In the spirit of the Merdeka season, FMT Lifestyle takes a nostalgic journey into the past, spotlighting five eateries that began in pre-independence Malaya and are still going strong today.
These businesses are more than just places to enjoy a meal: they reflect the country’s multicultural heritage, the resilience of Malaysians and the timeless truth that good food never goes out of style.
Bunn Choon
Bunn Choon, a bakery cum eatery, boasts a rich history dating back to 1893.
Here, you can indulge in freshly made pastries, dim sum and noodles, among others. Mooncakes are also available as the mid-autumn festival approaches.
The business is now helmed by the founder’s great-grandson, Wong Kok Tong, who revived the business after it closed in the early 2000s due to soaring rent.
Feeling a deep sense of loss over its closure, Wong set up a stall in front of their old shop and rebuilt Bunn Choon to the thriving business it is today.
Bunn Choon [NON-HALAL]
3, Jalan Balai Polis
50000 Kuala Lumpur
For location, click here.
Business hours:
7.30am-4pm (Tuesday-Friday)
7.30am-5pm (Saturday & Sunday)
Closed on Monday
2. Restoran Jai Hind
Restoran Jai Hind has long been a go-to spot for hearty and authentic Punjabi fare.
Established in 1946, the business has weathered the test of time and remained popular among locals and foreigners.
Here, patrons can look forward to enjoying aloo paratha and chapati with different kinds of dhal like sambar and mung dhal.
For meat lovers, the menu includes chicken kurma, chicken peratal, mutton and more.
No visit would be complete without a strong cup of Punjabi tea and a taste of their sweet treats like palkova, gulab jamun and barfi, among other delights.
Restoran Jai Hind
15, Jalan Melayu
50100 Kuala Lumpur
For location, click here.
Business hours: 8am-8pm daily
3. Yut Kee Restaurant
Yut Kee Restaurant’s story began in 1928, when its founder, a Hainanese chef, migrated to Malaya in search of a better life.
Nearly a century later, his legacy lives on through this restaurant, beloved for many. Among its signature dishes include the classic Hainanese chicken chop, a dish that has remained a crowd favourite over the decades.
Their menu also features roti babi, belacan fried rice, Hailam mee mee, lum mee and more – making every visit to Yut Kee a delicious journey steeped in nostalgia.
Yut Kee Restaurant [NON-HALAL]
1, Jalan Kamunting
50300 Kuala Lumpur
For location, click here.
Business hours: 7.30am-4pm (Closed on Mondays)
4. Hameediyah Restaurant
Nasi kandar is an iconic Malaysia favourite – and when it comes to this dish, few names are as legendary as Hameediyah Restaurant, believed to have been established in 1907.
According to FMT’s report, it all began when a spice trader arrived in Penang from India in the early 1900s. He and his family sold food door-to-door, carrying the dishes on a pole.
As business flourished, they bought a shop, and the rest is (delicious) history. In 2020, Hameediyah earned recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records as the country’s oldest nasi kandar restaurant.
Hameediyah Restaurant has outlets in Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
5. Chong Kok Kopitiam
Chong Kok Kopitiam, nestled along Jalan Stesen in Klang, has been in business since 1940, and was founded by Foo Wah Leng, a chef from Hainan.
The business was originally known as Chong Kok Hotel and consisted of a hotel, restaurant and kopitiam housed in a three-storey building. In the 1970s, the family decided to focus solely on their kopitiam business, which continues to thrive until today.
Here, the highlights include toast with soft-boiled eggs, nasi lemak, fried rice, noodles and a variety of kuih. What makes this kopitiam especially endearing is the sight of Malaysians of all races enjoying a meal here – a beautiful reflection of the “muhibah” spirit.
Chong Kok Kopitiam
5, Jalan Stesen, Kawasan 1
41000 Klang, Selangor
For location, click here.
Business hours: 6am-2.30pm daily