Best Places To Eat In Petaling Street

A stone throw's away from actual Petaling Street lies this stalwart for local delights. Tourists often make their way, but it is the stream of regulars who flock in daily that convinces us of its prowess. The old shoplot has cleaned up well — replete with air-conditioning and cosy seats — to serve customers from lunch through to dinner. Of great reputation, the Claypot Pearl Noodles (from RM12) makes a paramount order. Coloured dark by soy sauce, the lou shi fun (rat tail noodles) is heaped with minced pork and a raw egg yolk. The charm of this claypot noodle dish lies in its slightly rough-around-the-edges allure — it's what makes eating it a special and tasty experience. Otherwise, try their Majestic BBQ Pork Noodles (RM12) — deep-fried roasted pork with noodles doused in a luscious dark sauce.
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Kenneth Lee

Celebrated for their Hokkien Mee (from RM14), Petaling Street's Kim Lian Kee operates a newer air-conditioned establishment in the day but also their original streetside stall in the night. To best experience their decades-old recipe for wok-fried thick noodles, hit up the hawker stall for a greasy late night bite — perhaps after a tipple around town! The thick dark noodles are a dream beyond doubt, fragrant of charcoal fire and glistening with (lots of) luscious pork lard. Put simply by Burppler yomisz eats, "This. Is. Heaven." Order also a glass of Herbal Tea (RM1.30) to wash down the sinful supper.
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burppler Dixon Chan

As his parents helm the streetside Shin Kee in Chinatown at night, Anthony runs their daytime restaurant along Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock. Look out for the 'Beef Noodles Specialist' signboard and enter to join the steady lunch crowd. What sets their Beef Noodles (from RM8) apart from the rest — the area boasts many — is their distinctive dry noodle rendition, featuring full-flavoured minced meat topping with a bowl of umami-packed beef broth on the side. We recommend the lou shi fun and Hakka noodles, for their smooth but bouncy textures that complement the meaty sauce. On beef, the crunchy tripe and bouncy beef balls are household favourites not to be missed. Now that the shop has expanded next door, finding a seat has become less of a hitch but you should still expect to share tables with other patrons.
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burppler Esther Setelyn Chai

It turns out Hon Kee's accolades aren't limited to its early opening hours (from 6am) and their sashimi-and-porridge ingenuity. The time-honoured stall also serves up Chee Cheong Fun (RM3.50) worth trekking down to Chinatown for. Breakfast buffs will want to pay this one a visit, along with a friend to share the morning meal. The opaque, white flat rice noodles offer a slightly chewy bite next to its sweet-spicy sauces. Alternatively, succumb to the comfort that comes with their piping hot bowl of Fresh Raw Fish Porridge (RM6.50)! The foolproof combination of carp sashimi and warm porridge does it everytime.
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Tammy Wee

This nondescript stall smack in the middle of Chinatown serves one of KL's most loved versions of wanton noodles. Speedy service amid swelling crowds makes Koon Kee a great lunch spot — not for lingering, but for staunch satisfaction. Drop in with a few colleagues and order their Char Siew Wanton Noodles (from RM7). The light, springy egg noodles are slicked in a tasty sauce, bolstered by gleaming barbecued pork. If early, you'll stand a better chance of getting the better cuts of tender char siew straddling a nice balance of fat and lean meat. Their soup wanton, often overlooked, also holds its own with melt-in-your-mouth wrappers that encase well-seasoned minced meat.
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burppler Amayzing

Shrouded by the morning market bustle is Madras Lane, which houses a short stretch of food stalls for breakfast and lunch. Here's a pocket-friendly place for early eats, especially prime for those working in the city. A popular order is the Chee Cheong Fun (from RM3) dressed lightly in a deuce of sweet soy and chilli sauce, topped with shallots and sesame seeds. While straightforward, this is an easy-to-love dish that gets even better with Yong Tau Foo (from RM1.20 per piece) from the neighbouring stall. The self-service station doles out delicious brinjal, beancurd sheets and okras, all delicately stuffed with their homemade fish paste. But if you prefer something more extravagant in the morning, go for the Curry Mee (from RM8). Each bowl is filled to the brim with coconut milk-fragrant curry broth, noodles and a mound of trimmings — pig's skin, fresh cockles, tau fu pok, eggplant and green beans.
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burppler Saunda Ng

Despite merely being a motorcycle-cum-food cart, Sze Ngan Chye is an institution in Chinatown. Their Salted Duck (RM28 for half) is a hit amongst many, be it long-patroning locals or hordes of tourists who get off their bus here just for the take-home treat. Since it's strictly takeaway only, stop by early for an order of the bestselling bird before heading back to celebrate occasions! Served with a flavourful duck concentrate for dipping, the dish promises piquant flesh and saltish skin — all in all, a great addition to jazz up homecooked meals. If it can't wait till you get home, the family also sells a specialty Duck Parcel (RM2.50) that's easy to gobble up there and then. The traditional dish sees a piece of fatty pork belly wrapped in duck feet and then, knotted in duck intestine. A delicious snack reserved for the adventurous eaters!
Avg price per person: RM30

Set in the outdoors along traffic-laden Jalan Sultan, Hong Kee is a dinner destination meant for breezy evenings. But even if it's a little hot and humid out, their Claypot Chicken Rice (from RM11) is still worth breaking a sweat for; just be sure to dress down — lose the tie and don the shorts! — to sate your cravings with a few friends here. Each order is fired individually, so expect a brief 15- to 20-minute wait for dinner. Imbued with the smoky aroma of charcoal fire, the rice is tasty and tender on top. Beneath, you will find the crisp, crusty layer that's a hallmark of the claypot dish. Dark soy sauce and sesame oil play a big part in bringing out the flavours here, as well as pork lard. Along shiny lap cheong, chicken chunks and a sprinkling of scallions, expect nothing short of a mouthwatering meal!
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Kaelyn Pu

Madam Tang's voice has echoed through Petaling Street for years, telling of her legendary handmade muah chee (glutinous rice balls). Located by Jalan Hang Lekir's cross-junction, her run-down pushcart is easily picked up by the repetitive chant coming from a loudspeaker: "Yat lau yat lau, wat luet luet", which translates in Cantonese to mean "Top quality, silky smooth muah chee". Her Muah Chee (RM5 a box) is prepared daily, and upon order, gets a generous coating of finely chopped peanuts. Texture wise, these larger-than-usual chunks are perfection — soft but chewy at the same time. Though the original remains a treasured choice, Madam Tang also makes her muah chee in locally-inspired flavours like Ribena, pandan and the fruity lychee. This will make a stellar stop after a satisfying meal in the area.
Avg price per person: RM5
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Alyssia Yu

Stationed outside Koon Kee, this noticeably vintage foodcart is full of sweet surprises. For an after-lunch treat to take back to the office, get one (or two) of Uncle Ah Loh's Apam Balik (RM1.20). Made deftly on the spot, these local-style pancakes are soft and pillowy in the centre while crisp on the edges. Peanuts are poured lavishly into the folds, alongside sugar that helps perfect its pleasantly sweet flavour. For a change from the classic, let Uncle recommend (in perfect English!) his grated coconut topping or the pandan-flavoured pancakes, which tempt with a bright green colour. Whichever you end up with, it will come fresh off the stove, cleaved into neat, thick triangles that are warm to the bite.
Avg price per person: RM5
Photo by Burppler Rueann D