Chinese restaurants in Malaysia
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A
Padang Brown Food Court
Everyone in town knows that this is the spot for delectable popiah (spring rolls) although the won ton mee (egg vermicelli served with pork dumplings or sliced roast pork) and bubur caca (it's pronounced cha cha - don't be so childish - and it's a delicious dessert porridge made with coconut milk and banana) is another good reason to try the food in this area. In the afternoons try the yong tau foo (clear Chinese soup with fish balls, lettuce, crab sticks, cuttlefish and more).
reviewed
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B
Restoran Oversea
An unpretentious banquet restaurant that should feel comfortingly familiar to anyone who has spent time in mainland China. Specialities include pork belly, fish (cooked in various styles) and streaky bacon cooked in a pot with dried chillies.
reviewed
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C
New Capital Restaurant
If you feel like a splurge, this brilliant Chinese eatery is sure to satisfy, with excellent fresh fish, meat and vegetable dishes. We recommend the butter prawns and stir-fried midin washed down with a fresh fruit juice.
reviewed
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D
Si Chuan Dou Hua
For a break from Cantonese seafood and dim sum, head to this sleek modern place in the Parkroyal hotel and try fiery Sichuan dishes from southwest China. Green tea flows freely from giant long-spouted teapots.
reviewed
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E
Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao
Avidly patronised chain that turn out excellent hand-cut noodles and dim sum (sweet and savoury mini dishes), with a photographic menu whose pictures actually resemble the delicious food you’re served.
reviewed
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F
Centre Point Basement Food Court
Your ringgit will go a long way at this popular and varied basement food-court in the Centre Point mall. There are Malay, Chinese and Indian options, as well as drink and dessert specialists.
reviewed
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G
Teik Sen
At first glance this open cafe looks like any other popular Chinatown establishment. On closer look you'll notice that patrons are dressed up - button shirts and high heels. Once you try the food you'll understand. This is a step up from the everyday delicacies of Chinatown - just when you thought it couldn't get better, it did.
There's a menu translated into English but chances are you'll be the only one among the tightly packed throngs who needs it. Try the curry prawns, crispy chicken with plum sauce or fried eggplant with bean paste. The adventurous can try other specialities like the braised sea cucumber and fish maws. Arrive early for either lunch or dinner, unless …
reviewed
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Balsam Cafe
Headquarters is set in gardens with a magnificent view of the mountain, and there are two restaurants to choose from. Both restaurants are open 06:30 to 23:00 daily. The cheaper and more popular of the two is this canteen-style spot directly below the park office. The cafe can little disorganised and chaotic, particularly when busy; they can't quite seem to decide if it's a buffet-style restaurant or a proper sit-down place. It offers basic but decent Malaysian, Chinese and Western dishes at reasonable prices. There is also a small but well-stocked shop in Balsam selling tinned and dried foods, chocolate, beer, spirits, cigarettes, T-shirts, bread, eggs and margarine.
reviewed
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H
Port View Restaurant
An outpost of the successful Chinese seafood franchise in Kota Kinabalu, this waterfront restaurant has air-con indoor seating and outdoor seating that affords a nice view over Labuan’s busy harbour. It’s one of the few proper sit-down restaurants in town (that is, something nicer than a kedai kopi). We liked the baby kailan (Chinese vegetable) with crab sauce and butter prawns, which had the unusual addition of sesame to the sauce. Beware of a secret hidden charge in the form of ‘special napkin’ (tell them at the outset that you don’t need it). Service can be a little slow and erratic.
reviewed
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I
Jesselton Point Hawker Centre
This is a great spot to eat and drink while enjoying one of KK's famous sunsets. There's a variety of Chinese and Malay stalls here with shared outdoor seating and a couple of proper sit-down air-con restaurants, including Benito's which does a great lunch set including a good Aussie steak on weekdays.
reviewed
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Apollo Seafood Centre
This deservedly popular Chinese seafood restaurant is a big hit with ex-pat visitors. Just about anything you order will be delicious, but we recommend the crabs and the fried midin with belacan. If you are a big spender, you could always go for some lobsters straight from the tank.
