I’m done complaining about the first set of dishes we tried in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia back on our first day of travel. Thank goodness, our griping ended there. From the second day to the last, we met great-tasting food! Hard Rock Café located in the ground floor of Wisma Concorde (walking distance from Bukit Nanas Monorail Station) was one that got our base covered.
This “rock-and-roll” restaurant was recommended by our local tourist guide/driver and we could not thank him enough. We needed plenty supply of energy for our busy day exploring KL mostly by foot that day, and Hard Rock Café was perfect as it served us excellent Malaysian food without much gimmicks. There was no secret dungeon or basement and no guy wearing a mask inside. What we had were simply the best things about Malaysian food available as part of their regular menu. Yes, there’s authenticity present in all of it. 🙂 Know more below.
Review of Hard Rock Café (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Ambiance: ★★★★★
I’ve read one blogger say that “just like McDonald’s and Burger King, Hard Rock Café is the same wherever you are in the world.” That part is exactly true. It’s good to see a similar relaxed ambiance and rustic theme of Hard Rock Café-Malaysia with those branches in the Philippines. To some degree, this made me feel at home while in a foreign country.
Records, memorabilia, signed CDs and posters of rock stars were displayed on the walls, easy to catch the eyes of customers. The bar setting, as well as the stage for the live band at the front, was especially nicely furnished. Football jerseys for the World Cup Season were hanged everywhere. Everything else spelled retro! They also have a small gift shop where Hard Rock fans can buy souvenirs.
All these make this restaurant a nice place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing in KL. Despite expected large crowds nightly, I bet that Hard Rock Café can play host to the next great time you will hardly forget.
Service: ★★★★★
Service was first class. The staff was very friendly, helpful, efficient and available at all times. He really focused on our every need. Response time of ordering and receiving said orders was quick.
Food: ★★★★★
As a starter, the Tupelo Chicken Tenders (RM 22) may not be the sexiest on the menu, but you can’t go wrong ordering it. The dish consisted of boneless, seasoned and breaded chicken tenders, served with honey-mustard and hickory barbecue sauces on the side. Without adding the condiments though, the chicken would not be worth much of anything. So we went ahead and loaded it up with as many as we pleased. The result is what I call glorious messiness! 😛
The Grilled Chicken Quesadilla (RM 20) was made with grilled chicken and pineapple, tossed in tangy barbecue sauce with melted Jack cheese and stuffed in a chill-dusted tortilla. It was served with fresh guacamole, freshly made salsa and sour cream. This quesadilla was incredible. It was more like a large and soft taco from the griddle with a lot of melted cheese and rich flavor. You’ll be happy to take one, or several.
People often say that when in Malaysia, try the Nasi Goreng—and we did. Good lord, the Nasi Goreng (RM 25) was awesome! It consisted of delicious fried rice with prawn and vegetables topped with fried egg. Eat the chicken satay with prawn crackers, and you are in business. With a good contrast of textures and complementing flavors in one plate, Nasi Goreng is a dish you should not dare miss when in Hard Rock Café in Kuala Lumpur.
Other Asian all-time favorites that looked good on the menu:
- Seafood Char Kway Teow (RM 25) – stir-fried flat noodles tossed with bean sprouts, fish cake, egg, prawn, squid and a sweet and spicy soy sauce
- Curry Laksa (RM 25) – a spicy curry coconut gravy served with yellow noodles, prawns, chicken, fried beancurd puff, bean sprouts, long beans, eggplant and boiled egg
- Teriyaki Salmon (RM 43) – grilled salmon fillet glazed with teriyaki sauce served with rice and vegetables
Price for Value: ★★★★☆
Prices are high compared to other restaurants in KL. However, this is Hard Rock Café we’re talking about, so that’s acceptable. I’m not only rating the price for value solely on the food quality but on the totality of our dining experience. I enjoyed every bit of our time here. If money is not a problem, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Whether you want to get some snacks and drinks or are hungry for a full meal, there’s something for everyone. 🙂
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
The Quesadilla looks awesome !! Did you try the laksa ? Going to KL in September, might have to call in for a bite.
