Kuala Lumpur’s dining scene just got a whole lot bolder with the arrival of CHARR Dining, a wood-fire BBQ restaurant that masterfully fuses primitive cooking techniques with global flair. Tucked away in The Manor at Persiaran Stonor, CHARR isn’t just about fire-grilled food – it’s a full-sensory experience where smoke, heat, and hospitality come together in perfect harmony.
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The co-founders – Chef Leong, Chef Xing, and Kenneth Ngai – bring a powerful trio of culinary and business expertise to the table. With decades of combined experience across Michelin-starred kitchens and the world of hospitality and real estate, the team behind CHARR envisioned more than just a restaurant. Their goal: to craft a bold, meaningful dining destination where every detail, from the food to the ambiance, tells a story.
Paying homage to the art of charring, drawing inspiration from the high-heat intensity of Cantonese ‘wok hey’, and incorporating ingredients from around the world, CHARR crafts dishes that are both comforting and creative.
We tried some of CHARR’s signature dishes, beginning with the Pommes Anna – a luxurious stack of crisped potatoes layered with nutty brown butter, creamy herb crema, and delicate pops of smoked trout roe. The Chicken Wings were a standout, seasoned in fragrant Pad Kra Pao spices and served with a tangy, umami-rich house-fermented hot sauce.
The Wagyu Beef Tongue, served on fluffy naan with harissa yogurt and topped with a quail egg, was a perfect blend of boldness and balance. The Foie Gras dish was another indulgent highlight – served atop buttery brioche and paired with pandan kaya, egg jam, and a sprinkle of soy salt, it was a rich and nostalgic play on sweet and savoury.
Vegetable-forward dishes didn’t disappoint either. The Burnt Onion was deeply caramelised and paired with creamy smoked stracciatella, vibrant chimichurri, and a burst of ikura, offering layers of smoky, sweet, and tangy notes. Meanwhile, the White Corn delivered a punch of flavour with fermented jalapeño heat, house spices, and shavings of aged Parmigiano Reggiano.
For mains, we had the Catch of the Day, served with an aromatic Singapore laksa sauce and pickled ginger flower that gave a zesty lift to the rich broth. The Smoked Duck Breast, plated with rosemary apple and fennel orange, was juicy, tender, and perfectly balanced between smoky and fruity notes.
To wrap up the night, desserts were equally memorable. The Choux Craquelin filled with pineapple and crème diplomat brought a tropical freshness, while the Dark Chocolate Lava Tart with smoked vanilla ice cream provided a decadent, smoky-sweet finish to the meal.
Beyond the kitchen, the venue itself is warm and inviting, with design touches like a mahogany communal table and fire-inspired interiors that make guests feel right at home. Pair your meal with a charred cocktail or a cold local craft beer, and don’t miss the house-made tepache, a fermented pineapple drink that nods to CHARR’s zero-waste ethos.
Open Wednesday to Sunday from 6pm to 11pm, CHARR Dining is a celebration of fire, flavour, and the joy of a well-shared meal. Stay tuned to their Instagram for updates and secure your seat for an unforgettable evening here.
Venture into more gastronomic hotspots around the city here.