15 Affordable Restaurants in KL: Surprisingly Good Cheap Eats!
As someone who takes great pride in being frugal, I’ve always felt lucky to be in Malaysia given how cheap it is for tourists and locals alike. One of the things I do to take advantage of this type of affordability is dining at some of Kuala Lumpur’s most affordable restaurants.
Throughout my years of hunting for these restaurants, I’ve realised that there’s a thin line between restaurants that offer amazing steals and those that are just downright cheap. Don’t worry though because on this list, I’m going to focus on the former!
So if you’re looking to treat yourself to some good grub but aren’t looking to spend your whole budget on meals, keep on reading!
Nasi Ayam Chee Meng
— Media credit: nasiayamcheemeng and greatestfoodman
Address: 50, Jln Bukit Bintang
Contact details: +60 3-2110 5663
Operating hours:
- Weekdays: 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM
- Weekends: 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Chicken rice is undoubtedly one of Malaysia’s best comfort foods and rightly so given its simple yet delicious recipe. This is why we highly recommend you check out Nasi Ayam Chee Meng if you get a chance to visit Bukit Bintang.
Nasi Ayam Chee Meng has been serving the same recipe for their chicken rice since 1965, and it’s the same one that made them worthy of a Michelin star!
Everything from the silky smoothness of the chicken to the perfectly steamed rice is nailed to a tee. What’s more impressive is that they’ve managed to maintain a low price despite the shiny star and the ever-so-increasing hype regarding their chicken rice!
Pro tip:
If you’re looking for something more flavourful to pair with your chicken rice, we highly recommend getting the mango salad. It consists of young mangoes mixed with fried small fish and crushed nuts.
Uncle Soon Fried Rice
— Media credit: unclesoonfriedrice_sripetaling
Address: Subang Square Shopping Mall, Ss 15
Contact details: +60 10-204 0069
Operating hours: Daily from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Alright, a bowl of fried rice isn’t typically an exciting dish to entice your friends with, but if it’s prepared by Uncle Soon Fried Rice, that’s a whole different conversation. Here, you’ll be treated to a proven and tested recipe of fried rice served with either char siu or prawn—or both!
The savoury flavour of the garlic pairs perfectly with either meat, so it all boils down to whether you prefer a meaty or a seafood-y taste. The cherry on top is the fried egg, complete with a runny golden yolk that adds richness to the rice—yum!
Pro tip:
If you don’t want to wait in long lines but still want to visit the restaurant in person, we recommend visiting at around 3:00 PM. During this time, there will be fewer crowds and you’ll get to enjoy your bowl of fried rice as quickly as possible,
Soong Kee Beef Noodles & Low Yau Kee Porridge
— Media credit: crazecraves
Address: 86, Jalan Tun H S Lee
Contact details: +60 14-967 1945
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM
During those rainy days in the capital, there’s nothing I crave more than a bowl of beef noodles from Soong Kee Beef Noodles & Low Yau Kee Porridge. This no-frills eatery has been around for more than 80 years so if anyone’s qualified to serve this dish, it would be them!
Longevity aside, this restaurant is beloved because of the dishes themselves. For starters, the beef noodles feature a hearty soup and the egg noodles themselves have this springy and light texture to them that makes them enjoyable to slurp.
The beef itself is delightful as well, as it doesn’t feature that rubbery texture! Instead, it’s soft and flavourful—perfect to pair with their egg noodles and soup.
Pro tip:
While you’re here, be sure to visit the nearby Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque, which is one of the most iconic attractions/places of worship in Kuala Lumpur!
Sanuki Udon
— Media credit: gotham716
Address: 1st floor, 25A, Jalan Bukit Desa 5
Contact details: +60 3-7980 3704
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Speaking of rainy-day dishes, another one we highly recommend is udon, and there’s no other place that offers better value for money than Sanuki Udon. This place serves one of the best versions of this dish, and the best part is that you won’t have to pay more than RM10!
Served either hot or cold, this will tantalise your tastebuds with its silky smooth udon noodles, runny egg yolk, crunchy scallions and tiny tempura bits. If that’s not enough crunch for you, then you should also order their chicken karaage, which is basically Japanese fried chicken.
The place itself is worth highlighting, as it features an authentic Japanese restaurant interior complete with a bar counter. It can easily fool you into thinking that you’re dining in one of Tokyo’s hole-in-the-walls!
Pro tip:
If you’re planning on commuting, we recommend taking the bus and dropping off at the KL1190 OBD Garden Tower bus stop. From there, the restaurant is only a couple of minutes away on foot!
Shin Zushi
— Media credit: shinzushibar
Address: Ground Floor, No.11, Jalan Jalil Jaya 7 Jalil Link
Contact details: 014-950 9946 (WhatsApp)
Operating hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
One of the trends that I’m not particularly a fan of is fancy sushi joints that charge whopping prices. Fortunately, Kuala Lumpur has Shin Zushi, which serves some fantastic sushi that uses all the same fresh ingredients but for a fraction of the price!
