the basics aren't enough! Also, good tip to know, the vegetables side dishes and rice are refillable!

Once you’ve finished with your meal, there is a folding aspect with the leaf. Many believe it’s more of a rating system; folding the leaf towards you means you’ve enjoyed the meal thoroughly and away from you shows you didn’t.

Location: Sri Nirwana Maju, 43 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru 59100 Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: Open Everyday from 10am – 1:30am

Tel: +603 2287 8445

Asam Laksa

Laksa is a dish popularly known across the Peranakan cuisine in Southeast Asia. It is a spicy noodle soup made with either fish, chicken or prawn broth. Popular in Penang. Asam Laksa is a sour, fish and tamarind based soup. Asam in the Malay language is known as sour hence, the taste of the broth. Usually made with shredded Mackerel fish and finely sliced cucumber, onions, red chilies, pineapple, lettuce, mint, daun kesum (Laksa Mint) and pink bunga kantan (Torch Ginger). All these flavorful ingredients are then served with rich noodles and shrimp paste.

Location: Lum Kee Restaurant, Stall No. MR22, Medan Selera Section 14, Jalan 14/24, Section 14, Petaling Jaya

Opening Hours: Closed on Sunday, Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm

Tel: +6012 394 3928

Image by VKeong

Ramly Burger

Ramly Burger is a local favorite and typically eaten late at night after a good night out or if you’re just hungry. A truly sinful yet enjoyable no fuss burger, this local crowd favorite consists of a locally made patty by a man called Haji Ramly Mokni that made it big in the 80’s, chili sauce, lettuce and onions. This simple burger can be jazzed up by ordering the ‘special’ (the patty wrapped in an egg), ‘special cheese’ (again with the egg but with cheese as well)’ and other varieties. Locals and some travellers that have tried this believe the burgers are even better than Mcdonalds and other burger joints!

Location: Brader John, Next To RHB Bank, Jalan SS 21/58, Damansara Utama, 47400, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 47400 Petaling Jaya

Opening Hours: Closed on Sunday, Monday to Saturday 11pm – 4am

Tel: +6012 694 4154

Image by KampungboyCitygal

Penang Prawn Mee + Otak Otak

Although widely known across Southeast Asia, the dish Otak Otak is unique to its own country. Otak Otak is grilled fish cake made from fish meat, various spices and tapioca starch. Typically wrapped in a banana leaf and grilled over charcoal to give it a smokey flavor, Otak Otak can be eaten either as a snack or with rice.

Penang Prawn Mee is also known, as Hokkien mee is one of the most significant must try dishes in Penang. A noodle soup dish, the broth is cooked for hours on end with prawn shells and prawn heads (We Malaysians believe in using everything with no wastage!) served with homemade sambal, sliced meat, prawns, eggs and spinach.

Location: Restoran Yong Len, 2, Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 1, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: Closed on Monday, Tuesday to Sunday 7:30am – 3pm

Tel: +603 7728 0376

Apam Balik

Apam Balik or Martabak Manis translates into turnover pancake. Made from flour, eggs, sugar, baking soda and coconut milk, this batter is cooked on a round thick frying pan with plenty of margarine to avoid it sticking to the pan. The most traditional and common filling inside is crushed peanuts and sweet corn kernels. This sweet treat was something all local Malaysians grew up begging our parents to treat them to! With modernization, the local Apam Balik has also been brought into the modern world with new fillings as well such as chocolate sprinkles and cheddar cheese although not as popular as the traditional filling mentioned.

Location: Stall at Jalan Hang Lekir (off Jalan Petaling)

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 1pm – 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 11:30am – 9pm

Keropok Lekor

Made from fish and sago flour, Keropok Lekor originates from the state of Terengganu in the north east of Peninsular Malaysia. The fish is usually grinded into a paste then mixed with the sago flour then deep-fried. There are two types of Keropok Lekor: Keropok Lekor (thicker and chewier) and Kerepok Lekor Keping (thin and crispy). The snack is typically eaten with a chili blend that is special to the Terengganu state.

Location: Kepok Lekor Tranung, No.327, Jalan 6, Taman Greenwood, Batu Caves

Opening Hours: Open Everyday from 10am – 10pm

Tel: +6019 363 4009

Durian

Oh the glorious durian! Most people are intimidated by the smell but after trying the fruit, are always pleasantly surprised with the taste and some describing it as a rich buttery custard taste. Known in some places as the King of fruits, durian is distinctive for its large size and thorn rind along with its strong odor. There are hundreds of known varieties across Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia with the more famous ones being Musang King and D24. Travellers visiting during the durian season, Buddyz challenges you to take a step out of your comfort zone and try the fruit! You never know, you may end up loving it! If you don’t, well, at least you can tell your friends and family that you’ve tried it.

Location: Jalan SS2/24, SS 2, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Opening Hours: Open Everyday from 12pm – 12am

The amount of good food is endless in Malaysia and you know you’re with the locals when they’re planning for the next meal whilst eating their current one!

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