These are the 14 New Bib Gourmand Establishments Added to the Michelin Guide in KL & Penang

Last year, the Michelin Guide finally arrived on Malaysian shores to much fanfare, with 97 restaurants in KL and Penang listed. Four received One Michelin Star, 32 received a Bib Gourmand, and 61 were placed on the Selected list. The list drew a lot of mixed reactions, with many netizens questioning the fair depiction of Malaysia’s culinary scene, especially since it was not revealed if any of the inspectors were Malaysian. Now, the hotly debated guide has unveiled 14 new Bib Gourmand establishments ahead of the full selection for the 2024 guide on 17 November.

What is the Bib Gourmand Award?

The Bib Gourmand establishments are not to be confused with Michelin-starred restaurants as they are known as the ‘best value for money restaurants.’ Instead of fine-dining restaurants typically associated with the guide, the common denominator is the ‘simpler style of cooking, which is recognisable and easy-to-eat.’

According to Michelin’s website, the ‘price limit for Bib Gourmand consideration varies from country to country, depending on the cost of living.’ It is symbolised by the “Bibendum” or “Michelin Man”, and the establishments fall within the $ and $$ price range, namely the categories “on a budget” and “a moderate spend”.

Together with last year’s list, there are a total of 45 food establishments that offer outstanding dining experiences at reasonable prices. Among them, 5 are from Kuala Lumpur, and 8 are from Penang. Notably, one of last year's Michelin Selected restaurants, Sri Nirwana Maju in Kuala Lumpur (which got a lot of flak online for being on the list, see below), has been moved to Bib Gourmand.

The people who nominated Nirwana Maju for Michelin most probably eat banana leaf with fork and spoon

— S Theven Subramaniam (@theven89) December 14, 2022

Bibik's Kitchen in Penang was also moved from the Selected list to Bib Gourmand. Without further ado, *drumroll, please*, here is the list:

Kuala Lumpur: 4 New Entries and 1 Moving from MICHELIN Selected

With the new addition of 5 food establishments, Kuala Lumpur now has a total of 20 Bib Gourmand establishments, featuring more than 10 different cuisine types. 

Hor Poh Cuisine, located in a tucked-away neighbourhood, is a simple shop that has been selling authentic Hakkanese food for over 20 years. The must-try Hor Poh lui cha is a sheeny green soup served with steamed rice. The Hor Poh dumpling, is also popular.

Jalan Ipoh Claypot Chicken Rice has been selling chicken rice that is cooked-to-order over charcoal in clay pots for over 30 years. The dish comes with Cantonese pork sausage and ginger and has a crispy crust at the bottom.

Roti by d'Tandoor is a North Indian restaurant brand that was founded in Malaysia in 1990. It has since expanded to other countries around the world. They offer a hearty range of fine Indian cuisine, featuring a consummate blend of herbs and spices.

Sek Yuen serves mostly traditional Cantonese cuisine. Having opened in 1948 and remaining as popular as ever, it now takes up three shops on the same street. Depending on where the clients are seated, the room may feel vintage and nostalgic, or simple and bright.

Sri Nirwana Maju, which is moved from being a MICHELIN Selected eatery, attracts diners for its distinctive flavours — a selection of regional dishes for anyone seeking an authentic taste of India.

Penang: 8 New Entries and 1 Moving from MICHELIN Selected

With the new addition of 9 food establishments, Penang now has a total of 25 Bib Gourmand establishments, with almost 50% of them being street food stalls, which is after all, what the island is famous for.

Ah Boy Koay Teow Th’ng is a family-run shop, now in its second generation of owners. This institution specialises in koay teow th'ng, and the broth is made from chicken and pork bones. 

Bibik's Kitchen’s menu showcases the owner’s heirloom Peranakan recipes that are slightly less spicy than their counterparts elsewhere. Dishes come in three sizes – try their jiu hu char (stir-fried yam bean with shredded cuttlefish), and loh bak (deep-fried five-spice pork rolls). Laksa is available only on weekends. We hope that this Peranakan joint is better than Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery, check out our review here.

BM Cathay Pancake is a humble cart outside Cathay Food Court, which has been serving only one dish since 1962 — Apam Balik, or chargrilled pancake with sugar-peanut filling, made on the spot and served piping hot.

Ghee Lian serves three noodle dishes: the signature green tom yum, noodle soup, and fried noodles. The fresh green tom yum hits the right balance of sour and spicy. The fried fish topping has a crispy outer layer and a succulent centre, while the large prawns have a moreish umami flavour.

Hot Bowl White Curry Mee is a small shop offering one of the best curry in Penang. The mee is served in a coconut milk-based broth with a bowl of curry paste. The noodle soup in clear broth with chicken meatballs is also worth trying.

My Own Café is a charming family-run shop that serves Penang Asam laksa, Nyonya laksa, and fried spring rolls. The light and refreshing red soup of the signature Asam laksa strikes the right balance of sour and spicy and is nicely topped off with mint and pineapple. 

Penang Road Famous Jin Kor Char Kuey Teow has been around for almost 40 years. Kuey teow is made to order and topped with shrimps, blood clams, pork sausage, and bean sprouts, boasting a lovely wok hei aroma.

Siam Road Char Koay Teow is a small store that draws long queues — mostly tourists and young customers. They serve just one dish: stir-fried koay teow. The wok-fried flat rice noodles that emit a charcoal aroma are well-seasoned and come with quality ingredients that can be spiced to taste.

Sister Yao’s Char Koay Kak is run by three sisters who inherited their father's life's work, which he began in 1963. The specialty of the stall is char koay kak, a snack from the family’s ancestral home of Teochew. The rice cakes are fried with a nice wok hei aroma and the right amount of soya sauce, bean sprouts, egg, and spiciness.

What do you think of these new Bib Gourmand selections?

Check out the Michelin Guide here.