Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, BarKar KL is a vibrant dining destination that combines the essence of a bar with the fiery passion of open-flame cooking. The name “BarKar” pays homage to the Malay word ‘bakar,’ meaning flame, setting the tone for a truly immersive culinary journey. As it was the wife’s birthday and she never had the chance to try out Atelier Binchotan (she had a last minute appointment), I thought why not try BarKar instead.
Ambience and Setting
Upon entering BarKar, guests are greeted by a dramatic hallway adorned with mangrove wood and mirrors, creating an illusion of an infinite path. The dining area features a circular bar counter with the central kitchen at its core, offering an interactive culinary experience. The Open Flame Chef Table, seating up to 18 guests, provides a front-row view of the chefs’ live cooking, making it ideal for couples or small groups. In alignment with either our anniversary or even birthdays, we tend to choose the chef’s table as we get to see the chef’s in action.
Cuisine and Menu
BarKar’s menu is a celebration of bold Malaysian and Southeast Asian flavors, with dishes crafted using charcoal open-flame and traditional cooking methods. The menu includes a variety of small bites, small plates, big sharing plates, and desserts. Standout dishes include the Egg & Toast, featuring chicken bakwa and century egg kaya, and the Wagyu Beef Roti, served with truffle oil and spring onions.
For those seeking more substantial meals, the 1/2 Dry Aged Corn Fed Chicken with Kulim honey butter is a must-try, offering tender and flavorful meat. The Claypot Char Siew Wagyu Beef Rice is another signature dish, though some may find the sauce lacking the traditional sweetness of shaoxing wine.
For us, we had the following items.
All in all, it was pretty good and better than I expected them to be. An interesting blend of flavours. I definitely would like to return and try their other poultry and fish meats as well.
Desserts
No meal at BarKar is complete without trying their decadent desserts. The Chocolate Lava Cake, made with locally sourced chocolate and served with vanilla ice cream crafted from Penang vanilla beans, is a crowd favorite. While the cake can be slightly dry, the rich chocolate and creamy ice cream make up for it.
Instead, we chose to have the Ma Lai Gao with burnt butter (insanely good). This was super unexpected and super yummy. We also ordered a scoop of teh tarik ice cream to eat with the Ma Lai Gao.
Service and Overall Experience
The service at BarKar is attentive, and the staff are eager to guide diners through the menu. However, the lively atmosphere can sometimes make it challenging to hear explanations of the dishes. Overall, BarKar offers a unique dining experience that combines vibrant flavors with a dynamic setting, making it an excellent choice for special occasions or casual gatherings
Conclusion
BarKar KL is a culinary gem that brings together the warmth of communal cooking with the sophistication of modern dining. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable dining experience, BarKar’s open-flame cooking and innovative menu are sure to leave a lasting impression. I preferred my dining experience here better than Atelier Binchotan as well as the taste of the food but of course, I think I spent 3x more here. I guess the good service and ambience of the place does increase the price a little bit. I definitely would return and will try out other dishes here.
Contact Details:
Address: NO. 199, SUITES G-06, GROUND FLOOR, BAR.KAR KL RESTAURANT, G Tower, Jln Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Website: https://barkarkl.com/
Contact: 01122773131
