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KoreanMont Kiara
Jin Jin Soo Ra serves Korean grill and stew plates at Plaza Mont Kiara in Kuala Lumpur, including a beef bulgogi hanpan sized for a shared table.
OrderOrder the pork kimchi jjigae for its broth, or the beef bulgogi hanpan to share between two or three.
TipBanchan refills run to one round here, so ask for extra portions up front if you want more.
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NyonyaBrickfields
Anak Baba serves southern Peranakan cooking on Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, since 2018, and it now holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
OrderOrder the nasi lemak with ayam goreng kunyit, the turmeric fried chicken.
TipIt is the sister of Baba Low's in Bangsar, both run by a Malaccan family, and the nasi lemak is the dish to order.
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Indian vegetarianBrickfields
MTR 1924 brings a nearly century old South Indian vegetarian menu to Jalan Thambipillay in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, rooted in a 1924 Bangalore kitchen.
OrderOrder the rava idli, a steamed semolina cake from the Bangalore original's menu.
TipWeekend mornings draw a crowd for the dosa counter, so arrive early for a table.
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Bak kut tehPudu
Ah Hei Bak Kut Teh brews pork rib soup from 16 herbs fresh each morning it opens, on Medan Imbi in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, and holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
OrderOrder the fei kuat cut of pork belly, a specialty few other bak kut teh shops offer.
TipCome before 11:00, the pot is boiled fresh each morning and can sell out by early afternoon.
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NoodlesChinatown
Sin Kiew Yee Shin Kee Beef Noodles has sold beef noodles in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur, since 1949 and now carries a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition.
OrderOrder the dry beef noodles with tripe, tossed in a savory minced beef sauce.
TipIt closes on Wednesdays, so plan a Chinatown noodle stop for another weekday.
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Claypot ricePudu
Foong Lian Claypot Foods Cafe has cooked charcoal claypot chicken rice on Jalan Yew in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, since 1986, prized for its smoky rice crust.
OrderOrder the claypot chicken rice, cooked over charcoal for a smoky crust on the rice.
TipQueues form at peak hours, so arrive near the 11:30 opening; the owners run a list of dining rules to seat people fast.