Seafood and heat are two qualities I love in my food, and Coast by Kayra in Starhill fulfils that—and so much more. Nestled in The Starhill on Bukit Bintang, the restaurant earned its Michelin Bib Gourmand status for two years running. After a team excursion there, I can understand why.
Owner Meriam Alfonso, a third-generation Keralite-Malaysian, opened Coast as a sister restaurant to the Michelin Selected Kayra. Where Kayra offers a broader Kerala experience, Coast dives headfirst into the seafood treasures of the Malabar Coast. Executive Chef Sal Sabeel sources locally from Selangor, Pahang, Perak, Kedah, and Sabah; a choice to mirror the abundance of Kerala’s shores, but with Malaysian waters.
We began our dining experience with the Lassi Chaat and Dahi Puri Shooters, which were fun and refreshing. But the Mini Appams with Sea Tiger Prawns were the ones that caught my attention. These mini appams were morsels of delight: delicate, lacy edges with soft, pillowy centres, topped with perfectly cooked prawns.
Then came the Beef Pal Kappa, a traditional Kerala comfort dish that deserves its own spotlight. The slow-cooked beef with tapioca was rich and beautifully spiced, while the accompanying tapioca base added an earthy, starchy balance to quell the spice. It’s a great Asian alternative to the Western rendition of mashed potatoes under braised beef—and it works well.
The Kerala Fish Curry and Seafood Biryani, on the other hand, both showcased the restaurant’s confidence with seafood, while the Ghee Roast Chicken was aromatic and golden. Fibre is important in any diet, and thankfully, Coast by Kayra does some pretty mean vegetables too. The Roasted Cauliflower and Local Fern Kachidi held their own. However, I do need to give a special mention to the Grape Pachadi, a sweet and tangy chutney that cut through the richness of everything else we ordered. Yoghurt and cooked grapes were not a combination I thought would go well together, but as they say, don’t knock it till you try it.
The bread service is something you absolutely cannot skip. Khameer Roti and Green Butter Herb Naan came hot, charred in all the right spots, and soft enough to mop up every last bit of curry. As with any dish that has gravy, you absolutely need some good quality carb to pair with it.
For a team outing—or any group outing, for that matter—lunch at Coasy by Kayra worked perfectly. The menu is designed for communal dining with small plates, but they also offer Discovery tasting menus if you’re entertaining visitors or just want to sample the best of what they’ve got.
Address: Lot G03-G05, Ground Floor, The Starhill, 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Make a reservation here.
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