Chinatown is a treasure chest full of quirky, delectable, old and new places to discover. You could easily start and end your day there as the "town" provides everything from good food, shopping opportunities, desserts and pleasant stays at an inn or hotel.
Here's what you can do in Chinatown before noon (when it gets too hot).
Hon Kee Porridge 汉记靚粥
Opened since 1959, this stall looks unassuming but it serves one of the most delicious porridges in KL. You have the option of having either raw fish (which can be cooked if you dip it into the porridge), fried pork, and frog added to your hot bowl of porridge. You could also order chee cheong fun from the neighbouring stall.
Address: 93, Jalan Hang Lekir, City Centre, 50000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Operation Time: Daily: 4am – 2.30pm
Telephone No.: +6012 227 6281
[Photo: Kim Choong]
A short walk around the corner onto Jalan Sultan will take you to this café that's attached to Grocer's Inn which is a backpacker's lodge. Toast & Co. is a quaint place with old school linoleum tiles, wooden tables and a wall full of stuff you'd find in your grandparents' place. Staying true to the name, their menu offers a variety of food on toasts (Nutella & Peanut Butter on toast, Berry Coulis & Cream Cheese on toast). Sharing platters and pastas are also served here.
Address: 78, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/thetoastco/
Operation Time: Wed – Fri: 9am – 7pm; Thu – Mon: 9am – 8pm
Telephone No.: +6012 323 3580
[Photos: Kim Choong]
Along the same street is Lim Kee Café which also doubles as Tian Jing Hotel's cafeteria. It's a peaceful hideout if you're taking a break from Chinatown's hustle and bustle. It's also a good place for some ice cream – choose from teh tarik, mascarpone, and soursop – or indulge in a slice of cake. The café offers a selection of craft beer too!
Address: 66-68, Jalan Sultan, 50000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/limkeecafe/
Operation Time: Daily: 9.30am – 6pm
Telephone No.: +603 2022 1131
[Photos: Kim Choong]
Jalan Sultan is not short of its supply of kitschy cafes. A few lots down the street is Leaf & Co., which strongly reminded us of our childhood growing up in an old house with marble floors and that rickety sewing machine, the latter of which is transformed into a table in this café. Like Lim Kee, Leaf & Co. serves as an in-house café to heritage hostel Mingle. For the peckish, sharing platters are offered here as well as selections of beer, mojitos, frappe, coffee, tea, lemonade, and chocolate drinks.
Address: 53, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/leafandcocafe/
Operation Time: Daily: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Telephone No.: +603 2020 2220
[Photos: Kim Choong]
If you're looking for somewhere to read and relax, head to Moontree café on Jalan Panggung. Established and run by owner Law Yee Wan since 2010, the café offers a selection of delicious teas, coffee and light food, whilst also functioning as a bookstore as well as a handicraft store. The books sold here are mostly in Chinese and they're all about feminism and gender studies. The café also features works from local female writers.
Address: No. 6, 1st Floor, Jalan Panggung, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website: http://moontree-house.blogspot.my
Operation Time: Wed – Mon: 10am – 8pm
Telephone No.: +603 2031 0537
[Photos: Kim Choong]
It's lunch time so hurry on to Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock! But try to get here before the lunch crowd does as it can get really packed. This typical corner-shop restaurant is outfitted with about 10 to 15 tables so if it's a busy time for them, expect to share your tables with other patrons. Choose your noodles cooked in soup or have them dry with your preferred beef cuts. Don't worry, the si tau po (boss lady) will show you the type of noodles you can have in your dish.
Address: 7A, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 50000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shin-Kee-Beef-Noodles-Specialist/101092826646056
Operation Time: Mon – Tue: 10.30am – 8.30pm; Thu – Sun: 10am – 8pm
Telephone No.: +603 2072 5020
[Photos: Kim Choong]
Merchant's Lane is a popular hangout spot thanks to its highly Instagram-able interiors and food. What used to be a Malaysian brothel in the 80s has been transformed into a brunch space decorated with paintings of peonies, rattan furniture and wooden floors. As for its menu, there are sharing platters of calamari or potato wedges, mains like grilled salmon, pastas and burgers. The eatery also serves coffee, tea and iced drinks.
