Chinatown is one of those places you’ll likely find in every country—and for good reason. It’s a haven for food lovers, offering an impressive variety of local and Asian cuisines. So, it’s no surprise that Kuala Lumpur’s own Chinatown is a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

Getting there, however, was an adventure in itself. Due to heavy traffic, we decided to walk and relied on Google Maps for directions. That turned into a bit of a workout—we found ourselves navigating up and down sloped pathways, which left us quite exhausted by the time we arrived.

Once we reached the heart of Chinatown located in Petaling Street, City Centre, we took our time strolling along the vibrant street, observing the food stalls and restaurants. Our strategy was simple: go where the queue is longest. After all, long lines usually mean good food. That’s how we ended up trying Rougamo.

Rougamo: A Chinese “Burger” to Start

We spotted some crowd gathered around a Rougamo stall. Rougamo, often referred to as the “Chinese hamburger,” is a traditional street food made with braised meat tucked into a crispy, flaky flatbread. We opted for the beef version, served hot and fresh. The flaky bread was opened like a pocket and generously filled. The first bite was satisfying—it reminded me a bit of the pepper pork bun (Hu Jiao Bing) I had at Raohe Night Market in Taiwan. However, the meat didn’t reach the bottom of the bun, so it lost a bit of its magic towards the end. Still, it was a great appetizer. Interestingly, we noticed that stalls closer to Chinatown’s main entrance sold similar Rougamo at a lower price—worth checking out next time!

Main Dinner at Restoran Meng Kee Grilled Fish

From there, we made our way to Restoran Meng Kee Grilled Fish. The place stood out with its large open space and a bustling crowd, a promising sign.

What we ordered:

Grilled Stingray (MYR 49.90) – The meat was firm and yellowish, likely due to turmeric seasoning. It tasted fresh, not fishy at all. The accompanying chili sauce had a nice twist with onion slices, and a squeeze of calamansi brought everything together beautifully. No wonder it’s one of their best-sellers.

Sambal Cockles (MYR 26.60) – My personal favorite! The flavor was a mix of sweet, sour, and spicy, with hints of garlic and some herbs. It hit all the right notes. One order of rice isn’t enough for this cockles as the sauce is really good. Like what we usually say in Filipino “sabaw pa lang, ulam na!” I assure you, you’d want to double that cup of rice in one seating.

Broccoli with Garlic (MYR 18.60) – A simple side dish, but full of flavor. The garlic-infused broth was so tasty, I could have sipped it like soup. This one was our appetizer instead of a side dish by the way as it was served first.

Grilled Chicken Wings (MYR 18.00) – A generous serving, grilled to perfection. Unfortunately, this didn’t quite hit the mark. There was an odd aftertaste that I couldn’t quite identify, and we didn’t end up finishing the serving. I personally prefer the BBQ marinade back home in the Philippines—sweeter, smokier, and more balanced in flavor.

We also had a cup of steamed rice (MYR 2.20) and a cold beer to wash it all down. Note: Prices are based on their online menu since I lost the receipt.

Sweet Ending: Smoothies & Fresh Fruit

After our satisfying dinner, we walked around a bit and stumbled upon a small smoothie stall selling fresh fruit drinks served in a large cip. I had a smoothie made with dragon fruit and mango for just MYR 7.00—refreshing, colorful, and cheap! They offer single, double, or triple fruit combinations.

We also picked up fruit cups—pineapple and honeydew—for only MYR 3.00 each, significantly cheaper than what you’d find at a convenience store (around MYR 8.00). The stall had a wide variety, though unfortunately, no option for mixed fruit in one cup—something that would’ve been great.

Final Thoughts

All in all, our Chinatown food experience was both filling and memorable. Though we only sampled a few dishes, everything we tried was worth the effort (and the uphill walk!). It’s a must-visit spot for any foodie exploring Kuala Lumpur.