Cover A typical breakfast scene at a local kopitiam (Photo: Wan San Yip/Unsplash)
A typical breakfast scene at a local kopitiam (Photo: Wan San Yip/Unsplash)
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We ask five of our Top 20 chefs which hawker spots serve the best breakfast
There's nothing like a hearty Malaysian breakfast at one of the local kopitiam to start the day—better still, if it's the weekend when you can take your sweet time enjoying the meal. Whether it's a simple combination of kaya toast and kopi O, a heartwarming bowl of soup noodles or a plate of nasi lemak with fiery sambal, Malaysian breakfasts are really hard to beat.
Five chefs from Tatler Dining's Top 20 Best Restaurants 2023 share their favourite hawker breakfast spots. Stay tuned for more chefs' recommendations for lunch and dinner in the coming weeks.
Read more: The best nasi lemak in Malaysia, according to chefs
Johnson Wong, Gēn 根
Above Johnson Wong (Photo: Courtesy of Gēn 根)
Above Char hor fun is one of the lesser known but much-loved dishes in Penang (Photo: Ancy Family/Google Reviews)
Johnson Wong (Photo: Courtesy of Gēn 根)
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"My favourite breakfast is this char hor fun stall in Tanjung Bungah, Penang. It probably doesn't have a proper name but the stall is located inside Kafe Sim Lim. It's a hidden spot and has been around for almost 40 years. Char hor fun is very much a comfort meal for me to start my day right.
I've visited this place numerous times in the past few months ever since I moved into the neighbourhood and was introduced to it by the locals. I love it because the balance of flavours in the bowl makes you feel like you're having a home-cooked meal."
Kafe Sim Lim, No. 1-0-2, Jalan Chan Siew Teng, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, +6010 866 5644, Monday-Friday, 10 am-4:30 pm
Daniel Yap, Gooddam
Above Daniel Yap (Photo: Imran Sulaiman)
Above Beef noodles at O&S Restaurant in Taman Paramount (Photo: @cooking_rupa/Instagram)
Daniel Yap (Photo: Imran Sulaiman)
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"My favourite kopitiam is O&S Restaurant in Taman Paramount. I usually order beef noodle soup with kuey teow (flat noodles) with extra beef balls and beef tendons. The broth has a strong beefy flavour and the serving comes with a generous amount of meat. It uses the short rib and parts of the beef d-rump cut in nice, thick slices."
O&S Restaurant, 39, Jalan 20/14, Taman Paramount, 46300 Petaling Jaya, O&S Restaurant on Facebook, Monday-Sunday, 7am-3pm
See also: The best curry mee in Malaysia, according to chefs
Mickael Cornutrait, Ember Beach Club
Above Mickael Cornutrait (Photo: Courtesy of One&Only Desaru Coast)
Above Pan mee (Photo: @lovelife_stella/Instagram)
Mickael Cornutrait (Photo: Courtesy of One&Only Desaru Coast)
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"Whenever I have a day off, I like going to 899 Good Restaurant in Desaru for its Hainanese chicken rice and its homemade pan mee. Sometimes I like to do takeaway and eat on the beach. It's a simple place but the food is good and consistent."
899 Good Restaurant, Jalan Kempas 1, Taman Desaru Utama, 82200 Bandar Penawar, +607 886 1977, Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, 10am-8pm; Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, 8am-8pm; Wednesday, 10am-7pm
Mui Kai Quan, ChoCha Foodstore
Above Mui Kai Quan (Photo: Daniel Adams)
Above Fish head soup with river prawns at Ring Road Fish Head (Photo: KC Chong/Google Reviews)
Mui Kai Quan (Photo: Daniel Adams)
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"My favourite local breakfast are the two of the stalls at Ring Road Fish Head. I usually order fish head soup with mee hoon, pig intestines, and a river prawn. I also like the chicken rice stall—it is legendary as well as. It is served with ginger scallion sauce and I always ask for all the chicken innards.
This place is very popular among the older generations. The food here has clean flavours and very light seasoning, and is made using good produce."
Ring Road Fish Head, 50, Jalan Gelang, Pudu, 55200 Kuala Lumpur, +6019 211 4990, Tuesday-Sunday, 6am-3pm
Don't miss: Shhhbuuuleee's chef Mui Kai Quan is a devoted master of offal
Siva Suppaiya, Aliyaa
Above Siva Suppaiya (Photo: Courtesy of Aliyaa)
Above Thosai and ulunthu vadai (Photo: @nanceelim/Instagram)
Siva Suppaiya (Photo: Courtesy of Aliyaa)
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"I like going to Vishal Food & Catering in Brickfields to start my day. The food is really authentic and delicious. Being a Sri Lankan myself, it’s absolutely comforting to be able to indulge in such flavourful meals in Malaysia.
My favourite thing to order is the ulunthu vadai, the thosai and the assortment of chutneys. The Ulunthu Vadai is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, while the thosai is fluffy and light. What takes the breakfast to the next level is its perfect cup of Pasum Paal tea, a classic drink made from fresh cow’s milk and black tea. I believe the secret lies in the quality and the balance of the ingredients."
Vishal Food & Catering, 22, Jalan Scott, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, +603 2274 1995, @vishal.food on Facebook, Monday-Friday, 11 am-9:30 pm; Saturday-Sunday, 7:30 am-9:30 pm
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Amanda is a KL-born and raised third culture kid, who lives to eat. If not found reading, writing for Tatler Dining, or snacking, she is most likely playing with her dog, Katsu, sourcing new Birkenstocks, or looking for a new restaurant to venture to.
Follow her on Instagram at @feedingamanda.
