Best Local Supper Spots In Kuala Lumpur
When it comes to a remarkable rendition of our national dish in the late of night, the mind doesn't stray far from Bumbung. After a few drinks with your friends, stop by this bustling backalley for a supreme nasi lemak supper. The must-order Nasi Lemak Ayam (RM6) will see a sloppy miscellany of coconut milk-steeped rice, spice-fried chicken and a mandatory telur mata. The sweet, runny sambal makes a prized commodity on this plate, supplying umami where it goes. The dish will not look very refined, but at that hour, we couldn't care less about looks and neither will you once you tuck into it. For the noodle-inclined, get the simple Indo Mee (RM2.50) with a wobbly fried egg on top. Expect to pay pocket-friendly prices too!
Avg price per person: RM5
Photo by Burppler Calvin Tjy
The night is always young at drinking destination Changkat, which also boasts a fit-for-king beef noodle stall. Situated by the streets is this indistinct setup, pegged only by the old uncle cooking up the area's best bet for a stellar local supper. Each bowl of Beef Noodles (RM10) sees a healthy portion of springy egg noodles, topped with a dark, delicious minced beef sauce. Served on the side, beef balls and tasty, tender sliced beef swim in a clear but deeply flavoured broth. Open till 4am, Ngau Kee is an excellent excursion to get fed and sobered up on your way home.
Avg price per person: RM10
Photo by Burppler Akira Hikarawa
Located in the heart of the city along Jalan Semarak, this standalone tumble-down stall is touted to serve the best roti canai in town. True enough, those who enjoy the mamak favourite crisp will surely find love here. Typically open till 2am (they are sometimes closed without notice), Valentine swarms with supper seekers. Whether you're with a friend or two, come with peace of mind — the shop exudes an extra sense of security with off-duty policemen often dining in. Roti Canai (RM1.50) is the order to keep in mind. Their unique execution of spreading batter to a precise thinness results in the crispiest roti canai you'll ever taste. It's airy, paper-thin and delicious when had with the intensely tasty fish curry or the mellower creamy dhal that it comes with. Quite the Valentine!
Avg price per person: RM5
No talk of supper in KL is complete without a mention of Wong Ah Wah. Over the years, the chicken wings-connoisseur has evolved into a premier place for tai chow after a tipple around town. It helps that the restaurant spans four spacious lots, and even an air-conditioned space within their Jalan Alor location — read: good for groups! Bring your drinking buddies for chain orders of their Roast Chicken Wings (RM6.60 a pair), marinated and charred to perfection. Their tai chow hits are also good to share, from the sweet-spicy Kam Heong La La (from RM10) to Butter Prawns (market price) and Roast Pork Noodles (from RM13). The latter leaves little to be desired, melding roasted pork belly with a barbecue-like sauce and gleaming egg noodles.
Avg price per person: RM20
Photo by Burppler Vanessa Sng
It's not the first time we've hailed Kim Lian Kee's name for local late night eats. Forgive our many reiterations, and head down here after dark to try the satiating supper yourself! Their famously luscious Hokkien Mee (from RM10) is a favourite, flourished with the smoky wok hei flavour that comes from frying over charcoal fire. Thank the lard for the dish's trademark shine, which renders the thick noodles smoother than most, as well as the crispy lard tossed into the mix that gives the dish an extra crunch. Also contributing to the allure of dining at Kim Lian Kee come nightfall, is getting to see the otherwise bustling Chinatown at its quietest hour.
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Alyssia Yu
Steven's Corner is well-loved amongst those in the (OUG) neighbourhood but also beyond, with most making their way here for the sensational Cheese Naan (RM6.50). Couple your midnight conversations with a bite to eat at this cosy spot. Order the naan, which encases stringy mozzarella cheese in unsparing portions (cue cheese pull). The dish comes with a default light green dhal, a tasty but mild mung bean-based gravy that helps offset the rich, cheesy flavours. Those who enjoy an instant noodle supper can relish in their Maggi Kari Sup (RM4.50) endowed with a perfect poached egg. It is a mysteriously delicious take on the classic, and we have yet to figure out their secret! Order also the Ayam Goreng (from RM4.50), batter-free fried chicken with a killer marinade.
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burppler Rueann Dass
Come 7pm daily, this unassuming car workshop transforms into a wayside wanton noodle shop for those heading home after a long day in the city — be it at work or happy hour. On its own, the Wanton Noodles (from RM6.80) are nothing to shout about. Rather, it is the staggering selection of sides that emerges the star of this stall. Go for the wild boar curry or the ginger duck. The former provides ambrosial wild boar meat in a thick curry sauce that's choice for dousing the noodles with, whereas the latter has the tasty, piquant flavours of both duck and ginger. For something a touch gentler, try the prawn dumplings or sui kow, packed with plump prawns and minced pork.
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burppler Kaelyn Pu
City dwellers will know of this late night dim sum haunt and its plentiful provisions. Set along a stretch of other supper stalls on Jalan Ipoh, Mee Bon stands out for its fast service and all-around quality morsels fresh off the steamers. Apart from the usual offerings of meat-filled Siew Mai and bouncy Steamed Fish Balls at RM5 a plate, the top contender here is a Char Siew Bao (RM3) with the perfect bun-to-filling ratio. Within that burly, pillow-like bun, barbecued pork is slicked in a sweet-sticky sauce sure to leave you wanting more. We've even tested it for takeaways, and rest assured, it's as good even after sitting out for a few hours. Take a couple of these babies home for breakfast the next morning!
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burppler Rueann Dass
Merry-making in Bangsar's many bars comes with a convenient spot to convene after: Devi's Corner. The almost always busy-mamak is a master of many, including their famed Banana Leaf Rice (RM7.50) with crab curry, Roti Canai (RM1.60) and a butter-loaded Garlic Cheese Naan (RM6) with Tandoori Chicken (RM8.50) to sate comfort food cravings. It was only of late that we also discovered their excellent Mee Goreng Mamak (RM4.50), flavour-packed yellow noodles fried with the same trimmings one would find in rojak — fried tofu, dough fritters and beansprouts. Wash supper down with a glass of Teh Tarik (RM1.60) to fuel you through the weekend night out!
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burppler PeiJean Han
Some nights — rainy ones especially — call for a comforting claypot of good old bak kut teh with a bowl of rice (maybe more). Enter Ban Lee Bak Kut Teh, an oldtime shoplot that dishes out the herbal broth until 3.30am. Orders for the Bak Kut Teh (from RM18) come in either claypots or ceramic bowls. The difference between the two lies in the cuts of meat. Whole pork bones are better served in a small ceramic bowl filled with a dark concentrate of broth, while regular cuts like ribs and belly are good to go in a claypot brimming with other toppings. Both are delicious in their own rights — it really depends if you're in for fall-off-the-bone tender pork or some soupy goodness. Our advice is to come in bigger groups, so you can order both!
Avg price per person: RM20
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh
The top picks, popular finds and newly opened places in Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines, curated by Burpple editors!