97 Restaurants in KL & Penang Listed in the Michelin Guide with Four Receiving One Star Each

We first reported on five Malaysians who are behind Michelin-starred restaurants around the globe. We then found out that the Michelin guide had finally landed on Malaysian shores, with Penang and KL being the first cities to be evaluated by representatives of the prominent guide, with more states to be added to the future.

Now, excitingly, the full list of winners and selections has been revealed! A total of 97 restaurants were listed in the guide, with four receiving One Michelin Star and 32 receiving a Bib Gourmand.

While no restaurants received Two or Three Michelin stars, we hope that those on the list and other establishments will be recognised in the future. We also hope that these places can maintain their accreditation, as places have been known to lose their stars or status if their quality drops.

Here's what the Michelin Stars mean:

1 Star: High quality cooking. Worth a stop!

2 Stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour!

3 Stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey!

You can read the full explanation of how they inspect establishments and the meaning of the symbols in the guides here.

Malaysian Restaurants With One Michelin Star

These restaurants were awarded with Malaysia’s first-ever Michelin stars.

Fun fact: both KL restaurants are helmed by chefs with the name Darren, but don’t be confused between the two as the first is by Chef Darren Teoh.

1. Dewakan (Kuala Lumpur)

Although fine dining restaurants typically highlight European fare, Dewakan has displayed creativity with its cuisine by trying to push for Malaysian and indigenous ingredients. It was also previously named in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Leanne Lim of Dewakan also received the Michelin Service Award.

2. DC Restaurant, by Darren Chin (Kuala Lumpur)

Live seafood and local produce are used to create French classics in a 3-storey 1970s building which offers dinners various experiences on the different floors. Mahamad Hafiz Bin Abdullah displayed his extensive wine knowledge and received the Michelin Sommelier Award.

3. Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery (Penang)

This family-style eatery is a Nyonya restaurant that uses secret recipes to offer classics like ‘Jiu Hu Char’, stir-fried yam bean with shredded cuttlefish.

4. Au Jardin (Penang)

Au Jardin combines fine cooking techniques and local touches to serve up contemporary Franco-Asian Cuisine. The chef de cuisine of this restaurant, Lim Yan You was awarded the Michelin Young Chef award.

Malaysian Restaurants Awarded The Bib Gourmand

This award is named after Bibendum, the tubby mascot that the tyre company is known for. It ‘recognizes friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices.

Kuala Lumpur

1. Ah Hei Bak Kut Teh

2. Aliyaa

3. Anak Baba

4. Congkak (Bukit Bintang)

5. Dancing Fish

6. De Wan 1958

7. Hai Kah Lang

8. Heun Kee Claypot Rice (Pudu)

9. Hing Kee Bak Kut Teh (Jalan Kepong)

10. Lai Foong Lala Noodles

11. Nam Heong Chicken Rice

12. Nasi Ayam Hainan Chee Ming (Jalan Klang Lama)

13. Restoran Pik Wah

14. Sao Nam

15. Wong Mei Kee

1. Bridge Street Prawn Mee

2. Communal Table by Gen

3. Duck Blood Curry Mee

4. Green House Prawn Mee and Loh Mee

5. Ivy’s Nyonya Cuisine

6. Ming Qing Charcoal Char Koay Teow

7. Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Kuih

8. Neighbourwood

9. Penang Road Famous Laksa

10. Rasa Rasa

11. Sardaaji

12. Taman Bukit Curry Mee

13. Tek Sen

14. Thara

15. Theebi Pandarams

16. Tho Yuen

17. Wan Dou Tou Assam Laksa

Make sure to save these spots to your list if you’re planning on trying them out yourselves! We’ve personally ticked a few off this list –– let us know at rojakdaily.my@gmail.com if you’ve tried any.

Image credit: @MichelinGuideWorldwide, @restaurantaujardin, @dewakanmy