Upper House KL, Rooftop Restaurant Chinatown KL

Upper House KL, Rooftop Bar & Restaurant Chinatown KL

Words: Karen Santosuosso
Photos: Matt Wehner

The KARLS group has an exciting new restaurant and bar with the most impressive view in Chinatown. A little more casual than their acclaimed Michelin-listed restaurants, Upper House KL is the ideal spot to bring a date or a group of friends for an evening of deliciously modern Asian-inspired bites. The food menu is inspired by the most famous eats of KL’s bustling Petaling street market, but with an innovative twist that is all pork-free and perfectly paired with their signature cocktails or mocktails. 

We enter the B Hotel, where Upper House KL is located, through their back alley entrance just off Jalan Petaling. It’s definitely off the beaten path, yet once you get up the lift and into the Upper House KL space, you realise you are right in the heart of vibrant Chinatown. We are wowed by the clearest view of the new Merdeka 118 tower (2nd tallest in the world!) while also appreciating the history of the rustic shop houses and streets of Petaling.

Upper House KL Menu & Prices

Cocktails & Appetisers

Managers Sayful and Herry take great care of us as they enthusiastically bring a Rosy Paloma (RM 60) to start. It is a refreshing and aromatic take on a traditional tequila-based Paloma with a bright roselle kombucha for extra tartness. It is delicious with the Wagyu Ox Tongue on Toast (RM 42). I wouldn’t usually go for a tongue dish, but this one has me going in for seconds. Enhanced by a flavorful Indian curry spice blend, pickled green chilli and spring onion, it’s definitely a starter I’d recommend.

Next is the Butter Fish (RM 48)—tenderly cured pieces of butterfish with a healthy drizzling of housemade soy and yuzu sauce. Monica opts for more sauce by the spoonful. The butter fish goes nicely with the Blossom Fizz signature cocktail (RM 60). A light and flowery mixture of osmanthus-infused gin, elderflower liqueur, dry vermouth, citrus, and egg white makes it just the right option for any gin fizz lovers.  

We are then greeted by a show of smoke and aromatic spice. Jo’s Paradise (RM 60), a gin-based drink with orange liqueur and burnt cinnamon, is the cocktail for me. It feels like a warm hug in liquid form. I also enjoy the Emerald (RM 60), a refreshing and earthy chamomile-infused vodka drink with cucumber cordial, lemon, and osmanthus salt. The cocktails go well with our other appetisers, too. 

The Sea Birdnest Salad (RM 38) is a healthy mixture of crunchy Sabah seaweed, black and white fungus, Japanese cucumber, sesame, peanuts and coriander. Paired with a Mala sauce for some added heat, it brings me back to my China days with the addictive element of spicy and numbing Sichuan peppercorn. The Asian Tacos (RM 28) bring more crunchy texture with a crispy rice paper and nori shell serving as a vessel for vegetarian ‘cured salmon’, avocado, mango, and tomato salsa. It’s dressed with white sesame, aioli, and teriyaki sauce to elevate the dish. 

The Crispy CCF (RM 35) ends up being my favorite as it brings the nostalgia of eating chee cheong fun as a kid in dim sum restaurants. The soft rice wrap with nori, mango, cucumber, and coriander is all fresh, while the tiger prawns are succulent and fried shallots add an extra crunch. 

Mains & Side Dishes

Just like the appetisers, Upper House KL’s entrees bring a creative twist to Chinatown’s neighbourhood classics. Head Chef Jason Wooi explains that the Wagyu Char Siew (RM 78) uses the intercostal cut of wagyu beef ribs to mimic the traditional juicy cut of pork that would usually be used for char siew. The satisfyingly smoky barbecued beef is served alongside pretty pickled pink radish and cucumber flowers to balance the rich meat flavour. 

The Smoked Duck (RM 60) is another barbecued option. It features tender pieces of smoked duck flavored with fresh orange and Sichuan pepper. The dish is a fun DIY project, with steamed lotus buns served on the side. Diners can build their own ‘taco’ with purple cabbage, carrots, cucumber, and smoky pickled green chillis for extra heat.

The star of the show is the Upper House Rice Bowl (RM 80). Inspired by KL’s famous clay pot rice, this rice bowl combines modern and traditional elements. It is presented in a beautiful clay pot with a steamed lotus leaf. The smoky rice is served with shitake mushrooms, chicken lap cheong sausage, fried shallots, and spring onion. Topped with puffed rice and quinoa for some crispiness and drizzled with light truffle oil for added umami, the dish is really well-balanced. 

We also try two of Upper House KL’s side dishes: the Fried Banana Blossom (RM 26) and Crispy Beef Tripe (RM 28). The crisp banana flowers come with a sambal hijau sauce made with green chillies that aren’t too spicy yet incredibly flavourful. The beef tripe is served with a spicy plum powder and tomato dip. Both fried sides would be satisfying bar snacks to be washed down with one of their signature cocktails. 

Dessert at Upper House KL

Our party is pretty well stuffed by this point, but it’s hard to resist dessert. Upper House has a few unique options. We go for the Tapai Moose (RM38) – a smoky surprise with fermented glutinous rice and tapioca cake with coconut and pandan filling atop a crisp coconut biscuit base. It celebrates some classic Malaysian flavours without being too sweet. 

For true coconut lovers, Upper House KL will also be adding some fresh coconut options to their drinks menu. Our reelographer Ivan finishes off his meal with a fresh coconut and coconutty white rum, which he can’t resist. 

Reasons to visit Upper House KL: restaurant and bar with the best view in Chinatown; DJ spinning on their outer rooftop on the weekends; creative menu inspired by Petaling market’s most treasured dishes; fun and fresh cocktails to enjoy on a night out. 

Upper House KL
Rooftop, B Hotel
82, 84 Jalan Petaling
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50000
+6012 835 6610
Link to Upper House KL on Google Maps
@upperhouse.kl
Direction video here

Upper House KL Operating Hours
5-11 pm daily
Closed Mondays

Find more restaurants in Chinatown KL here and stay updated with the latest gourmet and travel recommendations with The Yum List on Facebook here.