Address: 150, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/merchantslane/
Operation Time: Closed on Wednesdays. Mon – Fri: 11.30am – 10pm; Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 10pm
Telephone No.: +603 2022 1736
[Photos: Merchant's Lane Facebook]
Right next to Moontree House is Aku Café & Gallery. As you can guess from its name, it's a chill space for budding filmmakers, writers, collectors, photographers, artists and more. Here they serve sandwiches, pastas, rice, and dessert on top of coffee, tea, sodas and a variety of iced drinks. Occasionally, events related to film, music and food as well as art exhibitions will be held here.
Address: 8, 1st Floor, Jalan Panggong, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/akucafegallery/
Operation Time: Closed on Mondays. Tue – Sun: 11am – 8pm
Telephone No.: +603 2857 6887
[Photos: Aku Café & Gallery]
This place is one of KL's oldest restaurants and its specialty is Nyonya cuisine. Its interiors are picturesque enough but it's the delicious smells coming from the kitchen that will make you stay. Some of the well-known dishes are the Nyonya Laksa, the Pork Pong Teh served with Coconut Blue Rice and the sweet Sago Gula Melaka. As for drinks, Old China Café offers iced teas, fresh fruit juices, Chinese tea, soft drinks, coffee, beer, wine and even spirits.
Address: 11, Jalan Balai Polis, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website: http://www.oldchina.com.my/
Operation Time: Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Telephone No.: +603 2072 5915
[Photos: Old China Café]
The eatery, that literally means 'hotel' in Cantonese, is a hidden gem in Chinatown. Its entrance takes form in a very Upper East Side of New York sort of elevator that leads you to a flight of stairs. Go up the steps and it'll take you to the 'concierge' area where you can place your orders. Like a lot of cafes in Chinatown, Jao Tim favours high ceilings, exposed brick walls, wooden floorings – giving the place a rustic, heritage house vibe. Sometimes the café also doubles as an event venue. The menu consists of coffee, tea, craft beers, pastries, cakes and sandwiches.
Address: 61, Jalan Sultan, 50000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/JaoTimKL/
Operation Time: Closed on Mondays. Tue – Thu: 11am – 7pm; Fri – Sun: 11am – 9pm
Telephone No.: +6017 782 3202
[Photos: Jao Tim Facebook]
Yum Cha Café now shares its location with Chinaz Café & Bar on the first floor of The Five Elements Hotel. Although its interiors may be a bit different now, the menu remains the same. Malaysian favourites like fried rice, chicken chop, Chinese noodles, and finger food are still available here. Fresh juices, coffee, and Chinese tea are served here.
Address: No. 243, Level 1, The Five Elements Hotel, Jalan Sultan, 50000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Yumchacafekl/
Operation Time: Daily: 7.30am – 7.30pm
Telephone No.: +6012 639 8222
[Photo: Kim Choong]
Here at Lucy in the Sky, you're able to customise your brunch platter – choose up to three items from a selection of eggs, baked beans, hash browns, turkey ham and more. The café also serves simple burgers, pastas, salads, and sandwiches. It makes for a good place to wind down at or spend the hot afternoon in with a cup of coffee or a glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice. If you've got a sweet tooth, a variety of cakes and desserts await you.
Address: 167, Jalan Tun HS Lee, 50000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/lucyintheskykl/
Operation Time: Closed on Mondays. Tue – Sun: 8am – 6pm
Telephone No.: +603 2022 1526
[Photos: Lucy in the Sky Facebook]
It's a popular venue among backpackers as well as locals. One look at its extensive menu will tell you why. They offer a range of grub – you'll find mouth-watering burgers, seafood, all-day brunch, and Malaysian-influenced dishes like kerabu salad and tempeh meatballs here. The Geographer also offers beer, mocktails, and house wines. On certain nights, live music performances are held here too.
Address: 93, Jalan Tun H S Lee, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/geographerkl/
Operation Time: Mon – Thu: 11am – 11pm; Fri: 11am – 12am; Sat: 10am – 12am; Sun: 10am – 10pm
Telephone No.: +603 2022 2193
[Photos: Geographer KL Facebook]
One of Chinatown's most popular cafes is LOKL Coffee that offers Western Asian fusion cuisine. Besides the usual breakfast menu of eggs, bagels, pancakes and waffles, you can also expect buttermilk fried chicken, pulled beef burgers and Hainanese meatloaves. The café also brews both Western and local coffee as well as offers flavoured teas, fruit juices, and soft drinks.
Address: 30 Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Website: http://loklcoffee.com/
Operation Time: Daily: 8am – 6pm
Telephone No.: +603 2072 1188
[Photos: LOKL Coffee]
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