You know your food is goated when neighbouring countries keep trying to claim it.
While recipe origins can be debated well into the next decade, Malaysian food has always felt bigger than the whole “who did it first” dispute. So much of what makes our food feel local comes down to how we share it, experience it and weave it into everyday life. Maybe you are catching up with your closest friends over a shared plate. Maybe you are having a typical dinner with your family. Or, in true K-pop fan fashion, you are simply sitting beside a decorated photocard toploader as you eat at a newly opened spot.
There is no one right way to do it. And that is probably the most Malaysian thing about it.
If you had to show someone new to Malaysia what that looks like, you would probably start with Kuala Lumpur. The city is a glorious melting pot of cultures, cuisines, and fusion joints. Here, eating can easily become a full-day itinerary. One minute, you could be grabbing a table at a polished Western-style café in an upscale neighbourhood. The next, you are hunting down a humble stall or an old local favourite that someone swears is the best in town.
That is another very Malaysian part of eating locally, too. There is always another place to try, another dish to revisit and, naturally, another spot to insist is the best in town. We may not agree on where to eat, but we certainly never run out of recommendations. Especially when it comes to showing someone new to the country what they should try first.
So, in the spirit of Malaysia Day, Men’s Folio decided to have a little more fun with the usual food recommendations. We imagined our biases actually showing up in KL hungry and asked ourselves one very important question: where would we take them to eat like a true local?
James of CORTIS
We fear only one place can match his freak.
Kanna Curry House, Petaling Jaya.
Shotaro of RIIZE
He’s done Bukit Bintang with Anton. We’d bring him back for some good ol’ shawarma.
Damascus, Bukit Bintang.
DK of SEVENTEEN
Hear us out – DK running loose in KL for a special solo GOING SEVENTEEN episode. Thoughts?
Jalan Alor Night Market, Bukit Bintang
SAN of ATEEZ
San’s got a sweet tooth, so we’d 100% send him somewhere that takes its ice cream seriously.
Churn, Damansara Uptown.
MINGYU of SEVENTEEN
Incase Khairul Aming needs a global face for Sambal Nyet, Khairul Amingyu won’t be far.
Rembayung, Kampung Baru.
Jung Kook of BTS
After the BTS concert in December, all it might take to keep him in KL is high-quality meat and a cool place to put his camera to work.
Yakiniku Botan+, The Exchange TRX.
WOOYOUNG of ATEEZ
Nowhere else would teezer’s yapper feel more at home than a coffee shop that stays open until 2AM.
Hétam®, Bandar Damansara
SOOBIN of TOMORROW X TOGETHER
Pspspsps, Soobin… if it is bread you want, we know a place.
Tommy Le Baker, Zhongshan Building KL
HAN of Stray Kids
There is only one proper way to welcome this Malaysian boy back home.
Restoran Nasi Kandar Pelita, Kuala Lumpur.
Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our latest issue.