Kuala Lumpur Travel Diary: Malaysian McDonald's & Four Seasons

We checked out of the EQ Hotel and into the Four Seasons, but the room was not ready yet. They handed us complimentary strawberry mocktails in the lobby while we waited, which is a nice way to start. We dropped the bags and went out to eat.

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Malaysian McDonald's at Suria KLCC

We had been holding off on fast food the whole trip because the local food options are so strong. Eventually curiosity won. We went to the McDonald's in Suria KLCC mall, right across from the hotel. The lunch lines here are not casual.

Ayam Goreng (fried chicken): We ordered both the spicy and regular versions. The crunch is genuine and the chicken stays juicy. Much better than a sandwich format and a completely different experience from what we order at McDonald's in the US.

Local chili sauce: Do not skip the chili sauce packets. They are thick, sweet, and spicy in a way that the standard ketchup-adjacent sauces back home are not.

Nasi Lemak combo: Fried chicken served with coconut rice. Finding this on the McDonald's menu was a genuine surprise. It is satisfying and fun and worth ordering just to experience it.

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Central Market

We took a Grab over to Central Market for a break from the big modern malls. The vibe here is completely different: smaller stalls, local character, actual Malaysian goods instead of the same international brands you find everywhere.

We found coin purses, chestnut chocolates, and postcards that teach you local Malaysian slang (walao, boss, etc.), which were genuinely entertaining. I bought two flowy wrap-style outfits. Soft, light, and exactly right for the humidity.

If you are spending time in KL and have mall fatigue, Central Market is the antidote.

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Four Seasons: Afternoon Tea

We made it back to the hotel just in time for the Club Lounge afternoon tea service. It was a Monday afternoon and we basically had the lounge to ourselves.

The savory bites and breads here were slightly better than what we had at the EQ Hotel. The EQ may have had the edge on desserts. Both are worth experiencing if you have lounge access at either property.

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Dinner at Yun House

Yun House is the Four Seasons' Michelin Guide-recommended Cantonese restaurant and we had a reservation that evening.

Truffle mushroom dim sum: The truffle aroma hits as soon as it arrives at the table. The flavor is earthy and clean, with every ingredient clearly readable. A strong opening course.

Peking duck: The chef carves and wraps the duck tableside with thin pancakes, cucumber, spring onion, and sauce. The presentation is part of the experience, and the duck itself was excellent.

For the full food breakdown across the property including the Curate buffet and Bar Trigona, see the Four Seasons KL Food Guide.

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Bar Trigona

We finished at Bar Trigona, the hotel's cocktail bar. The menu centers on local ingredients, specifically honey from native stingless bees, and each drink has small wine glass icons showing relative strength, which is a helpful design detail.

The Iris: Ube and coffee. A combination that should not work as well as it does.

The Scarlet: Originally listed as a mocktail, but they added alcohol on request. Grapefruit-forward with an actual slice of truffle. Surprisingly good.

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Breakfast and the Kek Lapis Sarawak Moment

We woke up the next morning frozen solid. The Four Seasons AC runs aggressively cold throughout the property, which we had been warned about but still underestimated. Pack a hoodie or light jacket.

The breakfast buffet at Curate was worth it: fresh dim sum that is noticeably lighter and less greasy than what we get in the US, starfruit, yellow watermelon, and a full spread.

The highlight of the morning: we found Kek Lapis Sarawak, a traditional layered cake from Sarawak. Since we were literally flying to Vincent's hometown later that day, he had to do an in-context taste test. His verdict: genuinely authentic and the real version.

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Travel Packing Tip: Foldable Duffel Bag

Before heading to KLIA Ekspres for the airport, we packed up. If you are traveling for more than two weeks, bring a foldable nylon duffel bag. We picked ours up in Japan and use it constantly. As the trip goes on and you collect things, dirty laundry and non-fragile items go in the duffel. Your main suitcase stays organized and packing up takes a fraction of the time.

Next stop: Kuching, Sarawak.