With current lifestyle changes affecting dietary preferences, vegetarian menus are gradually on the rise. This is evidenced by MICHELIN restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, where chefs have created inventive, exquisite meat-free dishes that will satisfy even the most ardent of carnivores. Each restaurant below offers vegetarian options upon request, so let them know ahead of time before you make your bookings!
DC. by Darren Chin focuses on its "less is more" approach to both its regular and vegetarian menus.
DC. by Darren Chin (Kuala Lumpur)
One MICHELIN StarMICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2023
In recent years, the chef-patron of one-MICHELIN-starred DC. by Darren Chin has been pursuing a "less is more" approach, with no more than two or three elements on the plate.
The restaurant menu has evolved to highlight premium ingredients, presenting nature's bounty in its purest form. Vegetarian menu highlights include an heirloom tomato tart with mint yogurt chutney; a premium Italian pasta selection including gemelli pasta in truffle sauce with salted kombu; rigatoni carbonara in Parmigiano cream sauce; and salt-baked carrot with sea buckthorn and carrot gel, with smoked butter sauce topped with celery leaf emulsion foam.
Make your bookings at least one day in advance here. DC. by Darren Chin is located at 44 Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, 60000, Malaysia.
Au Jardin's Green Dégustation Menu is the MICHELIN-starred restaurant's offering for vegetarian guests.
Au Jardin (Penang)
One MICHELIN StarMICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2023
For many years, one-MICHELIN-starred Au Jardin in Penang has been offering The Green Dégustation Menu, which is entirely distinct from its standard tasting menu. Chef-proprietor Kim Hock Su adheres to the restaurant's philosophy of using French-anchored techniques, while showcasing Penang heritage and locally sourced Malaysian produce.
"The freshest produce is chosen as the foundation, and in-depth research is then conducted on each flavour note and cooking technique. The orchestration of the elements comes next. Every dish highlights the essence of the ingredients in terms of colour, flavour, and texture to give all our diners special dining experiences," Su explains.
Creations for this season include roasted cauliflower cheese of Roquefort and cauliflower sorbet, cauliflower cremeux and yuzu gel, faux crab of Granny Smith apple, parsley nage, and sea grapes paired with white wine vinegar gel.
Make your booking a day in advance here. Au Jardin is located at The Warehouse@Hin Bus Depot, 125 Jalan Timah, George Town, 10150, Malaysia.
L-R: Barley Koji Congee, Chayote Ribbons with Wheat Powder and Broth; Slow-roasted Sweet Potato with Mushroom Marmite, Pomelo & Sayur Manis
Akâr (Kuala Lumpur)
MICHELIN Selected RestaurantMICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2023
In Malay, "akar" is translated as "root." Helmed by chef-proprietor Aidan Low, this MICHELIN Selected restaurant is rooted on shining the spotlight on local seasonal produce across Malaysia, with modern spins to the dishes. Akâr positions its cooking philosophy as "local ingredients, global standards". Look out for The Malaysian Harvest, the restaurant's signature dish, which combines local ulam and vegetables cooked using various techniques, with a sauce made from tempoyak (fermented durian) and fermented Acetes shrimp, which Low substitutes with green peppercorn in its vegetarian iteration.
Low's culinary philosophy of "local ingredients, global standards" carries through the menu with dishes such as Barley Koji Congee constituted with thin chayote ribbons and a vegetable broth of crown daisy with barley wheat, sprinkled with wheat powder, slow-roasted sweet potato with mushroom marmite, accompanied with pomelo and sayur manis (sweet leaves).
Make your bookings at least two days in advance via info@akardining.org. Akâr is located at 109 Jalan Aminuddin Baki, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, 60000, Malaysia.
Beta's appetiser made with Petai Skins
Beta (Kuala Lumpur)
MICHELIN Selected RestaurantMICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2023
With its menu heavily influenced by chef-patron Raymond Tham and his chefs' upbringings and experiences, Beta celebrates Malaysian heritage and nostalgic tastes with a modern interpretation.
For instance, who can forget the variations of the frozen Loyang, a playful homage to a traditional Malaysian dessert? With the approach of delivering tasting profiles and texture, coupled with the intention for the regular tasting menu to showcase the best flavours of the season, Beta's vegetarian menu adapts to the seasons as well.
A dish of black chicken and petai (stinky bean) is such an example. The original chicken consommé flavours are imitated by using charred petai skins into a light kombu stock for a similar taste. Kedondong (ambarella), sea kelp, and keluak (pangium), common ingredients found in Peranakan cuisine, are also featured.
Make your bookings at least two days in advance here. Beta is located at Lot 3 & 4, GF, Cormar Suites, 10 Jalan Perak, Kuala Lumpur, 50450, Malaysia.
