Mouth-watering Malay and Indian dishes served 24/7

Word to the wise: 'Nasi' means rice, while 'kandar' means balance, a reference to a time when vendors balanced poles on their shoulders to carry hot meals.

Popular plate: Locals love the succulent fried quail prepared with herbs and spices.

This no-nonsense all-night eatery began life as a food stall serving nasi kandar, a variety of curries and side dishes accompanied by steamed rice. The food became so popular with KL's nocturnal crowds that the stall's owners bought a nearby coffee shop and opened a dining hall. Now, hordes of taxi drivers, club kids and curious tourists pack the room 24-hours-a-day, filling up on cheap, authentic cuisine.

The restaurant is laid out like a food court with separate counters serving classic Malay and Indian dishes, most of which stick close to generations-old recipes. The curries are the main event, but be sure to grab some fresh roti chanai, too. The restaurant's milk-based drinks (including the signature iced tea) also score high marks from discerning locals.