Try Lonely Planet’s top Malaysian food experiences here (part 1)

Excited at the news of Curry Laksa in Kuala Lumpur garnering the number 2 spot on the list of 500 on Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Eatlist, we decided to find out what the other Malaysian foods on the list were.

And most importantly, where you can find them!

For mouthwatering Curry Laksa, the Lonely Planet Ultimate Eatlist says that one of the best spots to find it in KL is the Madras Lane Curry Stalls, Off Jalan Petaling.

There are three stalls, and Lonely Planet recommends choosing the one with the longest queue. And then coming back the next day to try the other stalls.

There are 10 other Malaysian favourites on the list, and here's the first half of the list in order, with EdgeProp.my’s suggestions for good places to go makan.

Curry Laksa (No. 2)

The basics of this hearty, fiery dish is a bowl of curry soup ladled over a bowl of yellow noodles or vermicelli, or both, with fat pillowy puffs of tofu pok, shredded boiled chicken, bean sprouts and slices of fish cake.

Get your fix at these places:

Sun Yin Loong coffee shop
41-01, Jalan PJU 1/3C, Sunway Mas Commercial Center, Aman Suria, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
7.15am-5pm (Monday-Saturday), 7.15am-3pm (Sunday)
This stall serves Ipoh-style curry laksa, laden with fluffy tofu pok, cockles, beansprouts and siew yoke or steamed chicken in a creamy, spicy soup. Go early to avoid disappointment.

Limapulo: Baba Can Cook
50, Jalan Doraisamy, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
Noon-3pm, 6pm-10pm; closed on Sundays
Get your Nyonya curry laksa fix here. Painstakingly made with a blend of eight fresh herbs and spices, limited bowls are made every day so claim yours early!
 

Ikan Bakar (No. 60)

KLites are in luck — one of the best places to have ikan bakar, or fish slathered in spices and grilled over charcoal, is Sambal Hijau at Kampung Penchala.

Besides that, any seaside location in Malaysia will usually do, but one of the best places is the Portuguese settlement in Melaka, where you can have your fish while you sit by the beach, enjoying the view.

Sambal Hijau 2990, Jalan Sungai Penchala, Kampung Sungai Penchala, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
7.30am-2am
This eatery in Kampung Sungai Penchala is a famous spot, well loved by many. Their pledge is to only serve fish that is certified fresh and just out of the water, and you can choose from a wide variety of fish including jenahak, kerapu and pari.

Medan Selera Portuguese Settlement, Lot 10, Jalan Ujong Pasir, 75050 Melaka
There are several stalls offering ikan bakar and a host of other seafood delights, caught fresh daily. Take the opportunity to sample some Kristang cuisine while you're there.

Assam Laksa (No. 123)

Buckle up for a trip to Penang if you're seeking the best assam laksa. An institution among connoisseurs of this spicy, sweet and sour noodle soup dish is undoubtedly the old Air Itam market stall at the foot of the famous Kek Lok Si temple. It was given the seal of approval by no less than the late Anthony Bourdain.

However, you generally can't go wrong in the state – foodies on the 'net have named assorted streets in George Town such Jalan Penang and Jalan Burma, the Pulau Tikus market area and Balik Pulau as offering the best take on this dish.

Can’t make a trip up north? Don’t worry, there are other places in the Klang Valley where you can get your fix.

Kedai Makanan Ah Loy
11am-11pm; closed on Tuesdays
11 & 13, Jalan Hujan Rahmat 3, Taman OUG, 58200, Old Klang Road, Kuala Lumpur
This place is best known for its curry laksa, but its assam laksa gets rave reviews too. Chunks of mackerel and pineaple and a generous handful of mint leaves result in a zesty soup. A spoonful of pungent ha ko (prawn paste) makes it all go down.

Aik Prawn Mee & Asam Laksa
Noon-5pm, closed on Mondays
1, Jalan 21/11b, Sea Park, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Kill two birds with one stone and also try the prawn mee while you're ordering from this food truck. The experience of eating at a five-foot way is undoubtedly something tourists should experience.

Beef Rendang (No. 268)

Hearty and spicy beef rendang is found in high-end restaurants, mid-priced eateries and humble roadside gerai alike. The most extravagant version of this dish is undoubtedly the rendang tok, which is cooked for hours until the beef and sauces are rendered into a dark, dry dish with concentrated flavours and melt-in-your-mouth meat.

If you love beef rendang but can’t stand the thought of slaving away for hours in the kitchen to get it just right, head to these joints to fulfil your cravings ASAP.

Kafe Bawang Merah
Lot 12A, Jalan SS 12/1b, SS 12, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
9am-10pm; closed on Sundays
This cosy cafe serves an assortment of authentic Malay food, including a beef rendang that has been described by fans as being just like home-cooked fare. The dishes change every day, so it's worth paying a visit daily if you want to try everything.

Aunty Aini’s Garden Café in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan
Batu 16, Kampung Chelet, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan
11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-11pm; closed on Mondays
The namesake Aunty Aini is famous for bossing renowned chef Gordon Ramsay around on his 'Great Escape' series, when she taught him to make her beef rendang dish. However, you'll have to make a booking in advance for a large group if you want to try her famous dish as it is best cooked in large quantities.

Wantan Mee (No. 299)

Get a carbo fix when chowing down to this favorite among those who want something yummy and cheap. 

This al dente noodly dish usually comes with char siew and wanton, or in the Malaysian context, wantan, to distance ourselves from the Hong Kong variant. 

Different folk have their favourite stalls or shops but here are two that many travel far and wide to savour.

Wah Cheong Wantan Mee
Kedai Kopi Wah Cheong
Jalan 17/38, Section 17, Petaling Jaya
Opens for breakfast and lunch
The springy noodles here are served four ways -- with char siew, sui kow (dumpling) soup, curry steamed chicken and mushrooms with chicken feet.

Cheong Kee Wan Tan Mee
542, Jalan Sekolah,
Buntong, Ipoh
5.45pm to 11pm
Closed on Sundays

This place serves the dish in two classic ways — dry and with soup. The black sauce in the dry version is said to be lighter than most, while the sui kow is flavourful. Fans of the noodles also say it thankfully lacks the alkaline aftertaste that can ruin a good plate of noodles.

Stay tuned for the rest of the list and our recomendations!