7 Spots that Offer Authentic Hearty Bowls of Wantan Mee in KL
If there’s one Malay dish that I won’t get tired of eating all day, it would have to be wanton mee. This famous Malay street food was a staple during my childhood because it’s extremely cheap and can be found in almost every hawker stall in Kuala Lumpur.
Also, what’s not to love? From its springy egg noodles to its dark and rich soy sauce, everything about this dish screams comfort food, which is why we decided to make this list!
To save you from going around the city aimlessly, we’ve conjured up every memory we had to compile the best wantan mee spots in KL. Whether you’re looking to enjoy an authentic dining experience in a hawker stall or looking to try something fancy, we’ve got you covered!
Koon Kee Wan Tan Mee
– Media credit: danielfooddiary
Address: 95, Jalan Hang Lekir, Petaling Street
Contact details: +60 17-885 1455
Operating hours: Daily from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Cost: $
Koon Kee Wan Tan Mee is what locals would usually recommend you when you ask them for a wantan mee spot in KL, and it’s not hard to see why. For starters, it’s one of the most iconic hawker stalls that offer this dish, having been around since 1940!
As locals, we’re taken back to our childhood upon smelling the rich dark sauce being stir-fried with the noodles. However, it’s more than just a nostalgic hit, as it also features some of the best-tasting char siu we’ve tasted in a wantan mee.
Lastly, the titular wantons themselves are super silky and packed to the brim with delicious fresh fillings. Furthermore, the broth that they’re swimming in features an umami taste that’s perfect to sip on a cold rainy day.
Pro tip:
If you’re feeling adventurous, we recommend adding a side of their marinated chicken feet to your order! Don’t worry about its looks, as it features soft skin—just look out for the tiny bones!
Toong Kwoon Chye
– Media credit: kl.foodie and kldirectory
Address: 9, Jln Bukit Bintang
Contact details: +60 16-677 3291
Operating hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $
When it comes to longevity, Toon Kwoon Chye takes the cake, as it’s been around for over a hundred years! The business (and the recipe) has been passed down from several generations, which goes to show how timeless their wantan mee is.
The noodles here are made fresh every day, and you won’t have to worry about eating reheated wantan mee here because they’re virtually sold out every afternoon. Their iconic soy sauce concoction is then mixed into the noodles to give them that distinct darker look and richer taste.
To top it all off, a hearty serving of curry chicken, mushroom, chicken feet and roasted pork are added—pure chef’s kiss! The wantons are served in a separate bowl along with the umami broth that they’ve been simmering in for a couple of hours.
Pro tip:
If you really want the authentic wantan mee experience, order their dark and rich coffee! Don’t worry, they also serve beer if you want something refreshing to pair with your hot bowl of wantan mee.
Yulek Wan Tan Mee
– Media credit: malaysiafoodandtravel
Address: 19, Lorong Durian, Taman Cheras
Contact details: +60 16-243 6221
Operating hours: Wednesday to Monday: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost: $
It’s easy to spot Yulek Wan Tan Mee in Cheras because all you have to look for is a long queue, which should already give you an idea of how good they are! Also, don’t worry about the line because the crew here is like a well-oiled machine.
It’s no surprise to see their efficiency, though, as they’ve been serving their hand-pulled noodles for more than 30 years! These noodles are springy and don’t feature any preservatives, making every strand as flavourful as possible—it also helps that their sauce is super rich too!
However, the biggest highlight here is the perfectly roasted char siu, which are made by the dozen! It’s impressive to see how the skin forms a crunchy texture while the white meat inside remains tender and juicy—that’s 30 years of experience for you!
Pro tip:
If you’re looking for something crunchy to add to the overall springy texture of the noodles, we recommend ordering their fried dumplings! These golden pockets don’t shy away from ingredients, as each one is packed with meat!
Restoran Jie Mee
– Media credit: myasiankitchen
Address: 34, 18, Jalan Sri Hartamas 8
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 7:30 AM to 2:45 PM
Cost: $
Out of all the entries on this list, Restoran Jie Mee arguably offers the most variety because they serve both traditional Penang-style wantan mee and white wantan mee. The former features a bit more kick because of the curry sauce, while the latter is the more “classic” version.
Regardless of which version you choose, however, you won’t regret your decision because both your taste buds and hunger will be satisfied thanks to the huge serving sizes they offer. They don’t skimp out on ingredients as well, often featuring heaping amounts of char siew.
The wantons are worth highlighting as well, as they feature silky skin, and each one is packed with minced meat. Plus, the umami broth they’re soaking in is a much-welcome palate cleanser after slurping on the soy sauce-soaked noodles.
Pro tip:
Consider stopping by Hawker Hall Sri Hartamas, located next door, if you haven’t satisfied your cravings for Malay street food after eating here! This hawker centre features just about every classic from nasi lemak to chicken chop, char kway teow, etc.
Restaurant Kuchai Lama
– Media credit: eatwithandrewchan
Address: 2G, Jalan Kuchai Maju 1, Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park
Contact details: +60 17-282 2877
Operating hours: Daily from 7:00 AM to 12:30 AM
Cost: $
Restoran Kuchai Lama offers one of the best value-for-money wantan mee in KL because of their generous portions and cheap prices. The noodles aren’t the most perfect we’ve tried, but they’re made up for by the quality of their roasted pork chunks!
The marinade they use to coat these bad boys is flavourful and smokey, which perfectly complements the dark and rich sauce of the noodles. They’re also served alongside green leafy veggies to balance out the overall meaty flavour of the char siew.
However, the main star of the show remains the wontons, as they’re as silky as you can imagine and feature compact minced meat. If you want to add more contrast to these pockets of meat, we recommend getting a saucer of soy sauce with chilli!
Pro tip:
If you want to save money on transportation, we recommend taking the bus and departing at the ILP Kuala Lumpur stop. From there, you only have to cross the street and walk for a total of 6-ish minutes to reach the restaurant.
Kedai Makanan Ming Kee
– Media credit: eatwithandrewchan
Address: 15, Jalan Lazat 1, Taman Gembira
Contact details: +60 16-355 3552
Operating hours: Wednesday to Monday: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $
Kedai Makanan Ming Kee is one of our personal favourites because they give customers the chance to choose between pork and chicken with their wantan mee. Personally, we love their pork because it features less fat compared to other restaurants that offer this dish.
However, getting the roasted chicken is a great substitute because it offers the same smokiness and tenderness while leaving out the fat. As for their dumplings, you can also choose between two fillings: pork and prawns.
Pro tip:
Make sure to also try their chicken rice while you’re here!
Kei Suk Wantan Mee
– Media credit: hungry_potatoo
Address: Jalan Brunei, Pudu, 55100
Contact details: +60 12-364 3618
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
- Saturday: 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Cost: $
If you’re on the hunt for Malaysia’s best street food but on a strict budget, Kei Suk Wantan Mee should be on your radar. For less than RM10 (at the time of writing), you can enjoy a hearty serving of their wanton mee!
What’s more impressive is their serving size, because their wanton mee is unapologetically overloaded. Whether it be the pork lard, the char siew, or anything in between, the ingredients in their wantan mee aren’t skimped on.
Pro tip:
As much as possible, we recommend visiting early in the morning to avoid long queues.