Best Places for Rice Bowls in KL

Devoted fans, flock to this homely cafe in Cheras for delicious rice bowls and amazing cups of coffee. The highly sought-after Minced Pork Rice Bowl (RM13) sees savoury minced pork and a scatter of bonito flakes on a bed of rice, dressed with fluffy scrambled eggs. Salmon lovers, don't miss out on the Salmon Sashimi Bowl (RM23) featuring a hefty serving of fresh salmon cubes topped with a dollop of ebiko. Complete your meal with a velvety cup of Flat White (RM11) or a fruity Black (RM8).

Four years on and this casual Japanese eatery in Plaza Damas still rakes in the masses for their famed Mentai Rice (RM19). Look forward to thick slabs of tamago veiled in creamy flamed mentai, which Burppler Joey Tee dubs as "absolutely delicious and addictive". Burppler Carmen Chan recommends pairing it with the Grilled Squid (RM25). Sashimi fans, order the Uokatsu Don (RM29) featuring fresh chunks of sashimi and a handful of seaweed.
Photo by Burppler Joey Tee

This cosy eatery in Damansara Jaya is popular for one thing – the signature House Rice Bowl (RM17.90). Burppler Sunita S akins this wholesome bowl to a "warm hug" – think crispy chicken thigh, sous-vide egg, pickled cucumbers and ginger scallion drizzled with housemade chilli mayo on rice. Go big with the Go All Out bowl (RM25.90) with additional juicy pork belly. Ps. They've recently added a scrumptious Market Vegetable Bowl (RM18) to the menu, with charred broccoli and mushrooms on seaweed butter rice. Yum!

Veggie lovers, we've got your back! This vegan-friendly restaurant in Sri Hartamas doles out delicious and good-for-you Nourish Bowls (RM23) that are loaded with tasty plant-based ingredients – you won't miss meat when you try this! Build your bowl with their unique sides – from cliantro lime brown rice to bbq jackfruit, mushroom asada, guacamole and more. If you spot the General Tso Mushroom (RM18) on the menu, order it! This hearty bowl sees crunchy deep-fried hericium mushrooms coated in an addictive sweet sauce served with brown rice and broccoli.

Drop by this modern Asian restaurant in Plaza Batai for weekday express lunches over mean rice bowls with stellar protein options – from tender beef to torched unagi, seared ginger salmon and more. Dive straight for the Beef With Seaweed Butter (RM27) and look forward to medium-rare slices of quality beef on seaweed butter rice, served with pickles and fresh veggies. Also good is the Japanese Fried Chicken (RM25) – deep-fried karaage in a creamy butter sauce. Ps. All lunch bowls come with a glass of ice tea.

Set foot in this stationery shop-cum-cafe and be transported back to the 90s, complete with old antique furniture – you'll want to whip out your phones for this! For comfort food at its best, Burppler Hemlatha Nagappan highly recommends the Orange Chicken Rice Bowl (RM13) that boasts simple yet hearty flavours. Expect moist chicken cubes coated in a tangy orange marinade that pairs excellently with the assorted vegetables and warm rice. Seal the meal with a smooth Cappuccino (RM10).
Photo by Burppler Hemlatha Naggapan

This poke spot in TTDI ranks high on our community's list for fresh and healthy bowls. Choose from the ready-made options like Shoyu Salmon (RM20), or the community-fave Spicy Salmon (RM20) – a solid combo of Sriracha and kewpie mayo. Then, pick your base (brown rice, white rice and quinoa) and pair it with the range of fresh proteins (salmon, tuna and shrimp). For the finishing touch, dress it with a wide range of toppings available – from edamame to pickled radish and ginger to fresh fruits like mango.
Photo by Burppler Nicholas Ng

Tucked in Sunway Geo Avenue's Jaya Grocer is this quaint cafe serving Malaysian and Japanese-inspired rice bowls that's sure to keep your belly happy. Swing by for a quick solo lunch and order the popular Sambal Oelek Fried Rice (RM11.90) – spoon slowly as the housemade sambal is fiery! Burppler Jesuis Enamourez recommends throwing in proteins like the Sesame Chicken Meatballs (RM6.50) or Fried Chicken Karaage (RM8.50) to make your meal more substantial. Equally satisfying is the Fattie Bom Bom (RM18.90) with crunchy chicken karaage, mushrooms, onsen egg doused in their dynamite ebiko sauce.
Photo by Burppler Jesuis Enamourez

For after-work dinner and drinks with the gang, look to this Japanese izakaya in Taman Desa for yakitori and rice bowls. Ps. Look out for a white signboard with kanji (Japanese characters) on it. Burppler Carmen Chan enjoyed pairing skewers with the Minced Meat Egg Rice (RM15) that's a guaranteed tummy-filler. Egg lovers, get the Egg Rice (RM7), which sees a simple yet spectacular combo of raw egg, seaweed and bonito flakes on warm, slightly sticky Jap rice. Take Burppler's R D's advice and add a dash of soy for more flavour! Wash it all down with a cup of the house drink, Maruhi Sour (RM16).
Photo by Burppler R D

Foodies may know this Japanese-fusion hot spot in Sri Petaling for their killer ramen, but also good are the rice bowls. First-timers, go for the Lucky Salted Fish Pork Patty bowl (RM23.80) featuring a thick slab of pork patty with distinct salted fish flavours, accompanied by fried egg drizzed with soy sauce. Another tasty option is the Lucky Smoked Duck bowl (RM23.80) with juicy and melt-in-your-mouth meat drizzled with sweet garlic aioli. Wrap your meal up with a glass of refreshing cocktail, such as the Ju Hua Tai (RM21.80), a sake-based concoction of chrysanthemum and lemon juice.

We can't stop waxing lyrical about this zen space in Sri Hartamas (now at The Hub too!) that dishes out addictive foolproof rice bowls. Take Burppler Carmen Chan's advice and order the Ox Tongue Rice Bowl (RM23) featuring tender beef paired with chilli that packs just the right amount of punch. Worth the splurge is the Summer Bara Chirashi Bowl (RM38) loaded with seafood goodness on a bed of vinegar rice – think seared yellowtail fin fish, salmon, scallops and salmon roe. Pro tip: Switch up the base with Quinoa (+RM5) for a guilt-free version.
Photo by Burppler Carmen Chan