There are few awards more prestigious in the dining world than the Michelin Guide, and while we’re spoilt for choice in Hong Kong, there are plenty of equally established restaurants in Malaysia worth visiting. It’s true that some of the best Michelin-starred restaurants command an extortionate price tag, but that doesn’t mean that you can indulge in delicious eats without burning a hole in your pocket. The French dining guide encompasses a full spectrum of diverse gastronomic finds of all price points in cities like Kuala Lumpur, and these 12 cheap Michelin approved restaurants in KL and Penang are testament to that.
The premise of affordable yet delectable bites is especially true for countries across Asia where Michelin maintains an active presence, including Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, and more recently in the past three years, Malaysia. While the ivory towers of fine dining establishments and degustation menus serve as proving grounds that push the boundaries of culinary techniques, it is the humility and unpretentious honesty of generational recipes that have become the foundation of the region’s food capitals.
In Malaysia, this is a truth best exemplified in the vast variety offered by mum-and-pop restaurants as well as street vendors across the country who serve as custodians for flavours, histories, and legacies of the communities from which their dishes originate.
Whether it be the herbacious comforts of bak kut teh popularised by Hokkien diaspora or the coconut-rich pearls of fragrant nasi lemak cooked to perfection by a humdrumwarung that has endured the tides of time, the Michelin guide to good taste in Malaysia has quite an extensive list on offer, despite having been established for less than five years. If you’re looking for delicious but affordable eats the next time you swing across the Causeway, be sure to add these cheap Michelin Guide restaurants in both cities to your itinerary.
KL eats: 12 cheap restaurants in theMichelin Guide 2024 Kuala Lumpur and Penang today
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- Lai Foong Lala Noodles, Kuala Lumpur
- Anak Baba
- Restoran Ah Hei Bak Kut Teh
- Hai Kah Lang Seafood Noodle and Fish Head Noodle
- Nasi Lemak Tanglin
- Restaurant Hor Poh Cuisine
- Siam Road Charcoal Char Kuey Teow
- Wan Dao Tou Assam Laksa
- Air Itam Market Duck Rice
- Hot Bowl White Curry Mee
- Chao Xuan Restaurant
- Tok Tok Mee Bamboo Noodle
Where seafood-forward recipes are concerned, one thing matters above all else: the freshness of the ingredients used. Thankfully at Lai Foong Lala Noodles, you will not be burdened with any such concerns when slurping up its Lala Noodles (RM15;approx. S$4.25)sweet umamiof its clam-based broth that’s accented by the fragrance of Chinese wine. Served piping hot with rice vermicelli noodles, this is especially delectable during cooler evenings.
Award:Michelin Bib Gourmand
Operating hours:10am – 9.30pm (opens daily)
(Image credit: @min.cafelog/Instagram)
Address
99, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone
+60 3-2022 2011
2 /12
Peranakan restaurants are a dime and a dozen in Melaka, but the same can’t be said of the Klang Valley, where only a scarce handful can lay claim to serving authenticbaba nyonya fare. One such establishment can be found in Brickfields, whereAnak Baba has redeceiv much acclaim for its comprehensive menu of staple favourites. The Michelin Guide was especially enamoured by the Nasi Lemak Ayam Kunyit(RM15.80; approx. S$4.50) served here, applauding their crisp portions of fried chicken thigh that pair especially well withsambal that takes no hostages.
Award:Michelin Bib Gourmand
Operating hours:7am – 10pm (opens daily)
(Image credit: @choo_sk2u/Instagram)
Address
159, Jln Sultan Abdul Samad, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone
+60 3-2276 2815
A combination of herbs, spices, and pork bones makes for one of Malaysia’s most treasured culinary offerings:bak kut teh.Ah Hei Bak Kut Teh has minted a reputation as a prime purveyor of the dish in Kuala Lumpur, where generous amounts of pork meat and innards are cooked in your choice of soupy or drybak kut teh. Opt for the classic Claypot Bak Ku Teh (from RM27; approx. S$7.70), which comes filled a variety of pork cuts including pork belly, organs, intestine and stomach.
Award:Michelin Bib Gourmand
Operating hours:7.30am – 2pm (closed on Tuesdays)
(Image credit:@sinesincerity/Instagram)
Address
33A, Medan Imbi, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone
+60 12-839 1911
WhileLai Foong Lala Noodles specialises in clams,Hai Ka Lang takes a more all-encompassing approach with its soup and noodle recipe. All manner of fresh bounties from the sea can be expected here, from fish slices to squid tentacles, as well as all manner of shelled crustasceans, incorporated into a fish bone broth cooked with sheets of seaweed for a resonant hit of briny sweetness in every sip. The Fish Head Noodle Soup will only set you back by RM20.90 (approx. S$5.90), while the Mix Seafood Noodle Soup costs RM25.90 (approx. S$7.40).
Award:Michelin Bib Gourmand
Operating hours:8AM – 5PM (opens daily)
(Image credit: @jimmyfooddiary/Instagram)
Address
44, Jalan Kaskas 2, Taman Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone
+60 11-5129 9813
5 /12
Just like the country itself, Malaysia’s national dish ofnasi lemak is comprised of many distinctively delicious components, each doing their part to bring the medley of flavours together. Through decades of experience since opening its doors in 1948, Bukit Damansara’s Nasi LemakTanglin has been able to do just that, with its Nasi Lemak with Ayam Sambal (RM9.50; approx. S$2.70) andsambal tumis keeping customers loyal.
