I cannot stress enough about how much Malaysians love their food. But sometimes, we get a little broke from being too much of a Sir.
So, we find ourselves in either mamaks or kopitiams having affordable yet extremely delicious meals. Here’s a list of some epic mamaks and kopitiams that everyone needs to check out!
*Warning. This list is only semi-halal. For halal-ness, only read the first 6 restaurants on this list.
1. Murni Discovery
Whenever someone talks about good mamaks, the name “Murni” will always come about, and no, not the Cheras one, but the SS2 one. SS2 Murni is most locals’ favourite mamak because they serve a variety of food ranging from typical mamak foods to other Malaysian favourites to even typical Western and Italian food. They’re also known for their ‘exotic’ drinks that have peculiar names like “I love you” and “Rubyroot”
You should try out their Roti Hawaii (RM5.50) which is roti stuffed with minced chicken or beef, eggs, sausages and pineapples with mayo dressing, and is basically just a twist of the classic murtabak. Murni is also known for their bowl of Claypot Lou Shu Fen (RM6).
Address: SS2 Branch – 53, Jalan SS2/75, SS2, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
2. Sri Steven’s Corner @ OUG, Pandan Indah
According to many unverified sources, Steven’s Corner was the first mamak to start the concept of a 24-hours mamak back in 1985.
It is also a very crowded mamak after working hours and their most popular dishes are their Nasi Lemak, Burung Puyuh, Paper Thosai, Cheese Naan and Chicken Chop.
This beautiful dish is the famous Cheese Naan which is basically flatbread packed wih a generous amount of cheese; so warm, soft and a pleasurable experience. Feeling more adventurous? Order a double cheese naan and get an extra cheesy treat.
Address:
OUG branch – 18 & 18A, Jalan Hujan Rahmat Dua, OUG, Jalan Kelang Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Pandan Indah branch – 31-39, Jalan Pandan Indah 1/22, Pandan Indah 55100, Kuala Lumpur
3. Al-Barkath @ Bukit Jalil
Also famous for their huge crowd Al-Barkarth is open all day and is also lively at night because it’s a popular spot for nocturnal kids who like to lepak and shisha with their friends and it’s also popular with football lovers who go there to watch the match.
Their Sup Kambing and Roti Canai is also a must-try when you’re there, and of course, their must-try flavourful Tandoori Chicken!
Address: 1, Jalan 16/155C (te), 57000 Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
4. Bumbung Nasi Lemak @ Seapark SS21
Just a little ways from the city is this epic mamak. If you’ve ever heard of ‘Nasi Lemak Ganja’, this is where it was born. Why ganja? Well not because it has actual drugs in it, but because it’s so good, it’s just that addictive to have. This stall is located in the alley of a street and is flooded with people from every walk of life flooding in about 6.45pm. So, be sure to get there before, or you might have to wait a long while for your food.
Their Nasi Lemak dish uses fragrant coconut rice with a generous amount of extremely addictive sambal, along with the usual Nasi Lemak ingredients; peanuts, fried anchovies, cucumber and crunchy fried chicken.
Address: Jalan 21/11b, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
5. Mak Wanjor (Kampung Baru)
If you’re looking for the best place for a good ol’ traditional Nasi Lemak, everyone will tell you to go to Mak Wanjor. There’s even a viral video about this British guy who tasted Nasi Lemak from this place, and the video is amazing!
Just a fun fact: Kampung Baru is this Malay enclave where it has been said that village elders resisted big money offers from developers in order to preserve their ‘village lifestyle’. Amazing!
You can smell the fresh and fragrant scent of the steamed rice as you walk in and the dish comes with the usual Nasi Lemak elements along with some amazing side dishes such as friend chicken, rending, cow lungs (paru), kerang (cockles) and the most famous of all their side dishes; sambal sotong (squid sambal).
Address: 8, Jalan Raja Muda Musa, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
6. Valentine Roti @ Jalan Semarak
Now, we don’t know if they truly fulfil what their tagline says; “BEST ROTI CANAI”, but we’d say they’re pretty much in that vicinity. Of course, one should go there for their signature roti canai, but you should also try out their capati and tosai too. Their roti canai is fluffy at the same time, somehow paper-thin, has amazingly crispy edges, is flaky and has flavourful dhal and other dips!
Their signature Roti Valentine is basically crisp, thin roti filled with sardines, onions cabbage, onions and chopped chives. Please do pair this meal with some delicious teh tarik on the side to complete your meal!
Address: Store No. 1, Jalan Semarak, Opposite Menara Celcom, 54000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
7. Lai Foong
Be transported into the 1950s when you walk into Lai Foong as this place and food hasn’t really changed much since it first opened in 1956. The art-deco building can be seen from afar as it stands out from the surrounding modern buildings. And if you’re using public transport, you can just jump on the Kelana Jaya line and get off at Pasar Seni LRT station.
