Dewakan Restaurant

Dewakan is a very different kind of fine-dining restaurant because the experience is built almost entirely around Malaysia itself. Located on the 48th floor of Skyviews at Naza Tower, the restaurant has an impressive Kuala Lumpur skyline setting, but the food is what really defines the experience. Rather than relying heavily on imported luxury ingredients, the kitchen puts Malaysian produce, native ingredients and traditional flavours at the centre of the menu. The concept behind the name is also interesting. “Dewakan” combines Malay words associated with food and God, reflecting the idea of appreciating the natural bounty of the land. Chef Darren Teoh takes this idea seriously, using local, native and sometimes lesser-known ingredients that many diners may not have encountered before. The restaurant also produces many fermented and dry-aged ingredients in-house, which adds another layer of technique and preparation to the tasting menu. What I find most interesting is that the food does not simply reproduce traditional Malaysian dishes. Instead, familiar flavours and ingredients are transformed into carefully constructed tasting-menu courses. The kitchen's nose-to-tail approach is also noticeable, with an emphasis on using ingredients thoughtfully rather than wasting parts that might normally be discarded. The presentation is obviously very refined, but I think the stronger point is the storytelling behind the ingredients. Some of the native fruits, herbs and other produce used here have connections to Malaysia's different regions and food traditions. That makes the meal feel more like an exploration of Malaysian ingredients than a standard international fine-dining menu. The view from the 48th floor is another major advantage. Kuala Lumpur's skyline provides an excellent backdrop, particularly during an evening dinner. The dining room and locally made tableware also complement the restaurant's philosophy, with the dinnerware created by Malaysian artists. The biggest drawback is the price. The current Dewakan tasting menu is RM870 nett per person before adding a beverage pairing, so this is definitely a special-occasion restaurant rather than somewhere for an ordinary dinner. The tasting-menu format also requires an open mind because some ingredients and flavour combinations may be unfamiliar. Overall, I found Dewakan satisfactory as a highly distinctive Malaysian fine-dining experience. The commitment to indigenous ingredients, fermentation, local craftsmanship and contemporary techniques gives it a clear identity. The price is high, but for someone genuinely interested in discovering Malaysia through its ingredients and culinary traditions, Dewakan offers something considerably more distinctive than a conventional fine-dining restaurant.

The food was beyond excellent. Every dish was carefully crafted down to the smallest detail and made with high-quality ingredients. The staff was friendly and attentive. A dinner worthy of being among the best and most memorable. It's definitely in my top 10 list of Michelin-starred restaurants I've visited. I don't understand the negative reviews... Michelin-starred restaurants are EXPERIENCES for our palates. Food can often be far removed from our culture, but trips like these deserve a deeper understanding.

One of the best culinary experiences of the year. Don't trust the Google score, it's not true. It deserves much more. An authentic journey into Malaysian culture and food. Unique dishes and a spectacular view. Worth 3 stars.

“A Harmony of Scents That Awakens Dormant Smell Cells” While all my senses were delighted, the sensuous, colorful, and novel harmony of scents was the ultimate experience, truly living up to the overwhelming reputation of a “Michelin 2-Star” restaurant. My only fault, if any, was that it was my first time visiting a Michelin-starred restaurant, so I had no other comparative experience. The service began the moment I stepped out of the elevator, starting with a kitchen tour. Upon entering the kitchen, I was greeted with welcoming smiles from all the staff, allowing me to enjoy the tour with great pleasure. The explanations of the various local ingredients, each possessing a colorful aroma, stimulated my sense of smell even before I began my meal. Upon arriving at the table after the explanations concluded, I had a panoramic view of all the iconic buildings of Kuala Lumpur. Although the setting sun was somewhat overwhelming, the twilight glow left behind by the slowly fading sun created an even more magnificent atmosphere. From the very first dish, the harmony of local ingredients and sauces delighted my mouth and nose throughout the meal, providing an excellent texture that was anything but bland. Above all, the food I was experiencing for the first time felt as fresh as encountering an unfamiliar travel destination for the first time, and I was as delighted as a child. The paired non-alcoholic beverages harmonized exquisitely with the course meal, making an already fantastic meal even more perfect. The four desserts served after the course were not merely sweet to force the meaning of "dessert"; the composition was overwhelming enough to be called truly perfect. It included ice cream with very mild sweetness that blended exquisite aroma and texture, a fragrant and tangy pudding, a tart where the richness and sweetness of chocolate exploded to a peak, and a pandoro that retained a gentle balance of sweetness and tartness. For me, who had become accustomed to bland experiences despite encountering diverse foods every day, today's experience was a fantastic time where I could feel the joy of approaching something new like a child, the anticipation that there could still be more novelties, the relief that my sense of smell, hardened with age, was still alive, and the grandeur of listening to a symphony of scents.

Superb view of the surrounding towers, including the Petronas Towers. Cozy dining room with few tables. We started with a tour of the kitchens and an exhibition on food preparation. Then we were seated in the dining room. Service was rather slow at first, then picked up speed. Friendly waiters. Amazing and surprising cuisine using local products, although the seasoning was sometimes a bit off. Nice wine list with French and international selections. Very reasonable prices considering the quality.