Concubine KL
Old Meets New in Chinatown
By Crystal Chong
Tucked in Kwai Chai Hong, a evamped alley in the city’s historic hinatown, Concubine is a restaurant ar inspired by scenes from the pre-war building’s past, where it once hosted opium smokers, Chinese merchants, women of the street, mahjong nights and gang lord reunions.
While telling these stories through age- worn walls, original wooden structures and old-school murals of alluring women, Concubine adds a dash of urban fun and sass with splashes of neon lights, and punchy pink and jungle green tones. The murals also draw inspiration from modern and independent Chinese models and actresses such as Fei Fei Sun, whose portrait you’ll find near the entrance.
Audacious, flirtatious and funky, the resto- bar is the perfect place for trendy KL-ites to celebrate and unwind. The 
eclectic menu, designed by English chef Danny Winter, promises glorious platters of dishes to tickle even the pickiest of palates, taking you on a journey from England to Thailand, Malaysia to Japan and beyond.
Start off with the Double Cheese Burger Gyoza, Concubine’s famous dumplings that taste just like the double cheese burger from everyone’s favourite clown-endorsed fast food joint. You know which one we’re talking about. Then, go for the crunchy, fried Korean Style Chicken Wings, tossed in an intense Korean glaze that hits all the right notes – spicy, sour, sweet and salty. If a burger’s what you’re looking for, you’ll want to try the Beef and Bone Marrow Sliders with, as you might have guessed, a beef and bone marrow patty, garlic aioli, pickled shiitake mushrooms and cheddar cheese.
When it comes to the cocktails, Concubine takes inspiration from local ingredients. Some must-try concoctions are Roots, a refreshing and tart cocktail infused with asam keping (a tropical, sour fruit), turmeric and carrot, Minyak Cap Kapak, a gin-based cocktail inspired by the medicinal ointment, and Pineapple, the perfect combination of tropical gin, pineapple jam and maraschino.
To have your glass of cocktail and bites of burger at home, order takeaway or delivery by contacting 011-6090 2416. You can also access the online menu at concubinekl.beepit.co/ and get your loved ones a gift card at letsumai.com/widget/ concubine-kl#giftcard.
There is no doubt changes in restaurant operations will be made after the MCO and Concubine KL is ready to adapt. While hygiene, health and safety have always been the team’s utmost priority, the whole industry will now need to bring this to the next level, ensuring the safety of both patrons and staff.
Address: Concubine KL *Contemporary Asian
*Creative cocktails (pork-free)
Lot 2 Lorong Panggung, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 014-711 2185