The variety of their sushi is undoubtedly the main draw in this restaurant, as you can get everything from soft-shell crab to salmon roe, fresh tuna and more. If you’re a fan of sashimi, you’ll get a kick out of this place as well, as they offer classics like tuna and salmon belly.
They also offer a myriad of side dishes and appetisers that pair perfectly with their sushi. Some of our favourites include edamame and light seaweed salad.
Pro tip:
If you’re not the biggest fan of raw seafood, we recommend ordering their grilled sushi! Meanwhile, if you don’t want sushi as a whole, you can order their dry meals like the rice bowl, roast duck and teriyaki fried chicken.
Bala’s Banana Leaf
— Media credit: balasbananaleaf
Address: 25, Lorong Ara Kiri 1
Contact details: +60 17-862 2759
Operating hours: Daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Indian food isn’t typically an expensive cuisine, to begin with, but with the quality of Bala’s Banana Leaf, you’re getting the best deal possible. Here, you’ll find some authentically made Indian classics like mamak, roti canai, appam and more.
If you want our advice, however, we recommend getting their lamb shank, as it’s one of their bestsellers for good reasons! It’s tender and the curry that it comes with features the perfect amount of spiciness and sweetness.
Furthermore, we recommend ordering a side of rice so that you can drench it with your side of curry. All the flavours from this sauce will be perfectly absorbed by the rice and it’s perfect to pair with a chunk of lamb meat—yum!
Pro tip:
If you want to avoid long lines, we recommend visiting on weekdays. Don’t worry if you encounter a queue though, as the restaurant’s service is quick and the food itself will be worth the wait!
Tina’s Taquiera
— Media credit: tinastaquiera
Address: 71, Jalan SS 20/11
Contact details: +60 19-613 7970
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Thursday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
If you’re looking for a great spot to satisfy your cravings for Mexican cuisine, then Tina’s Taqueria should be right up your alley! It’s a curbside cantina where you can get your quick fix of tacos, quesadillas, nachos and several other Mexican-inspired dishes.
You can’t go wrong with any of their offerings because all of them are cheap and feature reasonable serving sizes. If there is one combo that we recommend, however, it would be a plate of their nachos and their beef brisket tacos—pure perfection!
Aside from the food themselves, the real stars here are the sides. It’s not a complete meal without a messy plate of coleslaw, pico de gallo and salsa!
Pro tip:
If you want to end your meal with a sweet note, we recommend ordering their Mexican chocolate drink. It’s rich, chocolatey and cold—perfect for a hot sunny day in Kuala Lumpur.
Damansara Uptown Hokkien Mee (Uptown-HQ)
— Media credit: uptown_hokkienmee
Address: 117, 119,121, Jalan SS 21/37
Contact details: +60 13-334 5550
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 2:30 PM to 1:00 AM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM to 1:30 AM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Sometimes, a plate of good old-fashioned Hokkien mee is enough to brighten up your day, and there’s no better place to get it than from Damansara Uptown. The entire restaurant is named after the dish, so they must’ve nailed this recipe to a tee, right?
Well, it’s safe to say that you’re correct, as everything from the glistening noodles to the savoury sauce is pure perfection! Partner those two with a handful of stir-fried vegetables and you’ve got yourself one of the best comfort foods you can try in Kuala Lumpur.
If you want to add more flavour and texture to your plate of Hokkien mee, however, we recommend crispy pork lard. This mixed with the prawns is a match made in heaven!
Pro tip:
If you want to order something that you could share with the table, we recommend getting the roasted duck!
Boran Classic Thai Street Food
— Media credit: boranthaifood
Address: 35, Jalan Kuchai Maju 6, Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park
Contact details: +60 12-347 9088
Operating hours: Daily from 10:45 AM to 11:00 PM
As the name suggests, Boran Classic Thai Street Food is the place to be for those looking to treat themselves to authentic dishes of the Land of Smiles. Whether you’re looking for something you could eat at breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’ll find it here!
There’s no bad choice when it comes to their menu, but if you want our advice, we recommend getting one of their Thai Fried Rice series. One of our favourites out of this series is the pork belly, which we think jives perfectly with the spicy vinegar that they offer.
You can also treat yourself to some authentic tom yum pork soup, which features just the right amount of spiciness and sourness.
Pro tip:
Before leaving, we recommend ending your meal with a bowl of their delicious coconut ice cream. You can also try their “tago”, which is essentially coconut pudding with corn and water chestnut.
Lot 10 Hutong Food Court
— Media credit: lot10hutong
Address: Hutong Food Court, LG-H8, Lot 10
Contact details: +60 16-901 9666
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM
If you and your friends can’t decide on where to eat or which cuisine to try, then Lot 10 Hutong Food Court should be on your radar. This food court features a variety of cheap stalls that will give you a taste of what the different regions of Malaysia have to offer with their cuisines.