No, we didn’t try the laksa. Oh my gosh, thinking about it now, I should have ordered it! 😆
i went to kl malaysia last year 🙂 how come i never heard of this place so i could have visited it? anyway when i return, i will definitely check this out
Hehe I don’t know. Yes, you should! Hard Rock itself is a tourist place. The store and the decorations are cool. 🙂
Hard Rock is Hard Rock. It’s always a nice place to visit even if its a bit pricey.
Yup. Suddenly I want to go visit the one in Glorietta! I always see it since I park in the 6750 ayala building but have never tried to go in.
Thanks for the recommendation. Good that they also have Malaysian food in their menu. Are those prices expensive? About how much is that nasi goreng in Peso?
They are considerably but reasonably expensive. The rate conversion we used was PhP 14.7 = 1 RM, so that nasi goreng cost us PhP 367.50 which is not bad at all. 🙂
It is nice to know that wherever in the world you go the Hard rock cafe is the same. So you know exactly what you walking in to. My Oh would adore the nasi goring too.
Yup, it’s coupled with the same lively atmosphere with great music and food. I’m glad we didn’t order the burgers and classic dishes available elsewhere and chose a dish that can well make us remember our trip in KL. 😀
Yummiest post. Pictures are simply superb. Really wanna taste
What more can I say? The food tastes were impressive.
Its true … there is one in Jamaica and it looks exactly the same .. great post and great ambiance .. the fried rice with the egg on top looks great ** lunch option for today* 🙂
Nice! The nasi goreng tasted as great as it looked. 🙂
Hard Rock Cafe’s very much famous internationally, and really very pleasant to dine inside. Moreover, their food looks yummy too.
One could not help but enjoy the savory dishes. Almost everything printed on the menu seemed delicious, so the weight-watcher ladies and gents must take note. 😛
The food looks so delicious. I love Hard Rock cage, it has great ambience, great music and some lip smacking food, too.
It thought this restaurant would be touristy (and it is), but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved the food here. Great atmosphere and servers are a plus. 🙂
Looks like a great place to me. Coz I am a hard core soccer fan and this place seems to be just the place hang out with a beer and some great snacks on a beautiful EPL evening.
I’m sure you’ll have a great time dining here because we’re not even fans of any band of sports yet we liked Hard Rock. 🙂 If ever we fly to KL again, I would consider trying out other dishes from the same restaurant.
It is funny that this review is popped up! We have plans to visit the Hard Rock here in Toronto, we are huge fans!
You get what you wish for. 😛 Thanks for dropping a comment!
Happy to hear that you had a great experience at Hard Rock MY. Was surprised to hear that they have local cuisine offered in their menu. Is it the same in the Philippines?
I remember hubby and I ate on our last day in Phuket at the Hard Rock restaurant there because he’s been craving for american food and all he had for one week is thai food.
I don’t remember eating at any Hard Rock Cafe in the Philippines, but I’ll try it out soon for sure!
It’s good to have a break on Thai food at least that one time. 😀
Although I’m in KL all the while but never step into Hard Rock Cafe KL… I think it’s time for me to plan for a meal there, after reading your post!
Haha you must! This is a memorable place for me. You won’t be disappointed. 🙂
[…] Good lord, the Nasi Goreng (RM 25) was awesome! It consisted of delicious fried rice with prawn and vegetables topped with fried egg. Eat the chicken satay with prawn crackers, and you are in business. With a good contrast of textures and complementing flavors in one plate, Nasi Goreng is adish you should not dare miss when in Hard Rock Cafe in Kuala Lumpur. Other Asian all-time favorites that looked good on the menu: Seafood Char Kway Teow (RM 25) stir-fried flat noodles tossed with bean sprouts, fish cake, egg, prawn, squid and a sweet and spicy soy sauce Curry Laksa (RM 25) a spicy curry coconut gravy served with yellow noodles, prawns, chicken, fried beancurd puff, bean sprouts, long beans, eggplant and boiled egg Teriyaki Salmon (RM 43) grilled salmon fillet glazed with teriyaki sauce served with rice and vegetables Price for Value: Prices are high compared to other restaurants in KL. However, this is Hard Rock Cafe were talking about, so thats acceptable. Continue reading.. visit http://rochkirstin.com/review-of-hard-rock-cafe-kuala-lumpur-malaysia/ […]
The establishment interior is just so cool. A perfect place to hangout. Nasi Doreng, wow one of my fave foreign foodie. If ever I’ll visit Malaysia, I’ll see to it to pass by Hard Rock Cafe.
