And while trying new dishes is fun,our health sometimes obliges us to be careful with what we eat. This is why the knowledge of what to eat and especially where to look for it is an important aspect.

Vegetarians, for example, can find halal Chinese food in malls and restaurants in the city. Famous for its seafood, steamed soft noodles and, of course, steamed vegetables, the unique tastes are unquestionable for even the non-Chinese tongue.

For those looking to start the night with a full stomach before a round of shopping at Bukit Bintang, two recommended restaurants just behind the newly constructed Pavilion Mall are defi nitely Bon Ton and Seri Melayu.

Located on Jl. Kia Peng, Bon Ton has a retro design that mainly combines rich Malaysian fabrics, glowing candles and a load of antiques. The big wooden structure was restored from an old tin baron’s house, but the best part about the restaurant is defi nitely the food.

Providing complete sets of dining from soups, salads to homemade tiramisu for dessert, Bon Ton’s main attraction is its Malaka Nyonya Platter, which falls under the genre of Nyonya Food. Some items included on one huge platter are lemon grass chicken wrapped in pandan leaf, mutton curry with potato, cabbage soup, and the brown nasi kemuli (nutmeg and clove seasoned rice). The outlook of course is intriguing, but the taste is a surprise that can make you weep with every single bite.

Bon Ton has been named the best restaurant for six consecutive years by Malaysia Tattler. And visiting this restaurant, especially for dinner, will defi nitely add meaning to your trip.

Facing Bon Ton is one of the four branches of Seri Melayu, a buffet restaurant with a gabled roof and four old pillars reminiscent of both Perak and Malacca infl uence. While serving authentic Malay cuisine at different booths, including Mee Bandung at their “Mee” depot, the main attraction of the restaurant is the 35-square-meter stage where Malay cultural shows are performed every night.

The traditional dances performed by around 20 dancers represent each of the country’s diverse ethnic groups, including Malay, India, Chinese and Borneo. Parts of the music have been rearranged with new progressions and electronic beats while other parts are played live from a side stage. After some 45 minutes that include visitors’ participation, the show ends with the country’s “Malaysia, Truly Asia” tagline in dances and song, ending the glamorous night with a twist and a load of new cultural knowledge.

Yet the trend in KL nowadays has shifted toward the upgraded version of Mamak’s Place. Also known as Kedai Mamak, the term is commonly used to refer to restaurants owned by Muslim Indians. Its stalls feature all types of Indian dishes ranging from huge fried lobsters, roti canai (fl at bread) -- usually served for breakfast with teh tarik (dark tea) --, fried forest chicken to various curries.

With huge plates and a variety of beverage options, Mamak’s Place has become a stomping ground for many of the youth in Kuala Lumpur. “It’s usually open 24 hours, so you could stay here until morning just chatting with friends with a single order of teh tarik. Mamak’s Place also has free Wi-Fi,” explained Amira, one of the youth who has fallen under the restaurant’s spell.

A wide variety of food is available as long as you know where to look; even Nasi Padang is available at one corner of Bukit Bintang. All you need, of course, is an open mind.

-- JP/Er Audy Zandri

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