The cuisines of Southeast Asian neighbours Malaysia and Singapore are often fused at the hip. The classic dishes associated with these nations are a mishmash of moreish ingredients and cooking styles, from Chinese, to Indian, to Thai, heavy on the aroma and spice.
Here’s where to head to find the top laksa, nasi lemak, satay, char kway teow, and more Malaysian and Singaporean foodie delights in the city. Most of the restaurants in this round-up are casual, simple, and priced reasonably – with one mighty exception.
The best Malaysian & Singaporean restaurants in Hong Kong
1. Café Malacca
Café Malacca is the most consistent restaurant on our list, a recommended all-rounder for a wide range of traditional Malaysian and Singaporean dishes, especially for expats who are longing for a taste of home. The formidable Mrs Poon, the culinary director and a Penang native, has trained up her kitchen staff to become experts in the art of hawker cooking. Café Malacca’s Penang char kway teow (HKD138) is the most authentic version of this noodle dish we’ve tasted in Hong Kong, offering the key ingredients of charred rice noodles, fatty Chinese sausage, and crunchy bean sprouts. Other bona fide hits here include the Penang rojak (HKD108), Penang asam laksa (HKD138), and Ipoh hor fun (HKD128). For dessert, the Musang King durian pudding (HKD78) is a pungent signature.
Café Malacca, 2/F, JEN Hong Kong by Shangri-La, 508 Queen’s Road West, Shek Tong Tsui, 2213 6613, book here
2. JOM
Founder Jordan Lee opened JOM in Wan Chai in 2021, and the modern Singaporean eatery has since expanded to a second location in Sheung Wan. It stands out for its commitment to authenticity, even down to the dozens of house-made sambals crafted to complement each individual dish. The set menu for two (HKD568) is an affordable date-night option that showcases the restaurant’s greatest hawker-style hits, including the chilli crab bun (+HKD20), chicken satay, coffee pork ribs (+HKD25), and char kway teow.
JOM, Shop A, G/F, Wealthy Mansion, 7 Tai Wong Street East, Wan Chai, 6426 3084, book here
JOM, G/F, 81 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, 2809 2868, book here
3. Penang Toujours
With its chilled, beachy vibe, Penang Toujours has brought the warmth of Malaysia to a corner of Quarry Bay. We usually head here for lunch, in particular for the many styles of nasi lemak on offer, from fried chicken thigh (HKD83) to squid sambal (HKD88). Penang Toujours is also a top spot for teatime; our go-to order here come 3PM is the pandan kaya toast (HKD45) alongside a Penang kopi-o (HKD38) caramel iced coffee for a sugary afternoon pick-me-up that always hits the spot.
Penang Toujours, Shop D-1, G/F, Riviera Mansion, 2 Hoi Wan Street, Quarry Bay, 9329 8261, book here
4. Chatterbox Café
Singapore’s Chatterbox Café has successfully clucked its way into Hong Kong with its award-winning Mandarin chicken rice (HKD138), named after the Lion City hotel where it was founded. Other Singaporean dishes we always look forward to chowing down on at Chatterbox include the chicken satay (HKD108/6pcs), jumbo scallop laksa (HKD182), and coconut ice cream in young coconut shell (HKD108).
Chatterbox Café, multiple locations across Hong Kong
5. Auntie MALAY
A bright and colourful eatery at Harbour City with a design inspired by colonial-style Peranakan houses, Auntie MALAY dishes out economical Malaysian fare, especially considering its high-rent mall-side location. If you’re dining at dinnertime, the dinner for one is your best bet; we usually order the Hainan chicken rice with bak kut teh (HKD148) to tick off two Malaysian staples in one go. Try to get a seat by the window!
Auntie MALAY, Shop G16, G/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2110 3533, book here
6. Nyonya Coming
Nyonya, or Peranakan, cuisine is truly special, combining Chinese recipes with local Malaysian and Singaporean ingredients and cooking techniques to create all-new dishes that are unique to that community, often tangy, spicy, and herbal. This no-frills gem by Peranakan chef Derek Choong is the real Nyonya deal. A favourite at Nyonya Coming is the Nyonya curry laksa with prawn and fish balls (HKD98), supremely aromatic with galangal and lemongrass. The handmade pandan coconut kaya toast (HKD32) is the epitome of Southeast Asian comfort food.
Nyonya Coming, Shop I, 1/F, Central Mansion, 270–276 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, WhatsApp 5543 0417
7. Whey
As mentioned in the introduction, Whey is the only fine-dining restaurant on our list, a culinary masterpiece by Singaporean chef Barry Quek. Chef Barry elevates the Singaporean flavours of his childhood and, at the same time, places a focus on local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients at this Michelin-starred restaurant. The tasting menus (HKD588 for lunch/HKD1,380 for dinner) always include a supplement of the chef’s asam laksa dry noodles (+HKD298) invention, squid-ink pasta tossed in a potent asam paste that’s topped with slow-cooked soy-marinated abalone and dried shrimp from Lamma Island.
Whey, UG/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central, 2693 3198, WhatsApp 9876 6283, book here
8. Singapore Island
At Singapore Island, the most popular lunch and dinner mains are served as part of wallet-friendly sets that include rice or noodles and a drink; take your pick from the likes of the Hainan chicken combo (HKD69/HKD75), bak kut teh combo (HD69/HKD75), Nyonya laksa (HKD69/HKD75), and several more. On the not-quite-so-traditional side, the baked bread with curry (HKD93) is scrumptiously carby, saucy, and comforting in one fell swoop. We like our bread roll topped with the thick pork chop, but you can instead opt for lemongrass chicken, ox tongue, or beef brisket.
Singapore Island, Shop F, G/F, Diamond Building, 6 Tin Lok Lane, Wan Chai, 2414 6900
9. Rempah Noodles
If it’s laksa you’re after, Rempah Noodles is a prime choice. The modern and cosy Peranakan restaurant’s menu is simple and straightforward. The eatery’s moniker translates to “spice” in Malay, and the spot indeed employs a myriad of herbs and spices to achieve a creamy, coconutty Nyoyna laksa lemak (HKD115) and dry laksa (HKD115) that are as authentic as it gets. The other noodle option here is the premium prawn noodles (HKD115), which feature a rich prawn and bone broth, fresh prawns, stewed pork belly, and crispy pork lard.
Rempah Noodles, G/F, 18 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, 3618 4863
10. Return of Lemak
It might not be a “proper” restaurant owing to its food-hall location, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting Return of Lemak at BaseHall, a mainstay at the upscale food court since it opened in Central in mid-2020. As its name suggests, nasi lemak (HKD138) is the signature, a comforting and flavourful assortment of fried chicken, coconut rice, fried egg, fried anchovy, cucumber, peanuts, and sambal beloved at hawker stalls throughout Malaysia and Singapore. For a unique riff, we like the Lemak burger (HKD128) of fried chicken, coleslaw, pickles, and sambal mayo on a brioche bun.
Return of Lemak, BaseHall 01, LG/F, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central
11. Sabah Malaysian Cuisine
Sabah is the longest-standing restaurant on a list, going strong for nearly two decades. The current shop is much smaller than its original Wan Chai location, but the menu is still as varied as ever. The HKD75 lunch sets (HKD68 takeaway) are great value at Sabah; the seafood laksa and Hainanese chicken rice are lunchtime hits here, but for us, it’s the fragrant beef rendang that we long for. An order of buttery, flaky roti canai (HKD25/2pcs) on the side is a must for mopping up all that beefy goodness.
Sabah Malaysian Cuisine, Shop 1, G/F, Pao Woo Mansion, 177–179 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, 5922 2218
