A Taste of South Indian Tradition: The Best Banana Leaf Restos in KL and PJ

The future looks bright for Malaysia’s pastry talent!

The Anchor Pastry Challenge 2025 whipped up some excitement as Malaysia’s most promising young pastry chefs showcased their creativity, technical flair, and the performance of Anchor’s professional-grade ingredients in live kitchen face-offs. 

Organized by Anchor Food Professionals Malaysia & Brunei, the competition featured 10 finalists — five in Bread & Viennoiserie and five in Cake — who were all selected after rigorous assessments at UOW Malaysia Shah Alam. The expert judging panel included Meilleur Ouvrier de France Chef Jean-François Arnaud and Chef Judy Koh, Founder and Principal of Creative Culinaire The School, along with media editors and food reviewers. 

The Top 6 winners earned awards, trophies, certificates, and cash prizes: 

• Gold: RM2,500 and a solo demo opportunity as the official Anchor ambassador
• Silver: RM1,500
• Bronze: RM1,000

In the Bread & Viennoiserie category, the Gold award went to Ooi Kin Weng from the Academy of Pastry & Culinary Arts Malaysia, who considered this a pivotal moment in his career switch from IT.

“Winning this category means a lot to me, especially after making the switch from a career in IT to pastry. It’s still the beginning of my journey, and I’m excited to keep learning and growing. One day, I hope to open my own place.” 

In the Cake division, Gold winner Tan Jia Le gave credit to Anchor’s dairy products as a key factor in her success. “Their creamy texture and consistency helped me achieve a smooth finish and clean flavor that truly brought out the best in my cake. As a Gold winner, I hope to inspire the next generation to choose quality ingredients and to never stop learning.”

About the competition, Peter Quah, Food Service Director of Anchor Food Professionals Malaysia, said, “Our aim is to nurture future pastry talents while demonstrating the versatility and reliability of Anchor’s premium dairy products from New Zealand, one of the best places to produce dairy in the world. We’re proud to see such exceptional skill and passion on display.” 

Follow Anchor Food Professionals Malaysia & Brunei on Facebook and Instagram. 

Malaysian Miffy fans, here’s one collection you shouldn’t miss! 

Starbucks Malaysia has finally introduced their newest and special collaboration with Miffy – the beloved Dutch bunny that has caught the hearts of many around the world. 

Since its release in Singapore and Hong Kong last year, everyone has been wishing for their local Starbucks to finally have it in-store. Now, Malaysian fans can sit back, enjoy a cup of coffee, and fangirl over their newly copped Miffy merch!

The Miffy collection dropped in Starbucks Malaysia on May 14, 2025. And if you haven’t seen them yet, here’s what you can look forward to! 

The entire collection features eight lifestyle items adorned with the iconic white rabbit, ranging from drinkware and bags to even a small pouch you can use! 

The puffer tote bag (RM159) comes in three cute colors – charcoal, sage, and oat – and even has a Miffy and Starbucks bag charm. If you’re looking for something small to put in your bag, the puffy pouch (RM69) is large enough to store everything you need, and is filled with Miffy’s face everywhere. 

Of course, there’s the drinkware: you can choose between the Yellow Cold Cup (RM118) and the Stainless Steel Tumbler (RM168). 

If you’re on the lookout for the Miffy plush toy, Starbucks has one dressed in the signature Starbucks apron for RM229. 

Here’s something you’d also want to take up: purchase any of the Starbucks x Miffy collection, and you’ll get a complimentary Grande-sized promo drink! With a minimum spend of RM120 in-store, you can even get a free Miffy straw set to round up your Starbucks x Miffy collection haul! 

Hurry, run to your nearest Starbucks store to cop all the Miffy merch you want! Find the nearest Starbucks branch here.

Follow Starbucks Malaysia on Facebook and Instagram for more information and updates! 

Plus Ultra! 

Anime fans in Malaysia would be delighted to know that a “My Hero Academia” collaboration café is opening at the LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC) this May 10, 2025! 

Running from May 10 to July 6, 2025, the Japanese shōnen anime is collaborating with anime-themed café Doko Koko at Lalaport BBCC. Known for their past collaborations with Chinese otome game “Love and Deepspace,” Chinese donghua “Heaven’s Official Blessing,” and Virtual Youtuber Project “NIJISANJI EN,” the experience will surely be a blast for local anime fans! 

Doko Koko will be transformed into a space reminiscent of U.A. High School, with a themed menu to boot! Fans can get a taste of mains like “Deku’s One For All Pasta,” “Explosion Potato Cheese Ball,” “Half-Cold Half-Hot Udon,” “Hardening Fried Chicken Burger,” desserts like “Earphone Jack Bingsu,” “Zero Gravity Strawberry Parfait,” and refreshing drinks such as “Smash Green Latte,” “Booom Tea Blaze,” “Whooosh Sparkler,” and “Swip Matcha.” 

Every order of a drink will come with a free character-themed coaster that fans can bring home! 

