Limapulo at Tong Shin Terrace – Nyonya & Southeast Asian Cuisine
Words: Joanna Florento
Photos: Peter Tan
Limapulo at Tong Shin Terrace doesn’t just want to pay homage to history; it actively strives to create its own. Housed in a 1930s prewar building directly opposite the historic Blue Boy Mansion apartments, Tong Shin Terrace has stood witness to countless beautiful and mundane moments of everyday life. Inside, Limapulo is no different: every corner has a story to tell, from its most recent stint as a guest house to its history as a community home. And here we marvel at the stories over delicious Nyonya and Southeast Asian cuisine.
Manager Alice Kamal gives us a tour and we delight in witnessing the restaurant’s depth, both spatially and in its reverent homage to the past. Every detail has been carefully preserved and polished, from the hardwood beams from Myanmar to the bricks locally made in Brickfields. Stained glass windows let in bright prisms of natural light, while the elegantly patterned floor tiles display various tropical birds. The 1920s British tiles upstairs sport a bird of paradise motif, while the Spanish tiles downstairs denote the finery of peacocks.
The windows and doors have been beautifully restored, and an antique long wooden bar from its previous stint as a guesthouse check-in desk stands patiently waiting to be repurposed as a beverage bar. Newly opened spaces upstairs are airy and bright, perfect for hosting events. Beautiful historical motifs abound in countless lovingly restored details. We would happily take them in for hours, but as authentic Baba Nyonya and Southeast Asia food await, we take our seats and prepare to feast.
Limapulo @ Tong Shing Terrace Menu
Appetisers
We kick things off with the Pai Tee (RM16 for four pieces), featuring crispy fried cups filled with stir-fried jicama and cabbage, topped with chilli and prawn, and served with sweet chilli sauce. These are the perfect light bites to ease into our heartier mains. They’re slightly sweet but not too spicy, and the bits of prawn are incredibly fresh.
The Tempe Mendoan (RM12) keeps things sweet and spicy with fried strips of soybean block served with sweet soy sauce and chilli padi. Each bite of tempeh is slightly nutty and steeped thoroughly in the savoury sauce.
The Roti Jala (RM18) showcases latticed turmeric crepes served with Nyonya chicken. We admire the delicate lattice design, but the chicken curry really steals the show. Each bite bursts with warmth, and the chewy texture prolongs the savoury flavour.
Mains Menu
No visit to Limapulo at Tong Shin Terrace is complete without trying their showstopping Nyonya Laksa (RM18, RM25 with seafood). This dish is renowned for being crafted without curry. Instead, the main ingredients are lemongrass, galangal and turmeric, all served with a side of homemade vegetarian sambal. This dish showcases yellow noodles and rice vermicelli, two types of noodles that add depth of texture. We fish around for the tau pok skin balls and are pleasantly surprised by their chewiness and flavour.
Next, we reach for the Nasi Lemak Ayam Kuah Berempah (RM19), a hearty combination of coconut rice served with a mix of curry and rendang. The sauce is irresistible, and we endeavour to find as many items to dip into it as we can. The coconut rice is soft and fragrant, while the sambal bears a hint of sweetness that generously takes the edge off the spice.
The Rawon Komplit (RM18) showcases comforting beef stew served with homemade sambal belacan. Each bite of beef is soft and tasty, and the salted egg served on the side adds a kick that enhances the rich stew. Bean sprouts and toasted shallots complement the plate, adding complexity to every warm spoonful.
Finally, we dig into the Bakso Spesial (RM 19), a beef broth soup that is wonderfully layered. The bones are boiled for six hours before being combined with soft chunks of beef to create a comprehensive soup that boasts a generous umami. There is no other way to enjoy this than to slurp quickly and enthusiastically.
Drinks
It gets harder to stay cool as the sun climbs a little higher in the sky. Luckily, Limapulo at Tong Shing Terrace has us covered with its roster of refreshing drinks. We sip the Teh Jawa Melati (RM6), Indonesian Jasmine tea with rock sugarcane. It’s slightly sweet and delicate, blooming well over ice.
The Sirap Bandung Cincau (RM6) is an eye-catching medley of rose milk swirled with grass jelly. Each sip is floral and sweet, while the grass jelly adds a satisfying chewiness.
The ultimate treat for staying cool, the Nyonya Coffee (RM12) offers a fresh twist on a classic latte with homemade gula Melaka syrup and milk foam. Our eyes light up as soon as it’s brought in, and we immediately ask for more. It delivers a heady shot of caffeine that is softened by the palm sugar. The milk foam works double duty by cutting the caffeine and cascading over the side in a very aesthetically pleasing way.
Dessert
For dessert, we enjoy the Sago Gula Melaka (RM6), a delightful combination of sago, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup. It’s chewy, sweet, creamy, and comforting – everything you would want in a dessert. Our only complaint is that it’s gone in just a few spoonfuls! There are also plenty of varieties of homemade ice cream on display, and we cast a wily eye on these for our next visit.
Limapulo @ Tong Shin Terrace Review
Everything at Limapulo @ Tong Shin Terrace is a carefully preserved homage to the past, from its beautifully restored interiors to its authentically prepared Baba Nyonya and Southeast Asian fare. While rooted in tradition, subtle refinements – like the curry-free Nyonya Laksa or the frothy Nyonya Coffee – show a gentle pulse on evolving palates. With such strong roots and a touch of inventive spirit, we eagerly await what delicious refinements will bloom at Limapulo next.
Reasons to Visit Limapulo @ Tong Shin Terrace: Beautifully preserved interiors, airy and bright event spaces upstairs, authentic Baba Nyonya and Indonesian Javanese food, must try the Nyonya Coffee, Nyonya Laksa, and Rawon Komplit.
Limapulo @ Tong Shin Terrace
27, Jln Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang
50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Link to Limapulo @ Tong Shin Terrace on Google Maps
+60 10-383 3238
@limapuloterrace
Street parking.
Limapulo @ Tong Shin Terrace Hours
Mondays: closed
Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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