5 Historic KL Eateries That Have Stood the Test of Time for Over 40 Years

Read on for the list, as compiled by The Star:

Capital Café

This kopitiam is truly a melting pot of cultures, quite literally. First established in 1956, the second-generation co-owners of a Hockchew/Foochew family run the café and make beverages. Astonishingly, the tenants have stayed the same, such as Uncle Teng, who offers Hainanese fried noodles, nasi padang by the son of a Sumatran émigré, Satay by Ramly Yusuff, who carries on the trade started by his wife’s grandfather, and Indian-Muslim rojak and mee rebus.

Address: Capital Café, 213, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, 50100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Opening hours: 10:30 am to 7:30 pm, Closed on Sundays

Pek Yoke’s Cake

This isn’t a restaurant but rather a pushcart by octogenarian Wong Pek Yoke, who first started operating her stall at Central Market back in 1974. She has been selling her timeless pastries, which are only Kaya Swiss Rolls (which are oh-so-soft with aromatic kaya), Egg Tarts, and Kaya Puffs (which are crispy and filled with thick coconut jam), in a narrow lane off Jalan Yap Ah Loy since 1998. She first started selling with her husband but is now helped by her son.

Address: No 5A, Lorong Yap Ah Loy, Kuala Lumpur (Medan pasar/near Central Market) Operation hours: 8 am to 3 pm, Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

Lawanya Food Corner

A short walk from the majestic Sri Kandaswamy Temple lies an Indian culinary gem along Lorong Scott. Operating since 1983, this family-run establishment serves 15-20 hearty southern Indian dishes daily, all served in clay pots. One of their famous dishes is the mutton curry and chicken varuval, which are marked by their strong spicy flavours, while the fried kovai, or scarlet gourd, is a must-try vegetable dish.

Address: 1077/ 50470, 8, Jalan Scott, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Opening hours: 10:30 am to 3:30pm (Monday-Friday), 7:00 am to 12:00pm (Saturday), Closed on Sundays

Yut Kee Restaurant

If you visit Jalan Kamunting on the weekends, you’ll probably spot long lines at this Hainanese coffee shop, and you’ll have to be prepared to wait. First established in 1928 along Jalan Dang Wangi, it moved to its current location in 2014. It is now run by a third-generation owner, Mervyn Lee, but his father, Jack, still occasionally helps out. Don’t leave without trying their chicken and pork chop, kaya toast and buttery marble cake.

Address: No.1, Jalan Kamunting, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Opening hours: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm (Closed on Mondays)

Nasi Lemak Tanglin

Sure, there are famous nasi lemak stalls such as Village Park Restaurant and Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa, but this is genuinely one of the OGs. It is one of the oldest nasi lemak stalls in KL, which has been around since 1948, and it is even listed in the Michelin Guide. Now run by a second-generation owner, you can choose from sotong, daging, or ayam goreng paired with fragrant rice. Their food is so well-loved that they sometimes run out before noon, and queues are always long here, too.

Address: 57G, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, 50490, Malaysia Opening hours: 7 am to 2 pm, open daily

Have you tried any of these places? Did we miss out on any spots on our list? Let us know in the comments.

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