Helmed by celebrity chef Redzuawan Ismail (better known by his monosyllabic nickname), this mammoth restaurant at artsy mall The Linc KL offers an all-round tantalizing experience. De.Wan 1958 highlights traditional Malaysian fare—a beautiful and lip-smacking blend of Malay, Chinese, Peranakan, Thai, Indian, and European cuisine—in a setting as colorful as Chef Wan’s personality. Tropical-print walls and shelves of Peranakan vases and tiffin carriers grace the interiors, as does an abstract life-size portrait of the smiling chef. To start, order the kerabu pomelo salad with crispy prawn cheeks for a satisfying contrast of textures and flavors, and don’t miss the cucur udang (prawn fritters), a comforting snack for many Malaysians. Still up for more seafood? Try the soft-shell crab and the sweet-spicy sotong sambal petai (squid with bitter bean and chili paste). Carnivores, meanwhile, will love the hearty kambing kuzi—succulent pieces of New Zealand lamb braised in a spice-laden curry. There are three types of colorful rice to pair with the mains; servers spoon them directly onto your plate from rattan baskets. Top it all off with Chef Wan’s take on the beloved shaved-ice dessert ais cendol. —Dana Ter
dewan.space
+60 3 2935 9375
Level 2, The Linc KL, 360 Jln. Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia