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The first week of November was a generous one for Malaysian food. Potager in KL picked up its first Michelin star, nasi kandar made the Michelin Guide for the first time, two big KL malls added new places to eat, and a Malaysian barista was celebrated as world No. 2. Here is what you need to know.
Potager earns its first Michelin star
The Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2027 came out on 4 November with 159 places, up from 151 last year. Potager, the French-leaning restaurant at Bamboo Hills led by chef Masashi Horiuchi, is the one new star, while Dewakan remains the country's only two-star restaurant. (The Star)
Nasi kandar makes the guide at last
Two Penang names are the first nasi kandar shops in the guide, both in the Selected category: Hameediyah Restaurant on Lebuh Campbell and Nasi Kandar Deen Maju on Jalan Gurdwara. Malay Mail's report marks this as the dish's first appearance in the guide's five editions. (Malay Mail)
118 Mall opens at the foot of Merdeka 118
The seven-storey 118 Mall opened on 1 November with 158 stores trading and more to come. Food lovers should look out for Makanizm, a 40,000 sq ft Malaysian food destination, and early tenants named in reports include Kenny Hills Cafe, Cili Kampung and Dolly Dim Sum. Village Grocer followed on 2 November, calling it the chain's 10th new store this year. (Malay Mail, SAYS, PR Newswire)
AEON Mall KL Midtown sets its first day
AEON Mall KL Midtown announced 5 November as its opening day for customers, ahead of a grand opening on 8 January 2027. The first F&B line-up it named includes Sushiro, Oriental Kopi and Nyonya Delights, with Din Tai Fung among the brands expected in the coming months. (The Edge, sponsored content)
Waldorf Astoria brings two big chef names to KL
Hilton's Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur opened in late October with 268 suites, and its dining line-up is drawing attention this month. Jean-Georges Vongerichten is behind JG KL, abc kitchens KL and The Bar by JG, and Garima Arora leads the Indian restaurant Yaari. (HOTELS, BURO)
A Malaysian barista is world No. 2
Tan Shing Win's second place at the World Barista Championship in Panama is the best result ever by a Malaysian. Malay Mail's follow-up this week tells how a question about why coffee tastes different outdoors grew into the idea of moisture at the heart of his routine. (Malay Mail)
TF Value-Mart launches TF Borong for F&B operators
Supermarket chain TF Value-Mart has launched TF Borong, a wholesale and foodservice arm for restaurants, caterers and hawkers. It has invested more than RM20 million, with the first two outlets at its Batu Caves and Taman Connaught stores, and the next targeted for 1 December. (The Rakyat Post)
A Slim River coconut goes semi-frozen
Small brand Kelapa sells single-origin coconut water from a family-owned estate in Slim River, Perak, in frozen 500ml pouches that you sip while slushy. Founder Rozaila Zakaria got the idea during long days at rugby tournaments, and the brand now turns up at weekend markets around the Klang Valley. (Malay Mail)
See the official Michelin Guide listings. Michelin Guide distinctions are reported here as public facts, with links to the official guide. Best Malaysia Food is independent and is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by Michelin. MICHELIN and the Michelin Guide are trademarks of Michelin. All descriptions on this site are our own.
Sources
- KL restaurant Potager earns its first Michelin star in Michelin Guide KL & Penang's 2027 list — The Star, 2026-11-04
- Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur and Penang 2027: Potager earns first star; 16 new Bib Gourmand and Selected entries as nasi kandar finally enters the guide — Malay Mail, 2026-11-04
- A new landmark mall: Shoppers flock to newly opened 118 Mall at base of Menara 118 — Malay Mail, 2026-11-01
- New mall with over 300 stores to open at Merdeka 118 on 1 November — SAYS, 2026-10-23
- Village Grocer arrives at Merdeka 118 — PR Newswire via Macau Business, 2026-11-02
- AEON Mall KL Midtown set to open on 5 November with a diverse mix of retail, dining and entertainment — The Edge Malaysia (sponsored content), 2026-11-02
- Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur opens — HOTELS Magazine, 2026-10-30
- New restaurants, cafés & bars in KL & PJ this November 2026 — BURO Malaysia, 2026-11-02
- Beyond the podium: How Tan Shing Win's World Barista Championship triumph signals a new chapter for Malaysian coffee — Malay Mail, 2026-11-03
- TF Value-Mart launches TF Borong, wholesale and foodservices for F&B operators and SMEs — The Rakyat Post, 2026-11-05
- From Slim River to rugby weekends: How Kelapa gives fresh coconut water a semi-frozen twist — Malay Mail, 2026-10-31