Turmeric and Mustard, Baby Corn, Radish Leaf Sauce, Mustard, and Turmeric Cream
Flour (Kuala Lumpur)
MICHELIN Selected RestaurantMICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2023
Chef-patron Yogesh Upadhyay of MICHELIN-selected Flour is on a quest to broaden the spectrum of Indian flavours using the classic complexities of French culinary techniques. "Redefine, recreate, reinvent" is his mantra to breathe new beginnings into how Indian cuisine is perceived.
The latest menu from Flour, Aarrambh, which translates to "The Beginning," and its vegetarian counterpart, Mother Earth, include dishes like Vegetable Farm, which is a combination of French beans, asparagus, hung curd, Juanita cherry tomatoes, and raspberry purée; as well as Varagu, which is made of Kodo millet, broccoli, smoked eggplant, king oyster mushrooms, and coconut chutney.
Make your bookings at least one day in advance here. Flour is located at 12 & 14 Jalan Kamuning, Off Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur, 55100, Malaysia.
L-R: Ghee Hiang Sesame Oil and White Corn
Gēn (Penang)
MICHELIN Selected RestaurantMICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2023
"We, as the cooks, are the souls to what we put on the plates," says chef-patron Johnson Wong of MICHELIN-selected Gēn in Penang. Wong made his mark in the industry by elevating the purest form of local, seasonal fare, coupled by his devotion to exploring and developing Malaysian ingredients.
Gēn 根, signifies "ground roots" in Chinese. Through food, Wong and his team strive to evoke relinquished memories, cultures, and experiences into something tangible that diners can be a part of. Settle down in a naturally calm ambience within a glass house featuring Japanese-Scandinavian style furnishings and polished terrazzo surfaces, which exude warm hospitality.
The ginger flower, a staple in most Penang kitchens, is elevated in the Ginger Flower and Rose dish. "In our local communities, we would use ginger flower to cook assam laksa, rojak, and most Nyonya dishes. It does highlight a flavour that is uniquely Penang,” shares Wong.
In the dish of Sesame Oil and Leek, Wong celebrates another pantry staple: Ghee Hiang sesame oil, a locally produced pantry essential that can be found in almost every home kitchen in Penang. “Diners could learn more about the craftsmanship involved in making sesame oil through the dish,” says Wong. Other noteworthy dishes from Gen’s vegetarian menu include Buah Kulim (jungle garlic), as well as a dish of Cacao Husk, White Corn, and Gula Apong, which pays tribute to the steamed corn and pancakes frequently found in street markets.
Make your bookings at least two days in advance here. Gēn is located at Unit 6, 8 Gat Lebuh Gereja, George Town, 10300, Malaysia.
L-R: Sprigs and Leaves; Idli and Sambar with Banana Flower Fritter
Nadodi (Kuala Lumpur)
MICHELIN SelectedMICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2023
One of Kuala Lumpur's forerunners in fine-dining Indian cuisine, MICHELIN-selected Nadodi has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2017. The Road Home, the restaurant's vegetarian menu, was created with the utmost care and attention by the restaurant’s chef de cuisine, Yavhin Siriwardhana, and his team because vegetarianism plays a vital role in Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine. "Since Nadodi's debut, the vegetarian menu has been a part of the restaurant and has established itself as a signature staple," says Siriwardhana.
One of the dishes from The Road Home menu that reflects Nadodi's philosophy is the fermented rice cakes with moringa kuzhambu and moringa leaf sambol, highlighting unique flavours of the moringa in different forms — from thick curry to a savoury sambol. Another dish is the “Sprigs and Leaves”, showcasing grilled asparagus, tossed pennyworth, and fried Kesum (Vietnamese Coriander) with calamansi gel and sour mango.
Nadodi has also recently founded a new home at the opulent Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Siriwardhana and his kitchen team continue to elevate diners on a culinary journey through Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Sri Lanka.
Make your bookings at least one day in advance here. Nadodi is located at Level 7A, Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, No. 145, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450, Malaysia.
Potato Pavé with Garlic Chips, Grilled Eryngii Mushrooms, and Blueberry Emulsion
Skillet (Kuala Lumpur)
MICHELIN Selected RestaurantMICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2023
While Kuala Lumpur may experience a sweltering weather year-round, Skillet's menus always reflect the four seasons of European weather. The restaurant also shares the same chef-patron as Beta: Raymond Tham.
"My culinary philosophy when it came to Skillet's vegetarian menu was to showcase vegetables by using modern culinary techniques in order for guests to perceive vegetables in new ways," explains Tham.
"For instance, we turn mushroom into garum (a fermented fish sauce with origins from Rome), instead of using fish. It contributes to a rich umami flavour," Tham elaborates. Highlights from the Spring 2023 Vegetarian Menu include ratatouille en fleur and potato pavé with garlic chips, grilled eryngii mushrooms, and blueberry emulsion.
Make your bookings at least two days in advance here. Skillet is located at Lot 1, GF, Cormar Suites, 10 Jalan Perak, Kuala Lumpur, 50450, Malaysia.
All images courtesy of the respective restaurants.
Header image is from Au Jardin.
Header image is from Au Jardin.
