Cover Traditional Beijing Duck at Chinese restaurant Jade Pavilion (Photo: Jade Pavilion)

Straight from the pages of the latest instalment of the Tatler Dining Guide, here's the selection of the top Chinese dining venues

A great Chinese meal is intricate and nuanced yet packed with flavours. Whether you’re looking for a restaurant to celebrate with friends, a casual meal with family members or even a date, it is hard to go wrong with Chinese food. Here in Malaysia, we have a plethora of establishments to choose from.

You’ll be spoiled for choice when deciding where to dine with our round-up of the city’s best restaurants for Chinese food, in alphabetical order, from this year’s Tatler Dining Guide

Read more: Tatler Dining Guide 2024: The best contemporary Asian restaurants in Malaysia

Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Kuala Lumpur Sentral
Tatler Asia
Above Signature butter prawn (Photo: Chynna)

Must Try

  • Buttermilk Prawns
  • Smoked Australian Wagyu Roll
  • Braised Cauliflower Soup

Chynna is an easy choice for modern Cantonese and Shanghainese cuisine. The restaurant is ideal for large parties, with private dining areas and set menus that can be tailored to each group’s preferences. While Chynna is known for Chinese classics, ask your server for specials that highlight the best flavours of the season. A selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available, but the selection of teas is recommended.


Chynna

Address: Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Level 5, 3, Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Petaling Jaya
Tatler Asia
Above Stir-fried beef tenderloin (Photo: Ee Chinese Cuisine)

Must Try

  • Assorted Dim Sum
  • Vermicelli with Shrimp and Scallops
  • Oven Baked Lamb Cutlet

Ee Chinese Cuisine is known for classic Chinese dishes. Classic signatures include the Roasted Crispy Irish Silver Hill Duck with golden-brown skin, the Smoked Village Chicken with Agarwood Tea, and the Australian Beef Tenderloin fried in Szechuan spices.


Ee Chinese Cuisine

Address: Eastin Hotel Kuala Lumpur, 13, Jalan 16/1, 46350 Petaling Jaya


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Instagram / @elegant.inn

Must Try

  • Double-boiled traditional soup
  • Australian scallop bacon roll
  • Golden boneless stuffed chicken with chicken tomato salad

With attention to detail down to personally selected ingredients, Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine boasts consistent and refined Cantonese cuisine. The menu is a delightful fusion of traditional  fare and innovative culinary techniques. Dim sum is delicately executed, and service is commendable, with staff ready to swoop in with recommendations based on individual preferences.


Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine

Address: 2.01, Level 2 Podium Block, Menara Hap Seng, Jalan P. Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur


Langkawi
Tatler Asia
Above Baked Cod Fish with Honey Pepper Sauce (Photo: Hai Yan)

Hai Yan serves a good selection of Chinese cuisine alongside great views. Try the braised abalone with rich oyster sauce and morel mushrooms, the succulent wok-fried Wagyu beef, and the baked cod fish with honey pepper sauce.


Hai Yan

Address: The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, 199, Jalan Pantai Kok, Teluk Nibong, 07000 Langkawi


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Bukit Bintang
Tatler Asia
Above Traditional Beijing Duck (Photo: Jade Pavilion)

Must Try

  • Lion's mane Mushroom with Abalone
  • Sabah Sea Prawns
  • South African Abalone

Jade Pavilion showcases the best of Cantonese cooking and dim sum specialities. With private dining rooms that seat up to 20 diners, the restaurant is ideal for intimate gatherings with friends and family. Made with premium ingredients, dishes here are refined, from the traditional Beijing duck to the wok-fried beef tenderloin served with assorted mushrooms.


Jade Pavilion

Address: Level 8, Pavilion Hotel, 170, Jln Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Tatler Asia
Above Wok-fried cubed beef tenderloin (Photo: Lai Po Heen)

Must Try

  • Wok-fried cubed tenderloin
  • Steamed shrimps siew mai with fish roe
  • Durian pancakes

Located in the heart of the city, Lai Po Heen boasts classic Cantonese cuisine, from traditional fare to assorted handmade sim dum. While it may be known for savoury dishes, the signature dessert, durian pancakes, is not to be missed. Fresh musang king flesh forms the filling, which is wrapped in a soft crêpe and topped with whipped cream.


Lai Po Heen

Address: Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur


Petaling Jaya
Tatler Asia
Above Century egg (Photo: Instagram / @chefphotographerandyong)

While it is an experience that is not common, Lammeeya serves a one-of-a-kind Chinese omakase. The team produces some of the best dishes in town, with careful selection of ingredients at a seasonal peak.


Lammeeya

Address: 100-G21, The School Jaya One, 72A, Jalan Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz, 46200 Petaling Jaya


Damansara Kim
Tatler Asia
Above Siew Long Bao (Photo: Le Sense)

Those in search of a private dining venue for a special occasion should turn to Le Sense, safe in the knowledge that service is efficient and dishes are consistent. Menus are composed of the freshest ingredients the restaurant can acquire, which often include dim sum, and never fail to be phenomenally well-executed.


