The Magnificent Fish & Chips Bar

October 2008

For the past two years, the Magnificent Fish & Chips Bar has stood proudly (and busily) as one of the main attractions on Changkat Bukit Bintang. But, for anyone who is still yet to check out the city’s only dedicated authentic (they wrap them in newspaper and everything) fish and chips, what are you missing?

Well, first off: high prices. While elsewhere in the world, fish and chips are often seen as a cheap and cheerful meal, here you have to pay between 20 and 45 ringgit for a single piece of battered fish. However, that only tells part of the story. In fact, the fish is of very high quality. And it is cooked well. The prices genuinely reflect this and there can be no argument that you don’t get what you pay for.

Furthermore, the shop doesn’t try to be ‘cheap and cheerful.’ Actually, it is a cool, stylish and mid-to-high end establishment, turning into something of a happening nightspot after the typical dinner crowd have turned in. The warm wooden furniture and strong ambience are part of what (along with the amiable staff) keeps the punters coming back time and again; I know more than a few people who come more than once a week.

Or possibly it is down to the magnificent (sorry) tartare sauce, as good as you’ll taste and a brilliant accompaniment to the delicious fish, such as dory, parrot fish, barramundi, grouper, or salmon, listed on huge blackboards than adorn the walls.

These menus/boards offers much more than ‘just’ fish. There are pies, sausages, fish cakes, curry sauce, mushy peas, and a huge ‘chippy’ breakfast on a Sunday morning. And lest we forget the ‘Guinness and Oysters’ special.

Whether they’re in KL, California, Cairns or Cardiff, the secret to good fish and chips is being close enough to the sea to get the freshest, best fish. For that reason, Magnificent will never be able to compete with some of the world’s best. But for KL it’s fantastic and we’re lucky to have it. Y P Lee

Awards

The Magnificent Fish & Chips Bar was specially commended in the Best Seafood Restaurant category of the Time Out KL Food Awards 2009. Our food awards are 100% voted for by the people of KL. This way, we guarantee that popularity and consistent performance is rewarded.