The best roti canai in Malaysia, according to chefs

We get intel from five local chefs on where they go for this local flatbread treat

Roti canai is without a doubt one of Malaysians' all-time favourite mamak breakfasts. Often paired with curry or dahl, there is also a variety called roti telur cooked with an egg. It's a classic breakfast dish but should the cravings hit, it's not uncommon to find people ordering roti canai any time of the day.

Watching roti canai being made is also a spectacle as the dough ball is kneaded and flattened, before being tossed and bunched together again to be grilled on the greased griddle. For your next fix of this flaky dish, head to one of these mamak spots, as recommended by chefs.

Farid Johanne, Eat & Cook

Farid Johanne is a sous chef at Eat & Cook in Bukit Jalil (Photo: Instagram/@eatandcook.asia)

Above Farid Johanne is a sous chef at Eat & Cook (Photo: Instagram/@eatandcook.asia)

Above Mansion Tea Stall is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur (Photo: Instagram/@hyunjong.bae)

“My go-to roti canai is from a place called Mansion Tea Stall somewhere near Masjid Jamek. It became famous because of its roti canai special, which consists of roti banjir (roti canai drenched in curry) and half-boiled eggs on top.

My order is always roti banjir kari campur (mixed curry) with sambal and a side of teh tarik. This place has been making its roti canai the same way for a very long time and to me, that’s what makes it stand out from the rest.”

Mansion Tea Stall, No. 2, Ground Floor, Selangor Mansion, Jalan Masjid India, 50100 Kuala Lumpur, +6012 331 1456, Monday-Sunday, 8am-12am

Sugeen Poovandran, Nadodi

Sugeen Poovandran is one of the three leads in the kitchen at Nadodi (Photo: Courtesy of Nadodi)

Above Sugeen Poovandran (Photo: Courtesy of Nadodi)

Sugeen Poovandran's order of choice (Photo: Courtesy of Sugeen Poovandran)

Above Sugeen Poovandran's favourite roti canai (Photo: Courtesy of Sugeen Poovandran)

“The best roti canai for me is from Roti Canai Transfer Road in Penang. My usual order is the roti special, which comes with a piece of chicken thigh. If you're lucky, you can get the curry that the staff makes for their staff meals, which is a chicken neck curry that is beyond delicious.

It’s our first stop whenever we travel back to Penang as a family. While here, you should hop across to Malia Bakery where you'll find fluffy buns with margarine and homemade kaya.”

Roti Canai Transfer Road, 114, 110, Jalan Transfer, George Town, 10050 George Town, Monday-Saturday, 7am-12pm; Sunday, 7:30am-12pm

Faruk Atiyar Tarafdar, Frangipaani

Faruk Atiyar Tarafdar heads the kitchen at Frangipaani (Photo: Courtesy of Frangipaani)

Above Faruk Atiyar Tarafdar (Photo: Courtesy of Frangipaani)

Above The roti canai special at A1 Bistro is a hit with regulars (Photo: Instagram/@rabbit_trade)

“The place I go to for roti canai is called A1 Bistro, which just moved from Bukit Damansara to Kota Damansara. The roti canai is perfectly round, light and flaky on the outside, and fluffy on the inside. It’s always served hot to maintain freshness. My choice of curry pairing depends on my mood, but its dhal and chicken curry are both great with earthy and deep savoury flavours.”

A1 Bistro, 16G, Jalan PJU 5/20D, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, +6016 933 3519, Monday-Saturday, 7am-10pm; Sunday, 7am-10:30pm

Nurilkarim Razha, Jawi House

Nurilkarim Razha is at the helm of Jawi House in George Town, Penang (Photo: Courtesy of Jawi House)

Above Nurilkarim Razha (Photo: Courtesy of Jawi House)

Above A hearty meal at Ramzan Restaurant (Photo: Google Reviews/Soo Hin Yeoh)

“My top roti canai spot has to be Ramzan Restaurant in George Town, Penang. It’s one of the places I grew up eating with my dad. I usually go for kuah banjir with dalca (Indian lentil-based stew) and kuah campur, combined with its famous daging cincang (ground meat). My meal is then finished off with its superb chapati with sardine or keema. You have to make it there before 11am as it stops serving roti canai and chapati after that.

I love coming to this restaurant because it’s unpretentious, mostly patronised by locals, and the service is friendly.”

Ramzan Restaurant, 48, Lebuh Ah Quee,10200 George Town, +604 261 4967, Monday-Saturday, 6:30am-6:30pm

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Nor Arif Burhan, Bōl

Nor Arif Burhan leads the team at Bōl (Photo: Courtesy of Bōl)

Above Nor Arif Burhan (Photo: Courtesy of Bōl)

Above Q Bistro's fan favourite roti canai with half-boiled eggs and curry (Photo: Instagram/@yosoykamal)

“I get my roti canai at Q Bistro at SS15 Subang Jaya. I like its roti canai because the almost-charred top layer is crispy, yet soft and fluffy inside. It’s made fresh upon ordering. My usual order is roti canai with kuah banjir with two soft-boiled eggs, which are the perfect accompaniment.”

Q Bistro, Lot No, 103, Jalan SS 15/4c, Ss 15, 47500 Subang Jaya, +603 5611 2472, Monday-Saturday, 7am-1am; Sunday, 7am-2am

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Roti Canai Local Food