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April 28, 2024
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When it comes to the best range of tasty food choices, Kuala Lumpur is the place to be especially for vegan food. While many of KL’s famous dishes such as nasi lemak tend to be meat-based, vegan restaurants in Kuala Lumpur are on the rise to meet the demands of health-conscious living. Hence, I’ve summarized it all in this vegan eating guide on the best vegan restaurants and cafes to check out! From delicious fusion dishes to vegan fine dining, you will be in for a treat!
This is a guest post by Anna from The Amateur Climber. She is an upbeat travel writer and a rock-climbing enthusiast who enjoys all things adrenaline!
Skyline Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Yes, Kuala Lumpur is vegan-friendly, partly to cater to the religious needs of Malaysia’s diverse community. With a mixture of traditional and modern fusion dishes coupled with the country’s love for spices, you will understand why many vegans consider Malaysia a vegan food hub!
The vegan restaurants mentioned in this post are places I’ve tried and tested over the years in search of delicious healthy meals. Some of the restaurants have multiple branches across Kuala Lumpur so you can head to the one located closest to you.
You may also find that there are numerous Chinese and Indian vegan restaurants in the heart of the city. These restaurants are catered to their respective religions (Buddhism and Hinduism), providing plenty of options for any vegan and conscious traveler.
Want to know my recommendations? Let’s explore this list of the best Kuala Lumpur vegan restaurants!
Located in a cozy alley by Chinatown, The Hungry Tapir is an Asian fusion restaurant. In the daytime, this vegan food in KL has a bright pink outdoor balcony for photo-taking sessions. At night, it turns into a bar with a DJ set as you sip delicious local cocktails such as Lihing (a type of rice wine).
But the main highlight of it all is its food, of course! The beetroot burger is a signature with its pink buns, caramelized onions, and vegan mayo sauce. They also have a take on Malaysian classics such as nasi lemak and satay (made from monkey head mushrooms) offering a healthy blend of flavors and texture.
The staff here are also really friendly and you can clearly tell that they love what they do!
Website: The Hungry Tapir
Where: Directions
Originating from Penang, Idealite hails as a healthy food restaurant curated by nutritionists. It opened its first KL branch just opposite Pavilion Bukit Jalil in 2023.
This premium vegan Kuala Lumpur restaurant offers a good mix of Asian and Western meals such as “lei cha” (thunder tea rice), Japanese bento, and asam laksa spaghetti. In terms of drinks, the avocado trio soy milk is the best – it comes with jelly while being healthy and creamy!
Most of its meat alternatives are made from beans and mushrooms, retaining their nutritional value as opposed to highly processed plant-based meat.
Website: Idealite
Where: Directions
If you are staying at the heart of the city, this hidden vegan cafe Kuala Lumpur spot is just a short distance away! Located inside an old shopping mall on the 3rd floor, finding this shop feels like a treasure hunt as it is tucked in a back corner.
Nevertheless, the food is worth the search and it is often filled with patrons. The ambiance is welcoming with friendly staff and natural sunlight from its large window panes. My top favorites from this place are the banana smoothie, Hainanese chicken rice, nasi lemak special, curry ramen, and Vietnamese spring rolls!
Website: Minf Houze
Where: Directions
This 100% vegan cafe KL shop brings a balance of “East meets West” organic recipes. It gives homemade cooking vibes, coupled with the fact that it is situated in a residential neighborhood area.
Like most vegan restaurants, its signature dishes are the nasi lemak, ramen, laksa, and Vietnamese rolls which are packed with fresh ingredients and spices. Another dish worth trying is the mango sushi which is only served during weekdays.
Website: Loving Cafe
Where: Directions
This vegetarian restaurant began as a popular organic grocery store before transforming into a restaurant chain serving delicious Asian vegan meals.
Its set meals come with a delicious salad and soup for easier digestion. Almost everything on the menu is worth tasting, including their noodles selection. Sometimes if I am feeling unwell, I will grab a hot bowl of organic noodle soup to feel better.
If you are a fan of fried rice, I recommend the fried 10-grain rice with beancurd! You will get the same smoky flavor as expected but with less oil for a healthier vegan meal!
Website: Simple Life
Where: Directions
Specializing in salad bowls, this restaurant focuses on healthy meals with Malaysian taste buds in mind. Their high-quality ingredients are freshly prepared and you can tell when the carrots are naturally sweet and crunchy!
Although there are meat options on the menu, most of their dishes are vegan-friendly. It also comes with generous portions, although I wish the sauce could be more flavorful to make the meal more complete.
Price is slightly on the high side but it is what you get for the best ingredients to boost your health!
Website: MixBowlicious
Where: Directions
If you are looking for an affordable vegan place that is within walking distance from KLCC, then I have good news for you. Right inside this Chinese temple is a food center opened to the public with over 30 dishes to choose from.
This monastery serves a mixture of Chinese-style vegan and vegetarian dishes for the working lunch crowd as it is only open on weekdays. Honestly, I am impressed by how budget-friendly these dishes are: my plate of rice with 3 vegetable dishes would cost less than RM 10 ($ 2)! It is almost impossible to get any vegan food this cheap, especially in the city.
