Malaysia Special: 10 Must-Try Foods in KL Chinatown (Petaling Street)

Hokkien Mee, Chee Cheong Fun, Wantan Mee, Beef Noodles, Yong Tau Foo... When it comes to traditional Chinese food in KL, one has little doubt that Petaling Street, or Chinatown, is the best place to be. Walking amidst a cluster of pre-war shop houses on the street, you will be spoiled for choice with a wide variety of classic Chinese food that has withstood the test of time. Feel free to enjoy your food hunting at Petaling Street from dawn to dusk, because some food stalls are only open in the morning while others only at night. Having said that, however, finding some of the hidden gems with delicious food here could be a tricky task, since some stalls are quietly hidden in the alley or tucked behind a row of stalls. For the uninitiated, here is a simple guide to the best food that you must try in Chinatown: Hokkien Mee Restaurant: Kim Lian Kee, Lian Bee

There are two Hokkien Mee restaurants in Petaling Street that worth trying. One is of course the well-known Kim Lian Kee, which is widely recognized as the birth place of Hokkien Mee. It has two separate shops at the junction of Petaling Street. Opt for the old shop (open after 5:30pm) located opposite of Hong Leong Bank if you are craving for the original charcoal stir-fried Hokkien Mee. Another Hokkien Mee stall is hidden at the back lane of Lai Foong Kopitiam. It has been around for more than 60 years. After half a century, the third generation still insists on stir-frying the noodles in traditional way with charcoal fire. The thick and sticky Hokkien Mee has sufficient “wok hei” and plenty of fried pork lards thrown in. Beef Noodles Restaurant: Shin Kee Beef Noodles Specialists, Lai Foong Kopitiam, Soong Kee

Chinatown is undoubtedly a haven for beef noodles lovers, as three well-known beef noodles eateries can be found here. The first one is Shin Kee located at the back lane of Hong Leong Bank. It has been around for 60 years. Tantalize your taste-buds with a bowl of noodles of your choice with minced meat, beef slices, beef balls, and beef innards. The second beef noodles stall is nestled in Lai Foong kopitiam at Jalan Tun H.S. Lee. You can choose to add in a rich variety of beef innards, including tripe, stomach, tendon, leaf tripe, intestine and even penis!

Another beef noodles restaurant that you wouldn’t want to miss out is Soong Kee. Indulge yourself in a bowl of dry thin noodles topped with two types of minced meat (beef and pork) and a bowl of soup with freshly cooked beef slices, beef balls and beef innards. Chee Cheong Fun Restaurant: Petaling Street Chee Cheong Fun, Madras Lane Chee Cheong Fun

Unlike chee cheong fun that comes with a variety of accompaniments, the stalls located at the cross road of Petaling Street offers original Cantonese style Chee Cheong Fun that is surprisingly simple. You get a plate of plain rice noodles with house special sweet sauce or chili sauce. The business is so good that the chee cheong fun is normally sold out by noon.

Another good chee cheong fun stall is situated at the wet market of Madras Lane. It also serves plain chee cheong fun with sweet brown sauce. The homemade Chee Cheong Fun is so soft and slippery that it melts in your mouth! Roasted Duck Restaurant: Sze Ngan Chye

Literarily meaning “four-eyed man” in Cantonese, Sze Ngan Chye is a street stall located in the middle of Petaling Street. The stall has been around for more than 50 years, and now it is run by the owner’s two daughters. The roasted duck is crispy and succulent with a special salty taste. Many customers remain loyal to this stall, because the taste has been consistent throughout the years. Try it once and you will be addicted to it! The duck is only available for take away. See Also: Check out some of the popular eats in Singapore Check out here for the best dining offers