Where to eat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Chef Darren Teoh

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This was published 8 years ago

Where to eat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Chef Darren Teoh

By Julietta Jameson
Darren Teoh, Kuala Lumpur.

Darren Teoh, Kuala Lumpur.Credit: JOSHUA CHAN JIAN YU

Academic, chef and author Darren Teoh heads up Dewakan Restaurantat KDU University. Fine dining (and educational) Dewakan is shaking up the Kuala Lumpur dining scene with Teoh's cutting edge take on tradition dishes and ingredients.

See dewakan.my.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE TABLE IN KUALA LUMPUR?

I have a few, but I think for now it is probably Erawan in Kota Damansara or Sushi Hinata at St Mary Residences. See erawan-classicthai.com; shin-hinata.com.

THE LOCAL FOOD DISCOVERY OF THE PAST YEAR?

A home-brewed soy sauce made in Old Klang Road. The gentlemen brews the beans and ferments it in clay urns in his house making a very rich aromatic soy sauce. We use both his varieties in the restaurant now. You never have to use more than a few drops to season.

WHAT IS KUALA LUMPUR'S BEST-KEPT FOOD SECRET?

Keong Kee Chinese Authentic Food, in the car park opposite the Shaw Parade off Jalan Pudu. They serve a variety of not-so-common meats in herbal soup, but my favourite is the free-range chicken with Chinese herbs cooked in a coconut shell. Now that I've told you I will have to kill you. (No website: Jalan Changkat Thambi Dollah, off Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur.)

PLACE TO GO ON A DAY OFF?

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If I am not at home sleeping, I like heading off to Kampung Bukit Tinggi, about an hour out of KL, have lunch at Restaurant Foon Lock there. They do this version of riverfish cooked in a clay pot that I like. Also the steamed frog legs with ginger and chicken essence is pretty much a staple every time I head there. There is a small vegetable market outside the restaurant and I'll pick up some for the restaurant. After that we would take a drive around the Janda Baik area and dream of all the land we could have if we stayed there. (No website: 84, Kg. Bukit Tinggi, Bentong Pahang, Bentong.)

FAVOURITE INDULGENCE IN KUALA LUMPUR?

A few good cocktails at Omakase + Appreciate and then a good Ramly burger after. See facebook.com/OmakaseAppreciate.

WHAT SHOULD A VISITOR AVOID, FOOD-WISE, IN KUALA LUMPUR?

Probably anything that looks, smells or resembles home. I highly recommend getting lost in some of the streets and talking to a friendly face. There is plenty of good eating when it comes recommended from someone.

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