Artisanal Cheese is Self-Care: Where to Get the Good Stuff in Kuala Lumpur

If there's anything Remy of "Ratatouille" taught us, it's to never settle for crappy food. That street rat really said, "If you are what you eat, then I only want to eat the good stuff," so what excuse do we have?

Perhaps no one can be as passionate about cheese as Remy, but this doesn't mean we should forever be fine with unexceptional, mass-produced orange bricks and convince ourselves this is all there is to cheese.

For days you need to spoil yourself, we suggest you get your hands on the artisanal cheese from these five places and tag these purchases under "self-care."

D'Artisan Cheese

D'Artisan Cheese handcrafts all its artisanal cheese in-house. Before it became a staple in bakeries, restaurants, and hotels all over Malaysia, its owner Dexter Lim started D'artisan by bartering his cheese with neighbours amid the health crisis. His clientele eventually grew, and the brand now supplies cheese across the country.

D'Artisan Cheese uses local ingredients to create artisanal cheese in small batches through traditional processes. It sells fresh semi-soft cheese, hard aged cheese, semi-soft cheese, blue cheese and other stinky variants, and even vegan cheese for those with plant-based diets. It also has artisan cheese boxes and platters for gifting or spicing up your teatime. You can order from D'Artisan Cheese online or from its two locations in the city.

Location: D'Artisan Cheese, Bangsar Village, 1, Jalan Telawi 1, Bangsar and 26, Jalan Gangsa SD5/3B, Bandar sri Damansara

Cotta

This cafe and store specialises in one type of cheese. Can you guess which? Founded by Ivan Chong, Cotta whips up fresh ricotta everyday using only the freshest local ingredients. Making this soft white cheese is simple and requires two ingredients. For Cotta, it matters that they use the best local pasteurised cow's milk and locally grown lemons in every batch. It has a shelf life of two weeks. Apart from ricotta cheese, Cotta also serves delicious dishes from its small, curated menu, including pasta, desserts, and drinks. You can order Cotta's fresh ricotta via Beep or from its cafe location and all Qra supermarkets.

Location: Cotta, Level 6, VERVE Shops Mont'Kiara, 8, Jalan Kiara 5

Bottega

Bottega is at once an Italian café, a pizzeria, and grocer in the middle of the capital. This shop started as a family-owned business in 2011, selling fresh and coveted products from Italy, France, and Spain to restaurants and hospitality brands in Malaysia. Today, the shop has branched out its services to serve all-day dining, wine, board platters, and happy hour to patrons. If you're on the hunt for good European cheese, Bottega offers a slew of kinds, from truffle cheese and goat cheese to sheep cheese and Swiss raclette, among many others. You can order from its physical grocery store or via its website.

Location: Bottega, 1 A, Jalan Ceylon

L Dairy

L Dairy specialises in fresh, artisanal buffalo milk dairy products. It began in Selangor in 2020, partnering with Laos Buffalo Dairy in Luang Prabang for its special and delicious cheese. Laos Buffalo is known for pioneering a "socially impactful kampung dairy farming and dairy production model" and L Dairy is taking notes from its concept and recipes in its creations.

L Dairy's dairy products are handcrafted in a professional kitchen guided by "established recipes and artisanal methods" suited to the local market and palate. Its products include buffalo mozzarella, buffalo burrata, bocconcini and baby bocconcini, buffalo blue cheese, and more. Its products are sold in various locations, including Qra supermarkets and Selangor Digital E-Supply Chain (Seldec).

Location: Multiple

Verdanya

Whether you're lactose intolerant, vegan, or just want to consume less dairy, Verdanya's quality plant-based cheese should be a staple in your fridge. Previously known as My Plant Deli, this shop offers a wide range of vegan items, from plant-based ice cream and meats to eggs, frozen pizzas, and cheese. Depending on your dish and craving, you can choose among its extra melty shredded cheddar cheese, powdered cheese, oil-free cashew blocks, classic smooth blocks, cheese slices, and so much more. Go here to check the full catalog of its cheese (and try not to be overwhelmed!).

Location: Multiple