reviewed
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J
Funny Mountain Soya Bean
Besides having one of the best business names in Malaysia, Funny Mountain is immensely popular for its one dish: soya bean and bean curd pudding. This is a millennia-old Chinese recipe brought to Ipoh direct from the Middle Kingdom; the curd is both delicious and a piece of Asian history.
reviewed
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K
Port View Seafood Village
This cavernous Chinese seafood specialist feels like an aquarium where you can eat the displays – we’ve never seen such an extravagant array of live fish. Even if you don’t eat here, it’s worth walking into the foyer to check out the veritable cascade of turquoise tanks.
reviewed
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Restoran Prosperous
Roughly opposite the KFC, Restoran Prosperous is a Chinese place that attracts a good group of locals both wealthy and otherwise. You can get a nice char siu pau (steamed bun filled with barbecue pork) and a cup of tea here in the morning for around RM3.
reviewed
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L
Four Seasons Restaurant
A little pricey by local standards, but there's an excellent range of Chinese dishes on offer, including steamed fish, buttered prawns and deep-fried chicken with mango. Just don't ask for a 'table for one' as it only serves set meals for a minimum of two diners.
reviewed
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M
Kedai Kopi Fatt Kee
The woks are always sizzlin’ at this popular Chinese place next to Ang’s Hotel. Long lines are guaranteed, but it’s always worth the wait. Their sayur manis cooked in belacan (shrimp paste) is a classic, and the salt-and-pepper prawns are great.
reviewed
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N
Medan Selera Kebun Sultan Food Court
A big, bright and bustling food court with a variety of standard Chinese dishes on offer, such as claypot chicken rice and kway teow (rice-flour noodles). Everything’s in Chinese, but there are numbered photos you can point at. Beer is also available.
reviewed
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O
Restoran Makanan Laut Lai Fatt Ikan Bakar
Brickfields has a number of informal hawker-style restaurants serving tasty Malay Chinese dishes for around RM2 to RM15. Try Restoran Makanan Laut Lai Fatt Ikan Bakar for delicious fresh seafood and ikan panggang (grilled skate with tamarind paste).
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P
Hawaii Restaurant
There's nothing Hawaiian about this simple City View Hotel lobby restaurant except its enduring popularity. It packs in Western tourists for its value menu featuring huge Malay and Chinese dishes, while Asians gravitate towards its pricey steaks and chops.
reviewed
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Victorious Cafe
Dine under the gaze of the Sibu Swan at this popular mostly Chinese kedai kopi (coffee shop). There’s a stall here that makes a smoky and wonderful plate of kway teow (rice noodles), which you can wash down with a nice iced lemon tea.
reviewed
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Q
Restoran Dragon View
Diners are lured into this partly open-air Chinese restaurant by a kitchen window hung with crisp fresh vegetables. Food is prepared in a dozen different styles with a choice of beef, pork, fish, prawns, chicken, tofu or frog meat. Open day and night.
reviewed
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R
Fat Cat V
Forget I to IV, for once the sequel is just as good as the originals. The corpulent kitty proclaims itself a ‘Restaurant for Everyone’, and the broad menu of Malay, Chinese and fast food, plus juices, shakes and floats, helps justify its popularity.
reviewed
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S
Shook!
A huge sprawling place with open kitchens and dedicated chefs preparing Pacific Rim, Japanese, Italian and Chinese food. The wine cellar is fabulously well stocked and the menu features loads of fresh seafood. Evening reservations advised.
reviewed
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T
Restoran Golden Dragon
The Golden Dragon seems constantly packed, usually with loud (often drunk) Chinese customers. There’s beer aplenty and one of the finest Chinese seafood menus in town – anything steamed and off the fish list should serve you right.
reviewed
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U
Restoran Golden City
This basic but very good Chinese eatery in the centre of town has a big menu, in English, of the usual steamed fish, chicken, bean curd, rice and noodle dishes. At night, they’ll serve beer until the last customer stumbles out.
reviewed