Award:Michelin Bib Gourmand
Operating hours:7am – 2pm (opens daily)
(Image credit: @nasilemaktanglin1948/Instagram)
Address
57G, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, 50490, Malaysia
Phone
+60 19-283 2233
Hor Poh Cuisine is one of the most esteemed bastions of Hakkanese food in the Klang Valley, serving many of the community’s heritage recipes for the delectation of the modern diner. TheirHor Poh Lei Cha (RM15; approx. S$4.30)is especially popular; every bowl is chock-full of legumes and fresh stir-fried vegetables, and has earned them a high 4.3-star rating on Google.
Award:Michelin Bib Gourmand
Operating hours:11am – 2.45pm, 5pm – 8:45pm (closed on Tuesdays)
(Image credit: Restaurant Hor Poh Cuisine/Facebook)
Address
36, Jalan 6/38d, Taman Sri Sinar, 52100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone
+60 3-6277 8903
Char kway teow is easily considered to be one of Penang’s most recognisable gastronomic gems, which comes as no surprise then that one of the best plates can be found in the town. One popular stop for tourists and locals can be found along Siam Road, where the namesake stall dishes up plates of scrumptiousChar Kuey Teow(from RM8; approx. S$2.30) over a charcoal flame for a hungry line of vying customers.
Award:Bib Gourmand
Operating hours:12pm – 10pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
(Image credit: @ethanphoon/instagram)
Address
82, Jalan Siam, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
8 /12
Craving a good bowl of Penang Assam Laksa? You’ll want to make a beeline for the Michelin Bib Gourmand-approvedWan Dao Tou Assam Laksa along Penang’s Jalan Gottlieb. Boasting a 50-year-old recipe that has remained unchanged, the iconic dish here – theAssam Laksa noodle soup (RM6.50 for small, RM7.50 for large (approx. S$1.85 – S$2.10) – boasts a rich broth that dances on the palate with signature piquancy.
Award: Michelin Bib Gourmand
Operating hours: 11am – 5pm (closed on Mondays)
(Image credit: @christabelle_han/Instagram)
Address
1, Jalan Gottlieb, George Town, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone
+60 16-436 6921
A great spot for night owls, Air Itam Wet Market plays host to a true household name in Penang that has been catering to hungry bellies for decades. Nestled among stalls offering all manner of fresh produce is one of the island’s best spots for duck rice. Unlike other conventional eateries offering the dish, this stall serves theirs with braised duck cooked in a delectable gravy made with a soy sauce base flavoured with star anise and cinnamon. Enjoy it with a halved hard-boiled egg and tofu for the full experience. A single-person serving of Duck Rice will set you back by a mere RM9 (approx. S$2.60), while a half-duck add-on is only RM36 (approx. S$10.20)
Award:Michelin Bib Gourmand
Operating hours: 3.30pm – 8.30pm (closed on Mondays and Thursdays)
(Image credit: @foodieonabittenapple/Instagram)
Address
Air Itam Wet Market,, Jalan Pasar, Pekan Ayer Itam, 11500 Air Itam, Penang, Malaysia
10 /12
A staple in the Penang dining scene, white curry noodles are beloved for their novelty and rich flavour. Unlike the usually unctuous chili oil, this island favourite obtains its creamy hue from coconut milk while spice comes courtesy of a scoop of curry paste served on the side. Jalan Rangoon’s take on the White Curry Mee(RM7.50; approx. S$2) has attracted a considerable fanbase for its homemade paste, cooked daily for two hours using a specialty blend of spices and dried shrimp.
Award:Michelin Bib Gourmand
Operating hours:8am – 2.30pm (closed on Mondays)
(Hero and featured image credit: @mar777vin/Instagram)
Address
58C, Jalan Rangoon, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone
+60 4-227 3168
11 /12
For those living in Penang, few places honour the Teochew gastronomic tradition as brilliantly as Chao Xuandoes. Located in an old shophouse, this eatery draws in a crowd of both young and old customers alike, many often willing to endure the long queues to tuck into a serving of Charsiew braised pork rice (RM6.90 ; approx. S$2), or pan-fried yam cake (RM 3.90; approx. S$1.10).
Award:Michelin Bib Gourmand
Operating hours:9.30am – 3pm (closed on Mondays)
(Image credit: Chao Xuan Restaurant/Facebook)
Address
90, Lebuh Melayu, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone
+60 12-561 9171
12 /12
Tok Tok Mee Bamboo Noodle House takes its name after the sound produced by bamboo poles when used to knead noodle dough, a time-honoured and labour-intensive process which the shop continues to use to this day for its springy, crisp strands. Used in their signature dry-tossed Tok Tok Mee Bamboo Noodle (from RM6.90; approx. S$2.25)with dried shrimp roe, its simplicity belies culinary heaven.
Award:Michelin Bib Gourmand
Operating hours:9.30am – 7.30pm (closed on Thursdays)
(Image credit: @missy.jgv/Instagram)
Address
37, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone
+60 4-261 9875
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