Whether you’re into the whole theme the Hard Rock has going on you can rest assured that whatever meal you order, it will be hearty. They don’t mess around with portions. Bring your appetite.
Welcome to Malaysia! If you want local cuisine in a comfortable setting rather than outside at the hawker food stalls, try Madam Kwan’s at KLCC. If you want authentic Malaysian Chinese food at hawker stalls, try Jalan Alor after 9pm. The street is filled with vendors, you will have a hard time choosing what dishes you want to try! Hard Rock Cafe is known for it’s big portions and good quality service and food so you won’t go wrong eating there and dancing the night away 🙂
We have visited KLCC on our third day of travel but I can’t remember seeing Madam Kwan’s. Is it located in the food court area or is it a standalone restaurant on the fourth floor? Ugh, poor memory. 😛 We had planned to try the food stalls in Jalan Alor but the place was just too far from the hotel we stayed in. Oh well, probably we’ll have to arrange a visit next time. Thanks for all your suggestions! 😀
That looks like a great place to eat. I went to the one in Las Vegas.
Hard Rock is a cool place to dine in once in a while with family/friends, especially for fans. 🙂
I’ve been to KL once before but we weren’t able to drop by Hard Rock Cafe there. I’ll make sure to put it as one of my go-tos the next time I find myself in KL.
Go for the yummy bites. 🙂
I’m a Malaysian and I’ve been to Hard Rock Cafe @ Kuala Lumpur as well… Yes the food is definitely delicious but the price is actually kinda overpriced
Oh really? I think for us tourists, prices are okay because we don’t get to experience and eat the same food back in our home country. I just treated them as must-tries then and accepted the hefty price tag. Anyway, I’ll earn the money back as soon as I reach home but it will be hard to forego such dining experience and regret not having the food afterwards. 😀
I’ve never been to Hard Rock Cafe anywhere, but nice to see how it is different in Kuala Lumpur. Food looks delicious
Yeah, I think it’s a must-stop at least once in Kuala Lumpur. This is the type of food establishment that provides a “rock” atmosphere that doesn’t charge an entrance fee. What I’m trying to say is that you don’t come here solely for the food.
I have eaten at a Hard Rock Cafe here in the states, but I must admit the menu there sounds much more inviting. Especially the Nasi Goreng.
We should have tried the other special Malaysian food on the menu instead of the other two, to share pics with you guys. 😛
Almost perfect scores, I think you really enjoyed and had a blast there. I had been to Hard Rock (Makati) but that was years ago.
Yeah I should also visit that branch in Makati soon! 😀
Honestly, I’ve never been to any Hard Rock yet. hahaha. poor me. Anyway, I totally love quesadilla!
Haha. Some people include visiting all locations of Hard Rock Cafe into their bucket list. You might want to do the same and probably start with our very own Makati branch. 😉
I always love Hard Rock Cafe! Btw, if you ever come to Indonesia try OUR nasi goreng! No offence to any Malaysian out there, but i believe our nasi goreng kicks their ass *LOL*. There is a song in Dutch dedicated to our nasi goreng and all…
Oh yeah, I have to try Indonesia’s nasi goreng as well. I have been hearing nice reviews on the authentic Indo version, so I’ll take your word for it. Gosh, thinking about food all the more makes me want to go there! 😆
great review! i’d definitely look this blog up when i go to malaysia someday! 🙂
Thanks, Yan! Yup, don’t forget to stumble upon Hard Rock Cafe KL. 🙂
Haha… I was going to say you are over-charged for all the local hawker food you are getting at Hard Rock! But again, like you said, it’s a franchise, and people better get all the high level of service with the price they are paying!Nice food photos!
Do contact me if you ever come to Singapore!