Plus, a “My Hero Academia” shop will be right beside the café, selling all kinds of merch and products! Acrylic stands, plush badges, keychains, character cups, towels, stickers, and so much more will be available at the store! Priced from RM10 to RM79, so it’s definitely budget-friendly! 

And if you’re a “My Hero Academia” fan, then all of these should be on your must-collect list. 

Don’t miss out on this special collab event! Head on over to Doko Koko Café from May 10 to July 6 to try out the special menu and get new merch for your collection! 

Follow Doko Koko Café on Instagram for more information and updates! 

Location: Doko Koko Café, Lalaport Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC), 2 Jalan Hang Tuah 55200 Kuala Lumpur

Dates: May 10 to July 6, 2025

Opening Hours: 10 AM to 10 PM, Daily 

Mama Lek, everyone’s favorite family-run Thai beef noodle stall in Setapak, has finally reopened as a full restaurant in Wisma Cosway, Kuala Lumpur!

This followed a six-month hiatus starting October 2024, when the business first announced their temporary closure and relocation. 

Helmed by a Thai-Malaysian woman from Isaan and her family, Mama Lek is renowned for their excellent and “soul-soothing” Thai beef noodles. The Thai beef noodle bowl is a storied product of the owner’s grit, resilience, love, and the flavors of home, first beginning as a hawker stall in Kelantan, before moving to Setapak. 

Made with a slow-brewed broth and packed with tender beef and bold flavors, the Thai beef noodle bowl became widely popular among customers and visitors, leading the hawker stall to be recognized with a Thai SELECT Award by the Malaysian Office of Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) in 2024. 

Mama Lek has fully reopened as a restaurant located in Wisma Cosway, Kuala Lumpur, where they still continue to serve their popular Thai beef noodles along with more options: Beef Ball Noodles (RM16.90), Braised Beef and Balls (RM23.90), Fresh Beef and Balls (RM21.50), Beef Tripe and Tendon (RM25.80), and their Signature Beef Mix (RM33.50). Tom Yum Noodle Bowls and Chicken Noodle Soup are also available. 

If you’re looking for a beef noodle place with authentic Thai tastes, then Mama Lek is the place to be! 

Follow Mama Lek on their Facebook and Instagram pages for more updates!

Location: Mama Lek, G-37, Wisma Cosway, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: 11 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Saturday

Kuala Lumpur is about to get shaken, stirred, and spirited. After much anticipation, KL Cocktail Week 2025 has unveiled their Event Calendar, with details of the international guest shifts, cocktail pairing dinners, and seminars taking place over six days from Apr. 22 to 27, 2025, with a kick-off party on Apr. 20.

Whether you're a casual sipper or cocktail connoisseur, this celebration is set to be the toast of the town. Expect world-class mixology and high-energy parties, with over 27 international bars flying in to take part.

This year's edition will take place in five zones, including Bangsar, Damansara Heights, PJ/TTDI, and Kuala Lumpur City Center, with dinners and guest shifts unfolding in a different neighborhood each day.

The festivities kick off with a bang on Apr. 20 at Pickle Park @ Flour, Fire & Stone with an all-star Opening Party and Pickleball Tournament.

Featuring a mixed bag of 28 public + 28 industry players and drinks by local legends Bar Trigona, Penrose, Reka:Bar, and Three x Co, this opening party will set the tone for a week of flavor-packed adventures.  

Expect legendary matchups like Astor Bar x Mahaniyom from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur's Reka:Bar x Gokan from Hong Kong, and Frank’s Bar x Bar.Flora from the Philippines. 

You can see the full schedule here: 

Midweek, the action hits a fever pitch with the KLCW Festival Village at Sentul Depot (Apr. 26), transforming the iconic space into a boozy wonderland of over 30 renowned brands, craft cocktails, games, and performances. It’s the only day where everyone — bartenders, brands, and fans — comes together under one roof.

Beyond the drinks, KL Cocktail Week will dive deep into the culture of cocktails and host insightful seminars on industry secrets, such as "The Art of Hospitality" by Philip Bischoff of Bangkok’s BKK Social Club, and "Breaking The Paycheck-To-Paycheck Cycle” by Peter Yong, the founder of Mr. Money TV.

Tickets to the Festival Village are priced at RM100 per person. The entry ticket is inclusive of 2 cocktails worth RM80, and additional tokens can be purchased for cocktails, which range from RM35 to RM55. Tickets for the Festival Village are on sale now here.

More details are flowing in soon on their website, or on Instagram and Facebook.

Main Location: KLCW Festival Village, Sentul Depot, Warehouse One Jalan Strachan, Sentul West, 51100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: On Apr. 26, 2025, from 2:30 PM to 11:30 PM 

If you’re a mofusand fan, you need to run to your nearest Tealive right now. 

Bubble tea chain Tealive has teamed up with Japan’s cutest cosplaying cats, mofusand, for a new lineup of chocolate and brownie-themed drinks! 

