Peranakan-Influenced bōl Is a Feast for the Senses

Lush and lavish, Bōl in Kuala Lumpur elegantly reimagines Peranakan heritage in design and cuisine

Passion in anything adds a certain magic to the finished result, and this is undoubtedly the case with Bōl, a chic restaurant cum bar in a pre-war terrace on Jalan Sin Chew Kee.

Serving a contemporary take on classical Peranakan fare, Bōl is the culmination of joint owners Kian Liew and Patrick Hong love for the Straits cuisine.

Photo 1 of 2 bōl’s pristine white facade

Photo 2 of 2 Terracota coloured Driade Roly Poly chairs add a touch of modernity in the patio

The menu comprises unique dishes conceived by Liew, which sees iconic ingredients like buah keluak paired with tender Australian lamb shank for delectable results.

This fusion of east and west, old and new, is mirrored in the restaurant’s interiors, where contemporary design sensibilities are juxtaposed against the vintage charm of colonial-era architecture.

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Photo 1 of 2 The colour story of sage green and terracotta begins with the reception desk and slatted timber walls

Photo 2 of 2

“Our desire was to craft a space that would highlight the interplay between traditional and modern elements while transporting guests to a tropical rainforest. The challenge was in curating the materials and finishes to ensure that everything formed a cohesive whole,” explains Liew, who is also head of global interior design for an international hospitality group.

Photo 1 of 2 The charming ground floor bar has arched alcoves and woven cane-backed high chairs

Photo 2 of 2 Botanical-themed Cole & Son wallpaper add a maximalist vibe

The results are a triumph of Liew’s flair for making different elements work in harmony. From the mesmerising Cole and & Son wallpaper reminiscent of Peranakan floral motifs down to the seating detail of rattan panels underlining the colonial vibe.

Not to mention the clever choices of contemporary outdoor furniture enhancing the crisp white of the building exterior.

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Photo 1 of 2 The unapologetically maximalist dining room

Photo 2 of 2

The wows also come in small and big gestures. The former in the form of famed Koren artist Lee Jung Woong’s magnificent brush painting in the main dining hall punctuating the lavish interiors like an exclamation mark. The the latter appears as a glass house on the top floor inspired by conservatories clad with a faint imprint of the Cole & Son wallpaper.

Photo 1 of 2 The airy glasshouse on the top floor was inspired by Victorian conservatories

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Akin to the sleek pied-a-terre of a well-heeled Peranakan connoisseur, the final result is a space whose visual warmth is well-balanced with quirky touches – successfully marrying east and west, old and new, against a backdrop of lush foliage.

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Credits

Photography

David Yeow

Topics

bol fine dining restaurant design kuala lumpur restaurant F&B design venue

Tatler Asia

This Peranakan-Influenced Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur Is a Feast for the Senses