Haha I didn’t really think of the prices as exaggerated because we have similar range of cost of food here in the Philippines (we’re used to dining at restaurants like that). 🙂 Singapore is like my second home country already whaha but yeah sure, I can contact you when I go to SG once again. You might have recommended places I’ve never visited before.
That’s a great idea by having Nasi Goreng in Hard Rock Malaysia. It looks really tasty and I like that their sunny side up is well done.
Food presentation was hard to beat. They were especially tempting for hungry souls. 😀
All of this food looks amazing! 🙂 Wow! Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome, Brenna. This was just a glimpse of what you can expect when dining into HRC. 😀
I like going to the hard rock cafe’s.. but in the US its more like hamburger then skewers..
HRC is popular for its burgers and the servings are humongous! Even as their menu expands to encompass both the best of local cuisines, they serve up the good stuff and count the burgers as their “forever gig.”
That looks like such a great restaurant! Looks so yummy!
Probably the only thing I could rant about is that there’s few (or no) vegetarian options.
I’m positive my husband would enjoy the Nasi Goreng. Cool to see an inside look at your Hard Rock!
Hehe it’s not even “my”/”our” Hard Rock. I have yet to visit the one in the Philippines (closer to home). 🙂
I have always wanted to go to a Hard Rock cafe. The food in the photos looks delicious!
I would definitely want to go back. It was a really fun place to eat!
I’ve always wondered what popular chain restaurants serve customers in other parts of the world. Thank you for sharing. You photographs make the food jump off of the page!
In all respects, this restaurant does not disappointed. We ate every morsel of food on the plate. We were super full that time and super ready for the next walking adventure! 😀 You’re welcome.
Wow, looks nothing like the hard rock cafes I’ve been to. Its a good place to go but kinda pricey.
For a commercialized, glossy version of rock and roll, it was alright. 🙂 I also worried that the food were intensely caloric. I’m not going to lie though. The service, the music, and the atmosphere were absolutely amazing for a music chain restaurant.
It’s so nice that even when you’re away, you can find some comforts of home 🙂 Glad you had a great time!
Yes, fortunately, our experience had been *overwhelmingly* positive. Plus, it didn’t take us a hard time to commute to the location. Thanks!
I have been to the Hard Rock once, I think it was in LA somewhere or the West Coast area. The food looks so good, great review, I loved the food when I was there.
I think whenever you enter HRC, you’d know what you’re getting into: a neat restaurant with great music memorabilia on display thoughout. This place is for patrons who don’t mind paying inflated prices for a good dining experience. 🙂
The quesadilla and fried rice look absolutely delicious! I’ve always wanted to check out a Hard Rock Cafe! We finally got one here in the Cleveland area at a Casino and I have yet to check it out!
Oh that’s nice! Hope you enjoy your visit all the way. 🙂
I’ve been to the Hard Rock Cafe before, I loved it there and the food was delicious!
I thought so. 🙂 Anyway, to each is own. Some people don’t mind the loud music and just enjoy the place and the good food.
They used to have so many of them in the USA and then they closed a few down. I’ve always loved the design concept and all the celebs who showed up for photo opps. Good review!
Aww I wonder why they closed down. Also, there’s only one branch of HRC. I’d want to try the food with local twist. Thanks!
If I ever make to Malaysia, I’ll definitely try the Nasi Goreng. It looks delicious. Plus I’ve always liked Hard Rock Cafe.
It’s a pretty decent option for a sit-down meal while you’re out exploring KL if you don’t prefer shabby ambiances. 🙂
I’m kinda sad we didn’t get to go here when we lived in Malaysia. We tended to go more towards traditional Malaysian/Indian restaurants while we were there. But this place looks like it would be have been a good place to get traditional food in a more familiar setting.
Aww that’s sad. You can always try in your next visit to KL. 🙂
Wow. Seems like the place is fantastic along with the foods!
Yup, it’s a great place to have drinks as well (but we’re not drinking folks and alcohol might just ruin our traveling so we said pass)! 😛
Hard Rock Cafe is always so fun to visit! It looks like the food is good at this location!
You got that right! 🙂
Wow..looks so delicious. I will make sure to visit this awesome place, if I ever get the chance to travel to Malaysia :).
You’ll love it here. 🙂