DIANA CHAN E A T ING /DR I N K I N G GUI D E T O K U A L A LUMP U R IND E X 03 For those in the Know 04 Taman Tun Wet Market 05 Circa 06 Heli Lounge Bar 07 Vertigo at Banyan Tree 08 Flour, Dip and Eat 09 Bijan 10 Restoran Meng Kee Char Siew (Cantonese) 11 Malaysia Boleh Food Court at Four Seasons Palace 12 Sambal Hijau 13 Open House 14 Nirwana Maju 15 Hideaway Cafe 16 Mingle Café 17 Contact DIANA FOR T H O S E I N T HE KNO W ... Diana Chan’s eating (and drinking) guide The 31 year old has since created her own range to Kuala Lumpur. of frozen dumplings, started her own fresh casual concept, Chanteen serving Malaysian street food and Malindo Air is a well kept secret for smart travellers recently began hosting her own cooking show on SBS flying to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is preferred by - “Asia Unplated”. travellers in-the-know due to its competitive fares with premium inclusions such as in-flight entertainment and On top of managing her busy career in Melbourne, baggage as standard in Value and Flexi fares. Diana regularly travels to KL to visit her family, and always makes the time to check out trending food and bar venues in KL as well as her local favourites. Therefore, for someone like TV personality Diana Chan who regularly travels from Melbourne to her home With incredible knowledge in Malaysian food and KL country, Malaysia, it’s only natural she chooses to fly experiences, she became Malindo Air’s ambassador Malindo Air. for its ‘In the Know’ campaign highlighting its Melbourne to KL routes in November 2019. In The MasterChef champion (2017), food writer and partnership with Malindo Air, this guide highlights chef pursued her passion for Malaysian cooking in Diana’s hidden secrets and favourite hangouts in Melbourne at a young age, and years later continues KL from fine dining to street food, rooftop bars, to do so. speakeasies and markets. CHAN T AMAN T U N WET M ARKE T This bustling market has everything you need from selling a wide range of fresh produce including seafood, chicken, beef, fresh tofu as well as an extensive range of fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables. A highlight at this market is a visit to the ‘spice lady’ (Liza’s Spices). She makes all of her curries and spices from scratch. You can pick up traditional Malay curries for less than 5RM ($1.77 AUD) and opposite her is a stall that sells fresh coconut milk. Taman Tun Wet Market 185, Jalan Wan Kadir, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Malaysia Location C IRC A Circa is a speakeasy bar with a personal touch. Hidden in a back alley in Plaza Batai, you must climb a spiralling staircase and enter a weekly passcode into a pay phone hanging opposite the door to enter. Those in the know retrieve the weekly passcode from Circa’s Instagram page. With exposed brick walls and vintage mismatched furniture, Circa gives off boudoir vibes. Expect weekends to get busy as signature R&B tunes are played throughout the night and cocktails are free flowing. A personal cocktail favourite – The Edison made with infused Bulldog Gin, Rose Extract and Cane syrup. Or for more punch, go for the Smoke & Mirrors with Macallan, Amaro Montenegro, Peach Liquor and Orange Bitters. Circa circabarkl.com 8-7, Jalan Batai, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Plaza Batai Instagram Facebook H ELI L O UNGE B A R Helipad turned roof top bar – need I say more? This daytime helipad transforms into a night-time rooftop bar with tunes playing well into the evening. Set directly across from KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers visitors have access to 360-degree views of the entire city with no boundaries, no walls and no rails to block the stunning view. Yes, this open-air terrace might not pass Australian safety standards (!) and may make those with a fear of heights uneasy, but not to worry, there’s a downstairs lounge bar also offering spectacular city views. Open at 5.00pm visitors can grab a drink from the downstairs lounge area located on the 34th floor while waiting for the rooftop to open at approximately 6pm. Take two flights of stairs to get to the 36th floor helipad and prepared to be wowed. Recommendation - get there right on 6pm when the rooftop opens to catch the sunset and slowly watch KL city light up as it turns to dark. And it’s best to watch the weather forecast for this one too. With a low online profile, Heli Lounge Bar’s little-known Heli Lounge Bar status makes this a truly unexplored hotspot for 34 Menara KH, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang, 50450, visitors to KL. Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Menara KH Instagram Facebook VER TIG O A T B A N Y AN T REE Situated on the 59th floor of Banyan Tree Hotel, Vertigo is a stylish bar offering a relaxed setting with wide- open views of the city skyline. Guests can savour these views while enjoying a selection of cocktails and South East Asian inspired tapas. Vertigo at Banyan Tree www.banyantree.com/en/thailand/bangkok/dining/vertigo Level 59, Banyan Tree Residence, 2, Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur Instagram Facebook F L O UR, DIP A N D E A T Owned by husband and wife duo, Yogi and Natasha, FLOUR is a family affair with a simple objective - spread the good food with the highest of quality. Located in Damansara Heights, Yogi introduced FLOUR to KL in 2016 with the aim of elevating the Indian dining experience and giving layers of spices, aromas and texture that North Indian food has to offer. FLOUR breaches barriers and offers a French style menu designed to suit Indian dining. Expect high quality ingredients and no sugar. Yogi hates sugar; he never adds it to dishes and never combines more than three spices together. As its name suggests, FLOUR is famous for its house made flour naan and roti breads with over six varieties to choose from. Don’t go past the Pudina Laccha, a delicious multi layered Lachha made with whole wheat flour and dry mint (pudina) leaves. The stuffed lamb kebab consisting of finely soft minced lamb with curd (Greek yoghurt) stuffing is another must. The origins of this dish are unknown however it’s believed to have been created in the 1850’s for a toothless king, FLOUR has given us their version Flour, Dip and Eat making it the mother of all Kebabs. Plaza Damansara, 71, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Plaza Damansara Facebook B I J A N Those in the know will tell you they have heard Bijan Restaurant often referred to as the pioneer of Malaysia cuisine. Named “Best Malay Restaurant” by Tourism Malaysia in 2004 Bijan combines the traditional with the contemporary in a lush, intimate setting. Owned by Lisa this place has been an institution for 20 years now. The food is all about local Malay cuisine including some more traditional dishes with a modern twist. Guests must try one of Bijan’s most famous desserts - the chocolate durian cake. The bitterness of the dark chocolate paired the strong infamous flavour of Durian just simply works. I do recommend sharing this decadent dessert though as it can be overwhelming for some. Sarong Party Girl (SPG) by Bijan has just opened next door to Bijan offering Malay tapas, light bites and an extensive list of cocktails. Bijan www.bijanrestaurant.com 3-5, Seri Bukit Ceylon, 8 Lorong Ceylon Off, 3, Jalan Ceylon, Bukit Ceylon, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Location Instagram Facebook RES T O R A N M E N G K E E CHA R SIEW ( C A N T ONESE ) Tucked inside an industrial area and unknown to tourists Meng Kew Char Siew offers quality Chinese street food. Always packed out, especially over lunch time this restaurant is well known for some of the best Char Siew in KL, and so it should be. The Char Siew is a standout with the perfect balance of caramelisation and char giving it a smoky flavour and sweet and sticky honey glaze. Restoran Meng Kee Char Siew 30, Jalan Pekedai U1/36, Hicom-glenmarie Industrial Park, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia Location Facebook M A L A Y S I A B O L E H F O OD COU R T A T FOU R SEA SONS P A L A C E At Malaysian Boleh Food Court, located inside Four Seasons Palace, you’ll find an array of street food in the comfort of air conditioning. This food court is easily accessible, comfortable and clean. Some of my favourites are the Assam Laksa, curry mee and cendol. This is also an easy one if you’re staying in central KL and pressed for time. Mayalsia Boleh Food Court feisionggroup.com.my/malaysiaboleh/ B1-01B, Shoppes at Four Seasons Place, 145 Jalan Ampang Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Location Instagram Facebook SAM B A L H I J A U A roofed but open-air restaurant in the midst of Malay Village, Sambul Hijau offers kampung (village) style Malay cuisine and a mix of Minang recipes.