Are you a vegetarian or vegan visiting Petaling Jaya or Kuala Lumpur? You’re in luck! These cities are home to a thriving vegetarian and vegan food scene, offering a diverse array of delicious plant-based options. If you’re searching for mouthwatering meat-free meals serving local Malaysian dishes, here are 5+1 must-visit vegetarian/vegan restaurants to add to your itinerary.
1. Savor of Life: Vegan Options – Kuala Lumpur
Address: 38G, Jalan 28/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Savor is a newly opened vegan restaurant in 2023 at Desa Sri Hartamas. Savor offers a fusion of local Malaysian, Italian, Thai and American cuisine. I was a frequent customer of Savor when they were doing food deliveries before launching their restaurant and I wanted to spotlight their vegan local Malaysian dishes.
They managed to create local dishes that I never thought were possible to be delicious when made vegan. My personal favourites are the Nasi Kerabu with “chicken” percik, Tofu masak 3 rasa and salted egg yuba.
Average dish prices range from RM32 to RM38.
2. Nature’s Recipe Cafe: Vegetarian & Vegan Options – Petaling Jaya
Address: 12, Jalan B/1E, Pjs 8, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Nature’s recipe cafe has been around in PJ for many years, they are well known by locals and residents for their hearty vegetarian Malaysian dishes such as their vegetarian sambal petai. Their dishes are affordable and perfect for those craving for home-cooked dishes like nasi kunyit, laksa, vegetarian bak kut teh, vegetarian dim sum and more.
Average dish prices range from RM12.50 to RM18.
3. Chin Swee Vegeciting: Vegetarian Options – Petaling Jaya
Address: Lot 609 E- Street, Lower Ground Floor, 1Utama Shopping Mall, Lebuh Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Chin Swee Vegeciting is an award winning vegetarian restaurant that is located in one of the popular shopping malls in Petaling Jaya, 1 Utama. They are the first vegetarian restaurant in Malaysia to be awarded the World Top Gourmet Award in 2019. They pride themselves on their ‘atas’ Chinese/Japanese fusion ‘zi char’ plant based dishes. They have branches in Genting Highlands and Publika (Kuala Lumpur).
4. The Vegan Place: Vegan Options – Kuala Lumpur
Address: 4, Jalan 28/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan
If you’re looking for local vegan Malaysian dishes like vegetarian satay, nasi lemak, asam laksa, nasi goreng kampung and more, you should not miss out on The Vegan Place. If your company is not craving for local Malaysian cuisine but you are, they also serve pasta, burgers and Thai dishes.
Average dish prices range from RM18 to RM28.
- The Ganga Cafe: Vegetarian Options – Kuala Lumpur
Address: 19, Lorong Kurau, Bangsar, 59100, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Although most banana leaf rice stores have vegetarian options, they are usually limited. If you’re looking for one that is completely vegetarian with a wider variety of vegetarian side dishes, you must not miss The Ganga Cafe.
This is a popular spot among vegetarians craving for healthier options of banana leaf rice, biryani and chapati. This restaurant is also located near a Nyonya restaurant called Baba Low’s, although they are not a vegetarian Nyonya restaurant, their cendol is plant-based and worth trying.
Average dish prices range from RM9 to RM28.
6. Young Sanna Mee: Not a vegetarian restaurant but has vegetarian options
Address: Various branches around Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, you can just google ‘Young Sanna Mee’ and find the one closest to you when you wish to visit.
This place is not a vegetarian or vegan restaurant, however they have a few scrumptious vegetarian dishes that I frequently return for. Whenever I come back to KL, I’ll always make a trip to Young Sanna Mee with my family for their Vege sanna mee with either their pumpkin or spinach noodles.
Their vege soup has a light yet flavourful soup that does not make you feel thirsty after drinking and the best part is the soup is refillable. The dish is hearty, warm and healthy. I haven’t come across this dish yet in Singapore hence it made its way to this list as a vegetarian-friendly ‘local dish’ to try in Malaysia.
Average dish prices range from RM18 to RM30
Whether you’re a vegetarian or vegan traveler, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur have plenty of superb options for you. These five must-visit restaurants offer a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes, ensuring you’ll find something delicious to satisfy your cravings while exploring these vibrant cities in Malaysia.
