Malaysia’s best-known dining guide is out, and this year it tastes even more local. The MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2027, released on 4 November 2026, recognises 159 establishments across the two cities, up from 151 last year. For the first time, nasi kandar has a place on the list.
For Malaysians, the fifth edition is a welcome reminder that great food here is not only found behind white tablecloths. Hawker stalls, heritage eateries and neighbourhood favourites sit alongside fine-dining rooms, giving locals and visitors a handy shortlist for their next makan trip.
Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2027 at a Glance
According to the official MICHELIN Guide announcement, the 2027 selection is split almost evenly between the two cities, with 80 establishments in Kuala Lumpur and 79 in Penang.
- Two MICHELIN Stars: 1
- One MICHELIN Star: 9
- Bib Gourmand: 60 (58 last year)
- MICHELIN Selected: 89 (84 last year)
AsiaOne reported that this was also the first time the Malaysian selection was revealed through an announcement rather than a ceremony.
5 Delicious Highlights From This Year’s Selection
1. Potager Earns Its First Star
The only new star in this year’s Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang goes to Potager, a French contemporary restaurant in Kuala Lumpur’s Bamboo Hills led by Chef Masashi Horiuchi. It opened in September 2023, so the recognition comes barely three years in.
Potager joins a One Star line-up that includes Akar, Beta, Chim by Chef Noom, DC. by Darren Chin, Molina and Terra Dining in Kuala Lumpur, plus Au Jardin and Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery in Penang.
2. Dewakan Holds On to Two Stars
Dewakan keeps its two stars and remains the only two-star restaurant in the Malaysian selection. Its chef, Darren Teoh, is also the first featured chef on Mindful Voices, a new editorial platform launched by the MICHELIN Guide this year.
3. Nasi Kandar Finally Makes the Guide
The headline many Penangites will cheer: nasi kandar enters the guide for the first time. Two Penang names join the MICHELIN Selected category. Hameediyah on Lebuh Campbell, established in 1907, and Deens Maju on Jalan Gurdwara are both well known to anyone who has queued for a plate of rice drenched in mixed curries.
Craving a plate closer to home? Try our guide to nasi kandar in KL and Selangor.
4. Four New Bib Gourmand Picks for Good-Value Meals
The Bib Gourmand category highlights places serving good food at good value, and four new names join this year:
- 7 Chai Ipoh Hor Fun, Kuala Lumpur (street food)
- Minji Bak Kut Teh, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysian)
- Lemon Koay Teow Soup, Butterworth, Penang (street food)
- Serabai Istimewa, Penang (street food)
Three of the four are street food, which says a lot about where Malaysian flavour lives.
5. Special Awards Celebrate the People Behind the Plates
Four individuals and restaurants received special awards:
- MICHELIN Young Chef Award: Aidan Low, Akar
- MICHELIN Service Award: Nazahar, Potager
- MICHELIN Sommelier Award: Joyin Goh, Tangram
- MICHELIN Opening of the Year Award: Root House by Gēn
New Names to Add to Your Makan List
Beyond nasi kandar, the 12 new MICHELIN Selected entries in the Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang cover a wide spread of cuisines. In Kuala Lumpur, look out for As I Am by Chef Ton (Thai contemporary), Jhol (Indian), Merdeka Grill (European), Tangram (Asian contemporary), White N Black Kampong (Malaysian) and Yellow Fin Horse (Mediterranean).
In Penang, the newcomers are Deens Maju and Hameediyah, Flower Mulan and See Kong Ooi (both Peranakan), Khaosan (Thai contemporary) and Root House by Gēn (Chinese contemporary).
Why the Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2027 Matters for Food Lovers
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, said in the announcement that the selection reflects the breadth of Malaysia’s culinary traditions and the continued importance of local favourites.
That balance is what makes the guide useful for everyday diners. A family can plan a Penang weekend around a bowl of koay teow soup and a century-old curry house, while a special-occasion dinner in KL now has one more starred option to consider.
A few tips before you go:
- Popular hawker spots often sell out early, so go before the lunch rush.
- Check opening days and hours directly with each outlet, as many smaller stalls close one or two days a week.
- Expect longer queues in the weeks after the announcement.
For the full Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2027 list, visit the official MICHELIN Guide Malaysia website.
