Lovely Family Suites at Razak City by HCK

Tucked inside an office building, this upmarket restaurant serves Thai dishes rooted in tradition but with creative twists and stylish plating. Chef Noom, who also owns Chim by Siam Wisdom, in Bangkok, devises two multicourse tasting menus that change every season. Quality ingredients from Japan are used in conjunction with local spices, fruit and vegetables. The Lost Recipe is a 200-year-old variation of tom yum with nicely balanced flavours.

Since 2018, this cosy little gem tucked inside the Little India has been serving authentic Southern Peranakan cuisine that melds Indo-Malay flavours with Chinese influences. The must-try nasi lemak with ayam goreng kunyit is the quintessential national comfort food – coconut milk lends a subtle sweetness to the rice, in stark contrast with the juicy fried chicken, fiery sambal and crisp water spinach.

This international chain, which began almost 100 years ago, now has branches all over the world. This outpost has been a popular dining spot among the locals since 2017. Idli is a soft, fluffy steamed cake made out of fermented rice batter, paired with green chutney and lentil sambar. Masala dosa, or crispy crepe with potato curry, packs a real kick. Uddin vada, or black lentil fritter, is also a good choice. Check out the daily specials and mini meals for combos.

Open for just a few hours a day, this stall attracts foodies in droves with its coveted siew yok – roast pork with crackling skin and succulent meat. Arrive early and wait for the pork to come out of the oven at noon sharp.

This family-owned business has been a mainstay of the local dining scene since 1965 and is now run by the second and third generations. As its name suggests, it specialises in Hainan chicken rice – choose between the steamed and fried varieties. For solo diners, the set menu offers great value, with peanut soup, flavoursome rice cooked in chicken fat and stock, and your choice of chicken cuts. The other chicken dishes are also worth trying.

This place is always packed with customers craving seafood noodles. Only the freshest catch makes it to the table because the owner also runs a seafood stall nearby. Pick your favourite fish, shellfish or a combination of both. Then choose from the eight types of noodles and five types of soup bases on offer. If you find the menu hard to navigate, go for one of the popular combinations such as mixed seafood noodles or fish head noodle soup with milk.

Since 1938, this household name has been hugely popular among the locals for its famous Hainanese chicken rice. Two kinds of chicken are on offer – “veggie farm” chicken with leaner, firmer flesh and a free-range version with fattier, softer meat. Barbecue meats, such as roast pork belly that boasts crispy skin and alternate layers of fat and lean meat, are also bestsellers. Order crispy, juicy Ipoh bean sprouts to go with the rice.