From nasi lemak to clay pot chicken rice, char kway teow, Hokkien mee and everything in between, you can expect to see them all here! With that being said, this variety attracts a lot of tourists, especially during weekends so consider visiting on weekdays.
If you’re overwhelmed by the amount of choices you have here, it’s always a safe bet to order the roast duck. It’s tender, juicy and best of all, you can choose which duck you want to be served on your plate (P.S. go for the breast part).
Pro tip:
Before or after eating at Lot 10 Hutong Food Court, make sure to stop by the next-door Museum of Illusions! This place is filled with mind-bending attractions that can serve as great backdrops for your photos.
GO Noodle House
— Media credit: gonoodlehouse
Address: Lot L1-18, Level 1, Avenue K Shopping Mall
Contact details: +60 3-8679 5033
Operating hours: Daily from 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM
GO Noodle House is one of our go-to spots for those times when we crave something warm and hearty to fill up our soles. One huge reason for this is that their soup is cooked using stock, which adds more flavour to the overall dish.
We also love the freedom this restaurant gives to their customers when it comes to ordering their noodle soup. You can add anything from fish balls to pork belly slices, fish heads, prawns clams and more!
Our favourite add-on, however, is undoubtedly the meatball, which is filled with minced pork that will burst inside your mouth.
Pro tip:
If their Avenue K branch is too far from your planned itinerary, don’t worry! You can also visit their locations at Mid Valley Megamall, Sunway Putra, Sunway Velocity and Cheras Leisure Mall.
Kin Kin Restaurant
— Media credit: eatandtreats
Address: 40, Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman, Kampung Baru
Contact details: +60 10-220 4322
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
It may be hard to imagine now but the beloved chilli pan mee originated in a single humble store in Chow Kit called Restoran Kin Kin. With that being said, we still think that this is the best place to get this dish (yes, even with the Super Kitchen and Jojo Little Kitchen around).
For starters, the dish is just flawless, from the soft and springy noodles to the heap of crunchy ikan bilis, everything is pure chef’s kiss. Plus, you can’t be mad with the price they’re offering this dish for, which is far cheaper compared to other restaurants in the area.
Pro tip:
If you’re planning on commuting, we recommend riding the bus. This way, you can drop off at AJ163 Balai Polis Pandan Indah, which is located just across the street from Kin Kin Restaurant.
Nasi Kukus Ilham Mutiara Damansara
— Media credit: ilhamnasikukus
Address: Jalan PJU 7/16b, Mutiara Damansara
Contact details: +60 3-7499 3056
Operating hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM
If you ask any local where to find the best affordable fried chicken in town, they’ll most likely answer Nasi Kukus Ilham Mutiara Damansara, and I’m all for it! This OG place has sort of grown a following because of its delicious fried chicken and as the name suggests, nasi kukus!
Nasi kukus is virtually just steamed rice but that description doesn’t really give it justice. The rice is fragrant and soft—plus, it serves as the perfect vessel for the flavours introduced by the fried chicken and the variety of curries you can pair it with.
Pro tip:
If you’re looking for a luxurious place to spend the night in, consider checking out Ascott Star KLCC Kuala Lumpur. It’s located just across the street from the building of this rooftop bar and it boasts lavish rooms and comfy rooms!
Phraya Thai
— Media credit: phrayathai
Address: 48, Jalan Danau Lumayan 1 Bandar Tun Razak
Contact details: +60 11-1122 4820
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
- Friday to Sunday: 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Phraya Thai is another go-to place of ours when we’re in the city and we suddenly crave some Thai cuisine. One of the things we love about this place is its authentic menu, which they have achieved through extensive research and visits to Bangkok itself—pretty cool!
Here, you’ll find the usual Thai classics like tom yum soup, curries, steamed fish, stir-fried prawns and more! They also offer flavourful vegetarian options (stress on flavourful) like Thai mango and papaya salad.
Pro tip:
Their limited tables can get filled up quickly, especially during weekends. To lock in your slot, we recommend reserving your table through their official WhatsApp: 011-11224820.
Yut Kee Restaurant
— Media credit: travelkudos
Address: 1, Jalan Kamunting, Chow Kit
Contact details: +60 3-2698 8108
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Yut Kee Restaurant is one of the best places to start your day, as they’ve been serving amazing breakfast and lunch meals since 1928! It’s an authentic Hainanese coffee shop that features old-school charm and a bustling atmosphere.
It’s beloved by several locals because of its classic Hainanese dishes, one of which is the pork chop. Everything about this dish is superb, from the crispy outer layer to the tender and juicy interior of the meat, which allows for an explosion of flavours with every bite.
Meanwhile, if you’re planning on trying something light and sweet for breakfast, we highly recommend ordering their butter and kaya toast!
Pro tip:
We recommend getting here as early as possible, as a queue is almost always guaranteed as soon as their doors open.