Dropped last Mar. 26, 2025, the newest collaboration sees the mofusand cats decorating the purple cups of Tealive’s newest drink series, the purr-fectly fudgy Tealive Loves mofusand Series.

The series includes three rich and chocolatey drinks: the Coco Brownie Smoothie (RM10.90), Coco Berry Brownie Smoothie (RM10.90), and the Coco Brownie Kaw (RM8.90)! The cup’s design varies per size, with a posing chubby ginger cat with a shark costume for the medium size, and a waving, drink-sipping calico cat on the large one. 

And that’s not all – Tealive is also giving out mofusand sticker sheets when you purchase two drinks – one from the mofusand series and any other drink from the menu. There are four sticker sheet designs to collect, each with a special promo for you to unlock, and it even has a secret version!

The series also includes a Cheese Garlic Butter snacks series, with popcorn chicken and fries, packaged with a mofusand cat in a chef’s uniform on the front. A mofusand Glass Cup is also available to purchase exclusively on Tealive’s TikTok Shop for RM49.90. 

Don’t miss out on this chance to try out Tealive’s purr-fect collaboration with mofusand! Follow Tealive on their Facebook and Instagram pages! Find out more about the mofusand collab on Tealive’s website. 

With a plate full of stories to tell, the Michelin-selected Cantonese restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur is introducing a new dining experience that beautifully narrates the country’s agricultural abundance.

From Apr. 7 to May 31, feast on stories from Malaysia’s farms, jungles, and coastal waters at Yun House as they serve you their “Secret Sauce” menu where Cantonese recipes are given new life with a Malaysia twist, bringing a fresh vibrancy to fine dining. 

Executive Chinese Chef Jimmy Wong and his team are working closely with regional cultivators and have tracked down the best local ingredients in order to craft their latest menu. 

“We are thrilled to connect our guests with the traditions of farmers and fishermen across the country, from Cameron Highlands to Sabah. Our team has taken great care to procure several sustainable and seasonal ingredients, meaning guests can experience the truly authentic flavors of Malaysia,” shared Chef Jimmy.

A Taste of Malaysia: The Secret Sauce Dining Experience

The menu highlights Malaysia’s bountiful resources, as well as the knowledge and passion of local communities who work tirelessly to procure sustainable and delectable ingredients. 

You’ll be able to taste it in the Borneo Crab Claw Soup, which is served in a young coconut. These crabs are often found in mudflats and mangroves along Sabah and Sarawak, and are known for their large and meaty claws. Yun House worked with local fishermen who use low-impact methods and follow a seasonal fishing calendar which helps maintain a healthy crab population. This dish marries the sweetness of the crab meat with naturally cultivated coconut, lemongrass, and ginger. 

If you want something bold, try the Wok-Fried Ladies’ Fingers or Sweet Potato Leaves in Malaysian Sambal Belacan. The ladies’ fingers (a.k.a. okra) were harvested from small organic farms in Pahang and Perak, while the sweet potato leaves came from Cameron Highlands and are smoother and more delicate than their low-altitude counterparts. Both vegetables are paired with a spicy sambal sauce and the umami of sun-dried shrimp, creating a bold fusion for your palette. 

Another highlight on the menu is the Clams with Aromatic Kam Heong Sauce, a well-known Malaysian delicacy that features clams packed with an umami flavor. The main ingredient, caught fresh from Penang and Johor,  was harvested at low tide and carefully purged to bring out its exquisite flavors. 

The sustainable journey continues with dishes such as the Steamed Dragon Grouper and the Shrimp with Salted Egg Yolk, which showcases a variety of homegrown ingredients and local culinary techniques. 

The Dragon Grouper was sourced from Sabah's fish farms, and is raised using low-density aquaculture methods that reduce water pollution. These farms also prioritize feeding the fish with natural sources instead of artificial ones, which ensures its pure and clean taste — ideal for a steamed dish. 

On the other hand, the King prawns for the shrimp dish are sourced from Malaysia’s tropical and subtropical coastal waters and carefully cultivated to maintain their premium quality and freshness, making them the perfect centerpiece for the dish. After being battered and fried, it’s then coated in a salted egg yolk sauce, giving diners a thrilling balance of crunchiness and creaminess. The dish also includes some crispy vegetables, elevating the entire experience. It’s salty, crispy, and creamy in every bite! 

Don’t miss this tasteful journey that fuses sustainability, freshness, and technique while featuring the true essence of local flavors reinvented through contemporary recipes. Guests can choose from an a la carte menu or a four-course set menu. For reservations, you may contact +60 3 2382 8602 or email [email protected].

Follow Yun House on Instagram for more delectable updates.

Location: Yun House, Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, 145 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur 50450 

Operation Hours: Open for Lunch, 12 NN to 3 PM (Mon to Sat) and 11 AM to 4 PM (Sun), and Dinner, 6 PM to 10 PM (Mon to Sat)