Top Nine Meals of 2022

Here are our Top Nine Meals of 2022.

Compared to 2021 (when we mostly stayed at home due to the national lockdown), we were able to dine out more frequently this year.

There were plenty of memorable meals that could have made the Top Nine Meals of 2022 list, but the ones that made the cut were based on three main criteria:

Quality of food
Level of service
Personal experience

[Also, check out our Top Nine Cafes of 2022 list. Click here]

Top Nine Meals of 2022 by ThokohMakan

As with all lists, our choices are entirely subjective as we take into consideration the three factors above.

For this Top Nine Meals of 2022 list – you’ll find hawker stalls, Chinese dai chows, and casual fine-dining restaurants that impressed us with their food offerings and service.

These are the ones that made a lasting impression and made us want to return for a second visit.

We have excluded cafes from this list and will publish a separate Top Nine for that. This list is not in any order of preference.

Without further ado, let’s go!

1. Aposto, TTDI [Pork-free]

Helmed by experienced chef-founder Chu Wei Sin, Aposto offers a reinterpretation of classic Italian dishes by incorporating Japanese ingredients and French techniques into its dishes.

While traditional Italian dishes tend to lean on dense and heavy flavours, we found the dishes here to be remarkably balanced and flavourful. Newly opened in TTDI earlier this year, all of the pasta is freshly handmade before dinner service.

We enjoyed the 16-hour Braised Duck Pasta and its modern twist on classic Tiramisu.

But the standout dish has to be the Lobster Spring Risotto – a whole imported Canadian Boston lobster de-shelled and cooked perfectly to retain its juiciness before being torched by Chef Chu for the final pizazz.

The lobster was incredibly juicy and briny, with the risotto as a beautiful accompaniment. This was our favourite dish of the year!

Service was also impeccable from start to finish. Read our article here.

2. Majang Meat Market, Seoul [Non-halal]

We certainly stuffed ourselves silly during our Seoul trip in September, but one meal stood out for us – the inimitable premium Hanwoo beef at the Majang Meat Market.

With over 3,000 vendors and fresh livestock delivered on an hourly basis, Majang market is the largest meat market in South Korea.

It is estimated that 60% of all meat and meat-related products are handled here at Majang Meat Market before they are distributed in the city.

The market is particularly well-known as the hub for Hanwoo beef – its marbling rivals the best of Wagyu.
Sourced from local Hanwoo cattle raised free-range in the countryside, the Hanwoo beef is highly coveted and rarely exported. The Hanwoo beef here is generally cheaper than those found Korean BBQ restaurants.

Simply browse the many stalls, and pick out your favourite meat cuts.

We bought our 1++ Hanwoo beef from Seo’s Premium Hanwoo stall and made our way to the third floor to cook our meat for a truly local experience.

Read all about it in our article here.

3.Bowls of Steel, PJ [Pork-free]

Bowls of Steel’s Lamb Curry Noods (a collaboration with banana leaf rice outfit Kadei by Manchula) which we ate at Tiffin at the Yard, was featured in our 2021 Top Nine Meals list last year.

Top Nine Meals of 2021

Instead of traditional local noodles, Bowls of Steel offers newly-created noodle dishes which take inspiration from hand-crafted ramen noodles and infuse them with local produce and influences.
All of the dishes are created by head chef Jun and his team and do not feature any pork.

We enjoyed the Tomatoes – noodles served with tomato sambal, sambal matah, fried green tomatoes, confit mushrooms and tomatoes, fresh ricotta cheese by Cotta, basil and lemon oil.

Bowls of Steel is currently TEMPORARILY CLOSED until further notice. But we’ll be sure to visit them again when they reopen.

Read our post here.

4. Restoran Yuan Kee, Kepong [Non-halal]

It has been years since we visited Restoran Yuan Kee, so we were surprised to find that it had relocated to its new spot in Taman Bukit Maluri.

Our two favourite dishes here are the Cantonese Ginger Spring Onion Noodles and Soy Sauce Steamed Pork Belly.

The former is still one of the best we’ve eaten in the Klang Valley – beautiful gravy, sufficient wok hei, tender beef – but the latter is the true MVP.

Pork belly that’s steamed to perfection to highlight its freshness and paired with the most fragrant soy sauce, and finished with fresh minced garlic and braised peanuts. Simple ingredients on its own. But eaten together? Chef’s kiss.

Read our post here.

5. Yeng Kee Noodles, Taman Yulek/ Little Eat Stall, Pudu [Non-halal]

We love noodles! This year, we ventured far and wide to find the best Fish Noodles. We found our favourites at Yeng Kee Noodles in Taman Yulek, and Little Eat Stall in Pudu.

Max loves the one at Yeng Kee for its sweet Chinese wine-based broth, while Ming prefers the deep umami soup at Little Eat Stall.

We’re sure there are more hidden spots to discover in 2023, but do check these two out – read our articles here and here.

6. Sang Har Mee at Restoran Pan Heong, Batu Caves [Non-halal]

Operating since 1988, Restoran Pan Heong serves one of the best sang har hor fun in the Klang Valley.

The Sang Har Hor Fun (freshwater water prawn noodles) was delicious! The prawns were fresh, juicy and succulent with orange roe, but the real highlight here is not the prawns but rather the its essence in the gravy. We also enjoyed the Fish Slice Porridge.

Read our post here.

7. Myeongdong Kyoja, Seoul [Non-halal]

Michelin-recognised Myeondong Kyoja in Seoul is the only restaurant we visited twice during our Seoul trip. Operating since 1966, Myeongdong Kyoja specialises in noodle and dumpling dishes, with only four items on their menu.

The Kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) is our favourite dish here.

While the noodles are similar to pan mee, the soup here is the true standout with its deep umami of chicken broth, peppery kick, and sweetness from onions and ear fungus.

The restaurant is also known for its Mandu (dumplings) and Garlic Kimchi. Check out our post here.

8. Moodmood, KL [Pork-free]

Newly opened by the same folks behind Gooddam in SS2, Moodmood offers amazing quality hand-made pasta in the heart of KL.

We enjoyed all the dishes here – including the Silk Blanket Pasta in Truffle Mushroom Sauce (silky smooth pasta sheets in umami-rich mushroom gravy) and Sa Fregula pasta (pasta dough rolled into 2-3mm balls to resemble Israeli couscous) served with succulent tiger prawns, blood cockles and capers.

However, our absolute favourite was the 7-Day Aged Spring Chicken with Harissa Sauce. We’re still dreaming of the succulent and juicy bird in crispy skin, wonderfully paired with the smoky, sweet, and spicy Harissa Sauce. This is the best chicken we ate this year!

Full story here.

9. Entier French Dining, Brickfields [Pork-free]

Coming in clutch into the Top Nine Meals of 2022 list is Entier French Dining in Alila Bangsar, which we just visited last night.

During our last two visits (for our wedding anniversaries in Feb 2019 and Feb 2020), we had really memorable experiences with the level of service and quality of food.

On our third visit, Entier continues to excel with its exceptional service and seasonal menu that kept our palates tantalised throughout the night.

The Dark Chocolate Soufflé remains our favourite in the city (albeit shrunken in size), and we were pleasantly surprised by the Duck Rillettes, Black Cod, and Lamb Loin.

Check out the post here.