Le Sense

Address: 8, Jalan SS 20/10, Damansara Kim, 47400 Petaling Jaya


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Bukit Bintang
Tatler Asia
Above Chicken simmered in bouillon (Photo: Li Yen)

Must Try

  • Baked Crispy BBQ Pork Pancakes
  • Roasted Crispy Pork
  • Chicken Simmered in Bouillon
  • Signature Desserts

From dim sum to larger sharing dishes, Li Yen has remained consistent in terms of quality and flavours throughout the years. The ambience and location are excellent, and the staff are friendly, making the restaurant ideal for meals with family and friends.


Li Yen

Address: Level 2, The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur, 168 Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Tatler Asia
Above Steamed Water Prawn with Chinese Rice Wine in Egg White (Photo: Ming Ren Xuan)

Must Try

  • Steamed Wild Empurau Fish
  • Steamed Water Prawn with Chinese Rice Wine in Egg White
  • Grilled Australian Lamb Rack with Spicy Cumin and Garlic

While known for fine Cantonese cuisine, Ming Ren Xuan also serves high-quality dim sum. If ordering dishes to share, try the steamed water prawn with Chinese rice wine in egg white with noodles or the grilled Australian lamb rack with spicy cumin and garlic.


Ming Ren Xuan

Address: Avenue K, L3-5, Level 3, 156, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Bukit Bintang
Tatler Asia
Above Steamed Shanghainese Meat Dumplings (Photo: Shanghai Restaurant)

Must Try

  • Eight Treasures Tea
  • Steamed Shanghainese Meat Dumplings
  • Shanghainese Hairy Crabs

For consistent and authentic Chinese cuisine, visit Shanghai Restaurant. Service is great, and the xiao long bao are some of the best in town.


Shanghai Restaurant

Address: JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur, 183 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur


Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Tatler Asia
Above Peking Duck (Photo: Shang Palace)

Must Try

  • Traditional Peking Duck
  • Dim sum
  • Shang Palace Classic Trio Combination Platter

Shang Palace is a favourite for authentic Cantonese cuisine in an elegant and comfortable setting, ideal for special occasions. A must-order is the Peking Duck, which is carved tableside and served with pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce. Dim sum is well crafted, and the vast selection will spoil diners for choice. Dishes are great for sharing with a group of friends or family.


Shang Palace

Address: Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, 11 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur


Chinese   |   Bangsar
Tatler Asia
Above Crab & Chef’s Special Sauce Rice in Bamboo Tub (Photo: The Ming Room)

With its clean execution and approach to Chinese ingredients, The Ming Room is known for traditional Cantonese flavours with a touch of innovation. The ambience is pleasant and ideal for lunch or dinner with friends or family.


The Ming Room

Address: 3F, Bangsar Shopping Centre, 285 Jalan Maarof, 59000 Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur


Cantonese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Mont Kiara
Tatler Asia
Above Salt and Pepper Boston Lobster (Photo: The Regent Chinese Cuisine)

Must Try

  • Salt & Pepper Boston Lobster
  • Stir Fried Australia Angus Beef with Black Pepper
  • Wild River Prawn Noodle

The standard of cooking at The Regent Chinese Cuisine is reliably excellent, making it the ideal choice for lunch or dinner, where food needs to be infallible, be it a family reunion or a business lunch. Ingredients are fresh, resulting in exquisite cooking, from nourishing double-boiled soups and steamed live fish to  braised noodles. The dining room is comfortable, and the staff are always courteous.


The Regent Chinese Cuisine

Address: A-G-01, Plaza Mont Kiara, 2 Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur


Jalan Ampang
Tatler Asia
Above Prawns (Photo: Yen)

Must Try

  • Yen Golden Duck
  • Soft Shell Crab Salad, Ice Lettuce, Fish Skin, Truffle Sauce
  • Cantonese Fried Sea Prawn, Crispy Oats, Curry Leaves

Cantonese restaurant Yen aims to redefine Chinese classics with innovative fusion twists. The four private dining rooms are ideal for large parties and intimate functions. Like the rooms, the rest of the restaurant is tastefully and elegantly decorated with delicate antique elements. Don’t miss the Golden Duck, Yen’s take on the traditional Peking Duck.


Yen

Address: W Kuala Lumpur, Level 11, W, 121, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur


Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Tatler Asia
Above Signature Braised European Lobster (Photo: Yun House)

For beautifully-presented, exquisite Cantonese dishes, visit Yun House. Order the signature dish of braised European lobster, the crispy roast duck finished with shavings of black truffle, and the deep-fried lemongrass-infused shrimp dumplings with lobster broth.


Yun House

Address: Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, 145, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur


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