Chynna
ABOVE Photo: @hiltonkualalumpur/Instagram
As far as Muslim-friendly dim sum goes, it’s legit and delicious. All dishes are cooked to order, so expect piping hot treats. Request for your dim sum to be delivered two or three at a time to better enjoy them fresh; the service team was very accommodating with this request.
Chynna | Hilton Kuala Lumpur, 3, Jalan Stesen Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur | +603 2264 2264 | eatdrinkhilton.com | Monday-Friday, 12pm-2:30pm, 6:30pm-10:30pm; Saturday-Sunday and public holidays, 11am-2:30pm, 6:30pm-10:30pm
Ee Chinese Cuisine
ABOVE Photo: Ee Chinese Cuisine
Ee Chinese Cuisine has a really good spread. Yes, it is pork-free but they have done a fantastic job with the flavours. Little morsels like dim sums were done to perfection.
Ee Chinese Cuisine | 13, Jalan 16/11, Seksyen 16, 46350 Petaling Jaya | +6016 262 2059 | kualalumpur.eastin.com | Monday-Friday, 12pm-2:30pm, 6:30pm-10pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10:30am-2:30pm, 6:30pm-10pm, Weekends Dim Sum Brunch, 10:30am-2:30pm
Elegant Inn Cuisine
ABOVE Photo: Elegant Inn HK Cuisine/Facebook
ABOVE Photo: Elegant Inn HK Cuisine/Facebook
Elegant Inn has the remarkable ability to maintain a truly high standard in spite of being around for quite a few years. Their service staff was attentive and knowledgeable, and made sure we had a good selection of food. The garoupa, for instance, was steamed to perfection. Additional dim sum dishes were made a la minute and accompanied by a selection of condiments.
Elegant Inn Cuisine | 2.01, Level 2, Menara Hap Seng, Jalan P. Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur | +603 2070 9399 | Monday-Saturday, 12pm-2:30pm, 6pm-10:30pm; Sunday, 10:30am-2:30pm, 6pm-10:30pm
Jade Pavillion
ABOVE Photo: Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur Managed by Banyan Tree
This Cantonese restaurant in Pavilion Hotel is a perfect place for a get-together with family and friends. There are over a hundred dishes to choose from. The Specialty Combination Platter, an appetising mix of chicken, duck and jellyfish, is an inspired place to begin.
Jade Pavillion | Level 8, Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur Managed by Banyan Tree,170, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur | +603 2117 2823 | banyantree.com | Monday-Sunday, 12pm-2:30pm, 6pm-10pm; Weekend Dim Sum Brunch, 9am-2:30pm
Jing Ze Contemporary
ABOVE Photo: @jingze_restaurant/Instagram
Dining at Jing Ze feels like entering chef-owner Nicholas Scorpion’s private kitchen where he gets to serve you his all-time favourites—each inspired by a unique incident through his travels and culinary journey. Their offerings are eclectic, with some favourites that will keep loyal fans returning.
Jing Ze Contemporary | No. 22A Ground & Mezzanine Floors, Jalan 17/54, Section 17, 46400 Petaling Jaya | +603 7931 4801 | jingze.com.my | Tuesday-Sunday, 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10:30pm
Lai Po Heen
ABOVE Photo: Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Lai Po Heen serves classic Cantonese fare in an understated and elegant setting, making it one of the best places for southern Chinese cuisine in Kuala Lumpur. The prize for most outstanding taste here has to go to the golden fried prawn and mango rolls with breadcrumbs, served with a tangy mayonnaise and wasabi dip.
Lai Po Heen | Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur | +603 2330 8798 | mandarinoriental.com | Monday-Friday, 12pm-2:30pm, 6pm-10pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10:30am-2:30pm, 6pm-10pm
Li Yen
ABOVE Photo: @ritzcarltonkualalumpur/Instagram
ABOVE Photo: @ritzcarltonkualalumpur/Instagram
Chrome, black and sleek. Li Yen evokes an understated elegance. Food-wise, the flavours were good. The sauces were smooth, the fish sliced just so and curled perfectly to decorate the plate. A popular place for a hearty dim sum lunch. Overall, the experience is what you’d expect in a world-class hotel.
Li Yen | The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, 168, Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur | +6018 646 8033 | liyenkl.com | Monday-Sunday, 12pm-3pm, 6:30pm-10pm; Sunday and public holidays, 10:30am-3pm, 6:30pm-10pm
Luk Yu Tea House
ABOVE Photo: @jwmarriottkl/Instagram
The timeless deliciousness of Teochew cuisine finds a home next to stellar Hong Kong dim sum at Luk Yu Tea House, offering a staggering variety of dishes. Luk Yu Tea House also shows us that not all teas are created equal, and if you’re curious to explore just how versatile tea and Cantonese or Teochew pairings can be, this is the place to start.
Luk Yu Tea House | 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur | +6018 632 8060 | Monday-Sunday, 11:30am-10pm
Ming Ren Xuan
ABOVE Photo: Ming Ren Xuan
ABOVE Photo: Ming Ren Xuan
How does one stand out in a crowded Chinese cuisine space? Ming Ren Xuan’s answer is to complement its traditional items with less conventional ingredients in Chinese cooking. Its dim sum dishes are made to order and generally well-executed. We also enjoyed the warm and friendly service. The restaurant also boasts an exquisite wine lounge and several private rooms with a jaw-dropping view of the city skyline.
Ming Ren Xuan | Avenue K, L3-5, Level 3, 156, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur | +603 2711 1199 or +6012 688 1648 | mingrenxuan.my | Monday-Sunday, 10am-10pm
Shang Palace
ABOVE Photo: Alison Fernando/Shang Palace
Shang Palace is very much a product of its time, featuring classic Cantonese fare with a number of provincial delicacies. Vegans can rejoice as there is an extensive list of choices to fit their diet. For everyone else, signature dishes such as the free-range chicken smoked with Chinese tea and stewed duck are flavourful and pair well with a bowl of white rice.
Shang Palace | Level 1, Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, No. 11, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur | +603 2032 2388 | shangri-la.com | Tuesday-Saturday, 11:30am-2:30pm, 6:30pm-10pm; Sunday and Public Holidays, 10:30am-2:30pm
By Tatler Asia