akar

We had an outstanding dining experience at akar when we visited Kuala Lumpur for the first time, and were celebrating my brother's birthday! The food, service, and environment were exceptional! All of the dishes were so tasty and unique, with unique Malaysian flavors and foods, and presented perfectly with detailed explanations. The staff were always so friendly and willing to help make our dinner unforgettable! The environment is also very laid back, and you can feel comfortable with a group and speaking to staff, and they took time to learn about us as well. Highly recommend this restaurant, and hope to return again!

I’ll leave this review on two fronts: the 1) Food, and 2) the Service 1) Whilst the food was immaculately beautiful, I felt like most of them didn’t stand out taste-wise. The cucumber sorbet was probably the best dish of the night, and the rest felt….unspectacular. Whenever I go to a restaurant the question I ask myself is would I come here again? Or is there a dish that I would absolutely love to have again? Unfortunately the answer is no. 2) I felt the service and our maître d could have had a little more finesse, especially in explaining the food. I could sense the server was probably a little bit nervous, and that is fine, but for the price we pay, we did expect a much more refined service. Overall, it was normal. Nothing bad, but nothing great either. (E.g., even though Bol Asia doesn’t have a star (yet), I’ve been there twice because their rojak tart is absolutely delicious!)

Been to Akar three times since it opened in 2020. On my first visit, the flavours felt a little incoherent, with more misses than hits. A second visit two years ago showed clear improvement, though it didn’t leave a strong impression. My most recent visit, just after they received their first Michelin star, was a completely different story. The tasting menu has been totally revamped and the experience was excellent. Most dishes were spot on, and the service was prompt and smooth. They also have a short but reasonably good wine list, with some well-priced bottles. The Michelin star is well deserved.

Congrats on the Michelin I must say you guys have improved over the years! There was other big group that night so we were being allocated to another quieter area with partition (thank you!) and the staffs were very attentive in answering our questions. Dishes were very flavorful, loved the turnip ice-cream served with caviar and curry leaf oil, enjoyed every single bit and we had no complaints 💯❤️ shout out to that reinvented apam balik oh soooo yummy!!

Glad to have savoured a few delicious plates at akar. Most of the dishes were refined and enjoyed the Harum (local and sake) drinks pairing. Hospitality and atmosphere were great, although the washroom experience by my female companion was marred by other male guests that couldn't aim well - hope the team could look into this. Otherwise we were impressed by the showcase of Malaysian flavours and produce.

pair top malaysian hospitality with unique flavours sourced with local ingredients, and you get an experience like akar. 🌟 standouts for me were the ketupat and cassava’s tomato(one of the best tomatoes i’ve ever had, went so well with the sawtooth coriander and i have the soap gene). the staff were extremely knowledgeable and professional but also warm. the team was so thoughtful and kind to celebrate my brother’s early bday and also a bye bye as i’m flying back tmrw. 🥲 the chefs were also kind enough to offer us supplements when we had a slight issue with one of the dishes. only cons is that it was over 4hrs but i would do it again if i didn’t have exams.

In March 2020 (start of COVID lock down), slightly over 6 years ago, I walked into Akar wearing shorts, just to tapao a roasted chicken. The rest is history. My wife and I have returned at least once every year since, always for our wedding anniversary. Akar has quietly become part of our life rhythm. Each visit marks time, memory, and how Malaysian food can be reimagined with such depth and respect. What keeps us coming back is the way Akar celebrates hyperlocal Malaysia. Rare, unknown, often overlooked produce is treated with care, curiosity, and reverence. Every meal teaches us something new about this land. Not just flavours, but stories. I actually feel a little guilty writing this now. After being a patron for 6 years, this is my first review. There are simply too many beautiful memories to condense. But last night’s menu hit differently. Sayur Ensabi paired with umami-rich cuttlefish. Daun Kaduk transformed into ketupat. Curry leaf reimagined in a humble turnip. Ubi kayu turned into noodles. Marble goby, soon hock, as a quiet homage to shark fin broth. Starfruit transformed into vinegar. Tuhau reborn as chilli oil. It is innovation at another level. Thoughtful, grounded, and never gimmicky. And of course, the classics. The apam balik. The childhood sweets that gently pull you back into memory and nostalgia. Akar is not just a restaurant. It is a living archive of Malaysian flavours, culture, and possibility. Every recognition it receives is well deserved. If you have been thinking about visiting, this is your sign. Go with an open mind. You will leave with a deeper love for Malaysian food and a story you will want to tell others. Thank you, Akar, for continuing to show us what hyperlocal excellence truly means. ⭐️

Absolutely delicious & stunning looking food. While I wish the portions could be a tad more, I am quite stuffed at the end of the meal. The last dessert platter is really an amazing experience and I love the re-interpretation of the dessert platter. Well done to the chef!