The best Malaysian restaurants in Melbourne

Warm up as the weather gets cooler and tuck into steamy bowls laksa, legit char koay teow, hearty curries and more.

Kakilang Char Koay Teow

If anyone knows authentic Malaysian street food in Melbourne it’s Kakilang Char Koay Teow. Here you’ll find all the hits like Haianese cihcken rice, nasi lemak and of course – char koay teow. This classic flat noodle dish comes with your choice of prawns, squid or razor clams. Or go for a big bowl of char mee – a rich noodle stir fry with prawns, egg, pork and water spinach. Bring an empty stomach, because the servings here are more than generous.

Hor Kitchen

Open seven days a week and located behind QV Melbourne is Hor Kitchen. Step in and be met with delicious and authentic Malaysian dishes. Must-trys include claypot curry fish head and Malaysian style barramundi. Plus Marmite eggplant, sambal prawns and more. Pair a refreshing beverage of your choice. Kopi, teh or homemade herbal tea and juice.

Da Bao  

Tucked away on a secret laneway is a new hole-in-the-wall spot perfect for a cheap and cheerful feed. Seek out Da Bao on Rainbow Alley and choose three dishes with rice for just $15. The ever-changing menu features heaps of options. Think hearty chicken curries, spicy sambal eggplant, caramelised pork belly and more. Pull up a stool and dine-in under the big neon sign or grab your meal to go

Ho Jiak: Junda's Playground

Book a table at Ho Jiak: Junda’s Playground and get ready for a menu of Malaysian dishes with a modern twist. Order signature dishes like laksa bomb dumplings (as seen on Masterchef). Plus roast bone marrow rendang curry and raw kingfish with granita and pineapple salsa. The drinks list is a must too. Sip on stand-outs like the kopi negroni – a South East Asian take on this classic cocktail. It’s made with claypot-aged gin, coffee-infused caramel and amaretto.

Ho Liao

Wander down Rainbow Alley then head upstairs to this new rooftop beer hall and restaurant. Ho Liao translates to 'good stuff' and is the brainchild of famous chef Junda Khoo (also behind Dao Bao and Ho Jiak). The menu takes traditional homestyle cooking inspired by Khoo's Grandma. Try squid ink with butter, salted duck egg and curry leaves. Or go for and twice cooked Angus beef ribs with caramelised soy and garlic chilli. If you're after a showstopper dish order the whole lobster or crab from the live seafood menu.

The Rice Cooker

Don’t be thrown off by the sushi bar, North Melbourne fusion restaurant The Rice Cooker dishes up a bevy of authentic Malaysian delicacies. Feast on smokey char koay teow, soft shell crab laksa and crispy roti canai. Then take a trip around Asia with fresh and beautifully executed dishes. Think sashimi and hand rolls, poke bowls and gado gado salad.

Jom Corner 

Spend your lunch break in Kuala Lumpur at Jom Corner. This hidden gem in the Kmart Centre serves classic dishes like Hainanese chicken rice and Malaysian fried chicken (ayam goreng). Plus moorish sides like peanut butter toast and crispy, flavour-packed curry puffs. This is one of the only spots in Melbourne to try air bungkus. The hawker-style pulled milk tea (teh tarik) is served in a plastic bag to sip on the go. 

Raya

Insta-baker Raymond Tan’s Raya is the ultimate spot for South East Asian-influenced cakes and savouries. Pull up a seat on the bench and try treats like spinach and olive oil sponge. Or grab giant cookies flavoured with miso, sour cherry and dark chocolate. There are cute boxes of mixed bite-size kueh too. Complete your spread with a houjicha or matcha latte.

CC Wok

Winter is coming, and laksa is essential. The hearty bowls of curry mee at CC Wok in North Melbourne come loaded with fried tofu, eggplant, veggies and an extra ladle of spicy chilli. Other home-cooked Malaysian dishes include crystal dumplings, curry puffs and BBQ chicken wings. Visit on weekends for a selection of 'kueh' – traditional sweets like chewy peanut mochi and coconut pandan pancakes.

Lulu's Char Koay Teow

Order a big plate of glossy stir-fried noodles and decide once and for all, is this Melbourne’s best char koay teow? Hardware Lane eatery Lulu’s makes its eponymous dish true to Penang street food form. Pick your protein, perhaps duck egg or blood cockles, then choose your spice level. The heat goes all the way up to a fiery 3X that will have you reaching for the teh tarik.

Lim Kopi 

At Lim Kopi (542 Little Bourke Street) classic dishes like char kway teow and laksa are served in huge steamy bowls. Juicy blood cockles are an authentic optional extra. Chewy steamed rice noodle rolls and fried chicken nasi lemak are also in high supply. Treat yourself to a fan-fave iced coffee with condensed milk (kopi peng) for the full Malaysian diner experience.