These unassuming venues dish out some satisfyingly delicious food.

1. Rasai Machan

The soulful secrets of Sri Lankan cooking are waiting to be unearthed at an unlikely location, inside the students’ cafeteria of Monash University Malaysia: A friendly matriarch and her family run this stall where customers can savour a sublimely hearty plate that’s heaped with rice, devilled chicken, stewed tapioca, pumpkin curry, simmered lentils, mint sambol, fried bittergourd, grated coconut and banana blossoms for only RM10 – very possibly the most satisfying RM10 we’ve spent recently.

Address: Monash University Malaysia,  Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Read review for Rasai Machan.

2. Puchong Chettinad Mess, Puchong

Possibly the Klang Valley’s most secretive and well-hidden venue for banana leaf rice, Puchong Chettinad Mess began running in recent weeks in a first-floor shop-lot on one of Puchong’s less-travelled streets (incredibly for Puchong, parking is a breeze in front of Puchong Chettinad Mess, with several vacant spaces even at noon).

Address: 11-1, Jalan 7/9, , Bandar Puteri Puchong, Selangor.
Read review of Puchong Chettinad Mess.

3. Aunty Jane Home Cook, Sungai Way

Seeking a satisfying lunch, fuelled by family-served sustenance and succour? Search no further: Steer off the beaten path and into the cooling shade of Aunty Jane Home Cook, a weekdays-only business hidden in a house in Sungai Way New Village that’s thriving through wildly potent, well-earned word of mouth.

Address: 482 Jalan SS 9A/10, Seri Setia, Sungei Way New Village, Selangor.
Read review of Aunty Jane Home-Cook at Sungai Way New Village.

4. Laguna Mabuhay,  KL

Looks deceive: Laguna Mabuhay might seem like a sterile, surprise-free outlet from outside, but in terms of its food, this is one distinct eatery. The Philippine clientele, especially strong on Sunday afternoons, is enough to indicate what cuisine is offered here; Laguna Mabuhay is the Filipino eatery that KL has long needed, with a menu that outstrips the now-closed Cagayan’s at Bandar Utama’s Centrepoint.

Address: 3, Jalan Gereja, 43200 Kuala Lumpur.
Read review of Laguna Mabuhay Philippine Restaurant.

5. Tiger Tim’s in Tengkat Tong Shin

From the outset, Tiger Tim’s – also known as Billy’s Pub – looks little more than a quiet bar with quirky decor and a pool table. But the owner and the cooking team – hailing originally from Thailand – cook up by far the best Thai meal in Bukit Bintang, if not all of KL. This is a rare gem and worth the hunt: the pad thai and red curry will take you straight back to Bangkok.

Address: 32, Tengkat Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur.
Find contact details and map for Tiger Tim’s Pub.

6. Healy Mac’s in Changkat

Sometimes illogical things make the most sense. For example, if you want great German food, in malaysia, go to an Irish pub. the well-loved chain of Healy Mac’s has spread far and wide throughtout the country but is certainly more known fot its Guinness than its grub. But try the Mixed Sausage Platter for a meaty party that even a Munich resident would be impressed with.

Address: 38 Changkat Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur.
Find contact details and map for Healy Mac’s.