Cuca’s Picks: KUALA LUMPUR
Over the years we have shared countless times with Cuca’s customers our favourite restaurants from every city we know. The truth is that people in search of the tastiest food from around the world seem to trust chefs’ picks when choosing food, and since everyone asks our humble opinion, we have decided to start a proper “Our Picks” section where we give you our recommendations on where and what to eat. Go ahead, try for yourself and share these lists as you please, but just because we may help you find a new favourite, please don’t forget about your first love, Cuca!
Kuala Lumpur has some of the best street food on the planet, period. The food is so good that we go once a year just to eat. No one is super friendly or cares about your feelings, but they do care about the dishes they put in your mouth and that is fine by me. So, go hungry and get ready to eat some of the best food you have ever tasted.
Oriental Kopi
New to the list this place is an absolute must! An upscale version of Malaysia’s old school original coffee shops serving classic nostalgic food absolutely adored by Malaysians. The small menu of perfectly executed dishes are each cooked to order and use good quality ingredients that makes the difference. We ordered 6 items and everything we tried was perfection. A great way to tick some of Malaysia’s hard to find best classics of your must devour list.
Price: $$
What to order: Oriental Kopi (less sweet) & signature egg tart.
Kompassion
A 40 min drive outside the city centre is a bit of a haul but this place serves Thai food at another level. Think Grandma went to cooking school as dishes come packed with flavour and distinct Thai classics are re-invented with brilliant premium ingredients at premium prices. I must say this is indeed the best Thai meal I have ever eaten anywhere in the world including Thailand and an extremely rare find…not to be missed if you adore masterful Thai cooking!
Price: $$$$
What to order: Pomelo Salad with prawn, Green Curry grilled fish.
Wong Ah Wah
We go back to KL every year for this iconic institution. Open forever and packing in the tourist crowd this place serves brilliant Chinese style street food that is seafood-heavy. The menu is all with pictures and dishes are as shown. Dishes are available in 3 sizes, order everything small and try more. A must in KL!
Price: $$
What to order: BBQ chicken wings.
Shanghai
This place serves the best dim sum we have ever had, seriously! Go for lunch and get ready to be impressed. Stick to the dim sum menu as everything else gets very pricey and unusual.
Price: $$$$
What to order: Xiao long bao.
Valentine Roti
Roti Canai is a pan-fried flatbread that sprung to global fame after the 2023 “Worlds 50 Best Breads” awards beating the likes of Italian focaccia and the French baguette by coming in at #1. Mastered in Malaysia and rarely seen elsewhere on the planet, it’s made with flour, water and eggs, and the resulting incredible texture of a soft fluffy interior and crispy exterior is a mastery of folding, layering and stretching. With that said, Valentine Roti, more of a street food joint, serves the absolute best we have ever had. A must try!
Price: $
What to order: Roti Kosong (the plain classic one).
Yut Kee
This place has been around forever serving classic hearty dishes. The menu is a mix of Chinese and western comfort food and the taste is like eating at Grandma’s house. Portions are big so go easy and we recommend going for lunch.
Price: $
What to order: Crispy roast pork.
Pizza Duo
If wood fired pizza and craft beer does not get you excited, I am not your friend. This place was created by husband-and-wife pizza nerds who actually travelled to Italy on a pilgrimage to devour the most delicious pizzas ever made. Everything they loved about fluffy Neapolitan pizza, quality ingredients, great sauces and unique flavours was studied and reimagined to fit their idea of a perfect pie. Pizza Duo is a testament to their hard work and pizza obsession with a brilliant 72-hour natural fermented dough that is absolute pillowy perfection. This deep love, care and craftsmanship their pizzaiolo put into every single order is rarely seen in the best fine dining restaurants and I personally have never seen applied to pizza anywhere. A gem!
Price: $$
What to order: Shroomami or Spicy Pep or both.
Pinchos
This place serves perfect classic Spanish comfort food in Tapas form. Wine selection is solid and drinks come quick so you won’t get thirsty. A busy bustling restaurant so do book ahead.
Price: $$$
What to order: Coca (a classic Catalan style pizza).
Woo Pin 45 Kamunting
This place is famous for its fish head noodle soup. It does sound a little daunting but believe you me, it is not. The soup is a light fragrant broth full of clean flavors and a deep delicious roasted smoky taste. Think Chinese style fish Ramen. We think this place is a must eat!
Price: $
What to order: Get help from a neighbouring table by asking what is best. The menu can be a bit challenging. Rest assured it works out very well.
AJi-Ya Japanese Restaurant
A Bizarre location within an apartment complex leaves you both confused and uncertain but we can assure you this is some of the absolute best traditional Japanese food you will find anywhere. A husband and wife run restaurant with experience in Japan and fish flown directly from Japanese markets are masterfully prepared. Absolute Culinary Jem.
Price: $$$$
What to order: Sashimi, hand roll sushi.
Halab Gate Shawarma
Located on a road side you would not look twice if you happened to wander by. Truth be told the overly relaxed staff and uncertainty in its deliciousness may keep you from the decision to order but……do not be deterred an amazing lamb shawarma awaits. Go with the flow and eat it hot as you wander through town as this beauty is packed with yoghurt, spice, herbs and charred meaty goodness.
Price: $
What to order: Lamb kebab.
Tarbush Restaurant
With many branches we love the JW Marriot location with its traditional Turkish dining room and cozy sofa seating. It’s perfectly prepared classic Turkish dishes made to order and packed with flavour and character.
Price: $$$$
What to order: Batersh, Mixed Grill, Lamb Bil Ajin.