Expect a huge lunch crowd during the 1st and 15th of each lunar month when Buddhists practice abstaining from meat. I recommend coming at 11 am so you can choose and savor your food in peace in this tranquil place.
Website: –
Where: Directions
This Kuala Lumpur vegan spot takes on the economy rice concept by choosing the type of vegetables and protein with your main carb selection. It isn’t a fully vegan restaurant as it serves meat but instead offers numerous vegan-friendly choices that are just as fresh and tasty (they are packed with lots of herbs).
If you don’t want a make-your-own-bowl option, it also comes with preset well-balanced vegan meals. I personally like the caramelized pumpkin, roasted cauliflower, and tempeh so do give them a try!
Website: Agrain
Where: Directions
I love this full vegan food place in Kuala Lumpur as it is strategically located near 4-star hotels and popular entertainment spots like Changkat Bukit Bintang. Embodying a Japanese fusion dining concept, it is the perfect place for gatherings and escaping the busy life of Kuala Lumpur.
The beautifully presented dishes will make you think that you are eating in a high-end restaurant despite the super affordable pricing! Most of the meals cost between RM 5 to RM 22 ($ 1 to $ 4), except for the sushi platter which offers a whopping 20 pieces for only RM 59 ($ 12).
Kusa Vegan also provides the option to pick your preferred spicy level for its signature ramen and fried rice meals. Note: I recommend going for level 1 or 2 to save your tongue as level 5 is INSANELY spicy.
Website: Kusa Vegan
Where: Directions
Started as an organic grocery store, BMS Organics expanded into the cafe scene to offer healthy vegetarian meals that are valued for money. Their cafes have been my go-to spot for vegan meals for the past decade which shows that their food standards have remained consistent.
It has multiple branches located in Kuala Lumpur shopping malls so you can grab a meal here whenever you need a break from your shopping spree! The brand prides itself as a truly health-conscious store with no MSG, no artificial coloring, no GMO, low salt, low sugar, and low-calorie meals.
My go-to dish is its “lei cha” and soy milk curry laksa which will leave you full and satisfied!
Website: BMS Organics
Where: Directions
This vegan fine dining restaurant is the latest to hit KL and brings a fresh concept of Japanese omakase and mouth-watering vegan dishes that even meat lovers crave.
It is the ultimate spot for vegan lovers looking for a romantic dining place while curating meals to your preference. You are definitely paying for the ambiance, professional staff, and gastronomical vegan experience as you go through a 5 to 8-course meal.
If there’s one dish you should try (everything is worth it in my opinion): it’s the beet tartare that tastes out of this world!
If you prefer a simpler meal, you can also opt for its ala carte dining and order a satisfying bowl of ramen.
Do make reservations in advance as seats are limited.
Website: KUKI Vegan
Where: Directions
Vegan AND gluten-free? That’s right, this Indian vegetarian restaurant has it all. Situated in a quaint neighborhood area in Bangsar, The Ganga Cafe is a hit among locals and expats alike with its flavorful and affordable meals.
It’s almost impossible to order only one meal here as everything on the menu is absolutely delicious. From garlic cheese naan to vegetarian murtabak (stuffed pancake), you will wish for a second stomach to fit it all in!
And if you have the appetite for more, there’s a buffet lunch on Sunday to eat to your heart’s content.
Feel free to ask its friendly staff about its dairy-free options and they are happy to accommodate your dietary requirements!
Website: The Ganga Cafe
Where: Directions
Get your Tex-Mex vegan fix at SALA! Truly the answer to every Malaysian vegan eater, this vegan food Kuala Lumpur restaurant brings in a local twist with nasi lemak burrito among its other burrito choices.
It also has BBQ Jackfruit Tacos (surprisingly chewy and flavorful), chimichanga with mushroom asada, vegan Nyonya curry laksa, and plenty of vegan meals to choose from!
Prices are worth it and even more so when it runs promotions on certain days of the month! For example, you can get a buy 1 free 1 burrito every Monday. What a deal!
Website: SALA
Where: Directions
→ Also read: Bukit Kiara Hike: A Travel Guide To KL’s Best Trails
Currently, the only well-known vegan food festival in Kuala Lumpur is the Malaysia Veg Fest held once or twice each year.
Organized by Veg Hub, a vegan-focused food delivery app, it brings in over 60 vendors showcasing different vegan food brands and dishes. Since its debut in 2022, it has attracted tens of thousands of visitors seeking more plant-based options.
Throughout the multi-day event, you can attend vegan cooking workshops, join wellness sessions, play interactive family-friendly games, and watch dance performances!
You can find out more about the festival through the organizer’s Facebook page, Veg Hub.
With that, I hope you have a checklist of vegan restaurants to visit after reading this article!
Vegan food is a great way to stay healthy but to be consistently fit, you will need to exercise! Consider rock climbing in Kuala Lumpur as it is not only an eco-friendly sport, but it also focuses on sustainable climbing gear such as vegan climbing shoes!
Feel free to drop a comment below if you have any other recommendations that I may have missed or drop me a message through my contact page!
Need a guide on some vegan travel tips? I have a list of resources for you to start your trip on the right footing.
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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