Lima Blas Restaurant, situated along Jalan Mesui, is a humble-looking establishment that stands out from the hordes of rowdy watering holes you can find in Changkat Bukit Bintang with its nostalgia-invoking interior and authentic Nyonya fare. Nyonya cuisine is a unique delicacy from Malacca which blends Chinese ingredients with liberal amounts of coconut milk, various spices and cooking techniques used by the Malay and Portuguese-Eurasian community, resulting in a distinctly sweet and rich flavour.
A quaint establishment that can be easily mistaken for one of Malacca’s antiquated shop houses, its interior is adorned with recycled knickknacks such as vintage typewriters, massive spice jars, weather-worn tables, vintage posters plastered on its walls, and a rickety bicycle parked outside. Providing an airy al fresco dining section, the shaded patio by the entrance is adorned with several long wooden tables and mismatched chairs.
The restaurant serves a satisfying selection of Malaccan-style Nyonya fare that’s both authentic in taste and affordably priced. Lunch specials (from 12:00 till 15:00) are priced at RM9.90 while ala carte mains cost between RM12 and RM30. Diners can enjoy ayam pongteh or chicken and potato stew (RM15), sambal bendi (RM12), and telur cincaluk or fermented small shrimp omelette (RM9) with a serving of piping hot rice.
However, our favourite dish in Lima Blas Nyonya Restaurant is the Nyonya curry laksa (RM9.90) served only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The ensemble consists of bean curd puffs, chicken meat, fish sticks, cucumber slices, and noodles mixed in thick and aromatic gravy that’s made with generous amounts of lemongrass, ginger torch, spices and coconut milk. Diners can also mix a spoonful of sambal chilli paste and kaffir lime for an added kick of spice.
While drinks available at Lima Blas are rather limited, its Peranakan ginger ale (RM4.50) makes for the perfect thirst-quencher during a warm afternoon. Its ice-cold desserts are definite must-tries, especially the sago gula Melaka (RM3) and cendol (RM5), which consists of shaved ice and generous amounts of palm sugar and green jelly.
Undoubtedly one of the best authentic Nyonya restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, make sure you head to Lima Blas early as it is known for attracting a massive crowd, particularly during lunch hour.
The easiest way to get to Lima Blas Nyonya Restaurant is via monorail: alight at the Bukit Bintang stop and head north along Jalan Bukit Bintang: from there, it is about a six-minute walk away. For those travelling by car, valet parking services are also available near the restaurant for a fee of RM15.