feast like the king

There’s a lot to sing about when it comes to food in Kuala Lumpur (KL to regulars). Just ask Sean Ghazi, Malaysia’s king of smooth crooning

Sean Ghazi begins his day with an
all-day breakfast at La BodegaWORDS JENNIFER CHOO
PHOTOGRAPHY CHOEN LEE

A multicultural melting pot, where the traditional and modern co-exist both in daily life and on the table, you’re never short of great food in Malaysia’s capital. To help you decide where to dine, we quizzed local singing sensation Sean Ghazi about his favourite eateries. As we discovered, he tucks into Asian and Western fare with equal enthusiasm. Join us as we makan – eat!

A cosy Mediterranean
nook

Best breakfast

“The best eggs Benedict in town,” declares Sean of what is touted as KL’s first authentic tapas bar, La Bodega. Mediterranean fare at reasonable prices is their specialty, and our musical man is big on their all-day breakfast. Since opening in 1999, it has spawned half a dozen offshoots but he still loves the warmth of the original.

Great Malay food

Sean’s pick is the legendary Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa stall in the heart of the city. “It’s a bit off my track but worth making the effort for,” he says of the nasi lemak, a Malay staple consisting of rice cooked in coconut milk, accompanied with any number of side dishes. At Antarabangsa, the side dishes
Bijan bar & restaurant gives
authentic Malay food a
sophisticated spininclude squid, chicken or beef curries, beside the traditional accompaniments of fresh sliced cucumber, fried anchovies and nuts, hard-boiled egg and the stall’s signature sambal (chilli sauce). This is a meal that can be eaten any time of the day, which is why the stall is constantly busy.

For a more refined Malay food experience, Sean recommends Bijan bar & restaurant. Keeping the best of the cuisine’s rustic origins but taking it to the next level in elegant surroundings, Bijan dishes out a scrumptious balance of traditional favourites, like beef rendang, and inspiring innovations like wild fern salad. A must-try for the adventurous is the homemade durian ice cream, made from the highest quality D24 durians – Asia’s King of Fruits, also the one with the foulest smell!

La Bodega

Super street food

Lately Sean’s schedule has been packed with rehearsals for the upcoming musical My Name Is Remy, based on the life of Malaysia’s iconic singer, Tan Sri P Ramlee. This does not deter him from finding good food, however, citing Suzi’s Corner as a popular choice for after-rehearsal refueling (it’s open until 5am). This eclectic cluster of stalls, which has been around for 25 years and is still going strong, boasts succulent steaks, nourishing Chinese herbal chicken soup and spicy tandoori chicken, to name just a few favourites. As Sean says: “I like being able to mix it up – it’s not every day you can have Malay desserts after your grilled steak.”

Alexis’ cool chic

Fabulous people spotting

Located in one of KL’s most affluent neighbourhoods and just a floor below The Actor’s Studio, it’s no surprise that Alexis at Bangsar Shopping Centre draws KL’s most cosmopolitan and cultured crowd. Sean cites this bistro and wine bar as his favourite place for people-watching. The first Alexis (opened in 1996) set the benchmark for modern minimalist restaurants in KL, and this new branch doesn’t disappoint with its sleek white and steel décor. Must-try local dishes include the Sarawak laksa (a spicy, coconut noodle soup with chicken or prawns) and their cakes, particularly the delicious mixed fruit meringue and pear and ginger
Gobo Chit upside-down cake.

 

Best buffet

“For good price, good selections and a buffet which is more fun than your normal run-ofthe-mill hotel fare, I go to Gobo Chit Chat,” enthuses Sean. Indeed the outlet prides itself on offering a buffet with a difference, serving up an entertaining “light show” on the ceiling, open kitchens preparing orders à la minute and a killer view of KL’s buzzing Golden Triangle, all from within a chic modern décor.
Sean’s favourite homes
away from home are
Opus and Cava

Ideal for hungry drinkers

Fancy a late-ish dinner and a bevvie? Sean suggests The Social in Bangsar, a casual joint which he’s convinced serves the best salad Niçoise in town. “It has a laid-back, slightly noisy atmosphere and a pool table,” says Sean, who can occasionally be spotted shooting a few rounds of pool on the signature purple felted tables of this exuberant restaurant-cum-bar.

Perfect for special occasions

Be transported to 19th-century Paris without having to leave balmy KL at Café Café, which Sean describes as having a unique “Phantom of the Opera meets Moulin Rouge on-a-budget ambience”. Not to forget the decadent menu – the pan-fried foie gras, tiramisu and the warm chocolate cake are not to be missed. One of the city’s best-kept secrets because of its obscure location, dining at the lavish Café Café is always a fabulous experience well worth searching out.

The ideal romantic date

For simplicity and consistently good food, Sean is a regular at Opus Bistro and Cava. Being hidden down a quiet residential street does not stop these two neighbouring restaurants (with the same owners) from scaling culinary heights. Opus specialises in classic Italian, while Cava takes on the influence of Catalonian-style cuisine with hints of Greek and Mediterranean. The quality of the food, the unassuming atmosphere and warm service ensures diners flock here in droves. Sean insists: “Despite there being swankier places in town, I’m more for a comfortable, affordable and familiar experience.”

FIND IT:

La Bodega (Telawi) $$
16 Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur, tel: + 60 (3) 2287 8318
Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa $
4 Jalan Raja Muda Musa, Kampung Bahru, Kuala Lumpur.
Bijan bar & restaurant $$
3 Jalan Ceylon, Kuala Lumpur, tel: +60 (3) 2031 3575
Suzi’s Corner $
Lot 1, Off Jalan Hulu Kelang, Bt4 1/2, Ampang
Alexis $$
Lot 15A, 1st floor Bangsar Shopping Centre, Bukit Bandaraya, Kuala Lumpur, tel: +60 (3) 2287 1388
Gobo Chit Chat $$
Level 5, Trader’s Hotel, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, tel: +60 (3) 2332 9888
The Social $$
57–59, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, tel: +60 (3) 2282 2260
Café Café $$$
175 Jalan Maharajalela, Kuala Lumpur, tel: +60 (3) 2145 8141
Opus Bistro $$$
67 Jalan Bangkung, Bukit Bandaraya, Kuala Lumpur, tel: +60 (3) 2092 4288
Cava $$$
71 Jalan Bangkung, Bukit Bandaraya, Kuala Lumpur, tel: +60 (3) 2093 6637

Price range is for one main course and one non-alcoholic drink
$ AU$0.70–AU$5 RM2–15
$$ AU$8–AU$22 RM25–65
$$$ AU$23–AU$50 RM70–150

Say it in Malay!

Modern Asian & Western cuisine at
AlexisEnglish is widely spoken but here are some simple phrases that might come in handy when eating at street stalls.

Apa yang sedap disini?
What is the house speciality?

Tolong minta kurang manis?
Could I have it with less sugar, please? (Particularly useful when ordering drinks – Malaysians are notorious for having a sweet tooth.)

Tolong minta kurang pedas?
Could I have it less spicy, please?

Tolong minta garam/ kicap?
Could I have some salt/soy sauce please?

Tolong bungkus.
I’d like the food to go.

Tolong kira.
The bill please.