Beta KL Tour of Malaysia Menu

Post by Chiefeater VK

I recently had dinner at Beta KL, a sophisticated 1-Michelin-star establishment known for its modern and innovative take on Malaysian cuisine. The restaurant is helmed by chef-owner Raymond Tham, who uses French cooking techniques to reimagine local flavors across a curated “Tour of Malaysia” tasting menu.

The Venue

Fancy looking venue with a towering bar. Do note that the air conditioning is cold. So if you are the sort to get chilly, bring a jacket along.

The main course of steak was the highlight of the meal for me. I was particularly impressed with the restaurant’s flexibility; my dinner partner, who does not eat any type of seafood, had those courses seamlessly replaced with alternative ingredients. While the meal was highly enjoyable, some of the liquid nitrogen theatrics, which I might have once appreciated, now feel a bit bothersome.

The Menu

The menu lives up to its name of a Tour of Malaysia from North to South.

This was the starter platter that began the night’s meal.

PERKASAM (seen in the foreground) is traditionally a fermented fish dish but Beta used Duck, Sambal Hijau, Kuih Karas to present it. The Shrimp with Kadok, Turmeric, Lime in the background

The Corn with a Buah Kulim Aioli that

20.00% yeast bread. A bread made with tapioca and served with a Fermented Black Beans and Red Chill Emulsion sauce. Ibrahim, our host for the night, said that it was inspired by how people used to tapioca to make bread during the Wold War 2 when flour was not available. I am old enough to remember my mother talking about this time so I wonder how she would feel about me paying so much now to eat a tapioca bread.

Laksam is traditionally a noodle dish transformed into a fine dining presentation (Long beans, Star Fruit, Mushroom Garum)

Scallop. This dish is an East Malaysian inspired dish with elements of Pinasakan and Tuhau in it.

Beef Short-Ribs (Masak Hitam, Acar, Kadok)

The consomme was an extra offering for the night. Absolutely lovely and we had extra helpings.

4 CENTRAL & SOUTH
(KL, Selangor, N.Sembilan, Melaka, Johor)

Our main was the Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Striploin, which was an additional RM220

I had the additional course which was an Abalone Lawas Rice (Heirloom Rice, Caviar, Kaffir Lime) for an additional RM99.

Desserts
LOYANG VOL 7. ND2, Pineapple

Ruby Chocolate in the shape of Bee’s Nest

White Coffee
Date Pudding, Coffee Blossom, Coffee Husk

Complementary item

Less Than Stellar

There were a few points where they were less than stellar during the evening. The staff were unfortunately unable to identify the specific region for our wine selection. Additionally, the restrooms are located in the adjacent building rather than within the restaurant itself, which was somewhat inconvenient. However, as a point of comparison, even the 1-Michelin-starred Raan Jay Fai in Bangkok operates without its own dedicated restroom facilities.

Pricing

Tour of Malaysia Tasting Menu – RM550
Wagyu A5 main – RM220.00
Add on: Abalone Lawas Rice – 99.00
Place of Changing Wind Shiraz – 450.00

Total per pax was almost RM1,300 per person

MVX Summary

Score: 7.83/10

M – Meal Value
At approximately RM1,300 per person, this is a high-end investment in Malaysian gastronomy. The value is found in the technical mastery of local ingredients and the kitchen’s commendable ability to accommodate specific dietary restrictions.
Score: 7.5/10

V – Venue & Vibes
The restaurant offers a fancy, sleek, and intimate atmosphere with a minimalist luxury aesthetic that incorporates Malaysian heritage elements. While the setting is undeniably refined, the logistical issue of the external restroom slightly impacts the overall convenience.
Score: 8.0/10

X – X-Factor
The true X-factor is the sophisticated reimagining of Malaysian geography through food. Despite the polarizing nature (for me) of some modern table-side theatrics, the core execution of dishes like the steak and the personalized menu adjustments for non-seafood eaters make it a premier fine-dining landmark.
Score: 8.0/10

Business Hours</h2 Tuesday to Thursday 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Closed on Monday