Cover Chef Leong Chee Mun (Photo: Else Hotel, Kuala Lumpur)

With over a decade of culinary experience, chef Leong Chee Mun leads the team at Raw Kitchen Hall at Else Kuala Lumpur

Raw Kitchen Hall in Else Kuala Lumpur has quickly become the innovative eatery on the tip of everyone’s tongue. With a Latin-Asian menu bursting with bold flavours, Leong masterfully presents local ingredients through his dishes.

The Kuala Lumpur-born chef was based in Singapore from 2015 to 2022, before returning to Malaysia to helm Raw Kitchen Hall, sister restaurant to Singapore's Raw Kitchen Bar. We speak to Leong about all things food, from his favourite series to watch to his ideal city to travel to.

See also: Peranakan-Influenced bōl Is a Feast for the Senses

Who has been the biggest influence on you professionally? 

There are a few—Gerald Chong, executive chef at Four Points Sheraton; Greg Bess, executive chef at CUT and Spago Singapore; and Thirushaan Gunasakaran, chef de cuisine at Spago Singapore. They inspired me a lot throughout my career, and taught me that being a chef is more than just making great food — staying humble and being myself are two lessons I have learned with their guidance. 

See also: 14 New Restaurants, Cafés and Bars in Malaysia to Try in November 2022

What is a book/movie/show/podcast that you think every chef should read/watch/hear?

Definitely Chef’s Table

Who is the chef you’d most like to cook with, dead or alive?

Spago Singapore’s Thirushaan Gunasakaran—and he is still alive!

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What and where is the best restaurant you’ve ever eaten at?

Meta Restaurant in Singapore, led by chef Sun Kim. 

What is your favourite food city/foodie travel destination?

It has to be Penang.

See also: The Chef Series Celebrates Produce Grown in Datai Langkawi

What is one ingredient you can’t live without?

Definitely salt!

It’s your last meal—what’s on the menu?

Black Angus sirloin steak. 

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