Four restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and Penang were awarded Malaysia’s first ever Michelin stars during the inaugural Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur and Penang 2023 ceremony at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (13 December).
The two restaurants in KL that were awarded one Michelin Star for their high-quality cooking are Dewakan, a restaurant serving contemporary Malaysian dishes by using local and indigenous produce, and DC by Darren Chin, known for French classics with an emphasis on regional live seafood and local produce.
While the two restaurants in Penang that receive one Michelin Star were Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery, which serves Peranakan cuisine made from Chef Auntie Gaik’s secret recipes and quality produce, and Au Jardin, which specialises in elegant European food with subtle local influences.
“Our first selection in Malaysia highlights the diversity of cuisine on offer in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, reflecting the uniqueness of the country’s multi-ethnic culture in gastronomy,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide.
“This is just the beginning for Kuala Lumpur and Penang’s gastronomic journey. Our inspectors have been more than pleased by the new creations in Malaysian cuisine, inheritance of traditional cooking and evolution of various national cuisine.”
“The vitality of a city such as Penang, which includes as many Bib Gourmand restaurants as the capital city, is pleasing and very encouraging for our inspection team, who is looking forward to exploring a lot more of Malaysia, and to tasting the diverse offerings of local culinary talents.”
Meanwhile, a total of 32 restaurants and food establishments (17 in Penang and 15 in KL) were awarded the Bib Gourmand award, which honors ‘friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices’.
Here’s the list of eateries recognised for their quality and affordable food:
Kuala Lumpur:
1. Ah Hei Bak Kut Teh (Malaysian)
2. Aliyaa (Sri Lankan)
3. Anak Baba (Malaysian & Peranakan)
4. Congkak, Bukit Bintang (Malaysian)
5. Dancing Fish (Malaysian & Indian)
6. De.Wan 1958 (Malaysian)
7. Hai Kah Lang (Seafood)
8. Heun Kee Claypot Chicken Rice, Pudu (Cantonese)
9. Hing Kee Bakuteh, Jalan Kepong (Malaysian)
10. Lai Fong Lala Noodles (Noodles)
11. Nam Heong Chicken Rice (Malaysian)
12. Nasi Ayam Hainan Chee Meng, Jalan Kelang Lama (Malaysian)
13. Restoran Pik Wah (Cantonese)
14. Sao Nam (Vietnamese)
15. Wong Mei Kee (Street food)
Penang:
1. Bridge Street Prawn Noodle (Noodles)
2. Communal Table by Gēn (Malaysian)
3. Duck Blood Curry Mee (Street food)
4. Green House Prawn Mee & Loh Mee (Street food)
5. Ivy’s Nyonya Cuisine (Peranakan)
6. Ming Qing Charcoal Duck Egg Char Koay Teow (Noodles)
7. Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay (Small eats)
8. Neighbourwood (European contemporary)
9. Penang Road Famous Laksa (Street food)
10. Rasa Rasa (Peranakan)
11. Sardaarji (Indian)
12. Taman Bukit Curry Mee (Street food)
13. Teksen (Cantonese)
14. Thara (Thai)
15. Theeni Pandarams (Indian)
16. Tho Yuen (Cantonese)
17. Wan Dao Tou Assam Laksa (Malaysian)
Apart from that, three service awards were also presented, where the Michelin Young Chef award went to Lim Yan You from Au Jardin, the Service Award went to Leanne Lim of Dewakan, while the Sommelier Special Award goes to Mahamad Hafiz Bin Abdullah of DC Restaurant.
You can check the complete list on the Michelin Guide’s website here.
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