Lai Foong is known for its beef noodles (RM5-8) made from an old Hainanese recipe which is known for its hearty broth thickened by hours of boiling and beef so tender, it melts in your mouth. It is also sprinkled with preserved vegetables and coriander to add a sour and fresh flavour to the broth.
The chicken rice here is also highly recommended as it brings in many hungry office workers at its popular second stall position. If you’re looking for a typical kopitam snack, order a slice of hot toast with butter and kaya – not forgetting to dip it into a serving of half-boiled egg and soy sauce – and watch as the 1950’s world unfold around you.
Address: 140, Jalan Tun HS Lee, 50480, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, 50050, Malaysia
8. Restoran Chun Heong, Bangsar
A neighbourhood favourite, this kopitiam opens for breakfast as early as 7am where you can grab a drink called the “Michael Jackson” which is basically a mixure of soy milk and cincau (grass jelly). Anyone will also tell you that the best way to judge a kopitiam is to try out their kaya and butter toast (RM1.50 in this case) and this place serves it terrifically with a generous amount of butter and sweet coconut pandan kaya on a tasty crispy toasted bread.
This hawker stall also offers various amounts of local favourites such as dim sum, pan mee, chicken rice, curry mee and so much more. Yay for big eaters like me!
Address: Malaysia, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Pjs 12, Lorong Ara Kiri, Lucky Garden,邮政编码: 59100
9. O&S Restaurant
When you live in PJ, you understand that you have to share a table with strangers or risk waiting a long time to get your own table. This kopitiam shares this sentiment as it’s always crowded that the kopitiam located behind them get almost no spill-over crowds.
You can almost never get a seat during Sunday mornings either, but if you do manage to get a seat, try their Char Kuey Teow, Penang-style Chee Cheong Fun, Prawn Noodles, Pork Ball Noodles, Chicken Rice, or Yong Tau Foo. But if you had to pick one, the locals would definitely recommend their pork ball noodles!
Address: 35, Jalan 20/14, Taman Paramount, SS 2, Petaling Jaya, Selangor 46300
10. Nam Chun
Chun Heong has a competitor and it is Nam Chun, a kopitam so popular, you will have to develop a new level of patience as parking spaces are also very limited. Once you have finally gotten a parking, you should enjoy their Char Kuey Teow, Chicken Rice, Mixed Rice and also their “One Ton Mee”.
However, their star attraction is Aunt Christina’s Sarawak Laksa. This amazingness:
This thick and luscious seafood broth has the right amount of heat and consists of a couple of mysterious secret herds that will ensure you will lick the bowl clean as soon as you’re done… and still crave more. The sweet prawns and sprigs of herbs in this dish are also arranged so creatively that you can’t help but snap a Instagram picture of it.
Address: Lucky Garden, 28, Lorong Ara Kiri, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
11. New Twenty-Twenty
Hidden but somehow visited by many, this fierce kopitiam (2020) has a rivalry with the adjacent Nine Eight Nine Eight (9898). Now we don’t know what’s up with these guys and numbers, but 2020 does a stunning representation of Sarawak cuisine that’s loved by many of the locals. If you’re from East Malaysia and miss food back there, 202’s porky plates of mee kolo and soupy bowls of Sarawak Laksa will make you feel like you’re at home again.
Also, if you’re vegetarian, great news! This place has numerous options over at the vegetarian mixed rice stall. And even if you’re not vegetarian, it’ll make you contemplate being one if vegetarian food is just always that good. Their tai chow stall also has a good selection of some good ol’ home cooked food. You should also try out their amazing wantan mee made by a very stern looking lady.
Address: 26, Jalan Pandan Indah 4/6, Pandan Indah, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
12. Yut Kee Kopitiam (Dang Wangi)
Opened in 1928…
… this Hainanese coffee shop is always a local’s favourite, especially if you live around KL. Staff at this place are super friendly and serves good rich dark coffee with condensed milk along, and if it’s up your alley, they also serve excellent Marble cake.
This kopitiam is just around the corner from the Dang Wangi station which is easily accessed via the excellent KL train network, or you can just take a short walk from the ‘Golden Triangle’, KL Tower Park, and Bukit Nanas Nature Reserve.
You should try their fabulous Roti Babi (pork bread) which is a hard-to-come-by Peranakan / Nonya dish incorporating minced pork, onions, and crabmeat sandwiched inside a pocket of friend ‘eggy bread’, served with Worcestershire Sauce!
Address: 1, Jalan Kamunting, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
