Play at HELLO KITTY Kawaii Fun House

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.

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.

Bangsar Village is home to numerous buzzy restaurants and shops. In this vibrant district, Nirwana attracts diners for its distinctive flavours – a selection of regional dishes for anyone seeking the authentic taste of India. Go for one of the set menus with rice and vegetable curry on banana leaves, which you can top up with your favourite sides (fish, chicken or lamb). The chicken biriyani boasts moist tender meat and balanced flavours.

A firm favourite with the locals, Foong Lian has been feeding hungry diners claypot rice cooked over charcoal since 1986. The experienced chef uses two kinds of rice and controls the heat meticulously so that every pot is perfect. Try the preserved meat option with pork and liver sausage that perfume the rice with flavourful grease or top up with chicken leg and salted fish. Soups and snacks like tofu skin roll are also recommended.

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.

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.

The owner couple opened this culinary hotspot in 2020, serving meat, seafood and vegetables cooked over a binchotan grill. There are just 17 seats around the open kitchen, so all diners can watch the magic unfold. The short menu changes often, but signatures such as kaya toast stay on – the crispy grilled brioche is topped with kaya jam and shaved foie gras terrine. With oily pink flesh and lightly charred edges, the shima-aji is another must-try.