If you ever find yourself hungry in Setapak, we got your back. A former tin-mining and rubber estate, Setapak means “one step” in Malay, and it’s grown to be a suburban district. The area is best known for being home to Zoo Negara and the P. Ramlee Memorial, but it actually also houses some of KL’s best, yet lesser known restaurants, stalls, and eateries. You’ll also notice that Setapak is mainly known for its Chinese cuisine, but worry not as we’ve also included halal places to eat at, too. Rumbling tummies, let’s check out the best food in Setapak!
Best Eateries in Setapak
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1. Nan Yang Chicken Rice
A must-try if you’re in Setapak, Nan Yang Chicken Rice has grown from a humble stall in Ganda Dua Food Court to becoming a full-fledged restaurant, now located right next to its previous location. Options for chicken rice include both steamed and roasted chicken, with both types oozing with flavour and being as tender as can be. The restaurant also offers other dishes, like roasted pork and char siew, and all of their dishes and set meals are affordable, making it one of the best food in Setapak for lunch.
For more information, click here.
| Address: | 10, Jalan 1a/6, Taman Setapak Indah, 53300 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur |
| Operating hours: | 7.30am – 3pm daily |
| Contact details: | 03 4031 2967 |
2. Kedai Kopi Makanan Hong Lai
Every local knows about Hong Lai – it’s casual, cosy, and all around serves great food. Best known for their Yue Guong Hor, or stir fried Hokkien Mee, this dish has incredible slippery noodles that are packed with flavour and wok hei as the chefs use burning charcoal and a black wok. However, locals have said that the real star of the show is the moonlight fried Kuay Teow Yip Kong Hor, which has a raw egg perfectly sat in the middle, giving this noodle dish amazing flavour and texture. Hong Lai is definitely a dinner spot you can’t miss out on.
For more information, click here.
| Address: | 185, Jalan Genting Kelang, Taman Ayer Panas, 53000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur |
| Operating hours: | 5pm – 12am daily |
| Contact details: | +6012 659 9109 |
3. Sweet Forest Cafe
Sweet Forest Cafe has a huge menu with tons of options for both Western and Asian dishes, like Hainanese Golden Chicken Chop (pictured above), Fish and Chips, as well as rice and noodle dishes. We particularly like their Salmon Fish Head Mee Hoon and their Salted Egg Fried Mantis Shrimp! This restaurant is great for casual meals with friends and family, or as a quick stop for lunch. They’re located in Taman Setapak Indah Jaya, and they even have branches in Puchong and Kepong.
For more information, click here.
| Address: | Taman Setapak Indah Jaya, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpu |
| Operating hours: | 11am – 7.30pm daily |
| Contact details: | +6016 272 9358 |
4. Mali’s Corner
We’re not fighting over the name of this dish today – whether you call it Char Kuey Teow or Kuey Teow Goreng, it’s Malay style, so it’s the wet and soupy kind. For argument’s sake, Mali’s Corner calls in Char Kuey Teow, so we’re sticking with that. Whatever it is, one thing is for sure: it’s delicious! Mali’s Corner is a staple for university students and locals in the area, and it’s a can’t miss spot when you’re in Setapak. Imagine freshly cooked, boiling hot noodles just packed with flavour, maybe a teh ‘o’ ais on the side on a rainy day – you’re in for a treat. Another dish you can’t miss out here is their Nasi Lemak with Ayam Goreng Berempah, so be sure to check that out, too.
For more information, click here.
| Address: | Platinum Walk, 2, Jln Langkawi, Setapak, 53100 Kuala Lumpur |
| Operating hours: | Sun – Thur: 12pm – 2am Fri – Sat: 12pm – 3am |
| Contact details: | – |
5. Lian Jie Noodle House
A local favourite, Lian Jie Noodle House is all about the noods. Located in Danau Kota, they’ve been in operations for 20 years! Their speciality is Signature Rice Wine Chicken Noodles, which has an incredibly flavoursome broth that has a rice wine base. The dish comes with mushrooms, fungus, ginger eggs, and Gan Peng Chicken, which has tender meat that just falls off the bone. Other must-try dishes at Lian Jie Noodle House are their Rice Wine Pork Loin and Signature Rice Wine Lala Noodles.
For more information, click here.
| Address: | G01, Danau Kota Apartment Suite, Jalan 1a/6, Taman Setapak Indah, 53300 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur |
| Operating hours: | 8am – 4pm daily |
| Contact details: | 03 2700 2970 |
6. Gombak Fried Chicken Rice
Piping hot, crispy, tender fried chicken? Yes, please! You can find one of the best fried chicken in Setapak at the unassuming Gombak Fried Chicken Rice stall at Prima Setapak Food Court, where your every craving for fried chicken will undoubtedly be satisfied. The set comes with crispy fried chicken, rice, and soup, and it’s priced at RM6.50. Definitely worth it, this is definitely some of the best food in Setapak for lunch.
| Address: | Jalan Prima Setapak, Taman Setapak, 53100 Kuala Lumpur |
| Operating hours: | Tue – Sun: 9am – 5pm Closed on Mondays |
| Contact details: | – |
7. Restoran Chuan Kee
If there’s one thing you need to try in Setapak, it’s Bak Kut Teh at Restoran Chuan Kee. It’s the perfect meal to start your day or end your day with! The portion is huge, and the soup is flavoursome yet light and airy, making it really easy on the stomach. Compared to other restaurants, the Bak Kut Teh here is a little sweeter and milder, but it’s very comforting and delicious all the same. The restaurant is located at Taman Danau Kota, and it’s a must-try if you’re in the area.
| Address: | 90, Jalan 2/23a, Taman Danau Kota, 53300 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur |
| Operating hours: | Tue – Sun: 10am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 8.30pm Closed on Mondays |
| Contact details: | +6016 376 3537 |
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