Forget the trendy brunch joints with their yogurt granolas or smashed avo toast. If you really want a proper Malaysian breakfast in Kuala Lumpur, make a beeline for one of these spots where you can tickle those taste buds with the city’s fusion of Malay, Indian and Chinese cuisines. You simply can’t kick start the day better than a steamy bowl of Hokkien noodles or a spicy gut-busting nasi lemak.
Mansion Tea Stall
Simplicity is usually best when it comes to eateries in Asia and the no-frills Mansion Tea Stall housed in an ancient apartment block in Masjid India is just that. This 24-hour restaurant knocks out some fine breakfast options like their famed roti banjir smothered in creamy dhal, fish curry and boiled eggs. Best eaten with their creamy teh tarik. Breakfasts don’t come better (or cheaper) in Kuala Lumpur than at the Mansion Tea Stall. Prepare to queue.
Jalan Masjid India, No 2, Lorong Bunus Satu, Selangor Mansion
Ful Lai
If you want to start the day right, pull up a plastic pew at Restoran Ful Lai in Kuala Lumpur’s Kepong district where you can dig into a dim sum breakfast. Large basket steamers are filled with everything from siu mai, braised Cantonese chicken feet and egg tarts. Don’t leave without trying their speciality – warm, steamed barbecue buns. Spongy perfection without being overly sticky. Accompany your KL breakfast with pots of hot Chinese tea.
47-49 Jalan, 62a Bandar Sri Menjalara, Kepong
Ah Weng Koh Hainan Tea & Coffee
Staying in Pudu? Join the crowd of locals for breakfast at Ah Weng Koh Hainan Tea & Coffee. Most come for the strong iced cham, a sweet blend of milky tea and coffee along with the toasted buttery toast slathered in kaya, a kind of Malaysian coconut jam. If the thought of spicy noodles or curries turns your stomach in the early morning, this Kuala Lumpur breakfast joint will be right up your street.
G85, ICC Pudu, Jalan 1/77C, Pudu
Nasi Lemak Wanjo
Those looking for a solid breakfast in Kuala Lumpur should skip the suspicious hotel buffet and head north to Nasi Lemak Wanjo in Kampung Baru. The beautiful district is one of the last to not have been developed and this little open-sided eatery has been selling the good stuff for over 50 years. Scope up fragrant rice covered in spicy sambal, ikan bilisand cooling cucumber. If you’re feeling really hungry, try the crispy fried chicken.
8 Jalan Raja Muda Musa, Kampung Baru
Chat Masala
For many, Chat Masala is a favourite for breakfast in Kuala Lumpur. Few spots in KL highlight how utterly fantastic vegetarian cuisine can be. This Little India breakfast joint offers a ridiculously long list dosa variations all served with spicy pickles, curries and creamy dhal. Then there’s the rotis and pathathas along with more paneer gravy specials that you could possibly try on one stay in KL.
259 Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Brickfields
Honkee Porridge
The legendary rice porridge from Honkee along Petaling Street deserves its status as one of the best places for breakfast in Kuala Lumpur. It’s been serving early risers from 4am onwards for more than 69 years. Their best-selling congee variation is served with thinly sliced raw snack head fish which is mixed into the porridge to cook at the table.
93 Jalan Hang Lekir, City Centre
Madras Lane Yong Tau Foo
While you’re still in Petaling, you could always swing by Madras Lane Yong Tau Foo for a second Kuala Lumpur breakfast. For the low price of just US $0.29, you can pick from a variety yong tau foo, bite-sized fried or boiled tofu and vegetables. Don’t expect to be the only one vying for their tasty morsels, it’s one of the busiest vendors along the street.
20 Lorong Bandar, Jalan Petaling
Yut Kee
Your KL breakfast is in good hands at Yut Kee. The run-down restaurant has been serving hungry locals for over 90 years. Eateries don’t stay around this long unless they’re doing something right. It’s the oldest kopitiam in Kuala Lumpur and their long list of Hainanese specialities earn them one of the top spots for morning fare.
1 Jalan Kamunting, Chow Kit
Yong Len
Yong Len might not look much from the outside, but don’t let the shabby exterior put you off. Pull up one of their plastic stalls and dive into a bowl of their exquisite mee noodles topped with prawns, slices of delicate pork and fried shallots. For an extra morning kick, top the rich noodle broth with some of the included chili paste. Breakfast of the gods.
2 Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad, 1 Taman Tun Dr Ismail
Love Mom Restaurant
Love Mom Restaurant, run by half Sri Lanka Aunty Parames (affectionaly referred to as Mummy by locals), is best known for its appams – light, fluffy South Asian coconut rice pancakes. Crispy on the bottom, fluffy in the middle, they are best served covered in brown sugar or topped with egg. Delicious, filling and perhaps a little easier to stomach for those who struggle with spicy curries or dim sum for breakfast but still want something authentic.
12 Lorong Menalu, Taman Chi Liung
