With the MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang having launched its debut selection last December 2022, both cites have experienced an influx of curiosity and interest in their respective gastronomic scenes.
Kuala Lumpur and Penang have been long-time culinary hotspots for those seeking for a diverse range of cuisines. At the forefront are dishes that boast influences of Chinese, Indian, Malay, and Peranakan cultures; as well as a varied selection of casual dining spots and fine dining establishments.
The four restaurants to receive a MICHELIN Star in the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang are DC. by Darren Chin, Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery, Dewakan, and Au Jardin. (Photo: MICHELIN Guide)
Headlining the MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2023 selection are four restaurants — two in Kuala Lumpur and two in Penang — that have been recognised with one MICHELIN Star each.
One MICHELIN Star: High quality cooking, worth a stop!
The Warehouse@Hin Bus Depot, 125 Jalan Timah, George Town
Au Jardin (Penang)
One MICHELIN StarMICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2023
George Town, Penang, is known for its creative streak, showcased in well-preserved heritage sites that boast of tastefully curated street art and murals. Inside a bus-depot-turned-art- space sits a distressed building clad in corrugated metal panels. However, a step inside greets guests with a modern and sleek look — miles apart from its exterior.
At Au Jardin, helmed by chef Kim Hock Su, the menu changes monthly and sheds the spotlight on European fare paired with subtle, local twists. Every item served has been poured with so much thought and sophistication, such as the commendable serving of sourdough with tomato butter, surprising palate cleansers, and the signature Cognac and Hay-aged Duck.
One MICHELIN Star: High quality cooking, worth a stop!
1 Lebuh Bishop, George Town
Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery (Penang)
One MICHELIN StarMICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2023
With memorabilia studded in its show windows, vintage ceiling fans, and a 1960s playlist on loop, Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery located in George Town, Penang, exudes the nostalgic charm of a bygone era.
Here, chef Gaik Lean Beh has been serving Peranakan dishes, rooted in her well-guarded secret recipes, for decades now. Unyielding and uncompromising in terms of food quality, Beh insists on making her items from scratch, including the heavenly pie tee and gulai tumis that uses over eight ingredients in the curry paste alone. The nasi ulam, made with an old-time recipe, is one of the signatures and a must-have item on every table.
One MICHELIN Star: High quality cooking, worth a stop!
44 Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
DC. by Darren Chin (Kuala Lumpur)
One MICHELIN StarMICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2023
DC. by Darren Chin is a three-storey restaurant that is divided into bars and dining rooms, including a Louis XIII-themed room that’s reserved for private functions. Here, diners can choose among a 4-course, 7-course, or vegetarian menu.
The food at DC. by Darren Chin exemplifies the chef’s culinary journey with dishes that range from classic French entrées, to novel creations punctuated with Japanese influences. Items that shine on the menu include a sole à la meunière and Chin’s signature dish called Echo of the Sea, which constitutes cold angel hair pasta — tossed in his signature truffle sauce — and crab liver custard. Don’t forget to save some space for the cheese cart that boasts over 20 choices, as well as the crêpe Suzette flambéed by the table-side.
Two MICHELIN Stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour!
48F, Skyviews, Naza Tower, Platinum Park, 10 Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur
Dewakan (Kuala Lumpur)
One MICHELIN StarMICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2023
Dewakan means “food from God”, and its chef, Darren Teoh, gives thanks to the Divine with a dining experience that embodies what is truly Malaysian in every sense. At Dewakan, every ingredient is sourced sustainably and locally — the dinnerware is also handcrafted by local artists.
Only one prix-fixe tasting menu is served at the restaurant, and the dishes specialise in items that are fermented or dry-aged in-house, served with the season’s fruits and herbs.
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From 01-30 June 2023, GastroMonth, organised by FunNow, is the first of its kind in Malaysia that allows discerning diners to enjoy specially curated menus at 45 restaurants recommended in the MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang selection — a combination of Starred, Bib Gourmand, and Selected restaurants. Learn more about it here.
This post is brought to you in partnership with FunNow Malaysia
