Petaling Street — or the Chinatown of Kuala Lumpur — may give off an old-world vibe at first glance, but do not be deceived by the down-atheel disguise of the neighbourhood. The gentrified area is now home to some of the hippest cafes. One prime example is the Upper House KL, a modern Asian restaurant nestled within the hotchpotch of hawker stalls.
Located at the rooftop of B Hotel — with the backdrop of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline that offers a striking vantage point of the much-talkedabout Merdeka 118 tower — Upper House KL is a brand new culinary establishment under the umbrella of KARLS Group, which owns some of the finest eateries in the city including Skillet KL and Beta KL. Helmed by famous twin brothers Alex and Kelvin Cheah, the Upper House KL is where some of the most unconventional taste can be savoured — all inspired by the co-founders’ tour of the nostalgic Chinatown and its lively surroundings.
At the Upper House KL, every dish was an exhilarating ride as if on some kind of gastronomic roller coaster. The vegetarian Asian Tacos was crispy and appetising — a departure from the traditional tacos served with meat — laced with tomato salsa, mango, and aioli. Infused with a dash of zest and a burst of aromatic condiments like nori, white sesame seed, and teriyaki sauce, the Asian Tacos was a great starter to whet appetites.
The Asian Tacos was followed by Crispy Chee Cheong Fun, which made the perfect segue as both of the dishes were tangy by nature. The contemporary interpretation of rice noodle roll was whipped up in the same vein — topped with the aromatic, flavourful mix of mango, aioli, and teriyaki sauce. It also came with al dente tiger prawns that added a wow factor to the otherwise cookie-cutter classic.
The Sea Bird’s Nest Salad was the revelation of the day. The seemingly ordinary salad took by surprise with its heady hot spices that are on par with Sichuan standards. The sense-awakening dish was not only a treat for the palate, but also for the health and skin with its health-enhancing benefits. The impressive series of appetisers concluded with Butter Fish dipped in Yuzu Soy, which served as an amuse-bouche to prep palates for the main dishes.
Next up was the Upper House Rice Bowl, where the true highlight lay. Upon lifting the lid, the rice bowl — served in claypot — emitted a pleasant waft reminiscent of truffle, thanks to aromatic complexities of dry mushroom. What made this a must-try is the Chicken Lapcheong that bore a strong resemblance to the Chinese sausage, bringing to light Upper House KL’s solid culinary prowess.
The exhilarating gastronomic journey was rounded off with an array of classic and innovative dessert offerings like Curry Waffles topped with coconut cream, and Coffee and Tea stuffed with Cham Filling and Burnt Honey Cream.
With this latest establishment, the Upper House KL perfectly showcases the fearless spirit of the Cheah brothers as well as their culinary bravura. Classic flavours are reinterpreted and given a modern twist, much like how Chinatown has undergone a facelift that brings modernity and individuality to the area.
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