ASTRA at Opus Residences Kuala Lumpur

What began as a street stall 10 years ago that shot to local fame now occupies two shop floors on the street corner. Red lanterns adorn the ceilings, and large photos cover the walls like wallpaper. Chinese vintage gadgets, like an abacus, decorate the interior. Lala means “clams” in Malay, and a bowl of flavoursome lala bihun with prawns is a must. The broth, meanwhile, is aromatic with Chinese yellow wine and ginger. Portions are generous.

What started as a humble food stall back in 1949 is now a household name, famous for its beef noodles in soup or dressed in an aromatic sauce. Choose between ribbon rice noodles, rice vermicelli and thin, bouncy Hakka noodles. In addition to the signature springy beef meatballs and sliced beef, the thickly sliced beef tripe is prized for its tender texture and rich flavours – all perfectly complemented by the home-made chilli sauce.

The theatrical dining room is quite stunning, and the chef adds drama to local favourites with modern techniques and meticulous plating. His "Tour of Malaysia" menu celebrates the breadth and depth of the country's culinary heritage – even more enjoyable with cocktail and wine pairings. Consider ordering the add-on abalone Lawas rice – creamy Sarawakian heirloom rice topped with abalone cubes, briny caviar and a dash of kaffir lime oil.

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.

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.

With a yellow façade and colourful interior, Sao Nam ticks all the boxes for a fun-filled meal. The Vietnamese kitchen team deliver specialities from across their home country, including some showing strong French influences. Their iconic phở bò (beef noodle soup) packs a tasty punch and features a broth that takes over 10 hours to make. The mangosteen and prawn salad tantalises the taste buds with big flavours and contrasting textures.