Best spots for a proper Malaysian breakfast in Kuala Lumpur

Words Johnny S

Published 8 Nov 2019

Forget the trendy brunch joints with their yogurt granolas or smashed avo toast. If you really want a proper Malaysian breakfast in Kuala Lumpur, make a beeline for one of these spots where you can tickle those taste buds with the city's fusion of Malay, Indian and Chinese cuisines. You simply can't kick start the day better than a steamy bowl of Hokkien noodles or a spicy gut-busting nasi lemak. If breakfast isn't your thing, then why not join our highly-rated Kuala Lumpur food tour? If it is, read on for some of the best local Malaysian breakfasts in the city.

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01Mansion Tea Stall

Simplicity is usually best when it comes to breakfast in Kuala Lumpur and the no-frills Mansion Tea Stall housed in an ancient apartment block in Masjid India is just that. This 24-hour restaurant knocks out a fine breakfast in Kuala Lumpur. Try their famed roti banjir smothered in creamy dhal, fish curry and boiled eggs and their mee goreng, wok fried noodles are excellent. Whichever you choose, breakfast in Kuala Lumpur is best eaten with their teh tarik, strong aromatic tea with spices, milk and just the right amount of sweetness. Breakfasts don't come better (or cheaper) in Kuala Lumpur than at the Mansion Tea Stall. Prepare to queue.

Kuala Lumpur City Centre

+60 12 331 1456

02Ful Lai

If you want to start the day right, pull up a plastic pew at Ful Lai where you can dig into a dim sum breakfast. Large basket steamers are filled with everything from siu mai to braised Cantonese chicken feet. Plus, the egg tarts are excellent. Don't leave without trying their speciality – warm, steamed barbecue buns. Spongy perfection without being overly sticky. Accompany your breakfast in Kuala Lumpur with pots of hot Chinese tea. Get there early, it's a popular breakfast spot particularly at the weekend when crowds of locals pile in for dim sum.

1 Jalan 2/116B

+60 3 7983 6851

03Ah Weng Koh Hainan Tea & Coffee

Staying in Pudu? Join the crowd of locals for breakfast at Ah Weng Koh Hainan Tea & Coffee. Most come for the strong iced cham, a sweet blend of milky tea and coffee along with the toasted buttery toast slathered in kaya, a kind of Malaysian coconut jam. If the thought of spicy noodles or curry turns your stomach in the early morning, this breakfast in Kuala Lumpur will be right up your street. The open-plan food court is frantic and chaotic and the service is brisk. This isn't a place to kick back for a leisurely weekend breakfast in Kuala Lumpur with the paper. But that's the charm of the place.

1/77 Jalan, Pudu

04Nasi Lemak Wanjo

Those looking for a solid breakfast in Kuala Lumpur should skip the suspicious hotel buffet and head north to Nasi Lemak Wanjo in Kampung Baru. The beautiful district is one of the last to not have been developed and this little open-sided eatery has been selling the good stuff for over 50 years. Scope up fragrant rice covered in mild and sweet sambal, ikan bilis and cooling cucumber. If you're feeling really hungry, try the crispy house fried chicken. It's not the cheapest breakfast in Kuala Lumpur, but it's certainly not expensive and their full set with coffee makes for a good start to the day.

8 Jalan Raja Muda Musa

+60 11 6336 1963

05Chat Masala

For many, Chat Masala is a favourite for breakfast in Kuala Lumpur. Few spots in KL highlight how utterly fantastic vegetarian cuisine can be. This Little India breakfast joint offers a ridiculously long list of dosa variations all served with spicy pickles, curries and creamy dhal. Then there's the roti and pathatha along with more paneer gravy specials that you could possibly try on one stay in KL. Don't forget to order metal mug of the creamy, sweet chai tea either. If you can't make it for breakfast, it's worth travelling here for the evening thali laid out over banana leaves.

259 Jalan Tun Sambanthan

+60 3 2260 3244

06Hon Kee Porridge

The legendary rice porridge from Hon Kee along Petaling Street deserves its status as one of the best places for breakfast in Kuala Lumpur. It's been serving early risers from 4am onwards for more than 70 years. Their best-selling congee variation is served with thinly sliced raw snakehead fish which you cook in the hot rice porridge. A few sliced spring onions and chopped coriander finish the fragrant bowl. If that seems like a little too much in the morning, there are other variations you could try. Alternatively, the congee is delicious on its own with just a dash of soy sauce. Always buy a side of the youtiao, crispy Chinese doughnuts.

93 Jalan Hang Lekir

+60 16 666 0603

07Madras Lane Yong Tau Foo

While you're still in Petaling, you could always swing by Madras Lane Yong Tau Foo for a second breakfast in Kuala Lumpur. For just US $0.29, you can pick from a variety yong tau foo, bite-sized fried or boiled tofu and vegetables. Don't expect to be the only one vying for their tasty morsels, it's one of the busiest vendors in a cluster that make up Madras Lane Hawkers alleyway. The service is brisk and you'll need to eat quick. Table turnover is fast.

Jalan 2

08Yut Kee

Your breakfast in Kuala Lumpur is in good hands at Yut Kee. This restaurant has been serving hungry locals for almost a century. Eateries don't stay around this long unless they're doing something right. It's the oldest kopitiam in Kuala Lumpur and their long list of Hainanese specialities earn them one of the top spots for morning fare. While the dizzyingly long menu might be daunting, you can't go wrong with house Hainanese chicken rice or the kaya bread.

1 Jalan Kamunting

09Yong Len

Yong Len might not look much from the outside, but don't let the slightly shabby exterior put you off. Pull up one of their plastic stalls and dive into a bowl of their exquisite mee noodles with prawns, slices of delicate pork and fried shallots. For an extra morning kick, top the rich noodle broth with some of the table chilli paste. Breakfast of the gods. The wonton soup is peppery and aromatic. It's a little further away than most breakfasts in Kuala Lumpur, but it's worth the taxi ride.

2 Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad

+60 3 7728 0376

10Love Mom Restaurant

You'll have to travel well out of the city to get breakfast at Love Mom Restaurant. It's run by half Sri Lanka Aunty Parames (affectionately referred to as Mummy by locals), is best known for its appams – light, fluffy South Asian coconut rice pancakes. Crispy on the bottom, fluffy in the middle, they are best served covered in brown sugar or topped with egg. Delicious, filling and perhaps a little easier to stomach for those who struggle with spicy curry or dim sum for breakfast but still want something authentic.

12 Lorong Menalu

Okay, so that's breakfast in Kuala Lumpur sorted. But how about dinner? If you have a spare evening, consider joining this daily chef-designed Kuala Lumpur food tour where you'll try over a dozen dishes while learning about their history and origins.